News
BY KEVIN CUMMINGS & CONNOR PITTMAN
RISD proposes closing, consolidating campuses In an effort to shore up continuing budgetary deficit issues, Richardson ISD officials are proposing to consolidate or repurpose a number of campuses. The proposal, called Project RightSize, would affect five campuses within the district, reducing expenditures by around $10.8 million annually, in addition to bringing in an estimated $10 million in one-time funds, according to a Feb. 22 presentation. What you need to know Schools that would be closed or consolidated by the proposal for the 2024-25 school year include Greenwood Hills Elementary, Springridge Elemen- tary, Spring Valley Elementary and Thurgood Mar- shall Elementary. The plan would close the Dobie Pre-Kindergarten School in the 2025-26 school year. RISD would also get rid of noncontiguous atten- dance boundaries, meaning students would not be bused to schools with different attendance zones.
Richardson council to issue $21M in bonds During a Feb. 26 meeting, Richardson coun- cil members approved a resolution to allow staff to publish a notice to issue over $20.95 million in certificates of obligation, which will be used to purchase equipment and expand services. Two-minute impact According to officials, $3 million will go to library renovations; $1.61 million will pay for a fire engine pumper truck and an ambulance; $1.65 million will cover container equipment and five trash trucks; and $14.7 million will go to water and sewer projects. What’s next? Council plans to consider authorizing the sale of the certificates of obligation during the April 22 meeting.
Budget deficits
$25.9M
$28M
$8.6M $6.9M
2020-21
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24*
*PROJECTED
SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The context Schools identified are all nearly 60% under capacity, have declining enrollment and high maintenance costs, said Sandra Hayes, assistant superintendent of district operations. What’s next? Officials plan to adopt the FY 2024-25 budget in June, but aim to finalize consolidation plans by the end of March to prepare for the upcoming year. This article was published prior to RISD’s March 22 board meeting.
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