AUSTIN, Texas — After a school bond didn't pass in the November 2022 election, Dripping Springs ISD is trying again. A $223 million Dripping Springs ISD school bond is on the May ballot.
It would include $66 million for a new elementary school and $33 million for expanding Sycamore Springs Middle School.
Superintendent Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz said there is a need for expansion with the growth in the district.
"We have three of eight campuses that are over capacity. Two of the elementaries will have two portables each next year, and then our middle school we are looking to expand will have five portables next year," Morris-Kuentz said.
Morris-Kuentz told KVUE that the district has grown 25% over the past five years.
There is a difference between this bond and the one that didn't pass in November. This one would be for $223 million instead of $481 million. Plans for this bond also do not include the construction of High School No. 2.
Instead, a big portion of the bond would go towards capital improvements and safety and security at $82 million.
"We have safety and security for all eight of our campuses. With new standards coming out, we want to make sure we address that for all of our schools. There are some critical updates we're trying to do for four of our campuses and also safety and security for every school," Morris-Kuentz said.
The bond also calls for replacing buses, adding portables and purchasing new kitchen equipment.