News & Events

Dallas ISD to Issue Approximately $1.09 Billion in Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds and Variable Rate Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds

Dallas Independent School District (“Dallas ISD”) plans to price approximately $760,375,000* of Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2026A (the “Series 2026A Bonds”) on or about January 14, 2026* and $330,000,000* of Variable Rate Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2026B (the “Series 2026B Bonds,”) on or about February 4, 2026*. The Bonds are expected to represent the final installment of bonds submitted to and approved by the voters on November 3, 2020 as part of the District’s $3.54 billion bond election.

Cabrera Capital Markets LLC will serve as Lead Manager in the sale of the fixed rate Series 2026A Bonds, with UMB Bank, N.A. serving as Co-Lead Manager.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will serve as Lead Manager in the sale of the variable rate Series 2026B Bonds, with Stern Brothers & Co, N.A. serving as Co-Lead Manager.

Dallas ISD anticipates the Series 2026A Bonds to have a 30-year amortization and the Series 2026B Bonds to be a variable rate series with a mandatory tender*. The Preliminary Official Statement and Official Statement for each series of the Bonds will be available via BondLink at BondLink.com and via the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Electronic Municipal Market Access system at emma.msrb.org.

The proceeds from the sale of the Bonds will be used to provide funds (i) for the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings and the purchase of necessary sites therefore, (ii) for the acquisition and updating of District technology equipment, and (iii) to pay the costs of issuing the Bonds.

This news release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Bonds. Any such offer or solicitation will only be made pursuant to the applicable Preliminary Official Statement and/or Official Statement that prospective investors should review in their entirety before making any investment decision.

*Preliminary, subject to change.

As bills to increase public school funding statewide are still making their way through the Texas Legislature, districts like Dallas are looking for ways to dig themselves out of a financial hole.

During a Dallas school board briefing Thursday, Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Ramos told trustees he expects the projected budget deficit of $187 million to shrink to $104 million by September.

“We have made some great strides in reducing the overall deficit by close to 83 million dollars,” he said. “We’re headed in the right direction.”

It’s not been easy: The district cut 86 positions as well as millions of dollars in office supplies and services from contractors. As deficits have grown, so have property values and property taxes, which fund schools.

State law requires property wealthy districts, Dallas included, to send some of its property tax money to Austin, for redistribution to property poor districts. This system, known as Robin Hood, or recapture, is meant to equitably fund education statewide.

It’s rubbed some school board members the wrong way, including trustee Camille White. Dallas will send $104 million back to Austin this year — $44 more million than last year. It’s contributing to the district’s deficit.

“A lot of our school districts are considered wealthy and we’re sending money back to the state. But a lot of us need that recapture money to help our own students, she said. “The Robin Hood, aka recapture, they’re actually robbing the hood.”

Despite the deficit, next year’s budget includes raises for all employees, from teachers and cafeteria workers to custodians and bus drivers. Raises will range from 2.2% to 3.6%.

Dallas ISD will pass its proposed budget later this month.

Now administrators and trustees wait for lawmakers to finalize their budgets. House Bill 2 could bring more than $7.5 billion to districts and raise per-student allotments. Another bill will hike teacher salaries, and yet another could affect debt and taxes.

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On Jan. 7,  Dallas ISD opened the doors of three new schools, ushering in a new era of learning and innovation for students across the district.

These state-of-the-art facilities — Albert C. Black, Jr. STEAM Academy, Marcus Leadership Academy, and Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School — represent the district’s commitment to academic excellence, equity, and preparing students for the future.

The Kroll Bond Rating Agency has assigned a AAA bond rating with a Stable Outlook to Dallas ISD, the highest bond rating a school district in Texas can achieve and is similar to an individual’s credit rating. This rating means the district can obtain the lowest interest rate borrowing costs in the bond market, which achieves millions of dollars in interest cost savings.

The 2020 Dallas ISD Bond Program continues to transform education by creating learning opportunities through significant facility improvements. One shining example is the replacement campus for Everette L. DeGolyer Elementary School, where on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the DeGolyer Dolphins gathered to celebrate the grand opening of their beautiful new school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This milestone represents years of collaboration and dedication. The journey began in June 2021 when the DeGolyer community came together virtually for a design charrette to envision their future school. Over the next five meetings, parents, staff, students, and neighbors shaped the vision for a modern, timeless campus. They emphasized a design that would reflect DeGolyer’s unique culture—vibrant, warm, and motivational. The community expressed their hopes for adaptable, open spaces to foster collaboration and provide a well-rounded learning environment.

Their vision came to life through the hard work and expertise of numerous contributors:

• RPGA Design Group, Inc.
• Sedalco Construction Services
• Dikita Enterprises
• And the many subcontractors, tradespeople, and craftsmen who brought this dream to fruition, brick by brick.

Everett DeGolyer Elementary has been a cornerstone of the community for decades, and while there is a bittersweet feeling in saying goodbye to the old building, this new campus ushers in endless possibilities for future generations.

Dallas ISD is committed to ensuring that every child who walks through the doors of DeGolyer Elementary will have the resources, support, and inspiration to grow, prosper, and achieve their dreams. As these students look back one day, they will remember this as the place where teachers believed in them and the community invested in their future. We are excited to open the doors to a campus that reflects the heart and aspirations of the DeGolyer community. This is more than just a school—it’s a space for creativity, connection, and discovery.

