Notable citizens honored
Tiger soccer blanks Cougars 2-0
page 4
New finance officer for DSISD
page 5
News-Dispatch Volume XXXIX No. 21
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
page 8
75¢
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Vote delayed on Wimberley wastewater plans New bill BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Postponement of a Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) decision on Wimberley’s proposed change of scope for its wastewater project now places those plans in limbo. On Monday, TWDB of directors unanimously voted to delay a decision to approve the change of
Hays tax assessor retires after 25 years
TWDB’s board of directors unanimously voted to delay a decision to approve the change of scope request, which includes nearly $5.5 million for Wimberley’s wastewater project, $243,005 in principal forgiveness. scope request, which includes nearly $5.5 million for Wimberley’s wastewater project, $243,005 in principal forgiveness.
The decision came after TWDB staff recommended postponement, citing a lack of scrutiny on Wimberley’s part towards
its change of scope plan. Wimberley’s change of scope includes the desire for third-party wastewater company Aqua Texas to
Seeing double?
oversee the city’s wastewater treatment plant. “Both delays in the project and changes in revenues lead us to conclude that it is prudent to address additional scrunity for this project,” said Jeff Walker, TWDB exuective director. “Additionally, we have not received
WASTEWATER PLANS, 2
BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Community begins talks on one versus two high schools
BY MOSES LEOS III Having worked as Hays County’s Tax Assessor Collector for the last 25 years, Luanne Caraway has taken taxpayer frustrations in stride. After all, the primary source of resident rancor toward Caraway involves something her office doesn’t necessarily cover. To be clear, the Tax Assessor’s office doesn’t determine what a person’s annual property taxes are going to be. That’s the Central Appraisal District’s job. The Tax Assessor instead calculates what the CAD gives them and sends the bill. Amid the ups-anddowns with a job that can be tough at times, Caraway, who is retiring this week, said she has been proud to serve in a role that is critically important not only to taxpayers, but also the county and municipalities. “It’s been an honor to serve the people of Hays County. I enjoy it. Not so much the politics, but the job,” Caraway said. “It’s a very rewarding job and I’m glad I have been able to do this job.” Caraway, who was
TAX ASSESSOR RETIRES, 4
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Hundreds of Dripping Springs High students speed through a hallway during a passing period Monday morning. Earlier this week, Dripping Springs ISD officials kickstarted the discussion on how to best address the district’s growing high school student population in the future.
BY MOSES LEOS III How Dripping Springs ISD will approach secondary education over the next century is now at the community’s doorstep. While a formal decision won’t be made for a few more years, Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing said residents will be on the clock to determine the number of high schools needed for a rapidly growing populace. “This is probably a 100-year community decision,” Gearing said. “What happens at the end of this process will determine how this community grows for a long time. We want to get it right as much as possible.” Gearing kickstarted the one versus multiple high schools discussion during the Feb. 21 Facilities and Long-Range Planning meeting. Gearing said starting the process now, and giving the community a year or so to decide what to do, is key as several critical
According to district demographer reports, Dripping Springs High is estimated to have a student population of 3,325 students by 2025, which would place the current campus at 125 percent capacity. deadlines loom. Should a decision to build another high school move forward, the district would have to start planning for it by late 2019 or early 2020. The last chance to possibly call a bond election for a high school facility would be 2022. Ultimately, Gearing said a solution would have to have a school in place by the 2025-26 school year. According to district demographer reports, Dripping Springs High is estimated to have a student population of 3,325 students by 2025, which would place the current campus at 125 percent capacity. By 2035, Dripping Springs ISD is estimated to have a high school student population
ranging between 6,400 and 7,400 students when total build out is slated to occur. Total build out is the student population in a district when the growth stops. Other factors include assessing the amount of space DSISD will have to work with down the road. Dripping Springs High, which will soon accommodate for 2,500 students, has 17 open acres for possible expansion, but is essentially landlocked. The district also owns 155 acres along Sawyer Ranch Road and Darden Hill near RM 1826 that could allow for a new high school, middle school and elementary school. Finding out what solution is the best fit for Dripping Springs ISD will be a decision made
by its residents and not the district, Gearing said. However, offering different solutions crafted by districts facing similar growing pains was part of Gearing’s presentation to stakeholders. Jason Johnson, principal at Allen High, which has the largest high school student enrollment in Texas at roughly 7,000 students, said the decision to remain as one campus was made in the mid1990s to preserve a sense of community. While the district has adhered to that vision, challenges persist in maintaining equity, as well as allowing for opportunity in extracurricular activities. Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright, who is overseeing the opening of the district’s third high school, said rationale for multiple campuses stemmed from keeping them efficient, but small enough to have students participate in programs. Struggles exist, however,
SECOND D.S. HIGH SCHOOL, 8
LAGNIAPPE Supporting fair & just voting in Hays County
The League of Women Voters of Hays County will host the second of three programs centered around increasing voter participation. Program II - Supporting Fair and Just Voting in Hays County will be held on March 7, 2019, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library at 400 FM2325
Family Fun Day at Jacob’s Well
Every first Saturday is Family Fun Day from 12 to 2 p.m. The next Fun Day is March 2 and will feature an educational walk through the natural area where an experienced Master Naturalist will discuss the native and endangered birds of the area and what we can do to help them thrive.
