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Most administrative offices will be on summer break from June 27 until July 16. The offices of Human Resources, Insurance Services, Business and Financial Services, Technology Maintenance Services and Maintenance and Operations will remain open during this period. For more information, please contact 469-593-0000. |
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Board of Trustees Approves $261.7 Million Budget
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At this month's board meeting, RISD's Board of Trustees approved a $261.7 million operating budget for the 2008-2009 school year. Under the state's current school finance system, RISD’s operating revenue is limited to our 2005-2006 funding level, which necessitated budget cuts of more than $870,000 in order to provide a salary increase for employees and cover rising costs.
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Budget highlights include: |
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- Nearly a 3 percent raise for teachers, a 3.5 percent increase for support staff, and a 2.75 percent increase for administrators. The employee compensation plan will cost the district about $5.6 million.
- No tax rate increase for homeowners. The tax-rate will remain at $1.34 per $100 of property value.
- Continuation of the 10 percent local optional homestead exemption for property owners, reducing a typical homeowner’s property taxes by about $275 a year. This allows RISD to have the third lowest tax levy among peer districts in Dallas and Collin County.
- Budget reductions by lowering appraisal district fees, insurance premium savings, and central administration attrition.
- A budget enhancement of more than $600,000 from the district's new PACE after school program.
- Recapture payment to the state of approximately $20.3 million.
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Financial challenges: |
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- Loss of student enrollment – With renovations scheduled in the Lake Highlands and Richardson areas that include the demolition of apartment buildings, RISD's student enrollment is projected to decrease. District operating revenue is based on student enrollment, meaning the fewer students we have, the less funding available.
- "Robin Hood" is still alive – Under the current finance system, RISD is still considered a “property wealthy” district and must send funds back to the state from any increase in property values. For the 2007-2008 school year, RISD sent $17.4 million to the state; for 2008-2009, RISD expects to send $20.3 million to the state. Since 1993-94, RISD has sent $400 million to the state in recapture ("Robin Hood") payments.
- House Bill 1 – Property value increases do not benefit our operating budget. Property tax revenue collected beyond our 2005-2006 level must be returned to the state, so unlike cities and counties, our operating budget does not benefit from property value increases – instead, those funds go to the State of Texas.
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Although many area districts have significant budget deficits, RISD has been able to control spending and find ways to save money, thereby preventing the deep budget cuts or tax increases for 2008-09 that other districts are facing.
RISD maintains an elite bond rating, shared by few other districts in Texas, and recently, RISD was commended for saving $473,000 by utilizing online Ebidding through our purchasing department.
After the Board’s vote, Dr. Simmons was pleased with the budget, given the current economy and the fact that many districts are facing large budget deficits. "We definitely have some things to keep our eyes on ... but I like our situation compared to the rest of the state." |
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Lake Highlands High School Principal Announced |
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Dr. David Simmons is pleased to announce that Walter Kelly has been named principal at Lake Highlands High School. Mr. Kelly, formerly principal at West Junior High, takes the helm at LHHS from Dr. Bob Iden who is retiring.
Mr. Kelly has extensive experience in secondary school administration. IPrior to his tenure at West Junior High in RISD, Mr. Kelly served as principal at Telluride High School and Middle School in Colorado and as an assistant principal at S.F. Austin High School and Hill Country Middle School, both in Austin, Texas.
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During his tenure at West Junior High, Mr. Kelly designed and co-developed the RISD Junior High Pilot for Reading. He was instrumental in overseeing instructional improvement and interventions that resulted in a Recognized rating for West and in developing the school as a National AVID Demonstration Site.
Mr. Kelly began his career teaching secondary science, and also served as a curriculum specialist before becoming an assistant principal. He received his bachelor's degree at Baylor University in Biology and Philosophy, and earned his master's degree in Educational Administration at Southwest Texas University (now Texas State).
This year, Mr Kelly was accepted as one of 100 Texas administrators to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education Principals' Center, National Institute for Urban School Leadership. He will be taking part in the institute this summer to work with leading researchers, practitioners, and colleagues to refine their leadership skills, examine successful practices from urban setting, set expectations for high achievement, and explore strategies to promote high student achievement school-wide.
Mr. Kelly looks forward to being a Wildcat and to serving as the educational leader for Lake Highlands High School to empower teachers and the community to provide the best possible education for all LHHS students.
Congratulations Mr. Kelly! |
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PACE to Debut in 2008-09
PACE, RISD's new after school program, will begin on the first day of school, Monday, August 25, 2008.
PACE is currently pre-enrolling for the 2008-2009 school year. For more information about PACE, please visit www.risd.org/pace. |
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RISD's Bond Rating Upgraded
At a recent Board of Trustees meeting Assistant Superintendent Tony Harkleroad announced that Standard & Poor's (leading provider of independent credit ratings) has upgraded RISD's bond rating to AA+. Moody's, another prominent bond rating institution, gives RISD a strong Aa1 rating.
RISD is the ONLY district in the State with the Aa1/AA+ rating combination.
A higher bond rating means RISD is charged a lower interest rate for bond sales, which means it costs RISD less to borrow money to fund bond initiatives. Ultimately, a high bond rating means a lower debt service tax rate for RISD taxpayers. |
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RISD Budget Update
Click here to download RISD budget information. |
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Board Members Sworn In -
New Officers Elected
May 2008 |
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Terrace Elementary Students
Are "Proud to be Texas"
May 2008 |
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2007-08 Vals & Sals
May 2008 |
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BHS Robotics Reaches Quarter
Finals at World Championship
May 2008 |
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