By Michael Wood, Vice President, Education & Workforce
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
On Thursday, Feb. 12, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $6.2 billion bond proposal. The measure will appear on the Saturday, May 2, general election ballot for voter approval.
If passed, it would be the largest school bond authorized in Texas history. Here is what you should know about the proposal.
Building on the impact of Dallas ISD’s 2020 bond campaign
Public school bonds in Texas may only be used to finance capital expenses, such as the cost of building new schools, renovating existing campuses and investing in safety and technology.
Voters approved Dallas ISD’s most recent bond proposal in 2020, resulting in $3.5 billion in capital funding for the district. The 2020 bond impacted more than 200 campuses across the district, including 16 new replacement campuses and 10 new facilities, and provided for upgrades in technology, security and athletics.
Among those new facilities are Dallas ISD’s Career Institutes. These centers provide students throughout the district access to workforce training programs across 18 high-demand industries, such as aviation, construction, cybersecurity, HVAC, mechatronics and health care.
Dallas ISD’s 2026 bond proposal, explained
The 2026 bond proposal is split into four separate propositions. Proposition A, which would fund new buildings and renovations, represents nearly $6 billion of the $6.2 billion price tag. That funding would go toward more than two dozen replacement campuses, district-wide renovations and sufficient new classroom capacity to eliminate portables across Dallas ISD.
The average age of Dallas ISD schools was lowered to nearly 43 years, from 52 years, after the 2020 bond. Proposition A would further reduce the age of Dallas ISD’s facilities to around 33 years. The national average is 49.
Proposition B would provide $145 million for technology upgrades. Proposition C would enable the district to refinance debt at a cost of $143 million. And Proposition D would service swimming pools and natatoriums across Dallas ISD for $26 million.
If passed, the 2026 bond would result in a property tax increase, equivalent to roughly $3 per month for a home valued at $500,000.
Compared to the 10 largest school districts in Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas ISD has the lowest total tax rate at nearly $1 per $100 in valuation. Dallas ISD would remain the lowest should the 2026 bond pass.
How and when to vote on the Dallas ISD bond
The 2026 bond proposal will appear on the ballot on Saturday, May 2. Depending on where you live, your ballot may also include races for school board trustee, city council, or other local ballot initiatives. Early voting begins Monday, April 20, and ends Tuesday, April 28.
For more information about the Dallas ISD bond, please visit Dallas ISD’s Bond 2026 webpage.