28 Feb 2008
Proposal would build 15 new schools, 12 additions and provide renovations
DALLAS– The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees tonight unanimously approved a proposal to ask voters to support a $1.35 billion bond program.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, May 10.
If approved by voters, the bond program will pay for the construction of 15 new schools, including 8 elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 3 high schools. Twelve existing schools would receive additions to provide 177 new classrooms.
In addition, the bond program would earmark approximately $521 million to renovate more than 200 schools. Nineteen new science labs would be built at 6 existing secondary schools while $20 million would be set aside for kitchen renovations at 16 schools and expansion of lunchrooms at 22 campuses.
Plans for the 2008 bond program also include $96 million for updated classroom and lab computers, campus supporting infrastructure and interactive student technology as well as classroom presentation devices. Fourteen million dollars would be used to refurbish the district's regional sports complexes.
"The list of facility improvements that are being proposed is extensive," said Dallas ISD Board of Trustees President Jack Lowe. "The 2002 bond program helped in many ways. Voters will now have the opportunity to determine if they would like to continue that support."
Dallas ISD's $1.37 billion bond program in 2002 provided funding for 20 new schools, additions at 33 schools, 20 early childhood additions, renovations at 148 schools, a new food services facility and a new athletic complex. The program provided more than 1,500 new classrooms to the district. Construction on those projects is now 96 percent complete.
A task force made up of individuals appointed by each board member has been studying issues related to the district's facilities for nearly a year. The task force reviewed an extensive demographic study to identify student population and enrollment trends.
"The board is grateful for the volunteer service of these individuals, particularly Craig Reynolds who chaired the task force, in determining the district's capital improvement needs," said Lowe. "Now it will be up to voters to decide in May."
Information on how funds from the 2002 Dallas ISD bond program were spent can be found at www.dallasisd.org/bond.