Dripping Springs ISD begins planning budget with proposed 3% pay increase

During a regular board meeting Jan. 23, the Dripping Springs ISD school board shared its 2023-24 budget assumptions and parameters—or the numbers it is using during the budget planning process.

The trustees approved the assumption, which includes a 3% increase in staff pay within the budget. This percentage allows for a potential 0.5% or 1% increase if possible.

In addition to the staff pay increase, other key assumptions for the budget are based on an average daily attendance rate of over 95%, a property value growth estimate of 11%, a budget parameter of 2%, a student enrollment of 8,854 and 33 new full-time employees.

These approved budget assumptions and parameters were proposed to be used as a starting point in building the 2023-24 budget. They are subject to change.

The discussion of a staff payment increase was due in part to surrounding school districts providing staff pay increases.

Last year, Hays County ISD approved a cost-of-living adjustment for all employees at a rate of 7%. Austin ISD provided a 2% raise for teachers last year and plans to raise teacher pay by 5% in 2023-24, DSISD Deputy Superintendent Elaine Cogburn said Jan. 23.

In 2022-23, DSISD included a 7% raise for educators based on median salary and raised the minimum hourly wage for the district to $15.

The 2023-24 budget will be adopted in June.