North Lake College issued the following announcement.
Dallas College applauds the recent decision by Senior Judge Charles A. Stokes out of the 298th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, which has denied a lawsuit that challenged the legitimacy of the voter approval of Dallas College’s 2019 bond package.
“This suit was never about our bond merits from the outset but instead attempted to challenge the fair and open election process as administered by the Dallas County Elections Department,” said Dallas College Chancellor Joe May. “While the bond package is of vital importance to our community, it is no more important than protecting the ability of Dallas County voters to express their will to meet the current and long-term needs of our community.”
“With this decision, we will accelerate our plans to meet the serious educational needs of students, employers and our community. The suit in no way dampened our resolve and commitment to providing the needed resources to ensure that our students are receiving the best possible education that aligns with our rapidly changing economy,” continued May.
In May 2019, Dallas voters endorsed $1.1 billion in bonds to provide industry-aligned workforce projects for Dallas College and fund new facilities, resources and technology to support student success, as well as ties to the community and local businesses. The bond package, which can now move forward with the court’s ruling, also provides for constructing a new downtown technology hub as part of a new Dallas College El Centro Campus.
Dallas College Board of Trustees Chair Monica Lira Bravo said of the judge’s decision, “Dallas College undertook to vigorously contest the suit in order to defend the open and fair election process with the understanding that if the suit’s meritless claims were sustained, it would serve to disenfranchise tens of thousands of Dallas County voters who supported the bond proposition. We’re pleased that we can now expedite our efforts to implement the will of voters to transform the education landscape of Dallas County.”
The lawsuit was filed shortly after the 2019 election alleging irregularities in the bond election and asked a judge to void the results, despite the bond package having passed by a wide margin of over 71 percent to 29 percent.
“Legal experts representing Dallas College analyzed the 2019 election and concluded the lawsuit had no merit. The board and college leaders are pleased the court agreed,” Bravo added.
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