Bond 2026

Dallas ISD trustees send $6.2 billion bond proposal to voters

On Thursday, February 12, the Dallas ISD trustees sent a $6.2 billion bond proposal to voters in May. The proposal has been developed over the past year with the help of the Citizens Bond Steering Committee, whose members were appointed by the board.

If approved by voters, the $6.2 billion 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
• upgrade student technology and purchase new school buses
• upgrade physical education facilities
• repair the district's swimming pools

The bond would be broken up into four propositions on the May ballot, A, B, C, and D. Here’s a link where you can learn more. Prop C would allow the district to refinance $143 million in debt, giving the district the ability to redirect more resources back to classroom operations.

The process to develop a new bond proposal started in October 2024 with long-range master planning. Trustees appointed individuals in February 2025 to be part of the steering committee, which then met throughout the year. All totaled, more than 65 meetings were held to receive input and feedback.

A $6.2 billion bond would require a 1 penny property tax rate increase. For the average property owner with a home value of just over $500,000 (taking into account a $140,000 homestead exemption), that would amount to a monthly tax increase of $2.79, or $33.48 annually. Homeowners age 65 and older who have applied for the exemption on their homestead would not see an increase in their school district taxes unless major improvements are made to their homestead.

Dallas ISD’s tax rate is the lowest of the 10 largest school districts in North Texas. Even if the 1 cent bond proposal were to be approved by voters, Dallas ISD would still have the lowest total tax rate of the ten largest school districts in the area. In addition, because of tax rate compression at the state level, Dallas ISD’s tax rate is projected to be lower during each of the next three years than the 2025-26 rate even with approval of the election.

The 2020 bond program, which is still being completed, has created more than 64,000 jobs, funded 15 replacement schools, six new facilities, and four career institutes while also supporting safety, accessibility, and energy-efficiency upgrades across more than 200 campuses.