INSIDE DSISD

Each January, Dripping Springs ISD and school districts across the state honor their local school boards during School Board Recognition Month.

School Board service is a volunteer position with no salary. Trustees serve a critically important role that requires significant annual mandated training upon election. School board members are the largest group of elected officials in Texas, numbering more than 7,000 statewide.

The theme of this year’s recognition month is “Forward Together” as schools and communities succeed when everyone works together for a brighter future - parents, teachers, students, and district/school leadership.

Thank you DSISD Trustees for your dedication, commitment, and time serving as advocates for DSISD - its students, staff, and schools!

Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees are:

Name (Office), Elected to Board, Profession

Dr. Mary Jane Hetrick (president), May 2015, Consultant/Adjunct Professor

Ron Jones (vice president), May 2014, Consultant

Dr. Stefani Reinold (secretary), May 2021, Physician

Olivia Barnard, May 2022, Realtor

Shannon O’Connor, May 2015, Accountant

Tricia Quintero, May 2022, Project Manager

Barbara Stroud, May 2008, Attorney/Mediator

Dripping Springs ISD is excited to announce a new community series in 2023 called DSISD Taxpayer Tuesdays.

Excluding the month of January, DSISD Taxpayer Tuesdays will be held the first Tuesday of each month. DSISD invites community members into our schools to join Superintendent Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz and Deputy Superintendent Elaine Cogburn to learn more about district operations and finances, tour campuses and learn about student programs and successes, and ask questions and share ideas as our fast-growth district paves a path towards the future.

The district invites community members to attend as many sessions as possible as each event will focus on different topics. Series topics will include Texas school district finance, DSISD tax rate and debt, recapture and its impact on the district, the DSISD budgeting process and calendar, and more.

For community members interested in attending, please RSVP here. Information on DSISD Taxpayer Tuesdays can be found at dsisdtx.us/taxpayertuesdays. Each event will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. We ask attendees to arrive to the campus by 9:15 a.m. with their government-issued photo ID to get a visitor’s badge.

Taxpayer Tuesday Dates & Locations

January 17, 2023 / Dripping Springs Middle School

February 7, 2023 / Dripping Springs High School

March 7, 2023 / Sycamore Springs Middle School

April 4, 2023 / Rooster Springs Elementary

May 2, 2023 / Dripping Springs Elementary

Cypress Springs Elementary kindergarten teacher Jamie Malchak was recognized Friday, January 6, as the inaugural winner of the Texas Education Service Center Region 13 Star of the Month. Malchak is in her second year teaching with Dripping Springs ISD.

The Region 13 Education Service Center created the Star of the Month program to allow the communities in Region 13, which includes 102 school districts across Central Texas, to recognize the dedication and influence of our educators. Star of the Month winners are recognized for consistently making a positive and lasting impact on students and actively contributing to the success of the public school system.

Malchak was nominated for the prestigious award by Cypress Springs Elementary Principal Kellie Raymond. Mrs. Raymond selected Mrs. Malchak for her exceptional expertise as a teacher and for going above and beyond every day to engage her students, parents, and campus community. “Mrs. Malchak works tirelessly for the students and families of Cypress Springs Elementary and sets a standard for excellence in teaching and engagement that is unparalleled,” commented Mrs. Raymond. “She is a light and a joy for Cypress Springs Elementary and DSISD,” Raymond added.

As the Star of the Month winner, Malchak received a commemorative plaque, a scholarship from ACU Dallas to be used towards a graduate degree, a $100 Amazon gift card, and a goodie bag. Belterra Chick-fil-A, Dripping Springs HEB, Dripping Springs Education Foundation, and the Hill Country Ranch Sweet Shop also honored Malchak with gifts.

On hand to surprise Mrs. Malchak with the award were DSISD Board President Dr. Mary Jane Hetrick, Board Vice President Ron Jones, Superintendent Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz, Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Innovation Dr. Karen Kidd, Cypress Springs Elementary Principal Kellie Raymond, and additional members of the district and campus leadership team. Region 13 leadership was also onsite including Executive Director Dr. Rich Elsasser, Chief Deputy Executive Director Dr. Millie Klein, and Deputy Director of Academic Services Kerry Gain. Laurie Cromwell, Founder and Chief Strategist with Foundation Innovations, also participated in the celebration.

Anyone can nominate a school district employee for the Region 13 Star of the Month award. To nominate an individual, visit this link.

Three members of the Dripping Springs High School Tiger Band were selected to the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Band on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Westlake High School.

Earning all-state recognition for the second-straight year were seniors Jace Byrd (trombone), Wyland Diehl (tenor sax) and Quentin Dollard (euphonium). Less than three percent of Texas musicians earn all-state recognition. The trio will participate in an all-state clinic and concert from Feb. 8-11 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.

Dripping Springs High School was represented by a total of 18 students who qualified for the area auditions with Keegan Ballard (trombone), Grace Bertram (bari sax), Mary Audrey Bininger (Bb clarinet), Eric Brown (contra-bass clarinet), Drew Darilek (tuba), Parker Hoffman (percussion), Graham Lord (trombone), Matt Lourens (bassoon), Graeme MacAlpine (horn), Evan Murphy (percussion), Jaden Pina (percussion), Alana Sayger (horn), Kylie Smith (flute), Kalle Thomas (tenor sax) and Maddie Trussell (piccolo) also competing.

Dripping Springs High School junior Colin Tuohy was named to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir after placing first as a Tenor 1 at the TMEA Area Choir Auditions on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Reagan High School in San Antonio.

Tuohy was selected to the Tenor-Bass Choir for the second consecutive year and will take part in a clinic and concert from Feb. 8-11 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. All-State selections are among the top one percent of high school musicians in the state of Texas.

Dripping Springs tied a school record with nine students qualifying to compete at the area auditions. Additional competitors were Ava Azua (Soprano 1), Anika Chalak (Soprano 2), Michelle Hinojosa (Alto 2), Isaiah Hoffman (Tenor 2), Amelie Lawrence (Soprano 1), Camryn Molfino (Soprano 1), Sloane Ruley (Alto 1), and Portia Schaeffer-Preston (Soprano 1).

DSHS HOSA will be hosting a second blood drive on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the front DSHS parking lot. November's blood drive helped save more than 140 lives! To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code to the left or visit https://bit.ly/3k4hTjL.

Each year, graduating seniors at Dripping Springs High School may choose to participate in the DSHS Senior Showcase with a presentation or exit interview, both of which will be in front of a panel consisting of educators, community members, parents, and professionals. Volunteers with all types and levels of expertise are being sought to serve on these panels. The 2023 Senior Showcase will take place throughout the month of February. To sign-up to be a volunteer, please click here. More information on the Senior Showcase can be found here.