Richardson ISD officials made a compelling argument Monday night for voting in favor of the Tax Ratification Election (TRE) in November. The rate hike is needed, they said, to fund increases in teacher salaries, security improvements and innovative programming.

One attendee, though, wasn’t convinced: RISD’s retired CFO Tony Harkleroad.

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“I’ve been going through the data, and it just doesn’t sit right with me,” Harkleroad told me. “I’m going to vote against it.”

RISD trustees, led by veteran Kim Caston, laid out primary reasons the TRE is needed: the state’s contribution to funding has declined and operating expenses have increased, resulting in a 2017-18 budget deficit of $6.3 million. Without increasing the maintenance and operating tax rate (M&O) from $1.04 to the cap of $1.17, the deficit will flower to $54.1 million over the next five years.

Caston explained that property value increases in RISD’s popular neighborhoods result, not in additions to district coffers, but in corresponding decreases to the state’s contribution. That, she said, is where blame for the deficit lies.

Not so fast, said Harkleroad.

“What the district says is misleading,” he said. “RISD over-budgeted revenue based on property value growth, now they are in the hole. We knew the TRE was coming – it was inevitable – but the increase could be a few pennies.”

RISD has made a commitment to the neighborhood school concept, said Caston, different from other districts which opt for fewer, larger schools with economies in staffing. Our starting salary is near the bottom of neighboring districts – $51,000 compared to McKinney’s $54,350, Lewisville’s $53,635 and Wylie’s $53,200 – and teacher turnover is the result. RISD continues to experience enrollment growth, and our “bubble” is in grade 2; contrast that with Plano ISD, also growing, whose “bubble” is in grade 11, indicating their growth may be waning. Though double-buzz entry at RISD schools was an early innovation, other security measures are needed in today’s world of school shootings, and funds are needed for special education, career & technical training (C.T.E.) and other programming.

Caston admitted the process of bringing the TRE to voters has not been easy.

“This has been the most challenging initiative I’ve ever been a part of,” she told attendees Monday. “Because it is so complex, there has been a lot of misinformation. That’s why we pushed the election back from September to November, so the community would be fully informed.”

Caston clarified an issue which spread on social media after the district’s homestead exemption showed up on trustees’ agendas for discussion. The exemption, which costs RISD $8.3 million and is also offered by Dallas and Highland Park ISDs, is locked in until January of 2020. It will not be eliminated, she said.

Caston closed the meeting by reminding assembled parents what they stand to lose if the TRE doesn’t pass: teachers would not receive pay raises and teacher turnover would increase; class sizes would increase; schools would be consolidated; no additional security personnel would be added; course offerings in C.T.E. would be reduced; and students would be required to “Pay for Play” (pay fees to participate).

Harkleroad’s predictions aren’t quite as dire.

“If this TRE doesn’t pass, it will force RISD to revisit some of the millions in expenses added over this year and last year and to consume some of its fund balance,” said Harkleroad. “It will force them into some genuine dialog with the entire community.”

RISD has provided answers to frequently asked questions here. Election Day is Nov. 6.