The History of Tisinger Elementary

Born in New Hope, Texas, on December 10, 1891, Ben F. Tisinger was a graduate of Mesquite High School and attended East Texas Normal, now known as Texas A&M Commerce. A teacher, Ben began his career at Alpha School on Preston Road, and at age 18 he became principal of Lawson School.

Ben later went into the real estate business, but he remained active in public education. He was appointed to the First Dallas County Board of Education, and Gov. Dan Moody appointed Ben to the State Board of Education in 1929 and again in 1935, when he was elected to the first of his two terms as President.

As President of the board, Ben proposed revamping the handling of the State Permanent School Fund by employing a municipal bond expert and devising a system to eliminate delinquencies on bond issues purchased by the state for the fund. Ben founded and was the first President of "Dallas East," an organization that helped develop R.L. Thornton Freeway and Lake Ray Hubbard. He foresaw the need for homes for returning veterans of World War II and developed the master plan for the 3,000-acre Casa View area. He is also credited with being the driving force behind the incentive to build the Dallas Athletic Club in Casa View area. Ben F. Tisinger died December 2, 1970.