At the March 6 regular meeting, RISD trustees discussed a variety of topics. Highlighted information items include:
Planned Enhancements to Magnet Schools
Board members heard a presentation about planned changes to RISD magnet programs aimed at improving the magnet experience and outcomes for students. RISD currently operates six magnet schools, open to all students across the district, that offer a wide variety of academic focuses. “We have a very strong magnet school legacy in RISD,” said Superintendent Branum, “and our goal is to build and expand upon that legacy to ensure our programs remain sought after and responsive to the needs and wishes of our community.” A district review of programming aims to:
- Ensure that magnet program tracks align from elementary through high school for students with specific goals and interests, culminating in career pathways.
- Improve the physical learning environment of magnets schools to better reflect the identity of the school and programs offered.
- Expand magnet school partnerships with area businesses and organizations aligned with each program’s offerings to better embed real world opportunities for students.
- Increase hands-on student experiences aligned with magnet tracks.
The review and improvement of magnet programming is one piece of the district’s efforts to review and add choice programming for RISD families as part of Community Budget Steering Committee recommendations. Additional information about new choice programming possibilities will come to trustees later in the spring.
See the March 6 magnet program presentation and discussion.
Annual HR Report
Trustees also heard an annual report from Human Resources that provided data and metrics related to RISD staff. Some highlights:
- RISD utilizes a wide variety of pathways to recruit and develop a pipeline of quality teachers into RISD.
- After last year’s teacher compensation increase, RISD went from the bottom quartile of teacher pay for experienced educators in 2023-24 to the top two among competing districts in 2024-25, dramatically increasing the district’s ability to attract, and retain, quality teachers.
- Accordingly, RISD’s number of more experienced teachers increased in the current school year.
- RISD operates two state-licensed child care facilities for teachers and staff, with plans for the third to open this fall. These retention tools are very popular with staff, and once the third location opens, most of the remaining waiting list should be accommodated.
- Another popular staff retention program is the acute care medical clinic open to employees and immediate family members. In partnership with Methodist Richardson Medical Center, all visits only cost a $10 co-pay for staff.
- Teacher turnover declined 4.3% from last school year to the current school year.
- The district continues to invest in teacher excellence and compensation through the National Board Certification for teachers and the Texas-sponsored teacher incentive allotment program. Both programs offer pathways for teachers to significantly exceed their base salary through performance- and advanced training-based incentives.
- RISD is continuing a focus on recruitment and retention of qualified teachers in the high-needs areas of special education and bilingual education.
See the March 6 Human Resources update and discussion.
Learn more about RISD Board meetings, including schedules, agendas and videos.
