A few years ago, I sat in a Richardson ISD conference room surrounded by teachers, parents and community members talking about what the future of education should look like for our kids. We weren’t debating policy — we were talking about people. About the seventh-grader who loves science but doesn’t have access to a proper lab. About the teacher doing her best in a classroom built decades before smartboards existed. About how every child deserves a learning environment that prepares them for the world ahead.
That conversation — and many like it since — is why I’m voting for Richardson ISD’s Bond Propositions A, B and C on Nov. 4.
As someone who has served on the last two RISD Bond Steering Committees, I’ve seen firsthand how transparent and community-driven this process has been. Hundreds of volunteer hours went into evaluating needs across our district — from academics and programming to infrastructure and safety. Every number was analyzed. Every idea was challenged. The final plan reflects what our community values most: giving every student the opportunity to thrive.
One of the most critical components of this bond is its connection to the transition to a middle-school model —combining sixth, seventh and eighth grades on one campus — the Board of Trustees approved several years ago. This innovative model reimagines how we support students during those pivotal adolescent years — focusing on academic readiness, collaboration and connection for high school and beyond.
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The results so far have been encouraging in the Lake Highlands community with two junior highs becoming middle schools last year. But without this bond, that transition stops short. Only one learning community would be able to fully benefit from the upgraded facilities and modern academic learning environments that make the model possible. That means all students wouldn’t be afforded the same chance to benefit academically.
I don’t believe that’s acceptable. Not in a district that prides itself on excellence. Not in a community that believes every child deserves a fair shot.
This bond would also fund essential upgrades to improve safety, repair and refresh aging buildings, and ensure our teachers and students have the tools they need to thrive. These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re investments in safe, supportive spaces where learning can flourish.
As a longtime Dallas resident and RISD parent, I’ve seen how great schools strengthen our entire community. They attract families, raise property values and help local businesses grow. But beyond economics, strong schools shape the kind of community we want to be — one that invests in academics, opportunity and innovation.
What makes this bond especially meaningful is how it came together. Parents, teachers, taxpayers and community members rolled up their sleeves, asked tough questions and worked toward a shared vision. The process was open, honest and rooted in accountability — the kind of transparency we should all expect from our public institutions.
When I think back to that discussion years ago — the conversations about academics, learning environments and the future of our kids — I’m reminded why this matters so deeply. Every student in Richardson ISD deserves the same chance to learn, to grow and to succeed.
On Election Day, I hope you’ll join me in voting for Propositions A, B and C. Because when we invest in our schools, we invest in every student, every teacher and every neighborhood — and that’s how we build a stronger Richardson for all of us.
Matt Jacob lives in Far North Dallas with his wife, Alison, and three children.