1. What is a bond?

A school bond is similar to a mortgage on a home. The school district is asking its voters to be able to borrow a specific amount of money, in this case, up to $1.4 billion dollars. If we voters approve the bond, the district will then begin to sell tax-free municipal bonds as needed to finance the construction of approved projects. Districts repay the bonds through revenue generated from property taxes collected by the district. In this case, it is estimated that the district will be able to pay off the debt without increase the school tax rate. 

2. How can bond dollars be used?

Bond dollars can only be put towards capital projects - the construction and renovation of school facilities - transportation, technology, equipment, and land acquisition. Bond dollars cannot be used for teacher and staff salaries. 

3. Why $750 million?

By authorizing a $1.4 billion bond, RISD can address the most pressing needs and maintain positive learning environments for all our students. 

The bond proposal came from the recommendation of the Community Bond Steering Committee (parents, staff, community members, and business leaders). Bond 2025 targets districtwide needs in construction, facilities, safety & security, transportation, fine arts, athletics, technology, and instructional programs. The group met frequently to study facility, equipment and infrastructure needs side by side with enrollment projections, financial data, community survey results and other data. They measured all this with the intent in creating and maintaining learning environments that align with the RISD mission, vision and goals. All this helped form the final bond proposal that the committee recommended to the RISD Board of Trustees.

4. Will my tax rate go up?

Approval of Bond 2025 is anticipated to result in an approximately $0.04 I&S (Interest & Sinking) tax rate increase based on current projections. For a home with an average market value of $500,000 in RISD, this could potentially result in an estimated annual increase of $124, or about $10 per month.

Homeowners 65 or older are not impacted by a tax increase because they qualify to have their property tax levy frozen when they turn 65. The frozen tax levy does not stay in place if a homeowner makes a substantial improvement to their home.

6. When was Richardson ISD’s last bond election?

Richardson’s last bond election was 5 years ago in 2020. The RISD community has passed every school bond referendum since the first one the school district put on the ballot in 1951. The school district has operated on a five-year bond cycle since 1996.

7. What happens if this bond doesn’t pass?

If the bond doesn’t pass the district will have to fund most capital expenditures through emergency withdrawals from operating funds. That could result in budget cuts and/or a property tax increase due to the elimination of the local, optional homestead exemption.

8. When can I vote?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. You can vote early starting October 20 - October 31. Find more information at http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/

9. How do I register to vote or find out if I am already registered?

New voters must register by April 1 through the Dallas County Elections Department. 

Find the application and more information at http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/voter-information/register-to-vote/. 

All registered voters in RISD are eligible to vote in the May 1 election. Find out if you are registered using the Dallas County online voter lookup tool.