Richardson ISD is asking voters to approve a record $1.4 billion bond package in next month鈥檚 election.
The bond is divided into .
Proposition A seeks $1.3 billion, for new and updated schools and transportation. It would fund at least 3 new schools and renovate 3 others. It would also pay for a Career and Technical Education Center and renovate its aging Environmental Studies Center. The district, which last year closed four schools amid falling enrollment and a budget shortfall, says the new schools will replace aging facilities and complete its middle school transformation initiative started years ago.
The $54 million Proposition B would fund technology upgrades.
Proposition C seeks $7.4 million to upgrade RISD鈥檚 two largest stadiums, which also serve for graduations.
Richardson ISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the monetary need in the district exceeds $2 billion, but the settled on a package worth $1.4 billion. The committee consists of 63 community members who worked from March into August to determine district needs.
Branum said she鈥檚 aware voters in other districts have rejected recent bond elections involving stadiums.
鈥淲e are not trying to build a big football stadium,鈥� said Branum. 鈥淚t's a very small amount, and it is really dedicated to upgrading our ADA seating, doing our turf replacement and then some lighting upgrades.鈥�
This is the district鈥檚 first bond election since 2021, when voters approved $750 million.
Because of rising costs, Branum said the district 鈥渂uilt in an average of a 10% inflationary cost鈥� for every year a project isn鈥檛 started. She said if this bond fails, officials would 鈥済o back and listen to the community and make adjustments鈥� before bringing another bond forward. It also means the cost of any project would rise, when and if voters approve it.
Election day is Nov. 4. Early in-person voting starts Monday.
Bill Zeeble is 四虎影院鈥檚 education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill at bzeeble@kera.org. You can follow him on X .
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