12:35 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 2, 2006

By BRAD WATSON / WFAA-TV

While Dallas school board member Ron Price points to his record of improving schools in his district, making peace among gangs and urging African-American men to mentor young people, there's another part of his record he's reluctant to talk about.

Last year, as Price urged Woodrow Wilson High School graduates to dream big and do great things at their commencement, he referred to his own life.

"I'm from Harlem, New York. Spanish Harlem," he said. "I didn't speak English until I was 11-years-old when I moved to the state of Texas, to Garland, Texas."

But records and Price himself reveal a different personal story.

It seems Price has forgotten how to speak fluent Spanish.

"I spoke a broken English," he said. "[I spoke] more Spanish than English."

Price said most of his Spanish was lost when he moved to Garland where he said very few people spoke the language at the time.

But Garland Independent School District records indicated Price enrolled as a first grader in 1973 at the age of six, not 11.

"My dad, my dad worked, I mean moved here," Price said. "I mean lived here when I say moved here. I mean lived here. Not getting technical when you say moving here, moving there. I'm talking about actually staying here."

News 8 reported last year that among board members with cell phones paid for by taxpayers, Price had the highest bill.

In his speech he talked about who he claims he's been talking to.

"I could've never imagined having the president of the United States, George W. Bush, call me from time to time on my cell phone," he said.

"I would never imagine having the governor of Texas calling me on my cell phone asking me questions."

But a spokeswoman for Governor Perry told News 8, "To my knowledge, the Governor has not called Price on this matter."

Price also referred to meetings with Perry and Bush when Bush was governor.

The White House press office declined to respond if President Bush called Price on his cell phone, leaving Price's statement to speak for itself.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com