What Next for Struggling Dallas Schools After Trustees Reject Tax Revenue Plans?

At the end of a fractious board meeting, where Dallas ISD trustees couldn’t agree on any of three tax measures that could have provided the district with millions more in funding, board president Dan Micciche waxed philosophical.He said the school district would have to do exactly what students are told at graduation ceremonies: Be resilient. “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward,” Micciche said.The state’s second-largest school district does just that on Monday, opening its doors for the 2017-18 school year.Yet, the district’s tax rate is the same as a year ago. In fact, the rate hasn't risen since 2011. Dallas ISD has the third-lowest tax rate among districts in North Texas.The most recent Texas Legislature made no progress in fixing the state’s funding system for schools. And DISD also has the highest childhood poverty rate for any urban district in Texas.So where does the district -- and the city -- go from here?It depends on who you ask.  Continue reading...