DSISD Releases Statement On School Bond Election Court Ruling

In May 2018, Dripping Springs Independent School District held an bond election for a $132 million. Voters passed the bond; however, a local group contested the results of the election.

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

Yesterday, a Travis County District Judge issued a ruling in favor of Dripping Springs Independent School District in the lawsuit over their May bond election.

In May, Dripping Springs Independent School District held an election for a $132 million bond that was approved by voters.

However, the Citizens for Excellent Education in Dripping Springs (CEEDS) filed a lawsuit to contest the outcome of the election after a recount.

The Hays County Commissioners canvassed the recount and showed the bond passed by a margin of 37 votes and CEEDS filed the lawsuit following the canvass.

According to CEEDS’ case, 51 eligible voters living in the school district were not notified of the election; the voters lived in the Travis County portion of Dripping Springs Independent School District.

All bond-related projects were stopped until a decision was made in the case.

According to the school district, community members and parents collaborated with the district to identify over 40 projects that went before voters in the district.

DSISD released the following statement on the court’s ruling, which can be read below.

Following a full day of testimony in district court in Travis County [on August 14], the judge ruled that the Dripping Springs ISD May 5 bond election was valid.

The ruling applies to both the election contest lawsuit and the district’s request for declaratory judgment.

We are pleased that today’s ruling means our school community will be able to move forward with a $132 million bond program that will benefit every student in our district, and do so without raising the property tax rate.

More than 100 community members and parents generously gave of their time and expertise to help the district identify the more than 40 projects that went before voters in May, and we are grateful for all who participated in the process.

We now will quickly begin plans and designs to update and build new educational facilities that will accommodate rapid growth and elevate the educational experience for our DSISD learners.

We welcome community stakeholder input in the process, and plan to re-engage the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee to provide feedback on current and future plans to improve district facilities.

Dale A. Whitaker
Executive Director of Communications