DISD trustees rally behind upcoming $1.3 billion bond package

Lacking a commitment from just one of the nine trustees, the DISD school board is expected at its Thursday meeting to approve placing a $1.3 billion school bond package before voters May 10. As late as a couple of weeks ago, a couple of trustees were wavering on approving the bond package until completion of a district-wide financial audit. The audit results haven't been released, and may not be available for a couple of months according to Wednesday's DMN story, but there was concern that likely negative conclusions regarding DISD's financial stewardship — if released during the run-up to the bond vote — might be embarrassing for DISD and, by extension, trustees pushing for the vote. But some behind-the-scenes discussion apparently assured trustees that no criminal activities are going to exposed in the audit; just indications that DISD should tighten its financial reporting procedures. Only trustee Carla Ranger is holding back on endorsing the bond package, according to the News, but Rangel said she expected to have her decision ready to Thursday. Former Mayor Ron Kirk is one of the campaign's chairmen; the package includes funds for 15 new or replacement schools, 12 additions to existing schools, and renovations to other campuses.

Comments

[Norman Alston]

To demand more efficiency, better planning and better management from DISD is appropriate because there is certainly evidence that there are many opportunities to do so. However, to withhold badly needed funding for school improvements because we don't trust them with use of the money is utterly absurd. We already trust them with the care, feeding and education of our children for at least 7 hours a day. How much more valuable are they than a little bond money?

[eric rochester]

It is a shame that people continue with the false sense of secuity by just throwing more monies at an issue, rather than making these stewards we have hired responsible. Shame on the politicians for not doing thier jobs in helping with innovative ideas. Their answer is nothing is wrong, everything is status quo. The system is and has been ripe with monetary abuses for more than a genereration. How can we expect this group of Administartors to be trusted with more funds when there are millions in missing and abused funds as we speak. I am all for a bond package once the present Administration has a transparent ledger. This should be available for the publics reveiw annually. Along with a clear and detailed accounting of where and when any new funds would be used. We all deserve a detailed plan from DISD on how to fix what we have inplace before we are asked to just feed the bigger monster. Where is the good faith in an explanation that things will be different.In good conscience I can not vote for the new bond package.Unfortunatley the loosers are the teachers and children. In my veiw they can thank Disd Administration for this sad condition. Not the tax payer.