Bond 2026 FAQs

A school bond election asks voters for permission to sell bonds to investors to raise capital for specific projects, such as building new schools or renovating existing facilities. It is similar to a homeowner taking out a mortgage to pay for a house and then paying it back over time.

Bond funds can only be used for capital projects—things that last many years—not for daily expenses. They cannot be used for teacher salaries, utilities, supplies, or academic programs. Bonds let school districts make improvements now and repay the cost gradually through property taxes.

If the 2026 bond is approved, Dallas ISD will use bond funds for facility renovations and replacements, building new campuses, safety/security upgrades, technology, physical education and transportation improvements.

The total bond proposal for the May 2026 Dallas ISD bond election is $6.2 billion, divided into four propositions on the ballot. By law, certain items (such as technology equipment, refinancing debt and repairing swimming pools) must be listed as separate propositions.

Proposition A

• 26 new replacement campuses for these schools
• Districtwide renovations at campuses
• Facility upgrades, including the removal of approximately 700 portables
• Model science labs and furniture replacements
• Improvements to physical education facilities
• Technology, including cybersecurity and connectivity
• Safety and security, including facility safety improvements
• Transportation, including new buses and bus safety equipment
• Playgrounds, courtyards and turf for schools

Proposition B

• Technology upgrades, including student, staff and classroom devices

Proposition C

• Refinancing $143 million of debt service, which would save Dallas ISD about $10 million and enable the district to re-direct $100 million in operating expenses

Proposition D

• Repairs and renovations to school district swimming pools

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 a Citizens Bond Steering Committee, which then met throughout the year. In December, each trustee held a meeting with their constituents to receive additional input, then participated in meetings with the district's administration to discuss the committee's recommendations. All totaled, more than 65 meetings, including pop-up events, were held to receive input and feedback on the recommendations. Click here for a timeline of the process.

Yes. The Citizens Bond Steering Committee and district staff reviewed facilities districtwide to identify current conditions, buildings nearing the end of their useful life, and future educational space requirements. A final publicly posted scope per campus is still in planning materials.

No. By law, bond funds can only be used for "capital" projects (construction and equipment). They cannot be used for the District’s daily operating budget, which includes salaries, utilities, and fuel. Bonds are the only means in Texas to access funding for construction needs.

1. School taxes account for one part of a homeowners overall property tax bill;
2. Other non-school tax factors, such as rising home values, may contribute to increased property taxes;
3. Dallas ISD has an overall tax rate that is comparably lower than other area schools (use numbers if possible);
4. Dallas ISD’s I&S tax rate currently supports ongoing capital improvements from past bonds; and
5. The 2026 bond would only increase the tax rate by one cent.

Because bonds issue debt over several years, inflation and market conditions are considered in planning, but the amount authorized by voters remains fixed once approved.

No. Bond funds apply to Dallas ISD facilities ONLY; independent charter schools like those partnering with DISD would not be directly funded from bond proceeds.

If voters approve, planning begins soon afterward. Projects typically roll out over multiple years; a detailed timeline will be provided once the final package is adopted by trustees.

Yes, 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 improvements across more than 200 campuses. This is a link to a live dashboard for updates on individual schools.

The 2026 bond program, if approved by voters, would improve the learning environment for the district's more than 133,000 students, approximately 10,000 of whom attend classes in portable classrooms.

Dallas ISD has published a “2026 Proposed Bond Scope per Campus” and a list of proposed new schools linked on the bond site, which shows proposed projects by campus.

Yes. If approved by voters, a portion of bond funds will go to safety and security upgrades along with facility renovation and replacement.

Yes. The bond proposal seeks to remove the district’s remaining 700 portable classrooms, which are currently in use as classrooms for nearly 10,000 students, by adding permanent classrooms across the district.

Legislative funding typically covers only specific items such as more safety officers and may not fully fund security upgrades or long-term facility improvements. A bond gives Dallas ISD local control to implement district-wide, campus-specific security solutions. Bond funds are also restricted to capital improvements, ensuring security improvements are permanent.

Dallas ISD will maintain a Bond dashboard that provides detailed information on where bond funds are being spent. To view the district’s 2020 Bond dashboard, go to https://tinyurl.com/47emx582.

The property tax rate is projected to increase 1 cent. The maximum impact on an average Dallas ISD home ($525,000) would be $2.79. per month ($33.48 per year). If taxable property growth exceeds projections or if interest rates are less than projected, the tax impact could be lower.

The final tax impact is for all 4 propositions and will be detailed once trustees adopt the final bond proposal and tax rate assumptions.

Yes. Under state law, homeowners age 65 and older who have filed for their homestead exemption will not see an increase in school district taxes on their homestead. This remains true even if the home’s appraised value increases, unless major improvements are made.

No. Dallas ISD bond elections use the regular voter registration process for Dallas County. You do not need to register separately for a specific bond election.

Dallas County residents can register to vote or check their registration status through the Texas Secretary of State’s voter portal or by submitting a voter registration form to the Dallas County Elections Department. Voter registration must be completed using a signed paper application. The deadline to register to vote for the May election is April 2 (30 days before Election Day). Contact Dallas County Voter Registration for help or questions at 469-627-8683 or dallascountyvotes@dallascounty.org.

Early voting takes place:

• Monday, April 20-Friday, April 24 from 8 a.m-5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25 from 7 a.m-7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 26 between 12 noon and 7 p.m.
• Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28 between 7 a.m.-7p.m.

Election Day is Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.. Go here for list of voting locations.

Send an email to bond2026@dallasisd.org.