Trustees call for $3.7 billion bond election in November

On an 8-0 vote, at a special called meeting Aug. 13, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved asking voters to support a $3.7 billion bond election in November.

The proposed package includes 5 ballot propositions aimed at:

• Funding technology improvements to enhance internet connectivity for students and teachers.
• Renovating aging facilities and building 14 new and replacement campuses.
• Investing in safety and security, including replacing metal detectors with more modern weapon detection systems.
• Upgrading pool facilities and replacing grass with athletic turf at all high school practice fields.
• Addressing racial equity by creating family resource centers in four historically redlined neighborhoods to house social services operated via public-private partnerships.
• Constructing a districtwide performing arts center.

Planning for the proposed facility improvement plan has been in the works for more than a year. Working subcommittees of more than 100 civic leaders, community members, and district staff began in September 2019 studying condition reports of existing facilities, examining demographic data, and researching facility improvements at other school districts. The plan took shape after multiple presentations to trustees whose feedback focused the plan more directly on school improvements.

At an earlier called meeting the same day, trustees approved a Nov. 3 general election for two seats originally scheduled for an election last May.That election was suspended by the governor’s stay-at-home order prompted by the coronavirus outbreak. The rescheduled election is for seats in trustee districts 2 and 8. District 6 candidate Joyce Foreman ran unopposed and was elected on May 2, 2020, and properly sworn in on May 18, 2020.