Education
BY DUSTIN BUTLER & MICHAEL CROUCHLEY
UT Dallas cuts ribbon on esports center UT Dallas cut the ribbon on its new esports gaming center, Comets Landing. The center features a number of amenities such as PC gaming stations, console gaming areas
Richardson ISD enrollment trends RISD saw higher than expected, but still declining, student total student population.
2023-2024 actual
2024-2025 budget
2024-2025 estimate
40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0
Total enrollment
Economically disadvantaged
Special education enrollment
Dyslexia enrollment
and more. The details
SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
RISD projects student population decline Student populations in Richardson ISD are expected to continue to decline, according to a presentation at the Jan. 16 meeting. The details Several factors contribute to the reduction in student population, including declining birth rates
within RISD boundaries. “It’s important to note our demographer’s report is just one piece of data,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum said, adding the report is used for budgeting and analyzing staffing needs. Currently, RISD has nearly 37,000 students; however, a 10-year estimate shows nearly a 4,000 drop, according to a presentation by Georgia Leon- ard of MGT, the demographer used by the district. Along with declining birth rates, Leonard said other factors contributing to the decline in students are lower mobility, and fewer new single family developments.
The two-story, 16,000-square-foot-center cost $15 million will also host esports tour- naments and other student events, camps and academic programs.
PGBT TOLL
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State funding, property tax revenue boost help Richardson ISD narrow deficit Richardson ISD is expected to end the 2024-25 fiscal year with a $10 million deficit rather than the $27 million that was projected. The gist State revenue is calculated based on student attendance and the district had higher attendance rates than previous years, Pate said. By the numbers Total enrollment for the district for the 2024-
2025 budget was estimated to be 36,359; however, estimates put the actual number at 36,989, which is still a decrease from the 37,085 enrolled students in the 2023-2024 school year.
State funding also increased because comptrol- ler property values in Richardson did not increase as much as expected. Property tax revenue is estimated to be $242 million, but was budgeted for $239 million, according to district documents.
During a presentation to the board of trustees at the Jan. 16 meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Finance David Pate said several factors contrib- uted to the deficit reduction.
Law Offices of Dana D. Huffman, P.C. SERVING RICHARDSON SINCE 1996 ESTATE PLANNING • PROBATE • MEDIATION CIVIL/FAMILY/CPS • ARBITRATION
Join Us On Stage! Summer Camps and Productions FIVE LOCATIONS! Plano, Southlake, Frisco, Fairview, Dallas Learn valuable life skills through the performing arts Build new friendships Shine on stage
1901 N. Central Expressway, #200 Richardson, TX 75080 Pictured is Chaz. Visit www.richardsonhumanesociety.org to learn more about adopting him or other great fur babies like him.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE ABOUT REVOCABLE TRANSFER ON DEATH DEEDS
972-713-7757 • WWW.HUFFMAN.LAW
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