On July 25, it was announced that Dripping Springs Superintendent Bruce Gearing is the lone finalist for the superintendent's position at Leander ISD. He will be leaving DSISD in August to assume his new position.

The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees will discuss the process for hiring the next superintendent during its meeting scheduled for July 30, 2019. At that time, the Board will discuss next steps, including interim superintendent options, timeline, and use of a third party to lead the process.

“Dripping Springs will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Dr. Gearing. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the children, parents, and other members of this fantastic community. I have learned many valuable lessons from my experiences in DSISD, which I will take with me as I begin this new adventure.”

Dr. Gearing came to Dripping Springs ISD in February of 2012. The district has grown by 50 percent over that span, going from approximately 4,500 students to more than 7,000 students expected this fall. DSISD has experienced unprecedented success and had many notable accomplishments including:

• the opening of Sycamore Springs Elementary and Sycamore Springs Middle School
• student achievements at the state, regional and national levels including a second place finish in the 2018-19 Lone Star Cup
• approvals of two bond programs and a tax-ratification election
• a philosophical shift to support students as they explore their interests and passions rather than focus on standardized testing
• a focus on the growth of all employees including an individual approach to professional development
• numerous district recognitions for academic achievement and fiscal responsibility, including being a three-time state finalist for District of the Year in the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards program

“We thank Dr. Gearing for his many years of service to our district and wish him nothing but the best and much success in this new role,” said Dripping Springs ISD Board President Carrie Fontana Kroll. “Our district will continue to thrive during this transition thanks to the phenomenal staff we have in place and the support of our parents and the broader community. DSISD is a respected and innovative district with amazing potential. I have no doubt that we will be able to attract and identify a truly outstanding leader who is highly qualified to lead DSISD into the future.”

Recently, Dr. Gearing was named the Region 13 Superintendent of the Year by TASB (Texas Association of School Boards), and is a candidate for the state honor. He is a frequent presenter at state and regional conferences on a variety of topics. In addition to his role in the district, Dr. Gearing has been a leader in the community and at the state level. He currently serves as the vice president of the Texas Association of Community Schools (TACS) and is on the Dripping Springs YMCA Board of Managers and City of Dripping Springs TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) Commission.

Before moving to Dripping Springs, Dr. Gearing served three years as superintendent of Marshall ISD after spending three years as an assistant superintendent at Mount Pleasant ISD. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), his master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and his Ed.D from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

• Message from Dr. Gearing
• Message from the DSISD Board of Trustees