Starlight Symphony Orchestra
could allow for student IDs at the polls
Starlight Symphony Orchestra will perform March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Hays Performing Arts Center. They will give another performance March 10 at 4 p.m. at the Wimberley First Baptist Church.
Night Skies in Dripping Springs From March 29-31, join the city of Dripping Springs and various groups celebrate the night sky during the annual Texas Night Sky festival at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event begins March 29 at noon and includes various events, food, fun and games. The event culminates with a star party on March 30.
A new bill in the Texas House could allow more than 600,000 Texas public university students to vote with their student identification cards, adding to the list of acceptable forms under Texas Law. House Bill (HB) 1950, filed by Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood), would affect nearly 39,000 college students who attend Texas State University in District 45, which recently saw voter confusion and extensive wait times during the 2018 Midterm Elections. Zwiener said there is conversation at the legislative level over integrity of currently acceptable forms of ID for voters, leaving her to believe student IDs need to be included on that list. “Most notably we’ve left out the university IDs that are issued by our state institutions,” Zwiener said. “If other forms of state ID are accepted, I have a hard time understanding
STUDENTS AT THE POLLS, 2
Proposed STR rule changes cause for concern in Wimberley BY EXSAR ARGUELLO As the battle over the fate of short-term rentals (STR) in Wimberley continues to rage, a recommended ordinance change has some owners worried about the future of their businesses. The discussion began in July 2018 when an STR Committee was created to review the regulatory process in the city. Currently, a conditional use permit (CUP) is required to operate STR in the city. Part of the recommended ordinance change would require STR owners to reapply for their CUP every year, in conjunction with the yearly fee to keep the permit. Wimberley’s city council is expected to take up the recommended rule changes in March. For some, the ordinance changes could be detrimental to their businesses. Molly Bowen, an attorney and Wimberley STR owner is leading the conversation against the
WIMBERLEY STR, 6
Page 2
News-Dispatch
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News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@haysnewsdispatch. com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to NewsDispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610 LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Buda Aquifer Storage Recovery bill flowing through Texas Legislature BY EXSAR ARGUELLO
Confidence of Buda officials is high six weeks into a new legislative session as the city’s efforts to have an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) bill pass the Texas House and Senate moves forward. With key senators throughout the state eyeing ASR, the chips are falling into place for Buda to achieve its long-awaited goal. Two identical bills filed by Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) and Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) early in the session aim to ease restrictions on the technology, allowing Buda to invest in ASR while reducing its reliance on groundwater. ASR calls for the pumping of surface or groundwater during heavy supply and storing it in another aquifer for use in times of drought or major drawdown. On Feb. 19, Texas
Two identical bills filed by both Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) and Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) early in the session aim to ease restrictions on the technology, allowing Buda to invest in ASR while reducing its reliance on groundwater.
