Bond proponents say the bond issue would allow the district to build more than two dozen new schools and make much-needed upgrades to other campuses, building on progress from previous bond issues voters approved. But unlike the district’s 2020 bond issue, this one would carry a tax increase.
That’s a lot of money. What does Dallas ISD want to do with it?
The proposal comes in four parts: $5.9 billion for campus construction and renovation projects, $144.7 million for technology upgrades, $143.34 million to refinance old debt and $26.25 million for renovations to the district’s swimming pools.
District leaders want to use part of the construction and renovation package to build 26 new schools to replace existing buildings. The proposal would also add enough classroom space to allow them to remove all portable classrooms across the district. Bond backers say Proposition C — the debt refinance proposal — would allow the district to pay down old debt more quickly, saving $10 million in interest costs.
Voters may recognize the swimming pool proposal from the 2020 bond election. Although voters approved the largest parts of the 2020 bond issue, they rejected a proposal for swimming pool renovations. Dallas ISD is asking again this year.
District leaders say it would carry a property tax increase of about $2.79 a month on a $500,000 home, which is the average home value in the district.
School districts get money from the state for normal operating expenses like teacher salaries. But just like families take out loans to buy a car or build a home, school districts have to borrow money for big expenses like construction projects or tech infrastructure upgrades. They do that by selling interest-bearing bonds and using the proceeds to pay for those projects, then using revenue from voter-approved property taxes to pay off the bond debt.