All education is NOT equal. Are you choosing the BEST? All education is NOT equal. Choose the BEST! | Page 2

All Education Is Not Equal. Are You
Choosing The Best? #ChooseGarlandISD
With school choice a contested issue across the United States, Garland ISD wants to ensure that every
family living in the district makes an informed decision. GISD not only offers true choice by allowing
families to attend any school in the district—whether it’s down the street or across town—but it also
boasts 17 selective magnet campuses, access to six different world language options, a free associate
degree, over 200 career-training programs, transportation, comprehensive special education services, a
100 percent highly qualified teaching staff, and more.
No other educational entity in the cities of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse can claim this expansive list of
options. However, GISD has seen a steady decline in enrollment for the past five years. This comes at a
time when the Texas Legislature continues to decrease funding for public schools and competition from
popular charter and private schools continues to increase.
Looking ahead to the future, the district knew it must become the area’s No. 1 choice, which meant
reaching beyond just sharing good news to begin selling the district itself. During the 2017-18 school
year, Garland ISD Communications launched its #ChooseGarlandISD campaign with a goal of informing
students, staff, parents, businesses and the community about everything the district offers and what sets
it apart from other educational options. It utilized many tried and true mediums such as Twitter, websites,
billboards and videos but also ventured into first-time territory with print and digital advertising as well.
At the end of the school year, GISD’s enrollment numbers were higher than first day, and more than 150
new early childhood students joined the district. Stakeholders also rallied around the hashtag to share
why they were proud to live, work and learn in Garland ISD.
Research
The Garland Independent School District exists as a diverse community with a shared vision that serves
to provide an exceptional education to all of its students. With a tradition of excellence dating back more
than 100 years, GISD spans the cities of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse. It ranks as the second-largest
district in Dallas County, fourth-largest in Dallas-Fort Worth and 13th-largest in Texas with more than
56,000 students, 7,500 staff members and 72 campuses. In January 2017, an Interim Superintendent had
just taken the reigns of GISD, examining district data, processes and programs. As she worked with the
GISD Board of Trustees to chart a path of continued improvement, a demographic study was
commissioned to analyze changing populations, economic developments and enrollment numbers. The
district’s tri-cities all reported, and the information left GISD leadership unsettled.
Data from Census 2010 and Census 2015 showed the number of residents aged 65+ increased 4 percent
while all other age ranges decreased 1-2 percent. Enrollment numbers from 2011-16 also revealed a drop
of more than 800 students. And, GISD appeared to be one of just two districts in the region with declining
enrollment.
The demographic study included projections as well that were based on economic developments. While it
appeared that the city of Garland would remain a manufacturing hub without drawing many new young
homebuyers, the cities of Rowlett and Sachse promised exciting new growth with lakeside developments
and new business opportunities. The enrollment projections included low, mid and high-range scenarios,
with both the low and mid ranges continuing GISD’s pattern of enrollment decline. The high-range
projection, however, included a small but steady growth over the next 10 years.
Armed with these findings, the district began its budget workshops for the 2017-18 school year, which
underscored the importance of not only retaining all current GISD students but also attracting young