Many projects from the 2018 bond program are underway. Please see updates below, including an opportunity for feedback on potential schematic designs for the new Walnut Springs Elementary to be built at the Dripping Springs Middle School site.

 

Architects and the project manager held multiple meetings in the spring to gather pre-design input from teachers, campus administrators, parents, and members of the public. A Google form also was used to collect input. The input that was gathered was reviewed and organized by the architects. A summary of input was provided at meetings held May 28.

This week, a community meeting was held to share the two schematic designs. Meetings also were held with campus administrators and with teachers. All groups had the opportunity to ask questions and the architect gathered feedback. For those who were unable to attend, a Google form online survey is open for additional feedback. Please complete the form by August 3 to share feedback after reviewing the designs.

Plans for DSMS renovations include the addition of collaborative spaces, renovations to Functional Academics classrooms, and infrastructure improvements such as HVAC and electrical systems. These renovations will occur in summer of 2020.

The high school expansion project to increase capacity to 2,500 students is underway. Currently, site excavation is underway, site utility preparations are occurring, and some interior drywall in existing rooms has been installed.

The school will communicate with parents and students about how this work will impact parking and traffic on the campus.

Numerous renovations are underway at Dripping Springs Elementary including a new HVAC central plant, new exterior wall panels, painting, replacement of stage curtains, and renovation of the space shuttle. In addition, new classroom and campus furniture has been delivered, replacing many items that were original to the campus. The work is expected to be complete for the start of school.

Numerous upgrades in the areas of interior paint, carpet, etc. are being addressed and ventilation is being added to the art room. A majority of the work is complete. The playground also has been resurfaced.

The turf surfaces at the DSMS stadium, and both Tiger Stadium and the track field at DSHS is nearly compete. For clarification, the turf at Tiger Stadium was not replaced in 2016 when the new stadium structure was built around the existing field; that original turf dated back to 2010. In August, work on the tracks at both locations will occur.

The district’s fifth elementary school will be located on property DSISD has owned for nearly a decade on the south side of Darden Hill Road just east of the intersection with Sawyer Ranch Road. The exact location on that property has not been determined. The pre-design phase will start in late summer/early fall and will include opportunities for community and staff input.

 

In addition to projects funded through the 2018 bond program, one additional project that is being completed with remaining 2014 bond programs is an additional parking lot at the Sycamore Springs Elementary/Sycamore Springs Middle School campus. The lot will provide about 140 new parking spots and is expected to be ready for the start of school.