By Bill Zeeble, KERA Reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-775257.mp3
Dallas, TX – A Dallas judge has OK'd the sale of Dallas Independent School District bonds that voters approved last May. The sale had been delayed due to pending litigation. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more. Because a group of 10 Dallas residents sued the district in federal court alleging civil rights violations in minority schools, bond sales couldn't legally proceed. So the DISD sued in order to sell those bonds. It argued delays would cost the district millions of dollars in added construction and finance costs.
Judge Martin Hoffman is letting the sale go ahead, adding that the separate civil rights case remains alive, is in a different court and is a different issue. The DISD says it's pleased and called the judgment a victory. Those who tried to stop the bond sale, including parent Anthony Peterson, have 11 days to appeal.
Peterson: We're used to these types of issues. We've fought the fight before and will continue to fight again.
But to appeal, Peterson and the others have to come up with a $1 million surety bond to cover costs to the school district for more delays. They're not sure they can raise the money. The district expects it could start selling the bonds in a few weeks.