Student performances and remarks by Dallas ISD and city officials, community leaders, and family members of the late Dallas ISD trustee José “Joe” May marked the Sept. 29 dedication of the school named in his honor. The celebration took place in the multipurpose room of the new Jose “Joe May Elementary School located in northwest Dallas at 9818 Brockbank Dr.
Welcoming guests to the district’s newest school, Principal Israel Rivera expressed the excitement experienced by students and staff learning their way around the 100,000-square-ft. building that features 47 classrooms and serves students in grades pre-K through five. The new building is the last of 14 new schools constructed with funds from the district’s $1.35 billion 2008 Bond Program.
District 8 Dallas ISD Trustee Miguel Solis, who represents the northwest Dallas community where the school is located, welcomed the family members of the late Jose “Joe” May for whom the school is named and joined Dallas city officials Monica Alonzo and Adam Medrano in extolling the important contributions of the late Joe May who they praised as a tireless advocate for voting and civil rights.
Elected officials from the U.S. Senate to the Texas Legislature and Dallas City Council presented proclamations and resolutions praising May for his work promoting voting and civil rights. Superintendent Michael Hinojosa shared personal stories of working alongside Joe May. He said May was a fearless warrior who fought for the rights of the less fortunate with courage, fortitude and well-researched and convincing data.
In her remarks, Eliza May, sister of the school’s namesake, thanked the community for honoring her brother’s legacy and encouraged students to study hard and always remember with pride that they are Joe May Mavericks. Student contributions included a show-stopping rendition of “El Mochila Azul,” “The Blue Backpack,” by two kindergarteners and the first performance of a new school song titled “Joe May Leading the Way,” composed and led by music teacher Amanda Meyer.
The project team for the new school, built at a cost of $20.8 million with the capacity to serve 824 students, included architect, CaCo Architecture, LLC, and general contractor, Ratcliff Constructors.
