School district finalizes budget, includes pay raises for staff

The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved its 2023-2024 fiscal year budget and compensation plan, which includes a 3% pay increase for most full-time employees.

Both the budget and the compensation plan were approved at the June 26 meeting of the DSISD school board. A budget presentation from Deputy Superintendent Elaine Cogburn and a public hearing were held prior to the regular meeting agenda.

On January 23, the Board ofTrustees adopted budget parameters to guide the 2023-2024 budget development process, which included months of planning and preparation with DSISD campuses and departments. In addition, budget workshops — open to the public — were held on April 16, May 15 and June 19.

Sixty-one percent of the $122.8 million general fund budget will go to payroll for more than 1,000 employees. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, recapture (payment back to the state) is projected to be $33.4 million, which accounts for 27% of the general fund budget. The remaining 12% will be used towards classroom supplies, contracted services, utilities, professional development, travel, etc.

The 2023-2024 compensation plan includes a 3% pay increase for teachers (based on median teacher salary); a 3% pay increase (based on pay grade midpoint) for all other employees; and a starting pay of $30 per hour for bus drivers, $18 per hour for Child Nutrition staff and $16 per hour for custodial staff. New rates will go into effect on July 1.

The tax rate for the 2023-2024 fiscal year will be adopted by the Board of Trustees no later than Sept. 30.

The 2023-2024 official budget and the 2023-24 compensation plan can both be found online at dsisdtx.us.