Education
BY ELLE BENT
5 running for DSISD board Dripping Springs ISD will hold an election May 4 with three of seven at-large positions on the board of trustees up for re-election. These positions are currently held by Mary Jane Hetrick, Shannon O’Connor and Stefani Reinold. The specifics The filing deadline for the board of trustees was Feb. 16, and five candidates will be on the ballot. An Superintendent Matias Segura said that because the basic student allotment—the amount school districts receive from the state based on student enrollment and attendance—did not increase this year and hasn’t since 2019, cuts would have to be made alongside any proposed budget increases for fiscal year 2024-25. The basic allotment is currently at $6,160. AISD officials say current enrollment is at 72,800, with a 92% attendance rate. Going forward with budget planning district officials will keep the following in mind: • Lowering the 20% fund balance would be “risky” due to decreasing enrollment AISD officials working around budget deficit As Austin ISD officials plan for the fiscal year 2024-25, district officials are working amid a projected budget shortfall. Current situation
DSISD middle school expansion underway Dripping Springs ISD officials broke ground on the Sycamore Springs Middle School expansion project Feb. 16. The big picture The expansion is funded by a $223.7 million bond that was approved by voters in May. It will increase the school’s capacity from 850 students to 1,200. SSMS is currently about 150 students overcapacity, according to data by Population and Survey Analysts. The background DSISD is a rapidly growing district. SSMS is one of three campuses overcapacity, along- side Walnut Springs Elementary and Dripping Springs Elementary.
The district is working to lessen the deficit through the following: Decreasing the deficit Vacancy savings, or costs saved by a staff position that is not filled
Managing overtime expenses Monitoring contract expenses Interest earnings
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
application by Tarek Haidar has been withdrawn. DSISD trustees are at-large representatives, and terms are three years in length. The top three candidates with the most votes will be elected. The following candidates will be on the ballot: • John Adams • Shanda DeLeon • Mary Jane Hetrick • Terri Purdy • Stefani Reinold • Adopting a shortfall greater than $30 million would put the district at risk of going below the fund balance in FY 2026-27, but decreasing the projected shortfall to $25 million or less would require multiple budget cuts What’s next? This spring, district officials will propose investments and potential cuts, such as staff, for the FY 2024-25 budget as it is being drafted. The AISD board of trustees will vote on the budget in June.
Dates to know:
April 4
voter registration deadline
April 22 early voting begins April 23 application for ballot by mail deadline April 30 early voting ends May 4 election day
SOURCE: DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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