Brooklyn Richardson, AISD Place 6

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1. Taxpayers' Dollars – please respond by February 26, 2026

Currently the AISD has the highest M&O rate of any ISD in Tarrant County. Staff has started budgeting for the paying of recapture (“Robin Hood”). How fiscally responsible should the board be with taxpayers' dollars and why? How high of a priority should fiscal responsibility be and why? What are your suggestions to be more fiscally responsible?

 

We do not have the highest M&O rate in Tarrant County. That’s simply not accurate.

Arlington ISD’s M&O rate is $0.7552 per $100 valuation. It’s within the limits set by the state, and several districts in Tarrant County are at or near the same rate. Here you can find more information: https://www.aisd.net/district-news/learn-about-school-property-taxes-in-arlington-isd/

If you prefer a source not district related, GP has published this: https://www.gptx.org/Departments/Economic-Development/Tax-Rates

Recapture isn’t about overspending. It’s triggered when property values rise and the state funding formulas don’t keep up. That’s a state finance issue, not the result of irresponsible local budgeting. If the state would actually fully fund public education NONE of this would even be a discussion.

Fiscal responsibility should always be a top priority. In AISD we’ve maintained one of the highest credit ratings in the country, passed balanced budgets, and managed declining enrollment without reckless tax increases. We’ve improved facilities while protecting taxpayers.

My position is straightforward: put classrooms first, eliminate waste where we can, advocate for fair funding from the state, and make sure every dollar serves students. I have made my choices with this in mind for the past three years and will continue to do so moving forward.

 

 

 

2. School Closures – please respond by March 5, 2026

On January 20, 2026 the board voted to close Blanton Elementary at the end of the school year. Do you agree with this decision? Why or why not? How difficult of a decision is it to make?

I was part of the 7–0 vote to close Blanton. This was easily one of the hardest things I have had to do during my three years of service on the board. After the staff assessment was presented, in-depth conversations were held and data was reviewed. I agreed with the recommendation that was brought to the board.

I attended the family and stakeholder meeting held at the Blanton campus. I listened to families and children ask their questions. They sought to understand “Why us?” and “Why now?” but most importantly they wanted to know, “What is next for us?”

Showing up for grand openings, graduations, award ceremonies, and reading in classrooms…. that’s the easy stuff. What people don’t see is the hard and emotional work that happens behind the scenes. The faces and comments that you carry with you long after the meeting ends.

However, just because something is hard doesn’t mean it is not the right thing to do.

I stand behind the board’s vote. This vote is representative of our vision statement: Arlington ISD creates exceptional learning experiences that inspire all students, empower their dreams, and prepare them for the future.

 

 

 

3. Teachers' Salaries – please respond by March 12, 2026

Is having the highest teachers' salaries in the north Texas area a good thing? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

 

 

4. Student Achievement Goals – please respond by March 19, 2026

The district has performance improvement plans where the goals are for less than 50% of the students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations on the state achievement assessments. Is this acceptable? Why or why not? What are your suggestions regarding student achievement goal plans?

 

 

5. Communications – please respond by March 26, 2026

If you receive an e-mail from a constituent on an AISD issue and the constituent logically laid out and well documented the issue, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take?

 

 

6. Issues – please respond by April 2, 2026

What is the most important issue the board is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To: Brooklyn Richardson <brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 at 01:31:51 PM CDT
Subject: Five questions
 
Ms. Richardson,
 
Since  there is a very confining two-minute time limit for speakers I am forced to send you an e-mail with my questions.
 
Here is my two major problems with the 4% raise.
1. As Dr. Reich stated at the May 18 meeting, we are already at the top of the chart [setting the standard concerning salaries]. By giving another 4% [for the fourth? year in a row]  you are NOT just staying competitive [as Ms. McMurrough stated], but actually causing ISD inflation. Think about it, you are already on top and setting the price even higher. If the only way you can get people to come and/or stay is to overpay over everyone else's price, there must be something else that is wrong, and I say fix that. If you remember the Young Men  for Arlington candidate forum back in April there was a rather robust conversation on that. I also have to question the "heart" of people that are only going where the top dollar is. For paying the top dollar, are we on top of all the ratings? NO, we are not. There are other districts that are paying less and rated higher [obtaining more from their employees]. [I am NOT trying to imply AISD is doing bad, certainly a whole lot better than say FWISD, but others are doing better with less dollars.]
 
2. ESSER funds are limited and not forever lasting. So you may think $8.6 million deficit for FY23-24 already accounting for ESSER and vacancy funds might be good, but when no more ESSER funds are available, you are talking an already vacancy adjusted $33 million deficit for future years. The raises accumulate. The ESSER funds expire. We are being set up for a disaster.
 
