Byron Sanders: Dallas ISD District 5 trustee candidate

Leading up to the May 3 election, Dallas Free Press is asking questions and publishing answers from the three Dallas ISD District 5 trustee candidates, one of whom will represent West Dallas. Find more information on 41-year-old Byron Sanders and other candidates, plus where and when to vote, in our Dallas Voter Guide.

Where do you live, and how long have you lived there?

I live in a house in Wynnewood North since August 2021. Purchased in February of that year and did renovations before we moved in.

Did you grow up in Dallas? Where did you live previously?

I did. Grew up between Oak Cliff, DeSoto, and Pleasant Grove. Went to elementary at Adelle Turner in the Red Bird area (Polk x Red Bird). Practically lived in S. Oak Cliff with church, football, friends, and rec center. Even did summer theater at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church. Spent a ton of time in W. Dallas too – my mother (40 year educator, 36 in Dallas ISD) was part of the founding faculty at Eladio Martinez during the learning center heyday. Middle school was at Alex W Spence TAG and met a mentor who told me about Greenhill. Applied and got in (my mom knew it was a private school; I just thought it was another magnet). See the disparity in resources I got at a private high school drove the point home that I was going to do something to right that inequity even back then … I just didn’t yet know what exactly.

Tell us about your family.

I’m a husband, father, son, and brother. As I mentioned, my mother is a 40 year educator, primarily elementary math teacher. 36 of those years was with Dallas ISD where she was a number of schools including Martinez, TG Terry, Lipscomb, Hood  Middle School and many more. My brother and I were raised with Dallas ISD as our backdrop to life. My wife and I met in high school and grew to be best of friends.  We’re 19 years married this year and 25 years in a relationship – she’s the best. She is  a data/analyst, but was an educator for 20 years, split about evenly between Hockaday and Greenhill, both middle school. My two kids are in high school, freshman and sophomore, son and daughter. Son has loved his first year of Booker T. Washinton in the Theater Conservatory. Daughter is thriving at Bishop Lynch HS in leadership programs and soccer. That “soccer for her school” part was the deciding factor in her school for her – was in tears choosing between Irma Rangel and BL. They both were students at William B. Travis TAG. So essentially, I’m Dallas ISD kid and am raising Dallas ISD kids today. I believe that public school systems will be our saving grace – it’s why I’m so anti voucher. Dallas ISD is one of the best district’s in the nation with its wide range of school choices, but if a person were to choose a private school, they absolutely should not use public dollars to subsidize that choice. I want to ensure that Dallas ISD is the choice for our families no matter what zip code for as many families as possible.

Have you run for office previously, whether for this seat or others?

No. This is the first time.

What is the main reason you are running for this seat at this time?

I’m running to ensure that Dallas ISD has the resources to provide its children as much a chance as any children in this city, in this nation. A product of Dallas ISD and a lifelong  advocate for educational equity, I’ve dedicated my career to creating opportunities for  young people to thrive. My involvement in education civically and professionally for over 20  years, my experience as the former CEO of Big Thought, my work on the national education scene, and my deep roots in District 5 have prepared me to tackle the systemic challenges  facing our schools. I’m committed to ensuring that Dallas ISD becomes a model of  innovation, equity, and excellence for all students.

What is one thing that needs to change in West Dallas schools, and what policy(ies) will you create or activate to make that happen?

West Dallas schools need to transform discipline into a restorative, safety-focused system while expanding career-connected learning. Too often, punitive measures push students out rather than address root causes. I’ll implement trauma-informed reset rooms (modeled after my work in FWISD) and partner with programs like BAM  and WOW to address behavioral challenges through mentorship, accountability and not just punishment. 

At the same time, I’ll expand paid internships, apprenticeships, and P-TECH  pathways—starting as early as middle school—so students see real-world purpose in their education. By aligning discipline reform with career readiness, we’ll keep students engaged, safe, and on track for economic mobility.

What is one thing that needs to stay the same or be preserved in West Dallas schools, and what policy(ies) will you create or activate to make that happen?

West Dallas’s strong sense of community and its partnerships must be preserved and resourced. Organizations like West Dallas 1, Mercy Street, and the SMU STEM partnership organizations provide wraparound services (housing, food, legal aid) that are vital for student and family stability. I’ll formalize these collaborations through shared data platforms (with family consent) to align school and community  resources. For example, integrating Dallas ISD’s 2026 bond with city infrastructure projects (e.g., DART routes, housing) will amplify impact and leveraging it build affordable housing for Dallas ISD educators. By codifying these partnerships in district policy, we’ll ensure families consistently receive holistic support and neighborhoods are preserved.

What other community and civic roles have you held in Dallas, especially in West Dallas? [We asked candidates to list up to 10 roles.]

• Trinity Park Conservancy, Board of Directors (2019–present) 
• Latino Center for Leadership Development, Fellow (2015) 
• For Oak Cliff, Board of Directors (2020–present) 
• Dallas College Foundation, Board of Directors (2022–present)
• Dallas Mavericks Advisory Council (2018–2024) 
• CitySquare, Board of Directors (2015–2023) 
• ChildCareGroup, Board of Directors (2016–2021) 
• Big Thought, Board Chair-Elect (2017–2018)
• Dallas Education Foundation, Executive Director (2012–2013)

What is the job of a Dallas ISD trustee?

A trustee sets the district’s vision, approves budgets/policies, and holds the superintendent accountable. They also represent community voices, ensure equitable resource allocation, and serve as a champion for Dallas ISD both locally and in Austin. 

How will you approach this job on a day-to-day basis?

I’ll ensure that I’m staying up to speed on all the documents in preparation for our meetings. I’ll also leverage community voices for leadership positions through appointments and to serve as a “kitchen cabinet” for what’s happening in District 5 – I’ve got to stay connected to the people. I’d like to have regular community updates at the relevant existing orgs in my neighborhoods to ensure that they know what’s happening in the district and for me to get their input proactively on important matters they’d care about. 

If you lose, would you be willing to serve as an appointee to a Dallas ISD task force or commission?

Yes

If you win, would you be willing to appoint your fellow candidates to a Dallas ISD task force or commission?

Yes

What is one thing that distinguishes you from your fellow candidates?

My 20 years of experience leading an organization for the last 7 that has been named a national leader in helping build the future of education. Both civically and professionally, I’m the only candidate that has been engaged in community and working on the frontiers of possibility for our districts. The world is changing rapidly and the board needs a voice who has seen what’s boldly possible in student achievement and workforce preparation. We can make D5 the innovation hub of  Dallas ISD, and I have a history of bringing millions of dollars in various capacities to  Dallas ISD students and initiatives.

Is there anything we haven’t asked that voters should know?

As a special note, we are in unprecedented times where public school as an institution itself  is under duress. Our immigrant community in particular is being singled out and people are  wanting to know if our district has the community’s back. I do. I believe that it’s not only the  responsibility of leadership in public schools to serve the current youth and families  exceptionally, but to also ensure that we are telling the story of how Dallas ISD and public schools *must* be bolstered for the greater good of us all. Help people see the self-interest  in public schools thriving even if you don’t have children in the district and ensure that our  families know Dallas ISD is a safe bastion for their children.

Byron Sanders can be reached at 214.681.9644 or byronsanders4disd@gmail.com. His campaign website is byronsanders.com.

Dallas Free Press requested answers to these questions from all candidates for Dallas ISD District 5 and published the responses we’ve received. Find other candidate responses, forums and resources related to the Dallas ISD District 5 election here. Find all voter resources at dallasfreepress.com/vote.