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2011 Bond Called
Added: Feb. 22, 2011
At its February 21 meeting, the RISD Board of Trustees called a $170 million bond election for May 14, 2011. The bond would fund capital and infrastructure items across RISD's 55 schools, and would not require a tax increase for RISD taxpayers.
Bond 2011 Update
Added: Jan. 14, 2011
As the RISD Board of Trustees and administration have continued to consider district needs and collect input from community and staff members about priorities for the proposed 2011 bond, the amount of the proposed package has been reduced to approximately $170 million, which reflects the community's priority of not increasing the current tax rate.
Additional details related to the proposed 2011 bond are now available at www.risd.org/bond, in advance of 2011 Bond Town Hall Meetings, which begin next week.
We invite all RISD stakeholders to attend one of the four sessions to hear a presentation about the proposed bond items. The meetings offer an opportunity to provide input and ask questions. The RISD Board will consider calling a May bond election at the February 21 meeting.
The 2011 Proposed Bond Town Hall meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be facilitated at the following locations:
Wednesday, January 19 - Lake Highlands High School Library
Thursday, January 20 - Berkner High School Library
Tuesday, January 25 - Pearce High School Corral
Wednesday, January 26 - Richardson High School Library
Click here to download the 2011 Proposed Bond Town Hall Meeting handout.
Click here to download the 2011 Proposed Bond Town Hall Meeting handout in Spanish.
RISD stakeholders unable to attend one of the town hall meetings are encouraged to provide feedback or submit questions to the RISD Communications Department at 469-593-0300 or risd@risd.org.
Bond 2011 Update - Town Hall Meetings
Added: Dec. 16, 2010
RISD Board of Trustees and Administration encourage all district stakeholders to attend an upcoming Town Hall meeting . RISD will share details of the current $170 million proposal for a May 2011 bond and ask for stakeholder input in the planning process. As a reminder, the RISD Board has until early March 2011 to call for a May bond election.
Each Town Hall meetings begins at 6:30 p.m. as follows:
Wednesday, January 19 at the Lake Highlands High School Library
Thursday, January 20 at the Berkner High School Library
Tuesday, January 25 at the Pearce High School Corral
Wednesday, January 26 at the Richardson High School Library
Questions? Call us at 469.593.0300 or email us at risd@risd.org.
Bond 2011 Update & Online Survey
Added: Nov. 12, 2010
Over the last six weeks, Campus Principals, RISD Administration and the RISD Board of Trustees have reviewed and discussed many bond proposal items, and the cost of each, for possible inclusion in a May 2011 bond election.
In a Nov. 4 workshop, Dr. Waggoner and senior staff recommended a total not to exceed $170 million for the proposed bond program, so there would be no tax increase if approved by voters. The district's bond planning process is ongoing, and ultimately, the RISD Board of Trustees will determine what the bond program will include and whether to place it on the ballot. To hold a May 2011 bond election, the RISD Board would have until early March 2011 to call an election.
Please visit the 2011 Bond Program link online to give your input in a brief survey. A 'frequently-asked questions' document and an online map to view the completion of the 2001 and 2006 bond programs are coming soon. If you have bond-related comments or questions, please email RISD Communications at risd@risd.org.
Initial 2011 Bond Draft Presented to Board
Added: Sept. 23, 2010
On Sept. 20, 2010, the RISD Board of Trustees reviewed an initial draft of a bond proposal that could be brought before voters in a May 2011 election. The bond planning process is in its early stages and aligns with the district’s Vision 2020 plan. Stakeholder and community input are critical factors as the bond proposal evolves.
The district has capacity for a bond package of approximately $170 million without requiring a tax increase for RISD taxpayers. The initial proposal was the result of ongoing needs assessments and input from RISD staff that began last school year.
Highlights of the draft proposal include programs, maintenance and updates in the following areas:
Curriculum – instructional resources and equipment
Facilities – security systems, heating/air conditioning, resurfacing of walls, floors and ceilings; roofs, ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) improvements, Auditorium renovations at high schools, LHJH and HPPM; Natatorium renovations, athletic field improvements and stadium improvements
Technology – computers, equipment, software, labs and classroom connectivity enhancements
Planning for a potential 2011 bond is consistent with RISD’s long-term bond cycle planning process that includes capital expenditures to maintain or refresh facilities and equipment approximately every five years. RISD began this process with the 2001 bond ($351.6M) and continued it with the 2006 bond ($145.4M), and believes it’s the most prudent way to keep schools, facilities and equipment in sound operating condition, while providing students the instructional and technology equipment and infrastructure that the RISD community expects.
Based on community input, RISD attempts to match the useful life of capital items purchased with the life of bonds used to finance the items. For example, RISD would avoid using a 20 year bond to finance laptop computers with an anticipated useful life of five years.
Richardson ISD stakeholder input is strongly encouraged in the bond planning process. Parents, residents, staff and other stakeholders are always welcome at RISD Board of Trustees meetings to listen to bond-related discussions and offer feedback. Board meeting schedules can be found on the RISD website here.
The district will hold meetings and presentations for stakeholders to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback regarding the 2011 bond proposal and will announce the dates, times and locations on the RISD website, in RISD’s School Times Now community newsletter, to local media outlets and in employee communications.
In addition, bond-related comments, input and questions can be sent to risd@risd.org or call RISD Communications at 469.593.0301. The district will share all input received with the RISD Board of Trustees. |
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