During its June 4 board meeting, the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees approved the district’s 2026-2027 budget, reaffirming its commitment to the district’s North Star Goal: ensuring every student, teacher, and leader meets or exceeds their academic growth goals.
The adopted budget reflects months of careful planning to prioritize support for students and employees amid the challenges facing public education across Texas.
A key component of the budget is a compensation package designed to attract and retain high-quality educators and staff. Teachers, counselors, nurses, and other teacher-type employees with one to three years of experience will receive a $1,000 raise, while those with four or more years of experience will receive a $2,000 raise. Other exempt employees will receive a 2% pay increase, and non-exempt employees, including paraprofessional and auxiliary staff, will receive a 3% increase. The district will also raise its starting salary to $63,500 for certified teachers and $63,000 for uncertified teachers.
“Every decision reflected in this budget begins with our commitment to students and the educators who serve them,” said Superintendent Tabitha Branum. “While we continue to navigate financial challenges facing public education, our focus remains on creating learning environments where students can thrive and ensuring our teachers and staff have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to help every learner grow.”
At the same time, RISD continues to address rising costs, changing enrollment patterns, and limited growth in state funding. Through a comprehensive review of district operations, approximately $25.7 million in efficiencies were identified for the 2026-2027 budget. These adjustments include reductions in non-payroll expenditures, staffing model refinements, organizational restructuring, and schedule changes at secondary campuses. Throughout the process, district leaders remained focused on protecting classroom instruction and preserving essential student services.
Enrollment remains an important factor in the district’s financial planning. District leaders continue to monitor enrollment trends closely, particularly as Texas implements its newly approved voucher program and its potential impact on public school funding.
The district’s Child Nutrition Fund also continues to show improvement. The 2026-2027 budget projects approximately $19.3 million in revenue and $19.7 million in expenditures, significantly reducing the projected deficit compared to previous years. Student meal prices will remain unchanged, and RISD will continue operating 23 Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) campuses, allowing students at those schools to receive meals at no cost.
The budget presentation also included Bond 2025 highlights, including the successful sale of $200 million in bonds completed in May 2026. Thanks to the RISD voters approving the Bond 2025, the district’s Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate went from 35 cents to 39 cents. It is important to note that Bond funds can only be used for voter-approved capital projects, such as facility improvements, safety enhancements, and infrastructure upgrades, and cannot be used to cover day-to-day operating expenses. RISD continues to maintain strong financial ratings, including Aaa from Moody’s and AA+ from Standard & Poor’s, reflecting confidence in the district’s fiscal management and long-term planning.
“This budget reflects our unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of Richardson ISD,” said Board President Chris Poteet. “The Board worked closely with district leadership to make thoughtful decisions that support our employees, maintain financial responsibility, and ensure students have access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.”
The 2026–2027 budget reflects RISD’s continued commitment to supporting its employees, protecting critical student services, and finding the operational efficiencies necessary to meet the long-term needs of the entire RISD community.
