DISD Trustees Vote For $1.6 Billion Bond Program
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It took Parkland Hospital half a century to build a new hospital that serves 300,000 patients yearly. The cost: $747,000,000.
For the second time in seven years, the Dallas School District approved a capital improvement plan to place before voters. The proposed cost: $1.6 billion.
The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees today (8/21/15) voted unanimously to place the bond program before voters in an election on Nov. 3.
The following statement was released by Interim Superintendent Michael Hinojosa:
"I'm pleased the Board of Trustees has given voters a chance to decide," Hinojosa said. "The timing is good, and we will do all we can to be transparent and provide information. This is not just about need, but it incorporates many of the strategies that have been developed over the years and keeps that going."
Nine new or replacement schools, classroom additions on dozens of existing campuses and technology, art and food service enhancements are all part of the district bond package formed by the Future Facilities Task Force. "It can be hard to digest, but I think parents, teachers and students get it," Task Force Co-Chair Isaac Faz said.
Fez and other task force members started assessing Dallas ISD's future needs in January. The plans include the replacing of high schools such as Pinkston High School.
Dallas ISD enrolls approximately 157,000 students. That number hasn't drastically changed in the past decade, but student and family mobility from one community to another continues to shift. "We see families in the outer perimeter neighborhoods today, and we need to follow," Faz said.
Parent Shontal Parker is a supporter of the bond proposal. "If we're going to spend money on something, why not spend it on the education of our children," said the mother of a new student at Hextor Elementary School.
Hextor will welcome 583 children to a campus dependent upon eight portable buildings for 10 classrooms. "We have neighborhood families returning because of our success in the classroom, but I have no space for music programs," principal Jennifer Jackson said.
Jackson said she understands how $1.6 billion dollars can sound overwhelming, so she tries to examine the needs for her school.
Board Trustee Eric Cowan released the this statement following the board's decision:
"I'm very excited about the bond package we will be putting in front of voters," Cowan said. "As Trustee (Lew) Blackburn said (Wednesday at a community meeting), we're just putting it in front of voters. This is the public's vote, and the public's schools. It's not just nine Trustees deciding we want to spend $1.6 billion. We're asking the pubic (to vote)."
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