Steering committee recommends $750M bond package to Richardson ISD board

Richardson ISD voters could be asked to approve a $750 million bond package as part of the May 1 election.

District trustees received the recommendation from its bond steering committee during a Jan. 11 meeting. The proposed package would contain two separate propositions. The first would be in the amount of $637 million and would include projects related to teaching and learning, fine arts, athletics, special education and more. The second proposition would cover technology improvements in the amount of $113 million.

“Our recommendation of [a] $750 million [bond package can] be achieved without a tax increase,” bond committee member Matt Jacobs said. “Our students, our teachers and our families are worth the investment. We want to continue to be a district that brings in the best teachers and provides for this optimal student learning experience that prepares the students of tomorrow coming out of Richardson ISD.”

Based on the committee’s recommendation, schools that could receive capacity or renovation work as part of the bond include Pearce High School, Lake Highlands Junior High, Forest Meadow Junior High, Mohawk Elementary, Brentfield Elementary, Stults Road Elementary, Northrich Elementary and Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet.

In addition to hearing the bond steering committee presentation, the board also unanimously approved a resolution detailing the district’s middle school transformation plan. Using a phased construction approach, the district will make facility adjustments at junior high campuses over the course of several years to make room for sixth graders. The goal is to have construction completed at all necessary campuses by the 2030-31 school year.

Superintendent Jeannie Stone said the first phase of construction, which will take place in the Lake Highlands learning community, will be included in the 2021 bond program. Phases will continue into future bond programs until all current junior high schools are redesigned to support the middle school concept, she said.

Over the next several weeks, the board will determine which elements of the committee's recommendations to include in the bond. The tentative date to call the election is Feb. 8.