INSIDE DSISD
The latest news from Dripping Springs ISD
WEEK OF MAY 8, 2023
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all of the amazing DSISD teachers who offer knowledge, kindness and support to our students every day. We appreciate all that you do for our district and community!
DSISD VOTERS PASS BOND; ELECT TWO NEW TRUSTEES TO SCHOOL BOARD
In the May 6, 2023 Election, 64% of Dripping Springs ISD voters approved the $223.7 million bond referendum, according to unofficial results. In addition, voters elected Kim Cousins and Rob McClelland to three-year terms on the DSISD Board of Trustees.
This is DSISD’s first bond since 2018 and will address the district’s growing enrollment, capital improvements and renovations for DSISD’s oldest campuses, and security and ADA updates to all campuses.
Among the projects is the construction of a sixth elementary school in the Headwaters neighborhood, an expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School to 1,200-student capacity, capital improvements and renovations to Dripping Springs Elementary, Dripping Springs Middle School and Dripping Springs High School, Design of High School #2, as well as designs and land purchases for future schools and more. A complete list of projects can be found here.
“We are grateful to our community that the bond passed with a significant margin of approval. As a fast-growth district, with enrollment continuing to grow, we want to be able to continue to deliver the exceptional level of learning experiences that DSISD is known for. Building our next elementary school, expanding one of our middle schools, and addressing key maintenance needs on several campuses will help enable us to continue to successfully serve the students of DSISD,” said Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz, Superintendent of DSISD. We are pleased to get started on these important projects so that they can be delivered on time and on budget,” added Morris-Kuentz. Commenting on the Trustee race, Morris-Kuentz stated, “I look forward to Ms. Cousins and Mr. McClelland joining our Board and am excited to work together with them to serve the students, staff, and taxpayers of DSISD.”
Dripping Springs ISD has grown by nearly 4,000 students in the last decade and is projected to exceed its current capacity of 8,850 by the 2023-24 school year. DSISD is expected to top 10,000 students by 2025 and reach 13,000 students by 2031.
BOND ELECTION RESULTS (Unofficial)
FOR: 4,742 (64.1%)
AGAINST: 2,655 (35.9%)
7,397 total votes
TRUSTEE ELECTION RESULTS (Unofficial)
Kim Cousins: 3,730 votes (30.1%)
Rob McClelland: 3,112 votes (25.1%)
Ron Jones: 2,882 votes (23.2%)
Jeffrey Aylstock: 2,680 votes (21.6%)
DSISD ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY TRANSFER PROGRAM
Dripping Springs ISD is experiencing a high concentration of growth on three campuses – Dripping Springs Elementary, Walnut Springs Elementary, and Sycamore Springs Middle School. Because of this rapid growth, these campuses have exceeded their functional capacity.
With capacity available at other schools, the district is allowing a limited number of transfers out of these three campuses for the 2023-24 school year. The application period runs until Friday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m. More information and the application form can be found here.
SENIOR WINS TITLE AT UIL THEATRICAL DESIGN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Senior Natasha Newton became the first Dripping Springs High School student to capture a state title at the UIL Theatrical Design State Championships on Wednesday, May 3 after finishing in first place in Set Design.
Newton competed against 25 other students in Division II (large school category) after submitting a design related to this year’s state theme of “Frankenstein”.
A total of six DSHS students qualified for the state competition this year. Brooklyn Rice joined Newton as a state qualifier in Set Design and Rianne Bernhard, Abigail Brown, Molly Gretzinger and Klaire Woods qualified in Group Design.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ESSA FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATION
Dripping Springs ISD will be applying for a 2023-24 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Federal Grant with the Texas Education Agency. District stakeholders can provide comments on this form regarding the district's application on or before Friday, May 26.