Solutions Group (TSG), Buda’s lobbying consultants, briefed city leaders on the progress of the bill at the capitol. “ASR is your number one priority this session and we are taking that to heart,” said Scott Miller with TSG. “When you have a bill in both the House and the Senate, your odds increase dramatically to try and pass that bill.” Miller commended Buda city staff on its efforts to meet with Campbell to get her bill filed in conjunction with Zwiener bill. A state representative from San Antonio might be a key figure in moving the bills through the legislature. Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) is a proponent
of ASR technology. San Antonio and Kerrville are two of the first cities that successfully implemented ASR technology to improve overall conservation efforts. Larson is currently the chair of the Natural Resource Committee, which could help the bills move through the House and Senate. “We’re excited that Chairman Larson from San Antonio is chairing the House Natural Resource Committee, and he passed this bill out last session,” Miller said. “We’re hoping to get a unanimous vote in his committee to get this bill out and try to send it to the House Local & Consent Calendars.” TSG representatives
have been in close contact with Senator Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), who chairs the Senate Committee on agriculture, water and rural affairs, about the ASR bills. The two Buda ASR bills, HB 1044 and SB 483, will travel through the committees, which could be a key component in their success. Jeff Heckler, a representative with TSG, told the Buda City Council to not be discouraged with the movement of the bill. He said the Texas Legislature is set up in a way that fosters bills to fail, not pass. However, Heckler said the ASR bills in “good shape.” As of Feb. 13, around 1,000 bills have been filed
in the Senate and 2,194 in the House. The consultants expect around 6,500 bills to be filed by May, which is on par with previous sessions. During the 85th legislative session in 2017, a similar ASR bill was filed but without a Senate sponsor. It died as time ran out towards the end of the session. “Whichever bill gets sent out first, whether it’s the Senate or House bill, as I said, our chances improve dramatically to try and finish this thing by May 27 when gavel comes down and the Senate adjourns,” Miller said. “Once we get this bill passed, we’ve got 30 days for the governor to sign this bill.” If the bill receives twothirds vote by the House and Senate following up to three separate readings from each chamber, it then goes to the governor’s desk for final approval. The governor has up to 10 days to veto or sign the bill. If no action is taken, the bill then becomes law.
Wastewater Plans: Funds in limbo
Students at the Polls
adequate responses to the amended environmental review, including the city’s responses to the recent public meeting and responses of state agencies like the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.” Walker cited a 14-page letter from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department outlaying recommendations to the TWDB on the city’s proposed change of scope. The letter concludes that the city has not done enough environmental measures for plans to bore under Cypress Creek for a pipeline that would transport raw sewage to Aqua Texas. Additionally, the letter outlines concerns over endangered species in the area, including the Golden-cheeked Warbler. While addressing the board, Jaggers said plans for a city-owned treatment plant, which were scrapped by city council in late 2018, was not environmentally feasible for the city. Additionally, Mayor Susan Jaggers said Aqua Texas does not have a discharge permit like the city currently has from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, leaving her to believe the change of scope is environmentally friendly. But critics of the plan, including Andrew Weber, chairperson of the Friends of Blue Hole group refuted these claims. Weber cited a February city council meeting where Jaggers said the letter from TPW consisted of mere recommendations, not requirements. “They’ve already surveyed for where the bore under the creek would go, and it’s clear from that survey they are rejecting TPW recommendations for the setbacks for that bore,” Weber said. “… They are trading no discharge for a bore under the creek and a pipe of raw sewage. That’s the risk (this council) is willing to take.” Weber questioned
why student IDs are not.” According to the Texas Secretary of State’s office, acceptable forms of ID at the voting booth include a Texas driver’s license, Election ID, personal ID, handgun license, U.S. Citizenship Certificate with photo, U.S. Military ID and U.S. Passport. “Only a few of these actually prove citizenship, and frankly, none of them prove eligibility to vote,” Zwiener said. “The purpose of the photo ID is not to prove eligibility. It’s the job of the voter registrar to ensure those who are eligible to vote can vote.” Jennifer Anderson, Hays County elections administrator, said she has been in communication with Zwiener on the logistics of the bill. Anderson said the bill, if passed, shouldn’t affect the administrative operations at the office. “We want to ensure that eligible voters can exercise their right in an efficient manner, and any process that could make it easier for eligible voters to vote, we are in favor of,” Anderson said. However, Anderson said she wants to ensure the process doesn’t allow non-eligible voters to slip through the cracks. Zwiener said she is having on-going conversations with election officials about potentially adding expiration dates, birthdays and other perameters to student IDs to alleviate some of these concerns. An eligible form of ID does not need to include the current address of a citizen who is voting. That information is collected by local elections officials when a citizen registers to vote. Once an official form of ID is checked at a polling location, the poll worker will see the address of the individu-
Continued from pg. 1
Continued from pg. 1
COURTESY PHOTO
Several city council members wave while waiting for a Texas Water Development Board decision.
