Voters in Dallas recently made history when they approved a $6.2 billion bond for the Dallas Independent School District. According to district officials, the bond was the largest ever in the state of Texas.

Funds from the bond will be used to build 26 new schools to replace facilities that are, on average, 70 years old. Funds will also be used to renovate and modernize every campus across the district; remove the district’s 700 remaining portable classrooms used by nearly 10,000 students; enhance safety and security at all campuses; upgrade school furniture, student technology, and transportation, including new school buses; and improve physical education facilities and repair swimming pools.

The bond proposal was developed over the past year with input from a citizens bond steering committee, a diverse group of community members appointed by the district’s Board of Trustees.

The bond builds on the success of the $3.5 billion school bond package approved by voters in 2020. The bond has funded new and replacement schools and safety, accessibility, and efficiency upgrades across more than 200 campuses.

Tulsa Voters Approve Bond

Voters in Tulsa recently approved the Strong Schools, Strong Tulsa bond measure, which will provide Tulsa Public Schools with $609 million. The funds will be used to upgrade learning environments through security, remodeling, and HVAC repairs; provide students with new instructional materials and career academies; and improve access to transportation, including the reintroduction of free, in-school driver’s education access.

“We are so thankful to the great city of Tulsa and its residents, who with their votes made it clear that access to safe learning environments and modern resources is a shared priority of the community,” said Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson in a message on the district’s website. “Thanks to your support, we will continue the important work of investing in our young people while prioritizing student outcomes.”

The Strong Schools, Strong Tulsa bond replaces the 2021 bond, which helped provide science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming, expanded access to programs for all students, and provided critical educational technology for students and staff.