INSIDE DSISD
The latest news from Dripping Springs ISD
In the November 8 general election, Dripping Springs ISD voters did not approve any of the propositions that were included in the 2022 bond referendum.
Unofficial vote totals were as follows:
Prop A - Growth & Lifecycle Capital Maintenance
FOR: 9,494 (48.3%)
AGAINST: 10,167 (51.7%)
*19,661 total votes
Prop B - 2nd High School
FOR: 9,073 (46.2%)
AGAINST: 10,572 (53.8%)
*19,645 total votes
Prop C - Technology for Staff and Student Devices and Classroom
FOR: 9,103 (46.4%)
AGAINST: 10,501 (53.6%)
*19,604 total votes
*29 Travis County votes included in each of the Prop A, B and C totals
Dripping Springs ISD is a fast-growth district and still needs to serve the students and families who live in and are projected to move into the district. Currently, three of the district’s eight campuses are over capacity with two more campuses expected to outgrow their campus capacity next year. Over the next several months, district officials will work to understand why the propositions failed and develop plans to serve its growing student population so that it can continue to deliver the exceptional and personalized learning experiences for which the district is known.
DSISD will look at several tactics to help address district growth and current overcrowding at campuses including:
- Rezoning for elementary and middle schools
- Examining class size models (teacher:student ratio)
- Master scheduling
- Purchasing portables
- Long-range planning for future bonds
In 2019, DSISD began planning for the 2022 Bond when the district’s Long-Range Facility Planning Committee convened with 50 members to begin work on developing the district’s long-range facilities plan. The group met 11 times over two years with a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this process, the district sought community feedback through a series of community meetings, a community survey in the spring of 2022, and a dedicated website. The last phase of the process was the Citizens’ Bond Steering Committee. This group included 17 members (taxpayers and community members only / no district employees) who met six times in the summer of 2022 to prepare a bond package recommendation for the Board of Trustees’ consideration. The Board called for the bond election on August 18 for the November 8 general election.
Dripping Springs ISD campuses will be holding events to recognize Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11. Veterans and active duty military from all branches of military service, as well as families of students, are welcome to attend. Campus visitors should stop by the front office for a visitor’s badge. A complete event schedule can be found below.
Cypress Springs Elementary
Friday, Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m., Front Entrance
Performers: Scouts will present the flags, and students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades will be leading the performance.
Dripping Springs Elementary
Friday, Nov. 11, 8:45 a.m., Cafeteria
Performers: 4th-Grade Students
Speaker: Retired Lieutenant Colonel Darrell Debish
Rooster Springs Elementary
Friday, Nov. 11, 9:00 a.m., North Parking Lot
Performers: Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will present the colors and pledges, and 3rd-grade students will sing songs.
Student Speakers: 4th- and 5th-Grade Students
Speaker: Command Sergeant Major Thompson, IV
Sycamore Springs Elementary
Friday, Nov. 11, 8:00 a.m., Gym
Performers: Scouts will do the presentation of colors and pledges, 3rd-grade students will sing songs, and 5th-grader Ellie Rios will sing the National Anthem.
Speaker: 5th grader Asher Parr and parent Kira Harris
Walnut Springs Elementary
Friday, Nov. 11, 8:00 a.m., Outdoor Amphitheater
Performers: Boys and Girls Scouts will recite the pledges, 5th-grade and pre-K students will sing songs, and 4th-grade students will read poems.
Dripping Springs Middle School
Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:25 a.m., A Gym
Performers: Band, Cheer, Choir, Student Council, Theater & Tiger Dancers
Speaker: Sidney M. Gutierrez, Retired NASA Astronaut/Shuttle Commander and Air Force Colonel
Sycamore Springs Middle School
Friday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m., A Gym
Performers: Boys and Girls Scouts will present the flags, and members of the band, choir and Student Council will perform.
Dripping Springs High School
Friday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m., Tiger Stadium
Performers: DSHS Jazz Cats will sing the National Anthem and the DSHS Band will play Taps.
Speaker: Sidney M. Gutierrez, Retired NASA Astronaut/Shuttle Commander and Air Force Colonel
Dripping Springs High School freshman cellist Adrian Fisher has been named second chair in the UIL Region 18 Orchestra following his performance at the region competition.
As a member of the Region 18 Orchestra, Fisher advances on to audition for the All-State Orchestra.
Fisher is a member of Camerata, DSISD’s top orchestra, and is a student of Melissa Solomon and a member of her Cello Choir and Cello Quartet.
Dripping Springs High School sophomore Ella Fallon has been cast as Clara in Ballet Austin's 60th annual production of "The Nutcracker". She will be joined by two other DSISD students, Sycamore Springs Middle School eighth-grader Elle Wiatrek (Tea Corps) and Cypress Springs Elementary fifth-grader Ethan Fallon (Party Boy). Performances begin Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Long Center in Austin.
The DSHS JROTC Military Club is once again partnering with Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps to help raise toys and money for Austin children. All eight DSISD campuses are now serving as drop-off locations for new, unwrapped toys until Thursday, Dec. 1. In 2021, Dripping Springs donated a record 25 full boxes of toys to Austin kids.
Families can also donate directly, preferably to the Austin campaign so donations stay local and help kids in our area. Please contact lauren.milner@dsisdtx.us for more details.
Dripping Springs High School will host a blood drive, sponsored by the DSHS HOSA Future Health Professionals, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 in the front DSHS parking lot.
Each unit of blood earns a dollar amount for the DSHS HOSA club. Come lend a helping arm, donate blood to support the community, and save local lives! Schedule an appointment at the link below or call 512.206.1242 or 512.206.1266. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