cliff seven or eight months ago without your consent to a change in scope, voted to change scope, fired the plant contractor and now brings you a deteriorated revenues you see today.” Mayor Pro Tem Gary Barchfeld addressed the board, “surprised” by the recommendation to postpone. Barchfeld said Wimberley has been working with TWDB staff since last September over the change, and if any additional information is needed, that will be provided to staff as soon as possible. “The plan is affordable, it is environmentally friendly, technologically available to be done, and most importantly, greatly diminishes the probability of an incomplete project,” Barchfeld said. Following the postponement decision, Jaggers said the original project was not affordable and less environmentally safe for the city. “Delaying it isn’t going –Susan Jaggers, Wimberley Mayor to help, because as far as being affordable, it’s only going to be more costly TWDB staff on their request to ask the city to pro- with the delay,” Jaggers said. “We won’t have revvide an executed contract enue coming in and we’ll with Aqua Texas. have citizens still waiting “I would strongly ask for sewage … delaying is you take that request out,” Weber said. “Reviewing and just going to make it more burdensome for the city seeing a final draft would and more controversial for be fine, but this council is the one that jumped off the all citizens.”
“Delaying it isn’t going to help, because as far as being affordable, it’s only going to be more costly with the delay. We won’t have revenue coming in and we’ll have citizens still waiting for sewage… delaying is just going to make it more burdensome for the city and more controversial for all citizens.”
Worship in a church of your choice
“Only a few of the these (acceptable forms of ID) actually prove citizenship, and frankly, none of them prove eligibility to vote. The purpose of the photo ID is not to prove eligibility. It’s the job of the voter registrar to ensure those who are eligible to vote can vote.” –Erin Zwiener, State Representative, Dist. 45
al and his/her eligibility. That elections officer also has data on what precinct a voter is in, even if the address on the ID does not match the precinct. The elections office will still hold that responsibility, and the new bill would not change the process, Anderson said. The bill was co-authored by Zwiener and more than 40 other legislators, all of whom have a public universities in their districts. Zwiener said she expects the bill to have bipartisan support and plans on receiving a signature from every Democrat in the House. “It’s one form of ID they will be allowed to accept and this will reduce confusion with voters at the polls, which is something we saw at Texas State,” Zwiener said. “This is about efficiency and allowing our young voters to stay engaged in the process. When young Texans engage in the electoral process, they stay engaged for the rest of their lives.”
Call 512-268-7862 to join the church directory today.
Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 8:45 AM
Sunday Morning
11:00 AM
Sunday Worship
5:45 PM
Wednesday Meal
6:30 PM
Wed TouchPoint
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St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Mass Schedule
Rev. Charlie
Spanish Mass Sunday: 1:30 p.m.
corner of RR 12 & Post Oak in Dripping Springs
Garza, pastor Saturday: 5 p.m. Located at the Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m.
