Bond 2006

Stadium Renovations

As promised in the 2006 Bond referendum, Richardson ISD is hard at work on renovations at the two district stadiums, Eagle-Mustang and Wildcat-Ram. To upgrade facilities to better meet the needs of patrons with disabilities, coaches and scouts, the 60s-era press boxes are being replaced with new construction, complete with elevators. To see more photos of the progress as the stadiums are readied for next fall's football season.

School Times Now! Special Bond Edition

Click here to view the STN! Special Bond Edition.

Board of Trustees calls $145 million Bond Referendum
February 21, 2006

At the Monday, Feb. 20 study session of the Board of Trustees, a presentation was made for a bond package primarily to begin Phase Two of the 20-year facilities maintenance plan begun in 2000. The Board unanimously voted to call the election for a $145.4 million bond referendum on Saturday, May 13, 2006.

The bond package includes the following:

• Equipment/facilities for expanded CATE* courses;
• New curriculum (other than textbooks);
• New instructional equipment;
• Instructional equipment cycles, etc.

• Updates/cycles in accordance with the Strategic Technology
  Implementation Plan;
• Technology infrastructure updates.

• Renovations at LHHS; (office/clinic area expansion, etc.)
• Security management systems;
• Facility revitalization at 1960s-era campuses not previously renewed;
• Stadium renovation and handicap accessibility improvements;
• Roof and heating/air conditioning replacements;
• Sanitary sewer line replacements;
• Water management systems.

In addition, after receiving input from the 2006 Community Bond Reflector Group, the Board decided to include the following in the package:

• Renovations to high school auditorium restrooms;
• High School sound and lighting enhancements to ensure consistency among campuses;
• High School large gym sound enhancements;
• High School tiles in non-renovated corridors to match new areas;
• Replace wooden bleachers at Pearce High School small gym. 

All items in the bond package were selected for inclusion after instructional review of new regulations, selections of new *Career and Technology Education (CATE) courses, based on input from each high school; review of the Facility Assessment Study of 2000 and the 20-year facility maintenance plan; campus visits and review of work order history; input from the community, staff and Board of Trustees; and review of RISD’s 30-year debt management plan.

With a bond of $145.4 million, the district would be able to reduce the debt tax rate for property owners by one to two cents based on current total property value assumptions. A two-cent tax reduction in the debt rate would lower property taxes by $31.25 per year for the average market value homestead in RISD ($190,364 is the average value) or $15 for a $100,000 homestead.

2006 Community Bond Reflector Group Summary of Questions & Comments – February 8, 2006

RISD staff members presented information regarding how a bond process works and how decisions are made for inclusion of projects or items in the proposal. Copies of the documents provided are as PDFs linked below.

Click here to view the bond PowerPoint presentation.
Click here to view the bond facilities chart.
Click here to view the bond comparison chart.
Click here to view the bond history document.
Click here to view the bond contacts document.

The primary areas of bond consideration were discussed in smaller groups and questions/comments were recorded, and are reproduced in the attached PDF document.

Click here to view Bond Reflector Group questions.

The 2006 Community Bond Reflector Group met Wednesday evening, February 8, at RISD's Professional Development Center to receive information and provide input regarding the district's potential 2006 bond referendum.

More than 50 residents attended presentations by RISD staff members from the three primary areas expected to be affected by the potential bond - Instruction, Technology and Facility Services. Questions and comments were recorded for dissemination to the Board of Trustees.

The group is comprised of RISD residents invited by Board of Trustee members from all four attendance areas. Summaries of the presentations, questions and discussion will be available on this page of the district Web site the week of February 13th.

Any member of the RISD community interested in more information or with specific questions about the bond is welcome to continue to monitor the RISD Web site or please email risd@risd.org and your inquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate personnel and responded to in a timely manner.

At the January 23 Board of Trustees study session, administrators presented a briefing on a draft proposal for a Bond in 2006. State law now dictates that referendums must be held in May or November. The Administration has recommended a May 13 bond referendum as the natural continuation of the 20-year plan laid out in 2000.

Bond 2001 was the first installment of this maintenance and building plan, and 2006 would be the second installment. The proposal for this bond includes Instruction, Technology, and Facilities. Bond 2001 passed for $370 million while the proposed bond for 2006 is between $140 million to $150 million which should not raise taxes.

RISD will be disseminating detailed information on the proposal once it is called by the Board.

Click here for Bond 2001 archived information.