As of 11 p.m., the $223.7 million bond proposed by Dripping Springs ISD was approved by 64.1% of voters as of May 6.
The passing of this May bond package comes six months after a similar, but a $481.13 million bond failed in November.
“I am absolutely thrilled that this community showed up for our schools and our children,” Terri Purdy, chair of the Friends of Dripping Springs Education and DSISD parent said. “I think the fact the results in favor shows the community is here to invest in our schools.”
The bond will allow for the construction of a new elementary school, expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle school and the design for three additional schools to address district growth. The package also includes capital improvements, new buses, and a new 18+ special education facility.
“We needed this to be an overwhelming win,” Purdy said. “I hope all the teachers and staff feel support.”
DSISD officials were unavailable for comment before publish time.
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all elections in your community.
Posted 7:26 p.m.
Dripping Springs ISD’s only proposition on the May 6 ballot is the $223.7 million bond, and early voting results show support for the bond is 66.5%.
For early votes cast April 24-May 2 in Hays and Travis counties, the bond earned 3,289 approval votes.
Election day results will be released throughout the night.
The bond election comes after the failure of a $481.13 million package DSISD had on the ballot in November, which included the construction of a new elementary school and high school, an expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School, capital improvements and design for future projects.
According to a third-party survey ordered by the district, the main reason the November package failed was due to property tax increase concerns. DSISD did not expect to increase the total tax rate, according to deputy superintendent Elaine Cogburn.
The May package is $257.43 million less than November’s, but addresses similar concerns from district officials including address growth needs and capital improvements.
DSISD is a rapidly growing district, according to superintendent Holly Morris-Kuentz. A total of 11,000 new single-family homes are planned within the district’s boundaries, which has grown by 29.9% from 2016 to 2021, Morris-Kuentz said.
The full bond package asks voters to fund:
- Construction of Elementary School No. 6 with capacity of 850 students: $66,264,500
- Expansion of Sycamore Springs to 1,200 student capacity: $33,216,832
- Design of Middle School No. 3: $4 million
- Design of Elementary No. 7: $2.5 million
- Design of High School No. 2: $10.5 million
- Building of new special education 18+ facility: $3,413,440
- Purchase of land: $15 million
- Capital improvements at Dripping Elementary, Dripping Springs Middle, Dripping Springs High and Rooster Springs Elementary. Includes campus security and ADA updates: $82,045,030
- Technology infrastructure (network, firewall, servers, AV): $2,352,681
- 13 replacement buses: $2,028,543
- Classroom portables: $1,113,881
- Child nutrition services equipment replacements (kitchen): $1,264,000
