Should Benbrook Split Off and Form Its Own Independent School District?

An article published two years ago in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram states that Benbrook Mayor Dr. Jerry Dittrich once led a campaign to separate from the Fort Worth school district.

Twenty-plus years ago, before becoming Mayor, City Councilman Dittrich sought support for Benbrook to form its own school district. According to reports, the primary reason behind this desire was the long distances (over 15 miles in some cases) Benbrook residents had to commute to school. Though Dittrich’s actions led to new schools and facilities, the ultimate goal of splitting off from the Fort Worth Independent School District was never reached. Mayor Dittrich said that the Benbrook learned that splitting off was “pretty hard to do”.

Though I appreciate Mayor Dittrich’s efforts and consider him a champion for Benbrook families with school-age children, I can’t help but wonder if the campaign to split off was aborted prematurely. With Benbrook’s recent growth and influx of new students, perhaps it is time to reconsider the idea of a Benbrook ISD.  Such a change would not come easily, of course, and is sure to be wrought with serious challenges (and challengers), but maybe it’s the right move for the future of the Benbrook families.

===Maternity Phographer==

As a more recent transplant to Benbrook, I am not privy to the details behind Mayor Dittrich’s “pretty hard to do” statement. I’ve listed below my best guesses at the financial and logistical obstacles I would face as I consider the pros and cons (from my perspective) of splitting off from the FWISD.

Pros

  • A school board that consisted solely of individuals elected by Benbrook residents
  • Focused spending of funds to directly benefit Benbrook students
  • Decision-making that held Benbrook students as a top priority
  • A more highly rated ISD
  • More attractive to new families
  • More attractive to new business

Cons

  • A likely increase in taxes for Benbrook residents
  • The complicated process of determining ownership and liability of existing buildings and property
  • A season of difficult adjustment

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Benbrook, Texas
2:01 pm, Feb 18, 2025
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