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Richardson ISD presenters cite staffing pressures and a roughly $12 million special-education shortfall
Summary
Staff told trustees the district faces ongoing vacancies for paraprofessionals and specialists and cited a $12,000,000 funding gap the district will need to address through staffing strategies, contractor use and potential bond/legislative action.
Trustees heard several operational challenges tied to the district’s growing special-education population, including staff shortages and a cited funding shortfall.
Board conversation and staff remarks identified persistent vacancies for paraprofessionals and specialized therapists; staff said they sometimes rely on contractors and long-term substitutes while recruiting. A board member referenced a previously stated estimate of a $12,000,000 gap for covering special-education needs. “Si hoy es esa brecha de 12000000 de dólares, que tiene que llenar esos 12 billones en esa brecha… hay que buscar esos 12000000,” one trustee said during the discussion.
District staff outlined recruitment events and internal strategies to retain paraprofessionals, and said the district will pursue available federal and state reimbursements and consider capital or budget adjustments as part of its multi-year planning.
