Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is exploring a significant $6 billion bond package that may appear on the 2026 ballot, which could serve as a pivotal strategy to address various district needs, particularly the construction of housing for teachers.
Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde revealed to The Dallas Morning News that the district is currently finalizing details on the proposed bond package, which aims to replace 29 aging schools, enhance existing facilities, procure new educational equipment, and provide essential housing for district educators.
Tentatively, the district plans to update the school board on these proposals in November, with a comprehensive bond recommendation expected in December. The school board will make decisions by February regarding which items will be proposed for the ballot in May or November of 2026.
In Texas, school districts rely heavily on bonds to fund new construction and infrastructure improvements, as ongoing operational costs are generally covered through student funding. Elizalde emphasized the urgency of addressing aging facilities within the district to ensure a conducive learning environment.
Another critical aspect of this proposal is its potential to aid in teacher retention. With housing costs soaring in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, many educators find it challenging to secure affordable accommodations, creating a significant barrier to recruitment and retention.
“Some of the main reasons why people may not want to teach in certain school districts are just housing costs. They’re just so high,” Elizalde stated.
Studies have shown that providing housing assistance can effectively attract and retain educators, as noted by a report from the National Education Association. For instance, the Los Angeles Unified School District collaborates with affordable housing developers to prioritize leasing opportunities for district employees. Similarly, Austin ISD is working toward acquiring land for 500 affordable housing units specifically for teachers and staff.
In Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD in West Texas, district leaders invested approximately $19 million in a 64-unit teacher housing complex to alleviate housing issues among educators.
As of now, the average salary for a teacher in Texas stands at $63,749, which is significantly lower than the national average of $74,177, according to the Texas State Teachers Association. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, one of the largest housing markets in the country, reported median home values reaching $389,500, with nearly 43% of renters spending over 35% of their income on housing.
Lynn McBee, the workforce development czar for the city of Dallas, emphasized the importance of retaining a skilled workforce in education. “To build our workforce, we’ve got to make sure that we can retain our workforce,” she remarked.
Elizalde noted that conversations surrounding housing for teachers are among the most popular topics, particularly in areas experiencing high teaching vacancies. The district is currently assessing how housing could be constructed and whether partnerships with private entities will be involved.
The preliminary bond package, which includes a notable $20 million request for workforce housing, also encompasses $2.5 billion earmarked for facility renovations and over $2 billion designated for constructing new schools. Additional considerations for bond funding include expansions in facilities, upgrades to transportation systems, improvements in equipment, and investments in sustainable infrastructure.
Community engagement is a vital aspect of this planning process. Several district schools have already conducted meetings to gather input from residents regarding bond initiatives. For example, at Onesimo Hernandez Elementary School, students, teachers, and families recently collaborated with architects on the design plans for a new Obadiah Knight Elementary School, contingent upon the bond’s approval.
Dallas ISD Board President Joe Carreón expressed strong support for the initiatives during a community meeting, highlighting the superintendent’s commitment to advancing the district’s goals. “We’re not stopping. We’re taking every single step,” he assured attendees.
In the 2020 elections, Dallas ISD voters approved two of five bond propositions totaling over $3.4 billion, aimed primarily at campus repairs, upgrades, and technology enhancements to support families in underserved neighborhoods.
For the upcoming bond initiatives, Elizalde has emphasized that the district will prioritize proposals to ensure a steadfast focus on students’ needs. She acknowledged that this might necessitate compromises, potentially resulting in a total bond request around $4.5 billion.
“Part of my role as the superintendent is to make sure that I don’t allow really great ideas to become new missions of an agency,” Elizalde stated. “My primary role is to, first and foremost, serve students.”
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