{"id":29127,"date":"2024-06-10T08:57:31","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T13:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.risd.org\/home\/?p=29127"},"modified":"2024-07-15T14:20:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T19:20:55","slug":"risd-trustees-approve-budget-with-increased-teacher-pay-school-closures-lower-anticipated-tax-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.risd.org\/home\/risd-trustees-approve-budget-with-increased-teacher-pay-school-closures-lower-anticipated-tax-rate\/","title":{"rendered":"RISD Trustees Approve Budget With Increased Teacher Pay, School Closures, Lower Anticipated Tax Rate","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finalizing a budget planning process that began 11 months ago, RISD Trustees approved the district\u2019s 2024-25 budget at the June 6 regular meeting. The approved operating budget is based on an anticipated state-set operating tax rate of $0.7899, a reduction from the current year rate and the lowest level since 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adopted operating budget includes a $27.2 million deficit that will be funded through one-time use of the district\u2019s fund balance, and also includes $12.8 million in reductions and efficiencies, realized through school consolidations as part of Project RightSize<\/a>, and additional central and support cuts.\u00a0The budget includes an aggressive raise and compensation package for veteran teachers<\/a> to retain and attract experienced educators. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The school consolidations and operating reductions stemmed from recommendations of the Community Budget Steering Committee<\/a> (CBSC), which was created in July 2023to assist the district with prioritizing limited resources and decisions for 2024-25 budget planning. The CBSC made nine total recommendations in December of 2023, and the 2024-25 budget includes three of them. The other six will be considered as part of future budget planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis budget process has been bittersweet,\u201d said RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum. \u201cThe clear highlight is being able to finally reward our experienced teachers at levels they deserve and that positions our district among the most appealing in North Texas in attracting experienced, talented educators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnfortunately, this budget also includes closing the doors of four elementary campuses among our operating reductions and efficiencies, which has been highly disruptive for students, parents, staff, and neighborhoods across the district. As the costs of operating a school district continue to rise due to ongoing inflation, it\u2019s important to keep reminding our stakeholders that we have not received a per-pupil funding increase in the basic student allotment from the state legislature since before the pandemic \u2013 six years. This budget continues our work to utilize the district\u2019s limited resources consistent with our North Star Goal of student academic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here to learn more about budget planning discussions, including the factors impacting district revenue and expenditures<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights of the adopted 2024-25 operating budget include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n