Dripping Springs ISD adjusts budget, past bonds for portable classroom funds

Dripping Springs ISD made several amendments to two previous bond packages and the fiscal year 2022-23 budget to use toward the purchase and installation of portable classrooms.

During a board of trustees meeting Feb. 27, the board moved to approve the use of the remaining funds from the 2014 bond, amended the 2018 bond to increase the budget for portables and amended the FY 2022-23 budget.

All projects from the 2014 bond program have been completed, leaving a remaining $21,866.37 the district can use toward portables, according district documents.

The amendment to the 2018 bond moves $241,308 from project savings and $100,692 from interest earnings. This increases the portable budget by $342,000, according to the documents.

The FY 2022-23 budget was amended to include the use of $569,983 from the general fund balance for portables.

Costs for portables in FY 2023-24 is an estimated $1.5 million. This amount is the cost for the purchase and installation of six portables, which will provide 12 temporary classrooms.

Portables are small, temporary buildings designed to increase classroom space. DSISD is facing capacity issues, with three schools already over capacity.

The district has called for a bond in May, and voters will decide whether to approve funds to design three new schools and purchase more portables.