15 stories that shaped Dripping Springs ISD in 2024

Bond projects and district developments

Groundbreaking ceremony to be held for Sycamore Springs Middle School expansion

The district marked the start of the Sycamore Springs Middle School expansion project with a groundbreaking ceremony. The project, part of a $223.7 million bond, will expand the school campus to support the capacity of 1,200 students. The current capacity limit stands at 850 students, but the school has about 1,000 students currently enrolled, according to a report by Population and Survey Analysts. Portable classrooms, which costs the district an average of over $230,000, have been installed on the campus to account for the overcrowding. The expansion is expected to finish in spring 2025.

Dripping Springs ISD officials make progress on 2023 bond projects

DSISD officials are making progress on projects parts of a $223.7 million bond, approved by voters in May 2024. The projects include updating floors and lighting, sidewalk repairs and larger construction projects, such as the expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School.

Officials break ground on newest Dripping Springs elementary school

Construction is underway for the district’s sixth elementary school. Elementary No. 6, located in the Headwaters neighborhood, will accommodate up to 850 students, likely bringing in students from overcrowded Dripping Springs Elementary and Walnut Springs Elementary schools. The project budget is $66.26 million and is part of a $223.7 million voter-approved bond. The project is part of the district’s initiative to relieve overcapacity and overcrowding across DSISD schools.

Dripping Springs ISD approves schematic design for new high school

The board approved schematic designs for the district’s second high school to be located off Darden Hill Road. The campus, with a 2,500 student capacity limit, would include features such as an events plaza, outdoor learning spaces, improved classrooms and a separate athletics building. The new high school is expected to alleviate issues with projected overcapacity at Dripping Springs High School. District officials project 3,000 students will be enrolled at DSHS by the 2026-27 school year, which is a 20% increase from the current 2,500 capacity limit. The construction of the high school will be dependent on a voter-approved bond, anticipated for the May 2025 election.

New Dripping Springs ISD elementary and middle school attendance zones finalized

New attendance zones for Dripping Springs ISD elementary and middle schools were finalized by the board of trustees at a meeting on Dec. 16. The map was proposed to account for construction of Elementary School No. 6 and expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School, as well as overcapacity across the district, DSISD officials said. The board approved the new map in a 5-2 vote, with Trustees Shanda DeLeon and Tricia Quintero voting against the map, citing concerns about impacts to various neighborhoods and a lack of information on alternative workarounds. Other trustees voted in favor of the new map, stating the new zones balance out overcrowding at schools.

Student learning and outcomes

Dripping Springs ISD implements braille course for visually impaired students

The board of trustees approved a new course that teaches braille, a writing system used for people with visual impairments. The course will “provide instruction in pre-braille skills, tactual discrimination, the reading and writing of the braille code, and the development of efficient braille reading, including fluency and comprehension,” according to the Texas Education Agency. The district cannot rewrite or adjust the curriculum. The district will monitor the course to decide if it will be provided to more students.

See how Dripping Springs ISD students performed on STAAR EOC assessments

DSISD high school students performed above state averages on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness End-of-Course assessment, but saw mixed results compared to the district’s scores from 2023. Scores from DSISD students were up by 32% higher than Texas students’ average scores. However, there were slight decreases in the amount of students whose scores indicated “meets grade level” for English II and U.S. history compared to 2023. Scores for Algebra I, Biology and English I grew slightly from 2023. Meets grade level means the student is likely to succeed in the next grade, according to the TEA.

Elections

Hetrick, Reinold, DeLeon win seats on the Dripping Springs ISD board, per unofficial election results

Incumbents Mary Jane Hetrick and Stefani Reinold and newcomer Shanda DeLeon led the race for the at-large trustee position on the DSISD board of trustees. Hetrick led with about 22.5% of votes, Reinold held about 20.86% and DeLeon held about 20.62%. Candidate Terri Purdy received about 18.92% of the vote, with candidate John Adams holding around 17.09%. Three seats were up in the election, with Hetrick and Reinold seeking reelection, while former trustee Shannon O’Connor chose not to run again. DSISD voters could vote for one, two or three candidates. The top three candidates with the most votes won the race.

3 sworn into Dripping Springs ISD board

After the results of the May election, Mary Jane Hetrick, Stefani Reinold and Shanda DeLeon were sworn in at a board meeting on June 4. The board also decided to keep the same board positions as last year, with Reinold as president, Hetrick as vice president and Olivia Barnard as secretary. Outgoing trustee Shannon O’Connor was honored at the meeting.

District policy and training

Proposed policy changes spark concern for LGBTQ students in Dripping Springs ISD

The board of trustees had been reviewing potential updates to its nondiscrimination policies with consultation from the Texas Association of School Boards. The changes would include the removal of the terminology “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in various policies, including hiring and student discipline. Parents and local politicians voiced both support and opposition to the proposed updates. The potential changes came amidst the Biden administration and the Department of Education announcing updates to Title IX to include the terms “sexual orientation” and ”gender identity.”

Dripping Springs ISD receives $19,500 donation for reunification training

The district received a $19,500 donation from Hays County to cover training for district and campus administrations. The reunification training would ensure staff is well-prepared to reunite students with families in the event of an evacuation. The funds were allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act and the training will be given by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation.

Dripping Springs ISD families to see $25 increase in after-school care tuition

Families who enrolled their children in the district’s after-school program, Kids Club, saw a $25 increase to the monthly tuition rate for the program. The district also added an additional charge for those enrolled in August, which did not previously include a charge for that month. The price increase came during a time when the community services department, which runs the programs, faced staffing challenges. Staffers in the department have previously pushed for limits to enrollment, according to district documents. The changes went into effect in August for the 2024-25 academic school year.