Dallas ISD Debt: $1,512,559,288
April 28, 2008 by admin
Filed under Ellis County
Something to think about before going out to vote on the Dallas Independent School District’s $1.35 billion — that’s a b — school bond election May 10.
Dallas ISD Bond Debt: $1,512,559,288
While we’re at it, here’s the City of Dallas bond debt figure: $5,769,648,609.
Source: Texas Bond Review Board local government debt database
If you go to http://www.studentmotivation.org you will see a simple, tax-free, dropout prevention plan in one Dallas ISD middle school that appears to be lowering the dropout rate in Dallas. Given that the 9th grade class of 2003-2004 had an enrollment of 14,486 but in 2007 diplomas were only given to 5,874 students, leaving a 40.5% graduation rate and a non-graduation rate of 59.5%, the worst in years! However, progress is being made due to the Archive Project described on these pages and that dropout rate should be going down a minimum of 10% due to a simple time-capsule and class reunion plan for 8th graders. If this simple program can spread throughout DISD and this bond election passes to help continue the level of education within DISD, then we can get the dropout rate cut to less than 50%. Then we will have over 1,000 more graduates. It is estimated that one high school graduate will pay $60,000 more in taxes in their life time due to an estimated $9,500 increase in annual income over what a high school dropout makes. This $60,000,000 will help pay back part of this debt as well as the lessened social service expenses required by the average dropout family.
It is also estimated that crime rates go down 20% for every 10% decrease in dropout rates, saving more moneys. How much is that worth?
The investment to pass this bond program is definitely more promising that sitting back and simply complaining. Providing for better education is a definite positive investment. It will certainly help to keep our students in school.