The Community Budget Steering Committee made several recommendations for the RISD board of trustees to consider to address financial challenges the district faces because of declining revenues and increased operating costs.
The specifics
Several subcommittees within the Community Budget Steering Committee made recommendations for the board during its Dec. 12 meeting.
The committee recommended the board hold a VATRE—a specially-called election where school districts ask voters to increase their maintenance and operation tax rate above state-mandated thresholds—in November 2025 to adjust the tax rate by $0.0317. According to a presentation to the board, the increase would generate a net revenue of $7.4 million, which would help address gaps in the district budget.
Additionally, the committee also recommended the district call a bond election for either November 2025 or May 2026, committee member Mark Holmes said in the presentation.
RISD has held a bond election every five years, with the most recent being May 2021, Holmes said, adding that the maintenance and operation tax rate of $0.7552 is the lowest the district has had in 40 years and the debt service tax rate has held as $0.35 since 2016.
“Once again demonstrating to the community and all its stakeholders fiscal responsibility while meeting infrastructure needs,” Holmes said.
Also of note
Additional recommendations from the include choice programming, expanding inter-district transfer options and consideration for the standard staffing model.
Concerning choice programming, the committee recommended enhancing magnet programming by defining a focus for each campus to ensure each magnet school offers unique educational experiences. The committee also recommended expanding the magnet programming’s range and the choice programming at all levels to ensure equitable distribution of programs around the district. Magnet schools and other similar programs offer specialized courses and curricula.
When it came to inter-district transfer options, the committee acknowledged open enrollment has benefits but said implementation should be approached with caution and with a focus on financial prudence, equitable access and maintaining community trust.
Lastly, concerning standard staffing models, the committee recommended the district conduct a study for possible changes to the secondary school bell schedule to determine the best scheduling option.
Currently, RISD secondary campuses operate on a A/B block schedule, meaning 90-minute classes every other day. Committee member Mechele Wahlberg said block schedule allows students to earn eight credits yearly and allows teachers to spend more time with students while traditional schedules mean teachers see their students everyday, which allows teachers to work on skills daily.
How we got here
RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the financial challenges the district faces result from several factors, including lower enrollment rates stemming from declining birth rates.
Other factors include inflation, competition for educators and staff and the fact the legislature has not increased the basic funding allotment since 2019.
"One of the tremendous demands that we have seen on the budget, and really it was escalated on the heels of the [COVID-19] pandemic, was the shortage we are seeing in ensuring high-quality staff," Branum said. "In all of our positions, not just for teachers."
What’s next
The committee recommended the district begin planning for the VATRE and bond elections in spring 2025. Additionally, the standard staffing model committee could start meeting in spring 2025 while information on choice programming and open enrollment will be presented to the board in early spring 2025.
