By Megan Wehring
DRIPPING SPRINGS -- As the fifth elementary school in Dripping Springs ISD will open in August 2021, the district is planning to begin the process of developing new attendance zones. While attendance zones are created for a new school, the other elementary schools will also be impacted.
Current elementary schools in the district include: Dripping Springs Elementary, Rooster Springs Elementary, Sycamore Springs Elementary and Walnut Springs Elementary.
The first of three public meetings on attendance zones is slated for Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be shown live on YouTube in order for questions to be submitted (more details will come). This meeting will feature an overview and timeline, board-approved parameters, demographic information and projected enrollments, a review of current boundaries, and an introduction of 'starter option' maps that have been created with help from the district’s demographer. These maps will be used as a discussion starting point for future boundaries, and are likely to be adjusted and revised. Potential impacts to middle school zones/feeder patterns will also be discussed.
DSISD welcomes public input to support this process along the way.
- Before Jan. 30: An online tool called 'Thought Exchange' will be open to collect preliminary input on desired priorities. Comments can be made on the question: “What do you think should be the most important consideration(s) in developing new elementary attendance zones?” Participants can also rate other responses in order for top responses to be identified.
- During the Feb. 1 meeting: Questions will be collected using a submission process, allowing the moderator to share them in real-time. More details will be provided prior to the meeting.
- After the Feb. 1 meeting: A Google form will be activated to collect opinions, suggestions and preferences regarding the process and maps.
Additional public meetings are scheduled for Feb. 11 and March 2, if necessary. The DSISD Board of Trustees will consider the adoption of new attendance zones at the March 29 meeting. Updates will be provided on the Attendance Zones webpage. This page also includes a timeline for the process and board-approved parameters.
