Linda McMahon

Education is a major part of our mission at The Real Estate Council. We not only make grants to organizations that are engaged in improving the quality of education in our region through our foundation but also actively engage with the Dallas Independent School District as volunteers, providing professional expertise to assist with commercial real estate decisions.

Most recently, through The Real Estate Council Political Action Committee, we endorsed three candidates for the upcoming May 12 election of DISD Board of Trustees: District 1—Elizabeth Jones, District 3—Dan Micciche, and District 9—Bernadette Nuttall. These endorsements came after our members completed a full day of rigorous interviews of candidates running in all districts. I commend all of the candidates for their willingness to give their time to improve our public schools.

Although many Dallas citizens are not engaged in what is happening in our public schools, it’s important for all of us to acknowledge that having a strong public school system is a significant economic development driver for our region. What happens in the classroom and in the boardroom at DISD is critical to our future.

The Real Estate Council’s members are strongly committed to reform-based education, and I know many of them will turn out to vote on May 12. Voter turnout on that day is not expected to be robust, but I would challenge that it should be, and that this election truly is a tipping point. We now have a new superintendent in place who is committed to shaking things up a little bit and keeping the focus on the children.

A strong DISD will strengthen our region’s economic health. The commercial real estate industry will benefit directly through increased property values, stronger markets, and a diversified and educated workforce. Stronger public schools will help Dallas become a magnet for business relocation, which will continue to increase our economic prosperity. Stronger public schools mean we all prosper.

So what will motivate you to vote on May 12? Your sense of civic duty or your greed? Either one works for me, because the end result is a better Dallas.

Linda McMahon is president of The Real Estate Council. Contact her at lmcmahon@recouncil.com.