Richardson ISD board adopts 2024-25 amended budget and 2025-26 proposed budget after public hearing

The Richardson Independent School District Board of Trustees on Thursday evening adopted an amended 2024-25 budget and approved the proposed 2025-26 budgets after a public hearing on the district’s spending plan.

The board held a public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget and proposed tax rate before taking action. At the hearing, Ewan Blackman, a resident who spoke during the hearing, said he supported the 2025-26 budget and praised what he described as $12.3 million in savings and $2 million in central-administration cuts that district staff and community volunteers had identified.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Support Services David Pate presented the district’s proposed budgets, saying the plan supports the board’s strategic priorities and the district’s “North Star” goals. Pate summarized Project RightSize savings, noted that the district’s unassigned fund balance is “about $175,000,000,” and described one-time and recurring savings tied to consolidations under Project RightSize. He also walked the board through the three funds the board was being asked to adopt: the General Fund, Debt Service Fund…