Education
BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ
What’s next for the Austin ISD tax-rate increase Around 58% of Austin voters approved a tax-rate increase that aims to bring in additional revenue for Austin ISD as the district faces a $119 million budget deficit. The gist The fiscal year 2024-2025 tax-rate will increase to $0.9505 per $100 valuation, a $412 yearly increase in property taxes for the average home- owner in Austin, according to AISD. What’s next Money matters Now approved, AISD Prop A will increase the average homeowner’s yearly property tax bill. $412 yearly estimated property tax increase for the average homeowner $34 monthly estimated property tax increase for the average homeowner
DSISD receives ‘A’ financial score Dripping Springs ISD received an ‘A’ and scored 98 out of 100 points from a state assessment on financial management. FIRST rating explained Texas rates school districts on financial management through the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. Ratings are based on 21 indicators that analyze district funds, how they are spent and reported. DSISD earned full points on all indicators except Indicator 8, which measures if the district has sufficient short-term assets at the end of the fiscal year to pay off liabilities like recapture and accrued payroll. Despite the loss in points, DSISD Director of Finance Joseph Riggs said the district remains financially strong.
58% Austin ISD voters who approved Prop A $41M in additional revenue from the tax increase $130M paid to recapture $92M in AISD budget cuts over the next three years
District officials project an additional $171 mil- lion in revenue from the tax rate increase, but will only keep about 24% of the revenue, $41 million, due to recapture—when the state takes a portion of local tax dollars from districts. The additional $41 million in revenue will go toward salaries, oper- ating expenses and balancing the budget deficit, district officials said. An estimated $17.8 million would go toward a compensation plan to increase
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
pay for 85% of regular benefit-eligible district employees, including teachers, librarians, coun- selors and other instructional staff. There will be additional budget cuts of around $92 million over the next three years, according to district officials.
Parents concerned over potential Dripping Springs ISD attendance zoning changes Some Dripping Springs ISD parents voiced con- cern about changes to where their students could attend school after the DSISD Attendance Zoning Committee showed proposed maps of new zones. The details HEADWATERS BLVD. Site of DSISD Elementary #6 290
Sycamore Springs Middle School, aimed at account- ing for overcapacity at schools across the district, DSISD officials said. Parents said they have concerns over leaving communities they are familiar with and new travel routes to their schools. DSISD expects to make a decision on the new zones by the end of this year. The new zones would go into effect starting fall 2025.
SAWYER RANCH RD.
The proposed maps are part of the district’s plan to rezone attendance as construction continues on a sixth elementary school and an expansion of
Sycamore Springs Middle School
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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