The Richardson ISD board of trustees considered options to increase compensation district-wide, as well as revenue opportunities to reduce the district’s budget deficit, at the April 23 school board meeting.

Board members said pay raises are a “top priority” as the district prepares its budget for fiscal year 2026-27. This comes after district staff announced recommendations for budget cuts on April 2 that included eliminating roughly 95 full-time positions.

Breaking it down: Chris Goodson, assistant superintendent of human resources, presented the board with several options for district-wide pay increases for teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, central staff and paraprofessionals.

The options: District staff also presented several options for the district to access more funds and increase revenue, including accessing the permanent school fund, holding a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election or raising rates for after school programs.

Quote of note: “We have not taken this lightly," Superintendent Tabitha Branum said. “Every year we have continued to find as many efficiencies [and] keep them as far away from the classroom as possible, because we feel that urgency.”

El Camino Meat Market is now open on Jupiter Road, near the Richardson and Garland border.

The details: Formerly David's Meat Market before being taken over by new ownership, El Camino is a family-owned business that provides both American and Hispanic cuts of meat, including steak, pork and chicken.

• 4010 N. Jupiter Road, Garland

Check out six trending stories from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas, including US 380 construction and Walmart renovations.

1. Relieving the pressure: $136M US 380 project adds overpasses, reduces congestion
2. Walmart to remodel 5 stores across Dallas-Fort Worth
3. Frisco council approves 98-acre warehouse development off SH 121
4. McKinney council approves rezoning for Cannon Beach project
5. The Butterbeer Parlour offers Harry Potter-themed tastes, treats at McKinney Walmart through May 2
6. Grapevine council approves special use permit for Fellowship Church expansion

Dallas Area Rapid Transit named David Leininger as interim president and chief executive officer, according to a news release. Leininger’s appointment takes effect on May 4.

The details: Leininger served as DART’s interim president and CEO from 2020-2021 after working as the agency’s chief financial officer for nine years, according to the release.

Former president and CEO Nadine Lee announced in March that she would not seek a contract extension for her position. The board announced that it terminated her contract at the end of March, and previously named Gene Gamez as acting president and CEO.

Quote of note: “I am honored to serve in this role once again and support the dedicated employees of DART,” Leininger said in the release. “Together, we will remain focused on providing dependable transit options, enhancing the customer experience, and advancing the agency’s mission to connect people, places, and opportunities across our region.”

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.