For photos capturing the joy and excitement of this remarkable day, visit this link.

Welcome home, Dolphins!

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, John Quincy Adams Elementary School proudly unveiled its state-of-the-art campus, a transformative milestone made possible by the 2020 Bond Program. This ribbon-cutting ceremony was not just a celebration of a building but a testament to the community’s unwavering commitment to education. Together, we honor those who champion learning and renew our promise to provide every student with a learning environment that inspires success and nurtures potential.

The journey to this moment began in June 2021 with a virtual design charrette that laid the foundation for the school’s vision. Over the following year, numerous community meetings were held, inviting residents, parents, and educators to actively shape the future of their school. Through these sessions, the community helped prioritize design elements that reflect the warmth, heritage, and traditions of the neighborhood. This collaborative effort created a campus that is not only functional but also a source of pride for everyone it serves.

The new John Quincy Adams Elementary School is a $36.5 million investment in the students and families of this vibrant community. The campus features innovative, light-filled spaces that encourage collaboration, foster academic excellence, and promote social responsibility. From flexible learning zones to advanced technology integration, every detail was carefully considered to empower students to thrive in the 21st century.

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of many contributors, including:

• RPGA Design Group Inc., the creative minds behind the design.
• Sedalco Construction Services, whose expertise brought the vision to life.
• Dikita Enterprises, the program management team ensuring seamless execution.

A heartfelt thanks to the subcontractors, tradesmen, and craftsmen who poured their skills into every brick and beam.

Most importantly, we express our deepest gratitude to the Dallas voters. By approving the largest bond in Texas history, you have paved the way for Dallas ISD to reimagine education and transform our communities. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our children.

To explore more photos from this joyous event, visit this link.

This is more than just a school—it’s a beacon of hope, a symbol of progress, and a reflection of what we can achieve when a community comes together. Welcome to the new John Quincy Adams Elementary School!

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Dallas ISD and the George Peabody Elementary community gathered for a momentous occasion—the first of eight building dedications scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year as part of the transformative Dallas ISD 2020 Bond Program.

The journey to this celebration began on June 14, 2021, with a virtual design charrette that brought together parents, students, staff, and community members. During this collaborative session, participants were challenged to envision a bold and innovative campus that would not only serve the current generation but also inspire and support those to come.

The newly unveiled George Peabody Elementary is a testament to that shared vision, developed over the course of six community meetings. Designed with the neighborhood’s aspirations in mind, the campus embodies a seamless connection to nature, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Expansive glass walls flood the interior with natural light, creating open, dynamic environments that put learning on display. Collaborative spaces outside traditional classrooms encourage students and educators to explore innovative teaching and learning methods.

The two-story design was carefully crafted to harmonize with the surrounding single-story neighborhood. Features such as efficient car-stacking areas ensure minimal traffic disruption, reflecting a thoughtful integration into the community. While the cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art materials are noteworthy, the true heart of this new campus lies in its students and dedicated staff, who transform the space into a vibrant hub of learning and growth.

This remarkable project was made possible by the hard work and dedication of numerous teams, including:

• Pfluger Architects
• Reeder General Contractors
• AECOM, Program Manager

Dallas ISD extends its deepest gratitude to the subcontractors, tradespeople, and craftsmen who brought this vision to life, as well as to the voters of Dallas. Thanks to your support in approving the largest bond in Texas history, Dallas ISD is reshaping urban education and setting a new standard for learning environments.

Moody’s Investors Service has assigned Aa1 underlying and Aaa enhanced ratings to Dallas Independent School District’s, TX $294.3 million Unlimited Tax School Bulding Bonds Series 2016A and $277.5 million Multi-Modal Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2016B1-5. Concurrently, we have affirmed the Aa1 ratings on the district’s outstanding GOULT and GOLT debt and the outlook remains stable. In addition to the underlying rating, we have assigned a Aaa enhanced rating based on a guarantee by the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) program.

The assignment of the Aa1 reflects the district’s sound financial operations and healthy reserve levels stemming from conservative budgeting and tightened expenditure controls. Additionally, the Aa1 rating takes into consideration the district’s large, diverse, and expanding tax base that are mitigating factors to the low socioeconomic profile that is typical for a large, urban school district. The district has a high direct debt burden and although new debt is expected, tax base growth is expected to keep the debt burden stable.

New York, May 25, 2017 – Issue: Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, Taxable Series 2017; Rating: Aaa; Rating Type: Enhanced LT; Sale Amount: $4,405,000; Expected Sale Date: 06/01/2017; Rating Description: General Obligation;

Summary Rating Rationale

Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a Aaa enhanced rating to Dallas Independent School District’s, TX $4.4 million Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, Taxable Series 2017.

The Aaa enhanced rating is based on the rating of the Texas Permanent School Fund and the structure and legal protections of the transaction which provide for timely payment by the PSF if necessary. Moody’s currently rates the Permanent School Fund Aaa. For additional information on the PSF program, please see Moody’s Rating Update on the Texas Permanent School Fund dated January 27, 2017.

For more information on the district’s Aa1 underlying rating, please see the annual update report dated March 22, 2017.