1. Do you see how a 4% raise is causing ISD inflation?
 
2. Do you believe there might be better solutions other than just giving a 4% raise?
 
Another thing discussed at the May 18 meeting, with no fanfare, was the debt service fund having a $10.6 million surplus. The debt service fund should basically have a cushion (for protection of soft tax collections) then basically aim for annual zero balances for debt service expenditures [The district should already have a good idea what the value of those expenses will be tor the year]. In my mind that is another 3-cent reduction that should be coming off the total tax rate.
 
3. Do you think the district should be investigating lowering the taxpayers' tax rate by looking at lowering the debt service piece?
 
The Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers make payments to the AISD for taking properties off the tax rolls for stadiums. I believe both pay a six-digit figure. In theory, how school funding works, the M&O total dollars are not affected by whether these properties are on the tax rolls or not, but the debt service piece certainly is. In fairness to the taxpayer these funds should be going to the debt service fund, not the general fund.
 
4. Do you believe that in fairness to the taxpayers, these stadium payoffs for taking properties off the tax rolls should be added to the debt service fund, helping to lower the total tax bill to taxpayers?
 
5. Do you believe two minutes is the correct time limit for AISD speakers?
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
From: Brooklyn Richardson <brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com>
To: THE SPECTATOR <arlspectator@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 at 01:26:56 PM CDT
Subject: Re: Five questions
 
Mr. Weber,
 
I appreciate the detailed questions.  You pay attention to all that the board is dealing with day in and  day out. 
 
As you are aware President Fowler answers these questions on behalf of the board. I look forward to reading the responses as well. 
 
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the rain headed our way.
 
Thank you,
 
Brooklyn Richardson 
AISD Trustee Place 6
 
 
To: Brooklyn Richardson <brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 07:03:10 AM CDT
Subject: Re: Five questions
 
 
The questions were addressed to you and not the board. If I wanted Ms. Fowler's opionions, I would send her an e-mail.
 
 
 
 
 
======================
 
To: brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com <brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2023 at 09:52:32 AM CDT
Subject: Two questions
 
Ms. Richardson,
 
The FY2023-24 Budget discussed at last night's board meeting has the taxpayers spending greater than $6.1 million on recapture/"Robin Hood".
 
Question 1:  Is this efficient use of taxpayers' dollars?
 
Question 2: What options are available to reduce that amount to $0?
 
Sincerely,
 
 
From: Brooklyn Richardson <brooklyn.richardson.aisd@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 09:44:37 AM CDT
Subject: Re: Two questions
 
Mr. Weber,
 
First, let me thank you for coming to speak last week. I appreciate the attention to details that you bring up. I do not want you to think I ignored your email or it doesn’t not matter to me. It absolutely does. However, I have been advised that President Fowler responds to all board emails. 
 
I look forward to hearing more from our finance department in our next meeting about what they are doing to reduce the amount. 
 
My phone number is 817 301-7282 if you have any questions.
 
Thank you,
 

 

 

 

 

1. Taxpayers' Dollars – please respond by March 2, 2023

Currently the AISD has the highest M&O rate of any ISD in Tarrant County. In February staff did a budget adjustment of close to $1 million to start planning for the paying recapture (“Robin Hood”). How fiscally responsible should the board be with taxpayers' dollars? How high of a priority should fiscal responsibility be? What are your suggestions to be more fiscally responsible?

Did not respond.

 

2. Transgender – please respond by March 9, 2023

Which locker rooms/restrooms, etc., should transgender students be using? Should there be a District policy? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

 

3. Teachers' Salaries – please respond by March 16, 2023

Is having the highest teachers' salaries in the north Texas area a good thing? Why or why not?

Did not respond.

 

4. Citizen Speakers – please respond by March 23, 2023

Currently citizen speakers are given a two minutes to make their points on a subject. Do you feel that is an appropriate amount of time? Why or why not?

Our country was founded on the principle of free speech. The first amendment clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” We must be careful that this right is not violated when we limit our citizens. Having realistic meeting limits is essential, so we are prudent with participants' and council members' time. I feel that 2 minutes is hard to convey a message with many layers fully. I support our council's decisions but would disagree with this. However, I do not know how they came to this agreed-upon limit without being a part of their closed session. If I had that complete information, I might feel differently. I always reserve the right to change my mind when presented with more information and facts.

 

5. Communications – please respond by March 30, 2023

If you receive an e-mail from a constituent similar to the top of this webpage [ http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_83.html ], but concerning an AISD issue and/or problem, will you respond to the constituent?

Why or why not? What actions will you take?

Did not respond.

 

6. Issues – please respond by April 6, 2023

Other than selecting a new superintendent, what is the most important issue the board is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?

Did not respond.