D-Rated.

This Week In Dallas, Phony Grades And Evil People Went Against Some Genuinely Noble Causes.

Welcome to D-Rated, in which we try to determine if the quality of life in Dallas and its surrounding areas is moving up or down by arbitrarily awarding and subtracting point values to our living situation based on current events.

Making (Up) the Grade: In what would be described as a shocking discovery only if you’ve never known anyone who has worked in the public school system, a district report found that administrators at Dallas ISD’s Gilliam Collegiate Academy ordered staff to make up or improve students' grades. There are also allegations that the principal frequently bullied and swore at her staff, and generally acted like the world’s worst boss. If this surprises you, it shouldn’t. This is happening in pretty much every district in U.S. That’s what happens when everything depends on test scores. Minus 3.

Crime and Punishment: Humanity’s capacity for evil never ceases to astound me. But here's another example: Christi Howell and her boyfriend Casey Shackleford are accused of waterboarding Howell’s young, mentally disabled relative as some sort of arbitrary behavioral punishment. The police report doesn’t reveal the boy’s exact age or relation, but it doesn't really matter, as they also allegedly bound the boy’s genitals. Whatever the maximum sentence is for this barbaric act of child abuse, it’s not enough. Minus 8.

Georgia Breach: In a scheme almost as elaborate as an escape, prisoners and guards in Georgia collaborated in a massive fraud ring. The guards smuggled in cell phones to help the prisoners call and impersonate Flower Mound police officers, instructing victims to purchase pre-paid money cards to pay off phony fines. Those guards have been arrested and the prisoners will likely get longer sentences. Remember folks: If anyone calls saying you owe money, make sure you get it in writing. Never give anyone any financial information over the phone. Minus 2 for the crime, Plus 1 because they got caught.

Drain Gain: In something only a lame person like me would get excited about, Dallas is about to spend a good chunk of change on a new drainage pipe system, that will stretch under parts of Deep Ellum and Fair Park. Given all the flooding we've faced over the past year, this will be money well spent. Of course, the construction is going to be a pain in the ass, and won’t be done until 2021. Plus 2.

Dallas Star: In an actual piece of positive news about the Dallas Cowboys, cornerback Brandon Carr has donated $100,000 to his hometown of Flint, Michigan. As you’ve probably heard, Governor Rick Snyder and other officials are likely to face charges for switching the city’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, which exposed the resident’s to lead poisoning, and then doing nothing about it for a year and a half. The six-figure amount is to start the Carr Cares Fund for Flint. He’s also pitching in an additional $10,000 to repair plumbing at homes in the area. Plus 4.

This Week’s Total: Minus 6.
Last Week’s Running Total: Minus 3.
This Week’s Running Total: Minus 9.