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Board Meeting Summary
The RISD Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on January 8, discussing a number of topics. Highlights included:

Board Appreciation Month
On behalf of RISD students and staff, Dr. Stone thanked Board members for their volunteer service as part of School Board Appreciation Month. While trustees are elected, they do not receive compensation for the hundreds of hours spent annually at meetings, school events and trainings. Major duties of the school board include setting district policy, approving the budget & tax rate and setting the district's strategic vision. A donation of books to each elementary school library was made on behalf of trustees.

Annual Performance Report Public Hearing
A required public hearing was held to present the 2018 Texas Academic performance report for RISD. The comprehensive report included academic performance indicators for RISD and each school, including state standardized STAAR test results, (first available and reported in August). The APR was adopted by the board and will be posted to the RISD website.

See the 2018 TAPR Presentation

2018 Demographic Update
Templeton Demographics presented the annual demographic report for RISD. The report, which includes updated enrollment projections, assists RISD with short- and long-range facilities and budget planning. Highlights included:

RISD added 44 students this year for a total enrollment of 39,313. This nominal growth was lower than projected. Enrollment growth is projected to continue at a low-moderate rate over the next decade.
RISD can expect an increase of approximately 1,460 additional students districtwide over the next five years (to a projected enrollment of 40,700 students).
The percentage of students enrolled from multifamily housing dropped this year to 48.4% due to increased rent rates.
The average existing home sale price in RISD has increased 50% since 2010, to $343,000. The average new home sale price in RISD has risen 60% over the same period, to $443,000.

The district will use data from the demographic update to augment to ongoing long range facilities planning efforts to determine where additional classroom space is needed across RISD to accommodate existing and projected enrollment growth.

See the 2018 RISD Demographic Update

Learn more about the January 8 regular meeting, including video

Student Spotlight

Mohawk ES student Aiden Brodsky's work was selected as a winner in the Cotton Bowl Art Contest. His art was displayed at AT&T; Stadium.

How Are We Doing?
RISD is once again using Brightbytes.net to survey parents, students and teachers about the use of technology in education. Parents have an opportunity to help by taking 5-10 minutes to complete the survey online.

Input is important for instructional technology planning in RISD. The survey is open through January 26.

To take the survey, visit the RISD schools page and select your campus.

District Calendar

January 15 - Student & Staff Holiday
January 16 - Student Holiday - Staff Development Day
January 22 - Board Work Session
February 5 - Board Regular Meeting
February 19 - Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
February 19 - Board Work Session
March 9 - Third Grading Period Ends
March 12-15 - Spring Break
March 30 - Student & Staff Holiday (snow makeup day if needed)

Upcoming Events

Athletics Calendar & Schedules
January Fine Arts Calendar
Apollo AVID Chipotle Fundraiser - January 10
PHS Pacesetters Dance Workshop - January 15
LHHS Theatre Presents Little Shop of Horrors - January 25-28
PHS Theatre Presents Les Miserables - Jan. 26-28 & Feb. 1-3
BHS Theatre Presents Little Mermaid - February 1-3
RHS Theatre Presents The Addams Family - February 1-4

Reminders

Weather Reminder - Can RISD Reach You?
As we enter the months of colder weather, the possibility arises for cancellation or delay of school due to inclement weather. Please ensure your child's school has the most up-to-date phone number and email address in order to reach you quickly if needed.

In the event of inclement weather, RISD will evaluate the forecast and actual conditions on roads and at school facilities to arrive at a decision to cancel or delay school.

The district will communicate closure or delay decisions by 6:00 a.m. on school days if an announcement is not made the previous evening. RISD communicates closure or delay notifications in the following ways:

-Direct phone call, email & text message to parents and staff members
-Notice on district homepage at risd.org
-School Times electronic newsletter
-District Facebook and Twitter posts
-Alert local news media outlets

Parents, staff and students should assume school will be open on a normal schedule unless they are notified otherwise by RISD. The district does not send notifications stating that school is open or operating on a normal schedule.

Volunteer Mentors Needed
Helping students is one of the most rewarding experiences a school district can offer and Richardson ISD wants to share that feeling with you.

Challenging socio-economics, self-esteem, academic performance and generational poverty affect many students, including some of ours here in RISD. Come help us expand the opportunities for students facing these difficult hurdles in life.

For more information about mentoring opportunities in RISD, please contact:

Mary Worthington
RISD Community Relations Manager
Mary.Worthington@risd.org
469-593-0307

Please note, all district volunteers must complete an online RISD background check.

Have a Question About RISD?
We’re glad you asked!

From time to time, students, parents, residents or taxpayers have questions about information or issues related to RISD, but aren’t sure who to ask or where to go for information. We’re Glad You Asked is a feature on the RISD website that lets stakeholders ask questions about anything related to RISD, and you’ll receive an emailed response from the appropriate RISD staff member. Some questions & answers may be featured in district publications.

Simply visit risd.org/gladyouasked to use this new feature.