If you live in Dallas, you have an opinion about DISD. And if you have an opinion about DISD, much of your knowledge has been shaped — whether you know it or not — by Dallas Morning News education writer Kent Fischer, who has probably attended more DISD board, committee and whatever meetings than most of the people actually employed there.

So we thought inviting Kent to particpate in our latest Advocate Radio podcast would be a good idea, and we weren't disappointed.

Fellow Back Talk blogger and neighborhood architect Norm Alston, who's never shy about sharing his opinions about DISD, joined me, and we talked with Kent about whether the DISD board is up to the task, if it's even possible for DISD to iimprove beyond its current status and what Woodrow's plans for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program mean for the neighborhood.

And if you listen until the very end of the 24-minute podcast, you'll hear Kent's advice to DISD's communications department about how to get some good publicity for the district.

I can't say I've always agreed with the way the News has covered public education here in Dallas, and I have to say that I've wondered a few times whether Kent had it in for DISD, but after talking with the guy, it's easy to see that he knows what he's talking about.