Richardson ISD proposes $1.4 billion bond package for Nov. 4 ballot

Richardson ISD is asking voters to approve a $1,400,000,000 bond package on Nov. 4 that would fund campus renovations, technology replacement and stadium upgrades across the district, a district presenter said during a recorded information release.

The presenter said Bond 2025 is built on recommendations from a Community Bond Steering Committee and is divided into three propositions: Proposition A would total $1,338,600,000 to complete a middle-school transformation at six campuses and fund building projects and equipment; Proposition B would dedicate $54,000,000 to technology replacement; and Proposition C would provide $7,400,000 for upgrades to the district’s two largest stadiums.

Why it matters: The proposal would pay for large-scale capital work that districts cannot fund through day-to-day operating budgets. The presenter said recent bonds helped convert Forest Meadow and Lake Highlands from junior highs to middle schools and that the new package would finish that transformation at Apollo, Liberty, North, Park Hill, West and Westwood. Additional Proposition A projects listed by the presenter include a career and technical education center and renovations to the environmental study center.

On Proposition A, the presenter said funds would also be earmarked for instructional materials, fine-arts instruments, athletic equipment, safety upgrades, roofing and HVAC systems, restroom renovations, school buses and security improvements. "Proposition A totals $1,338,600,000 and is planned to complete the middle school transformation initiative for the remaining six junior high campuses," the presenter said.

Proposition B, the presenter said, is required by state law to be its own proposition and would replace devices nearing the end of their life cycle for teachers, paraprofessionals, students and administrators and provide specialized computers for labs and libraries. Proposition C, the presenter added, focuses on stadium improvements such as ADA seating, turf replacement and LED lighting; the presenter noted state law requires the district's large-capacity stadiums to be separate propositions.

The district emphasized its financial position, saying it holds strong ratings from independent agencies that help secure lower interest rates on bonds. The presenter provided an estimated tax impact: for a home with an average market value of $500,000, the increase would be about $124 more per year (about $10.33 per month), starting with the 2026 tax bill for homeowners under age 65. That estimate, the presenter said, factors in Richardson ISD’s 10% local option homestead exemption and assumes passage of a state constitutional amendment increasing the state-mandated homestead exemption to $140,000.

The presenter also said homeowners 65 or older are generally not impacted by the tax increase because they qualify to have their property tax levy frozen when they turn 65, unless they make a substantial improvement to their home.

Election and next steps: The presenter said election day is Nov. 4, with early voting from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31, and directed listeners to rasd.org/bond2020five for full details.

The proposal will be decided by voters; the district presentation provided project lists, estimated costs and the tax-impact calculation but did not record a board vote on the package within this recording.