At the Oct. 24 meeting, RISD trustees received an update about Bond 2021 projects and expenditures. Highlights included:
- As with all RISD bond packages, projects and equipment included in Bond 2021 were identified with assistance of community members before being considered by RISD voters.
- Since 1996, RISD has adhered to a 5 year Bond cycle and all bond packages impact every learning community in the school district.
- 97% of authorized bonds have been sold from Bond 2021, with the final $25 million expected to be issued in spring 2025.
- Due to historic pandemic-driven increases in construction costs, some anticipated Bond 2021 items, primarily maintenance and building infrastructure upgrades, were deferred to future bonds.
- Major construction projects at five schools have been completed, and work is currently underway at the final three campuses (Hamilton Park, Northrich & Stults Rd.).
- Flooring was upgraded at all current elementary campuses, and infrastructure items like roofing, electrical, and plumbing work has been substantially completed in buildings throughout the district.
- RISD attempts to refresh student and staff teaching & learning devices like laptops and iPads on a five year cycle, and almost all devices purchased through Bond 2021 have been issued and are in use.
- Instructional materials, books, new/replacement equipment, and teaching/learning software have been provided for all schools.
- Extensive career & technology (CTE) program equipment & construction/program upgrades have occurred at secondary schools and all high schools.
- Technology infrastructure upgrades like servers, networking equipment, and cybersecurity have been substantially completed.
- Physical security upgrades like surveillance cameras, life safety equipment, and safety & security equipment have been substantially completed.
- Playground equipment replacements have occurred at many elementary campuses.
- Upgrades/replacements of fine arts equipment and performance venues (HS auditoriums) have been substantially completed.
- Updates/replacements of athletics equipment have been substantially completed, including replacement of eight turf fields (two at each high school).
- Updates to school bus fleet, and service vehicle and student transportation fleet.
The final 3-4% of bond expenditures are expected to finish projects like flooring, lighting, electrical updates, instructional materials, uniforms, furniture, security equipment, instructional technology and enterprise technology.
With bond expenditures, RISD continues to make updates to reduce the deferred maintenance that has occurred over the decades. RISD also continues to make updates to school buildings to create a more appealing learning environment for students and staff, and continues to provide funding for capital items to facilitate and accommodate educational experiences for students.
For more information about the Bond 2021 program and projects, please visit https://web.risd.org/bond2021/.
Watch the Oct. 24 Bond Update here.
EDI Update
Trustees also heard a report from the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office, which covered major initiatives the department is involved in developing, implementing or providing. The district embraces a diverse student and staff population by providing a culturally responsive environment that fosters success, safety, and respect. EDI programming is aligned with the Texas TEKS, RISD’s North Star Goal and the district’s strategic plan developed by parents, community members, students, teachers and staff.
If every student, teacher, and leader is going to meet or exceed their academic growth goals, the district must continue work to identify and close achievement and opportunity gaps for students.
The report included information about:
- A review of the Family Engagement Framework.
- An explanation and review of campus Pathway to Equity Plans.
- Development and pilot implementation plans about the Upstander Partnership for students, anchored in RISD and state-required character traits and curriculum.
- Review of ongoing initiatives such as Parent University opportunities and growth goal camps for parents to understand how to support student growth goals.
The presentation also included initial results of the recent RISD Parent Engagement Survey, which included more than 4,000 responses that spanned every RISD campus. Parent responses are being disaggregated and shared with campuses to help inform how each campus can best engage their parents with meaningful opportunities to engage with their child’s school in a way that fits with parental schedules and preferences.
Watch the Oct. 24 EDI presentation here.
