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Richardson ISD unveils $1.4 billion bond package focused on middle schools, career training and campus upgrades
Summary
Superintendent Tabitha Brownham briefed the City Council on Richardson ISD’s proposed $1.4 billion bond for the Nov. 4 ballot, outlining three propositions that would fund construction and instructional materials, technology, and stadium upgrades; the package would raise the local tax rate an estimated 4¢ per $100 of taxable value.
Richardson ISD Superintendent Tabitha Brownham told the Richardson City Council the district will ask voters to approve a $1.4 billion bond proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot designed to fund school construction, instructional materials, technology devices and stadium upgrades.
The district packaged the request into three propositions, as required by Texas law: Proposition A (construction and instructional materials) would total more than $1.3 billion and fund projects including six middle‑school conversions or rebuilds, infrastructure and teaching materials, a centralized career and technical education (CTE) center on Greenville Avenue, and upgrades to campus safety and restrooms. Brentwood and other experiential learning sites such as the environmental center were highlighted as assets the bond would maintain and expand.
Proposition B would allocate roughly $54 million to replace and standardize teacher and student technology devices and associated cybersecurity and library systems. Proposition C, required by state law to be separate if stadiums hold more than 1,000 spectators, would fund $7.4 million of safety and accessibility upgrades to stadiums, turf replacement and LED lighting.
Brownham said the bond steering committee was a 63‑person panel representing parents, staff, community partners and business leaders, and that the package reflects a consensus model used in the district’s multi‑month process. She emphasized the district’s grade‑configuration plan — moving to a K‑5, 6‑8, 9‑12 model — and forecasted that the six middle schools could open in August 2028 if voters approve the bond. The CTE center, she said, would allow students from all four high schools to access trades and industry–level coursework in a centralized facility for programs such as HVAC, welding, electrical and advanced manufacturing.
On tax impact, Brownham said the package would raise the district tax rate by about four cents per $100 of taxable value; using the district average home value of $500,000, she estimated an annual tax increase of about $124 (roughly $10.33 per month). She also noted the calculation includes two anticipated constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot that affect exemptions for some homeowners.
Council members asked about repurposed school buildings, potential disruptions from rebuilds, and a fence and dirt work on the Greenville site. Brownham said the fence and dirt activity was an equipment laydown by Atmos Energy related to a regional project and not bond construction; she also described phased construction and renovation approaches the district would use to minimize disruption during rebuilds.
Ending: Brownham urged voters to review the district’s online bond matrix for school‑by‑school details and reminded residents that early voting begins Oct. 20 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4.
