Members in the News
Dallas schools to put $1.35 billion bond package on May ballot
DISD: Proposal includes new schools, upgrades with focus on south
09:56 PM CST on Thursday, February 28, 2008
By Lori Stahl, The Dallas Morning News
Dallas ISD trustees decided Thursday evening to ask voters to approve a $1.35 billion bond package this May.
Trustees' unanimous vote has political significance because the district's voters have approved every school bond program since 1947. That gives bond supporters confidence about the prospect of getting backing from voters between now and the May 10 election.
The bond proposal includes 15 new or replacement schools, 12 additions to existing campuses and other renovations. It also includes upgrades for technology and science labs.
The program tilts toward the district's southern sector, where growth is expected in the coming years.
A campaign organization is already set up and ready to go.
Businessman Ron Steinhart, who was chairman of the last school bond effort, will serve as one of three chairmen of the latest campaign. Former Mayor Ron Kirk and construction company executive Ronald J. Gafford are the other chairmen. Mr. Gafford is president and chief executive of Austin Industries. He also is immediate past chairman of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.
Political consultant Carol Reed will run the campaign, and the Dallas Citizens Council has already pledged roughly $250,000.
Although DISD enrollment is falling, bond supporters say the new schools are needed to accommodate residential growth patterns and to replace small and obsolete campuses throughout the district.
DISD officials have nearly completed projects included in the last bond program, which was approved in 2002. In that package, $1.37 billion was approved for 20 new schools, a central food services facility, a new athletic complex and additions or at least minor renovations to nearly all campuses. Many of the new schools were built in the northern half of the city.
A task force that recommended the bond program considered several scenarios that would cost more and last longer. But a privately funded survey of Dallas voters showed that there was not political support for a larger program.
District officials have said they expect the 2008 program to take four years to complete. They anticipate proposing another bond program as soon as it is complete.
For the owner of a $200,000 house, the bond package would raise the annual tax bill by about $99.
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