Richardson ISD bond steering committee recommends $1 billion-range bond, 4¢ tax rate increase; board to consider calling election
Loading...
Summary
A community bond steering committee recommended the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees call a bond referendum that would raise the district's interest-and-sinking tax rate by 4 cents to fund three propositions covering middle school rebuilds and a proposed CTE center, technology devices, and stadium upgrades.
A community bond steering committee that met this summer recommended the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees call a bond referendum and to seek a 4¢ increase to the district's interest-and-sinking tax rate to fund capital needs across the district.
Committee members told trustees the group met for months, reviewed departmental needs and facility assessments, and voted unanimously among 33 final voters to recommend the district place the bond on the ballot. "We unanimously voted to recommend a bond referendum for 2025," said committee member Larry Johnson.
The committee proposed three separate propositions, reflecting statutory separation requirements: Proposition A (general construction and large projects, including continued middle school transformation and a proposed career and technical education center), Proposition B (technology devices and related infrastructure), and Proposition C (stadium upgrades focused on ADA access plus selected turf and lighting work). The committee recommended the 4¢ increase to cover the package and said the amount was chosen based on financial modeling and community survey feedback.
Presenters emphasized educational and workforce reasons for the investment. Chelsea Jefferey, a bond steering committee member, described a proposed CTE center where students from multiple high schools could train in medical, microelectronics, HVAC and automotive programs and earn industry certifications before graduation. Committee presentations included detail on needs across special education, fine arts, career and technical education (CTE), athletics, early childhood and technology.
Committee members and district staff highlighted several fiscal points: the district has issued prior bonds approved in 2021, the district maintained high credit ratings while holding the tax rate steady, and staff said bond proceeds cannot be used for salaries. Luis Rojas, a committee member, presented community-survey projections showing the estimated annual cost to an average home (assumed median value used in the presentation) at the 4¢ rate as about $124 per year (roughly $10.33 per month), subject to exemptions and state measures discussed at the meeting. Staff also said the assumed numbers in their slides factored in a prospective state homestead exemption increase and the district's 10% local option homestead exemption.
Board members praised the committee's work and asked staff to bring a formal bond resolution for future board consideration. Superintendent Branham said the board could expect a formal recommendation at the board's August 7 meeting with a possible call for a November election if the board moves forward. District staff also made a written public "Let's Talk" channel and a bond website available for ongoing community questions and full meeting materials.
The committee and trustees emphasized next steps would include community education if the board calls the election: materials on how bond dollars can be used, the timeline for tax-rate changes (staff said a successful bond's tax-rate increase would not take effect until the 2026–27 tax year), and anticipated design and project scheduling should voters approve the measure.
