Donna McDaniel brought the DeKalb Independent School District superintendent’s office out of the administrative building and into the community with Conversations with the Superintendent.
“I just wanted people to have a voice to talk to me if that’s what they would like to do,” McDaniel said.
“Knock on wood, people seem to be happy and real pleased with the completion of our construction projects and the appearance and they like the things that we’ve added to the district. We’re just trying to see where we are to move forward. And if people have questions about the current laws that are out there that legislators are discussing, if they want to talk about how they may affect our district, I’m available for any questions they might have.”
She held meetups for breakfast and lunch at various DeKalb eateries.
McDaniel said she used the opportunity to meet with families of students at DeKalb ISD to open the doors of communication within the district.
“I’m out eating lunch anyway so I just wanted to put it out there. Sometimes it’s intimidating to come into an office or people only come when there’s problems and I don’t want it to be like that. I want people to know I really do have an open door and they can come and talk to me about anything at any time. It doesn’t have to be a problem, it can be good things or suggestions,” she added.
She said the idea for the community meetups and conversations came after holding meetings with the teachers at the three campuses to discuss how to better improve the district.
Teachers had the opportunity to give input on what they would like to grow, start and stop in the classrooms and campuses.
“I got a lot of good ideas and suggestions. So I thought why not just go out into the community and just give me an opportunity to present the great things that are going on at DeKalb ISD as well as give people the opportunity to offer any suggestions or encouragement or things that they would like to see or not see,” said McDaniel.
McDaniel said she feels the best thing that DeKalb ISD has to offer students is the teaching staff and community.
“I feel that we have a good, cohesive group of teachers on each campus that really care about our students. They’re here for the betterment of them, not just academics but for the betterment of them,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of success this year and that always makes for some great community pride …We do have a wonderful community that supports us.” The Future Farmers of America alumni, band boosters, Bear boosters and the DeKalb Education Foundation presented financial reports at the meeting.
“It’s just amazing, not only the community hours that people give back in volunteering, but the amount of money they are giving to support our kids. It’s a true blessing. We have such community support,” she said.
“We don’t have a lot of money, so facility-wise there’s not a lot we can do. A lot of districts around us have passed bonds, we have not. So we are trying to do the most with the money that we have and take pride in the facilities that we have and make them better.”
McDaniel said being a business owner and lifelong resident in DeKalb also gives her an opportunity to have more candid conversations with various civic leaders, businesses and other residents in the area.
“I can’t make everything, but I try to be out and about. I do want the community to always know that my door is always open … I’m always available to make time with someone,” she said.
