By Shelley Kofler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-705039.mp3
Dallas – Dallas voters have approved a $1.3 billion bond package that will pay to build and renovate public schools. But supporters say the vote: 54-percent in favor and 46-percent against- was also a wake up call, as KERA's Shelley Kofler reports.
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Some three hours after the polls closed former Mayor Ron Kirk assured a crowd of DISD administrators and board members the school bond would passed. Though he admitted, he'd been a little anxious
Kirk: You pulled a rabbit out of the hat on this one
DISD hasn't lost a bond election in the past 60 years. The last one in 2002 passed by more than 75 percent.
But voters this time expressed concern about the details of a yet-to be released audit that is expected to reveal financial mismanagement. Recent news reports about the district awarding millions in contracts to school board and committee members also set off alarm bells, and prompted voters like Alice Hernandez to just say no.'
Hernandez: Well all this business you know with the credit cards everybody having a credit card a charging up a storm and then hiring all these people to do work who had dealings with council people and I wasn't comfortable with that
Retired Teacher Louise Yancey wasn't exactly comfortable either, but said student needs should come first.
Yancey: Do you trust DISD with another billion dollars? I'm not too sure but I think for the children's sake it's very important they improve the school buildings
DISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa says he knew the margin of victory would have been greater if financial management wasn't in question.
Hinojosa: So that's a message to us we need to get this thing taken care of and I want to tell the community they have my commitment I'm going to address this in very short order
Hinojosa thanked the community for the opportunity to transform student surroundings. The $1.3 billion dollars approved will pay for 15 new schools, additions at 12 existing schools, renovations, cafeterias, science labs and better technology across the district.
Shelley Kofler, KERA News.