Dripping Springs ISD eyeing $3 million budget shortfall

Dripping Springs ISD officials are projecting an over $3 million shortfall for the district's fiscal year 2025-26 budget. That number can change in August following future amendments, officials said during a June 16 board meeting.

The details

DSISD’s $3.07 million shortfall for FY 2025-26 comes from expenditures including instruction, transportation, maintenance and operations, child nutrition, curriculum and instructional staff development, and more.

Some expenditure categories, including utilities, school leadership, general administration and extracurricular activities, are projected to account for less expenditures than the FY 2024-25 budget. Others such as transportation, instructional resources and media, and guidance and counseling will account for more expenditures compared to the FY 2024-25 budget.However, Deputy Superintendent Elaine Cogburn said the budget will be amended in August to account for House Bill 2.

Districts can use funding from the basic allotment for costs such as classroom materials or paying teachers.

HB 2 also includes dedicated funding for teacher pay raises, with raises depending on the size of the district. With DSISD’s current enrollment of over 8,700 students according to district documents, teachers with three to four years of experience would receive a $2,500 raise to their annual salary, and those with five years or more would receive a $5,500 raise.

What they're saying

During a budget workshop meeting May 30, Superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz said even with the new school funding bill, the district budget will still face a shortfall and need to be worked on in the coming months.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” she said. “Those changes still need to happen because, unfortunately, [HB 2] just didn’t fix the finance issues in public education.”

Cogburn said teacher compensation from HB 2 and additional basic allotment funds have not been accounted for in the current budget and will be incorporated in August. District administration, “plans to study the requirements of the new legislation and revise the compensation plan” to adhere to the new bill, officials stated in agenda documents.

Additionally, the budget will be amended to incorporate certified property values and the maximum compressed rate from the Texas Education Agency.

Looking ahead

The board of trustees will return June 23 to adopt the budget for FY 2025-26. Community members can sign up for public comment here or through the district website at www.dsisdtx.us/page/public-forum.

• June 23 at 6 p.m.
• Center for Learning and Leadership, 300 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs