Russell Lonnie III is the new principal of the “Great” James Madison High School

This week, students at the “Great” James Madison High School welcomed a new principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Principal Russell Lonnie III graduated high school in Baltimore, Md., then headed to Texas, where he started his own business. Russell went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of North Texas. Before coming to Madison, Russell was principal at Dallas ISD’s Rufus C. Burleson Elementary, where he was awarded the district’s “master principal” designation.

Principal Russell joins Madison during an exciting time, as the school enters the final year of a $45 million renovation. He faces the challenge of reversing declining enrollment and encouraging more students to pursue higher education. Currently, the college enrollment rate, including those pursuing Associate Degrees, stands at 56.6%, just shy of the Dallas ISD’s target for 2025. In an interview with Dallas Free Press, Principal Russell shared his plans for the school year. One of his top priorities is ensuring that students are college-ready, equipping them with the tools and resources they need to successfully pursue higher education if they choose to do so.

Q: What do you consider unique about South Dallas? How will it shape your approach as principal?

A: Napoleon Lewis, the school principal at Lincoln many years ago, is my inspiration of values on what a school should look like. I come from a background similar to South Dallas in all regards — socially, economically, students the same as South Dallas. Being here reminds me of growing up in Baltimore.

Q: What in Madison’s legacy do you hope to build on? What do you hope to change?

A: I would like to give former principal Ms. Willard kudos for establishing connections and relationships with community partners. My job is to continue and grow the program. We plan on building on top of Madison’s mission of educating the whole child, nurturing in an innovative environment. The vision is for every student to be engaged and learning. We look at it as, ‘Building a house’; the subfloor is P.R.I.D.E (perseverance, resilience, integrity, discipline and excellence). We want to make sure the pillars that hold up the roof of student achievement are engaging and accelerating students. We want this environment to be a fun and learning environment. I want to bring that to the “Great” James Madison High School.”

Q: Madison is in the middle of a massive construction project. What can the community expect from it? How do you think its completion will impact the school?

A: Madison can host up to 900 students; currently enrollment is at 305. It’s my job to grow that program. We already are seeing pockets of excellence when it comes to the band hall, which is completed, and our auxiliary gym is fully refurbished. We are in year two of a three-year renovation project. We’re on the tail end of the project, and we just have to have a few pieces come together for our beautiful historical building. In my meetings, I’m hearing that this should be completed by this time next year. Completion will include a championship gymnasium, football field and track.

Q: Dallas ISD data from recent years shows that about half of students zoned to Madison choose to go to other schools. Why do you think this is? Is this a trend that you feel is reversible?

A: I most certainly do feel that trend is reversible. My goal is to create and have a successful pathway for incoming and potential students. I’m working on that with some folks. I’m putting together a committee. What I’ll probably do is invite stakeholders from outside the school and inside the school, and we’ll put our heads together to fill up these classrooms. We do great athletically, but I want to make sure we have opportunities academically and this is a desirable school to come to.

Q: The campus is on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which is receiving millions of dollars in investment over the next several years. How do you expect this to impact the school and students?

A: I’m hoping we can continue to build partnerships with businesses and organizations coming into the South Dallas area. Our students and community deserve the best. We will be meeting with the Forest Forward group this week. [I’m] looking forward to how we can make this a great partnership.

Q: Tell us about your Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) committee  — who is a part of it and when does it meet? Also, what are the best ways for parents and community members to get involved in Madison?

A: Our SBDM committee will be meeting two times per semester. I plan to have a PTO [Parent Teacher Organization] meeting on a monthly basis. My plan is to maybe, at these meetings, have students showcase their skills and talents. Maybe we can include our band or dancers or academic program. I know the best way to draw parents in is to let their students showcase their talents.

Q: Do you have a strategic plan for increasing college enrollment after graduation?

A: We have students in our P-TECH programs. Our goal is to give access to opportunities to allow students to go to college. It is our goal to make sure they are college, career or military ready. We want to make sure that everybody is college-ready, regardless if they are going or not to college. 

Q: What does success for students look like for you?
A: A student that is the whole child. They are well — academically, emotionally and socially. We want them to have memorable experiences here at Madison and want them to continue to have Madison pride. I recently went to an alumni cookout for Madison, and I thought it was phenomenal that there was so much pride.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.