Lake Dallas ISD Selected for Inaugural Raise Your Hand Texas Community Leaders Fellowship

LDISD joins statewide cohort focused on strengthening community voice in public education advocacy

Lake Dallas Independent School District has been selected to participate in the first-ever cohort of Raise Your Hand Texas’ Community Leaders Fellowship, an 18-month, issue-based, nonpartisan program designed to elevate local voices in state education policy conversations.

LDISD is one of 29 public school districts across Texas chosen through a competitive application and interview process. The Fellowship brings together teams made up of parents, educators, school trustees, business leaders, and community members to build knowledge, collaboration, and confidence in advocating for strong public schools at the state level.

“At Lake Dallas ISD, we believe that the strongest advocacy for our students comes from the community that knows them best,” said Dr Kristin N. Brown, LDISD Superintendent. “This Fellowship is an exciting opportunity to work alongside parents, educators, and local leaders to ensure the needs of our Falcons are clearly represented at the Texas Capitol.”

The Community Leaders Fellowship builds on Raise Your Hand Texas’ Trustee Advocates Program, expanding the model to include broader community representation. Each participating district team includes seven to 10 members, with at least three participants who are not district employees or school board trustees. This collaborative approach reflects the belief that public education impacts entire communities — and advocacy should reflect that shared responsibility.

Districts in the inaugural cohort represent communities large and small, ranging from 500 to 50,000 enrolled students, each with unique priorities and challenges. Together, they share a common goal: strengthening public education for current and future students.

“The Community Leaders Fellowship empowers Texans to become stronger public education leaders in their hometowns, directly shaping the future of their local school districts by engaging state lawmakers,” said Dr. Libby Cohen, Executive Director of Raise Your Hand Texas. “Public schools impact their entire communities, and this work belongs to all of us.”

As part of the Fellowship, Lake Dallas ISD’s team will receive training, resources, and opportunities to engage with policymakers while amplifying local perspectives on issues impacting students, educators, and schools across Texas.

Inaugural Fellowship Cohort Includes:

Abilene ISD
Alamo Heights ISD
Arp ISD
Belton ISD
Canutillo ISD
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
Cedar Hill ISD
Cleburne ISD
Comanche ISD
Corpus Christi ISD
Eanes ISD
Early ISD
Granbury ISD
Gregory-Portland ISD
Harlingen CISD
Lake Dallas ISD
Lewisville ISD
Liberty Hill ISD
Lyford CISD
Martin’s Mill ISD
North Lamar ISD
Paris ISD
Plano ISD
Port Aransas ISD
San Marcos CISD
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD
Shiner ISD
Splendora ISD
Wylie ISD (Taylor County)