All four propositions in the Dallas Independent School District bond package passed with more than 70% of the vote during the May 2 local and joint election.
The $6.2 billion proposal, which is now the largest in the state’s history, will be used to update campuses and upgrade equipment.
Proposition A, the largest part of the bond, totals $5.9 billion and will fund the construction of 26 new schools, renovate buildings and playgrounds, increase security, remove the district’s 700 remaining portable classrooms, and invest in new transportation.
Prop B totals $144.7 million and will be allocated toward technology upgrades, such as new devices for students and teachers. Prop C, which totals $143.3 million, will go toward paying off district debt. Dallas ISD currently has $4.6 billion in outstanding debt.
Prop D, the smallest of the bunch, totals $26.3 million and will repair and renovate the district’s pools.
“What a powerful statement of support for our students and confidence in our educators!” Dallas ISD trustee Dan Micciche said in a social media post following the election.
The bond requires a property tax rate increase of one cent, which is estimated to be an increase of $2.79 per month, or $33.48 per year, for an average property owner with a home value just above $500,000 after a $140,000 homestead exemption, according to the district. Taxpayers will be able to track spending through a dashboard as the money is used, according to the district.
Despite the history-making proposal, a very small fraction of voters weighed in. Voter turnout in Dallas in May is typically low, and that trend didn’t change during this weekend’s election.
Less than 8% of eligible voters showed up to cast ballots.
Other North Texas districts decide bond proposals
Two out of three Arlington ISD bond propositions passed. Voters approved nearly $470 million to allocate towards funding new schools, repairing and upgrading others, paying for new buses and safety and security items, and paying for new technology for teachers and students to replace out-of-date computers.
Voters rejected a third prop, which would have allocated $31.5 million toward athletic field and facility repairs.
