DISD Gives Unanimous Approval For $130 Million Improvement Plan

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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The Principal of W.T. White High School has a little bounce in her step as she happily informed students about a large slate of improvements that will now take place on campus.

Thursday night the board of the Dallas Independent School District unanimously approved nearly $130 million in improvements at 21 locations.

This is how principal Michelle Thompson explained to students why CBS 11 News was there videotaping choir rehearsal. "They are here just to interview about what the impact the school will be receiving... like I said this morning, 21 million dollars!"

The choir let out a huge roar and applause.

Dru Miers is a junior and was the student who led a petition drive to persuade school board trustees to approve funding of the "interim bridge plan."

"A lot of people when they signed the petition petition they asked me why do you care," he said. "Because it's not about us. It's about the people in the years to come. It's about the next generation. I think if the people in the past generation had thought about us, we could have a better school, so it's all about thinking about the future."

Thompson says W.T. White is at 150-percent capacity. While the buildings were designed for 1600 students, there are more than 2300 currently enrolled. There are also 28 portable buildings on the campus.

W.T. White opened in 1965.

Thompson says the school's biggest accomplishment is it's Advanced Placement program. But due to overcrowding there are up to 41 students in each AP class.

DISD spokesperson Robyn Harris explained how some of the money will be spent at the school.  "W.T. White would receive building renovations that would include a 39,045 square foot addition, to address the overcrowding. Other building structural needs would also be included in that campus' renovation project."

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