School district re-evaluates bond package

In the Nov. 8 general election last year, Dripping Springs ISD voters did not approve any of the propositions included in the 2022 bond referendum. This year, the district is still evaluating what went wrong — and how to move forward.

The $481.1 million bond package would have helped the district provide more room for students, with three of the district’s eight campuses over capacity and two more campuses expected to outgrow their capacity next year. But despite a thorough community outreach initiative designed to educate local voters on the importance of the bond, DSISD residents voted “no” on each of the district’s three bond propositions. A survey conducted by Baselice & Associates, Inc. and presented at a DSISD Board of Trustees workshop on Jan. 4 tried to answer why.

Proposition A — with a price tag of nearly $200 million — primarily focused on elementary and middle school improvements. This included building a sixth elementary school (likely in or near the Headwaters neighborhood), designing a seventh elementary school, designing a third middle school and expanding Sycamore Springs Middle School. But 51.7% of voters voted against it.

When asked, those against Prop. A cited a rise in taxes or “too much money,” according to the survey. Others said they thought it was wasteful spending or that there was not enough district accountability.

Proposition B was intended to fund the construction of a second high school, allocating over $275 million to the endeavor. But it too was struck down, with 53.8% voting in opposition. Reasons for this were similar to Prop. A: a tax increase, too much money, wasteful spending. Few, according to the survey, thought it was unnecessary.

Notably, respondents to the survey responded in favor of Proposition C, which covered “Technology Lifestyle Replacements” and was the smallest proposition of the three at approximately $6.5 million. While 53.6% voted against it in the general election, only 48% of survey respondents voted against it.

Overall, the survey seemed to showcase a certain level of distrust in the district. When specifically asked about their trust and confidence in the DSISD Board of Trustees and district administration, 42% of respondents said they had “some,” while 26% had little to none. Of those that said they had little or no trust, most cited “negative comments about DSISD/political comments” as their primary reasoning, according to the survey.

Approval of the bond was not expected to result in a change to the 2022– 2023 tax rate, which is $1.2929 per $100 of certified property value, according to DSISD. Although the rate itself is lower than in 2021–2022 ($1.3103), this year’s tax rate was still considered an increase, since the district will make more revenue in property taxes than it did last year. This is, in large part, due to increased property values.

In the district survey, 63% of people said they recalled “seeing, reading or hearing anything about how the official ballot language would state the bond would be a property tax increase, but that the property tax rate would actually not increase.” However, of those 63%, 55% said they believed taxes would still increase as a result of the bond. Twelve percent of the 63% were unsure while nine percent of those were confused.

For more information about the bond, visit dsisdtx. us/bond2022.