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New superintendent launches
listening tour
W
ith more than 7,500 employees, tens of thousands
of families and hundreds of thousands of
community members, Garland ISD exists as a diverse
group of individuals with one shared vision. We all want
to reach the future by driving excellence, one student at a
time. Together, we are #TeamGISD, and the district’s new
superintendent is calling us to action. Dr. Ricardo López
has launched a listening tour to gain feedback for future
planning. While meeting with students, staff, families and
communities throughout the end of the school year, he is
asking three simple questions:
• What should the district continue doing?
• What should the district start doing?
• What should the district stop doing?
“I think it’s important to hear everyone’s perspective,”
said Dr. López. “We are a strong team, and if we
mobilize behind the same beliefs, we will be
unstoppable.”
More than a dozen stops have been
scheduled for Dr. López’s tour. Invited guests
include city leaders from Garland, Rowlett
and Sachse, Chambers of Commerce,
PTAs, the Asian-American community, the
Garland Association For Hispanic Affairs,
the NAACP Garland Unit, students, staff
and more.
connected
With thousands of expected attendees,
the voices of each will be heard.
Participants first break up into tables,
inviting everyone to express their opinions regarding
the three questions. The group then votes on its top
responses, and that feedback is recorded on the district
website at garlandisd.net/lopezlistens .
“The López Listens meeting was such a pleasant and
valuable opportunity for me to voice my comments
collaboratively with others regarding future possibilities
for all GISD students,” said district employee and PTA
volunteer Francis Luna. “I’m so glad to have been a part of
the process!”
“To quote the Dalai Lama, ‘When you talk, you are only
repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you
may learn something new.’ Dr. López is a great listener.
He knows the community’s needs and is sensitive and
respectful to a diverse set of cultures,” added community
member Dan Dao.
Do you want to add your input?
Participate in our online López Listens tour
now. A survey with Dr. López’s questions can
be found at bit.ly/lopezlistens . Online
responses will be recorded and combined
with responses from the live events.
“I’ve only been in this district a short
time, but I’ve already seen many
amazing things,” commented Dr.
López. “GISD is home to excellent
administrators, high-achieving students
and supportive families and
communities. I truly believe that
we are the best school district
in the state. I look forward
to working with you all to
continue the greatness
that is GISD.”