Bond program creates jobs

From Dallas ISD Staff Reports

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $6.2 billion bond proposal that will go to voters in May. The proposal, which was developed over the past year with the help of the Citizens Bond Steering Committee, will: build 26 brand-new replacement schools; renovate and modernize all campuses; remove the district’s 700 remaining school portables (used by nearly 10,000 students); upgrade safety and security at all campuses; update school furniture; upgrade student technology and purchase new school buses; upgrade physical education facilities; repair the district’s swimming pools.The bond will be broken up into four propositions on the May ballot, A, B, C and D. Prop C would allow the district to refinance $143 million in debt at a lower cost, giving the district the ability to redirect more resources back to classrooms.

A $6.2 billion bond would require a 1 penny property tax rate increase. For the average property owner with a home value of just over $500,000 (taking into account a $140,000 homestead exemption), that would amount to a monthly tax increase of $2.79, or $33.48 annually.  Homeowners age 65 and older who have applied for the exemption on their homestead would not see an increase in their school district taxes unless major improvements are made to their homestead. Dallas ISD’s tax rate is the lowest of the 10 largest school districts in North Texas. Even if the 1 cent bond proposal were to be approved by voters, Dallas ISD would still have the lowest total tax rate of the 10 largest school districts in the area.

The 2020 bond program has created more than 64,000 jobs, funded 15 replacement schools, six new facilities and four career institutes while supporting safety, accessibilit and energy-efficiency.