Fort Worth ISD needs strong, steady trustee in southeast district. Here’s our recommendation
For the third time in three years, voters in southeast Fort Worth are going to the polls to choose a school board member.
The area, Fort Worth ISD District 4, needs a stable representative who’s dedicated to its schools and can establish stable representation. We recommend longtime neighborhood activist Wallace Bridges.
The 63-year-old community liaison has deep roots in the area and has demonstrated a passion for helping youth achieve and overcome challenges. Bridges ran last year, falling short against trustee Daphne Brookins, who died in November.
In our candidate interview, Bridges demonstrated more focus this time, especially on the crucial question of boosting academic performance for underserved children. He understands the board needs to steer the district on that issue and limit distractions.
Brian Dixon, 41, is a psychiatrist who brings a holistic view of children’s needs, especially on growing concerns about students’ mental health. He would make a good trustee but lacks Bridges’ experience working in Fort Worth schools.
There’s also an unresolved question about whether Dixon lives in the area he seeks to represent. Bridges has filed a complaint with the school district, contending that Dixon does not reside in the Historic Southside home he listed on his application to run. His voter registration is there, but that’s a recent change. Dixon maintains that he rents the home.
Dixon served last year as a community adviser to the Editorial Board. That role had no impact on our recommendation in the race.
Also running is Trischelle Strong, 22, an entrepreneur. She would bring the perspective of recent experience in Fort Worth schools. Her commitment to serve is admirable, and she shows the potential of a future leader. But she’s not ready to be a trustee.
Early voting starts Monday, and Election Day is May 7. If no one receives more than half the vote, the top two finishers advance to a runoff. The winner will finish Brookins’ term, which expires in 2025.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.