The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on June 22, with board members participating remotely, as permitted by Governor Abbott’s temporary suspension of Open Meetings Laws in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Board Briefs provide a more detailed summary. The YouTube recording can be viewed online.

Retirees from the district were honored: Sharlyn Bammel (DSE) and Kelly Thompson (SSMS).

A public hearing was held on the 2020-21 proposed budget. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Scott Drillette provided an overview of the three funds that are part of the DSISD approved budgets: Maintenance and Operations, Debt Service, and Child Nutrition. He reviewed the process for preparing the budget, factors that influence revenue, tax rates for the past few years, and history of certified property value. Mr. Drillette shared that the M&O tax rate dropped 10 cents last year and is expected to drop 6-9 cents this year; the state will announce the rate in August. The recommended I&S tax rate remains at $0.35.

Following public forum, DSISD Project Manager Mike Garcia provided an overview of bond projects construction, sharing progress reports on four projects: the Dripping Springs High School expansion and renovations, the Transportation Center renovations, construction of Elementary #5, and construction of the new Walnut Springs Elementary/Dripping Springs Middle School renovations.

Superintendent Todd Washburn reported that potential plans are underway regarding various scenarios, protocols, and best practices for school this fall. He provided a summary of the situations being considered and shared a summary of parent survey results that was implemented near the end of the school year and had 3,850 responses. He explained that learning teams are working together to developing resources and planning for potential scenarios, including a more robust version of remote learning.

The Board approved the 2020-21 compensation plan, final amendments in the 2019-20 budget, the 2020-21 budget, continuation of the employee child care benefit, an amendment to the District of Innovation plan, an option for an alternate group health medical insurance for employees, Guaranteed Maximum Price #2 for Elementary #5, and Guaranteed Maximum Price #3 for the new Walnut Springs Elementary/DSMS renovation project.