| Culminating an ongoing budget planning process that incorporated recommendations from the Community Budget Steering Committee, on June 5, RISD Trustees adopted the 2025-26 operating budget that makes further reductions from central and support while further increasing compensation for educators. The $439.7 million operating budget will fund district operations, using $28 million in one-time funds to balance the budget. At the time of budget passage, the detailed impact of the recent legislative school funding increase on RISD’s 2025-26 budget was not yet known. The operating portion of the RISD property tax rate is set by Texas law and projected to be reduced to $0.74, and the debt service portion of the tax rate is projected to remain at $0.35. “This budget further aligns our district’s resources with our North Star Goal of student academic growth while increasing the efficiency of our operations,” said RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum. “We are allocating the funds realized from our efficiencies toward teacher and educator pay in order to attract, and most importantly retain, the very best educators here in Richardson ISD. We are appreciative of the legislative efforts in the 89th session to increase funding for public schools for the first time in six years. Once that impact to RISD is known, we’ll be able to adjust our 2025-26 budget accordingly.” Highlights of the adopted budget include: -Minimum increases to teacher pay based on years of experience, ranging from $2,500 to $3,000. If recent legislative requirements dictate a further increase for any teacher category, RISD intends to adjust the budget to provide additional compensation in accordance with Texas law. -RISD’s overall tax rate is projected to be at its lowest level in 40 years. -$2 million in further reductions to central office and support services, which have now totaled $4 million over the last two budget cycles. -A 3% salary increase for non-“teacher types.” -A market adjustment in compensation for some other job types to allow RISD to remain a quality option in the ultra-competitive North Texas market. -Use of $11.5 million in one-time funds realized through the sale of central district facilities through the Project RightSize plan. -Projected student enrollment of 36,541, an overall reduction of 430 students which includes prospective additional students under the district’s move toward open enrollment for 2025-26. -Expenditure reductions at consolidated Project RightSize campuses of $12.3 million. “Moving forward, we will continue to operate as efficiently as possible while offering opportunities, neighborhood schools, experiences, and a commitment to student academic growth that positions RISD as the choice for families seeking a high quality education,” said Branum. See the 2025-26 budget presentation and discussion Learn more about RISD budget planning |
Back to School
RISD welcomes students back to school for the 2025-26 school year on August 12.
