Dallas ISD seniors maintain college acceptance excellence. Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD Hub.
Dallas ISD seniors headed to college: Dallas ISD seniors across the district continue to be accepted to colleges and universities around the nation. In Dallas ISD, we don’t believe that school ends at graduation, but that we have a role in preparing students to be successful in college and life well beyond graduation.
Dallas ISD Bond overview: This month, the Dallas ISD board voted unanimously to advance a bond for public consideration. The notes below, detail what is included in this proposal.
Overall, this bond package is for just over $6.2 billion and would result in approximately $0.01 tax increase, which translates to about $33 annually for homes valued at $500,000 and a $0 increase if the homeowner is 65 years of age or older. This increase would still result in Dallas ISD having the lowest Interest & Sinking tax rates of the ten largest districts in the North Texas area. The bond would:
Build 26 brand-new replacement schools at these campuses.
Renovate and modernize all campuses (see proposed scope by campus.
Remove the district’s 700 remaining school portables (used by nearly 10,000 students).
Upgrade safety and security at all campuses.
Update school furniture, student technology and purchase new school buses.
Upgrade physical education facilities and repair the district’s swimming pools.
Dallas ISD’s overall tax rate is projected to decrease next year to an estimated $0.99 per $100 of value and remain the lowest among larger districts in Dallas County and North Texas.
This bond would lower the average age of buildings from over 43 years to 33 years, remove every portable in the district, and nearly eliminate deferred maintenance.
February board meeting debrief: Last month, Dallas ISD had a special called board meeting as well as its regular board briefing and meeting, where there were several critically important topics, some of which are highlighted below:
Teacher retention in Dallas ISD soars: Dallas ISD’s intense efforts to improve teacher morale, compensation, and experience continues to pay massive dividends as evidenced by Dallas ISD continuing to outperform the region and state in teacher retention, including retaining more than 90% of our Proficient teachers and above.
Public Facilities Corporation & Warehouse consolidation: In February, I supported creating a Public Facilities Corporation to purchase a single warehouse for Dallas ISD storage needs. This will significantly increase efficiency by consolidating five different warehouses into one location, doing so in the most cost-effective way possible, saving approximately $2 million annually. The Dallas ISD retains full ownership and control over the Public Facilities Corporation.
Update Hogg and Cowart renovations approved: Under the 2020 bond program Hogg New Tech Center was approved for a $3.5 million renovation, as well as an extra $1 million for Leila P. Cowart Elementary School for roof and structural repairs.
As always, please reach out if you have thoughts, ideas, questions or concerns.
Ben Mackey
As always, please reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or simply want to say hello. Just reach out to me at BenMackey@dallasisd.orgÂ
Best,
Ben Mackey
Upcoming Events
Spring break: March 16-20
Dallas ISD Board of Trustees meeting: Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m.