By Megan Wehring
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs ISD (DSISD) employees will get an extra $750 next month.
Employees have told the district that this year has been challenging, especially for those who have worked longer hours because of staff shortages. Knowing that, the trustees unanimously approved a one-time lump sum payment of $750 to all employees as of Nov. 15.
The payment will come from fund balance in the budget, according to Catherine Knepp, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
“One of the things that I looked at quite heavily in considering these numbers was that we always try to keep at least four months of operating in fund balance,” Knepp said. “That was a threshold I made sure we could secure to and we are above that level.”
More DSISD teachers left their jobs in 2020-2021 (16.6%) than in 2019-2020 (10.7%), according to a district teacher turnover report presented to the board. The top three reasons listed for leaving the district were relocation, family and leaving the profession altogether.
Board member Ron Jones agreed with providing the payment to current employees but he hoped employees who were not yet hired would also be included. Employees who sign on for hard-to-fill positions, including bus drivers and custodial, are eligible for a $500 hiring bonus.
Board member Stefani Reinold said that a larger conversation that needs to be addressed in the district is how to show employees they are truly appreciated and valued, outside of giving all employees the same lump sum payment.
“Specifically in transportation and food service, where people have taken on two roles in one position,” Reinold said. “What are we doing to really elevate them? We all agree that everybody has been stressed. I feel like a lump sum retention is in some ways devaluing those who are really truly working overtime.”
Employees will receive the bonus on or before Dec. 17. The incentive does level the playing field, according to Tiffany Duncan, executive director of human resource services.
“It’s not a percentage of your income or a percentage of your pay grade,” Duncan said. “It is a flat lump sum amount regardless of what position you hold in the district. It is truly valuing equally all of the cogs and wheels that is Dripping Springs ISD and all of the life changers that we have.”
