Read 10 top Dripping Springs ISD stories for 2025: $402M bond, TEA rating

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.

3. Unofficial results show Olivia Barnard, Tricia Quintero re-elected in Dripping Springs ISD board race

Unofficial results show Dripping Springs ISD board of trustee candidates Olivia Barnard and Tricia Quintero have been re-elected to their at-large positions.

The details

Barnard won 3,720, or 38.73% of the vote, while Quintero won 3,103, or 32.31% of the vote. Ron Jones won 2,781, or 28.96% of the votes. The two candidates with the most votes win seats on the board.

4. $402.3M bond package on ballot for Dripping Springs ISD voters this May

Dripping Springs ISD officials will ask voters to approve a $402.3 million bond package this May. It will include construction for the district’s second high school and renovations, among other items.

The details

The bond package is divided into two propositions. Proposition A includes $399.7 million for the construction of High School No. 2, which will have a 2,500-student capacity. Other items on Prop A include the following:

• Capital improvements and renovations for Dripping Springs High School and Rooster Springs Elementary School

5. Hays County school districts adopt FY 2025-26 budgets; all-staff raises on hold

School district officials in Hays County have adopted their district budgets for fiscal year 2025-26, following months-long discussions on how to manage funds.

Many school districts adjusted staffing through attrition or position elimination and have faced periods of budget shortfall.

District officials in Hays County, including Dripping Springs ISD, Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD, expected more amendments, particularly for staff raises, following education legislation from the 89th Texas Legislature.

6. Dripping Springs ISD STAAR scores released show disparities in student performance

Dripping Springs ISD students outperformed state averages on the 2025 STAAR test, but disparities show among both economically disadvantaged and non-economically disadvantaged students within the district.

The 2025 results released June 17 also show low scores for students who took Spanish STAAR tests.

7. Dripping Springs ISD officials break ground on 18+ facility

Dripping Springs ISD officials broke ground on the 18+ program facility on Nov. 13 near Sycamore Springs elementary and middle schools.

The big picture

The 18+ program, or adult transition services, prepares special education students aged 18-22 for post-school life. There are currently 15 students enrolled in the program, and Director of Special Services Rick Roberts said the district anticipates future growth.

“Guided by each student's needs, abilities and their rights, the adult transition services program provides personalized instruction and real-world experiences that promote independence, employment readiness and meaningful community participation,” Roberts said at the groundbreaking.

8. Dripping Springs ISD announces grandfathering rules for new attendance zones

Dripping Springs ISD officials released grandfathering rules for students following approval of new attendance zones for the 2025-26 academic year.

Families must submit their grandfathering transfer application by Feb. 19 to be considered. Families will be notified if their application was accepted no later than May 1, according to the district’s website. Proof of residency must be provided in the application.

9. Dripping Springs ISD scores B rating in new 2022-23 TEA accountability ratings

Dripping Springs ISD received a B rating in overall performance, scoring 89 out of 100 points in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings for the 2022-23 academic school year.

The B rating indicates “recognized performance,” meaning the district has served “many” students and encourages high academic achievement and growth according to TEA standards.

The 2022-23 ratings were released April 24 after a state court decision allowed for the publication of the scores following litigation that started in 2023. Over 100 Texas school districts joined a lawsuit to prevent the release of the ratings due to concerns over a mid-year change in how the ratings were calculated, as previously reported by Community Impact.

10. Dripping Springs ISD staff to see pay increases

Dripping Springs ISD staff will see salary increases for the 2025-26 school year.

The details

The DSISD board of trustees approved the 2025-26 compensation plan Aug. 26.

Teachers with one or two years of experience will receive a $1,700 increase. The starting teacher salary will increase by $500 to $56,000, according to a news release.

Salary increases for teachers with three or more years of experience were funded through House Bill 2, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature earlier this year.