Dripping Springs ISD considers approving bonuses for all district employees

As Dripping Springs ISD faces staffing shortages, the district's board of trustees considered a resolution Oct. 25 that would give every district employee a bonus this year.

In December 2020 the board was able to issue a lump sum payment of $500 to each staff member in the district through a resolution that pulled money leftover from the 2019-20 school year budget. Board Vice President Joanna Day said during the Oct. 25 school board meeting she would like to see the amount rise this year if the budget allows.

“It would be nice to do more than we did last year even if it’s a nominal amount like $25 just to acknowledge to our staff that this is a harder year,” Day said. “I’d like to see some numbers between $750 and $500.”

Board Member Stefani Reinold pointed to a shortage in custodial workers after what she called “heated discussion” about the district’s custodial contract during the board’s Oct. 18 meeting.

“Would something like this help retain that staff?” Reinold asked.

The district is especially concerned about food services, custodial and transportation staff, Reinold said, who seem to have higher turnover than in previous years. Reinold also requested that the board review data on those staffing shortages compared to previous years.

The board did not vote on the proposed bonus during the Oct. 25 meeting but is scheduled to meet for its next regular board meeting Nov. 15.