The Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees approved the district’s 2021-22 fiscal year budget at a June 28 meeting, along with a compensation plan for staff.

DSISD’s total budget is set at $97.57 million. The district’s general fund expenditures were set at $80.32 million, with $80.44 million in revenue. It is a 6.3% increase from last year’s budget, due in part to an increase in recapture payments to the state, up to nearly $7 million from the previous year’s $4.46 million. The district also budgeted for an increase in enrollment by 724 students for the 2021-22 year, with 8,007 students expected on DSISD campuses this fall. The debt service fund is set at $21.14 million, a 2.5% increase from last year, with $24.88 milion in revenue and the child nutrition fund is $3.18 million.

While tax rates for the coming year will not officially be set until September, the new budget assumes a maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.9630 per $100 certified value, a decrease of 2 cents from the current rate, and an overall tax rate of $1.313 per $100 certified value. The interest and sinking tax rate is projected to be the same as last year at $0.35 per $100 certified value. The M&O tax rate primarily funds the general fund portion of the budget and the I&S portion primarily funds the debt service fund.

Amanda Brownson, associate executive director of policy and research of the Texas Association of School Business Officials, said at the meeting even though it is not yet certified, the M&O tax rate is likely to drop a couple of pennies from last year.

Compensation for FY 2021-22 includes a 2.5% midpoint pay raise for all staff. DSISD staff will also receive $300 for health insurance and $75 a month for HRA/HSA plans. Multiple stipends will be available for DSISD staff depending on position held and possession of a master's degree ranging from $500 to $10,000

The board budgeted to add 45 new full-time positions, including some who will staff the new Cypress Springs Elementary School, which is set to open this fall.