512-858-5667
www.stmartindp.org
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Thursday, February 28, 2019
www.HaysNewsDispatch.com
Page 3
Opinion
That pipe dream is broken, Kinder Morgan From the Sidelines by Moses Leos III
W
ith the wide variety of political ideologies rooted across Hays County these days, it can be hard to find a topic that bridges the masses. Thank you, Kinder Morgan, for bringing us all together like no Hollywood blockbuster or elected official can. At its very core, Kinder Morgan’s proposed $2 billion 42-inch, 430-mile Permian Highway Pipeline is a tough sell for any entity, much less a multi-million dollar, Wall Street Dow Jones Industrial company, to pull off. Doing so utilizing heavy-handed tactics such as eminent domain to acquire the land for the pipeline further places them on the deep end of the unpopularity pool. They could practically wave hello to Electro Purification. What Kinder Morgan is asking for (read: demanding) greatly outweighs any potential benefits that arise from such an ambitious – and we do mean ambitious – project. Trying to get buy-in from your everyday run-of-the-mill landowner to give up a piece of their property in perpetuity to green light construction of a massive underground natural gas pipeline just isn’t going to jive. The key difference is we’re dealing with Texans here – the purveyors of unadulterated property rights. We’re dealing with people who, in some cases, are in charge of virgin land that’s been passed down from generation to generation, going as far back as the Texas Revolution itself. For Kinder Morgan to try and sell a pipeline that could irrevocably impact the feel and function of the pristine Texas Hill Country, as well as potentially set a dangerous precedent for the future of landowner rights, feels almost sacrilegious. Quite frankly, it’s just so un-Texan for a company whose headquarters are in Houston to try and make happen. It feels more like a cash-grab, rather than providing the necessary infrastructure to give Texans resources they require. It’s hard to support Kinder Morgan’s initiative and plans for its proposed pipeline. That’s why many of us at Barton
Publications are opposed to a project that could greatly impact development and growth in Hays County for generations to come. Well intentioned as the PHP might be, Kinder Morgan’s aggressive approach for a project that should require more than a year or so of public input and stakeholder outreach is incredibly offputting. More time is needed to talk about this. More time is needed to make sure people, property, and most importantly our natural resources, aren’t going to be adversely affected. More time might not be available for Kinder Morgan, which is aiming to start construction by June 2019 and the pipeline operational by late 2020. Trying to rush the process, however, isn’t going to help, no matter how many public input meetings are held. Problems with the process is starting to reach elected officials, who are throwing their hats into the great pipeline fight of 2019. In recent weeks, Kyle formally filed its opposition to the project in the form of a resolution. On Tuesday, Hays County Commissioners followed suit and did the very same thing. Several local state officials, including State Rep. Erin Zwiener, have filed legislation to prevent companies such as Kinder Morgan from attempting a similar tactic in the future. The ball is now in Kinder Morgan’s court. One would hope conventional wisdom enters the mind of Kinder Morgan officials, who should consider it time to rethink, and readjust, their original timeframe. Perhaps it’s time for them to start thinking about another route to take, one that might not have as much of an impact than the current one? Or maybe it might be the right time to scrap the project altogether, mostly due to the amount of negativity surrounding what they’re attempting to bring. The time for talk is almost over and the majority people have spoken. Kinder Morgan’s project going through the Hill Country? That pipe dream is broken.
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Borders and morals
A
ll this hubbub about a wall amazes me. Maybe it’s true most illegals are here because they overstayed their visas. Maybe it’s true the wall is a partial solution only. Hey, it stopped the caravans. It’s certainly is true the porous border makes it easy for sex traffickers and drug cartels. But has anyone ever considered our border problem lies with America’s declining values and moral turpitude? It’s high time America turned from border problems blamed on others and looked to its own soul. For one, the Amendment that fosters anchor babies needs to be re-interpreted by the highest Court in the land. The way it’s being used now is a total sham. We all know this. Even those who benefit from this nutty philosophy know this. We
I Could Be Wrong by Ray Wolbrecht
are suckers for the world. The Supreme Court, in Plyer vs Doe (1982), ruled that illegals were entitled to free public education, saying that states could not deny them an education based on their immigration status. This is one of the worst decisions the SCOTUS has ever released. The benefits in America are far too reaching to be ignored. I wonder how many national, state and local government entities, whose wits have gone astray, fall over themselves to distribute taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants. But let’s get down to the heart of the problem.
Huge problems of drug gang violence, sex trafficking (same people), illegal employment, and lack of concern for the protection its own citizens has instituted a market for such activities. These markets were created, but not limited by, three things: (1) America’s declining morals created the markets for drugs, sex trafficking, and illegal employment. Without recreational drug use, would drugs be flowing across the border? Without yearnings for pornography and pedophilia-related activities, would sex traffickers exist? If jobs were not available by law-breaking employers would we have the influx of low-skilled “citizens of the world”? (2) The inability and lack of vertebra of elected representatives to pass legislation that re-in-
terprets gray areas and protects the physical and financial interests of their constituents. A Beltway torchlight and pitchfork parade is long overdue, (3) A disrespect for the law and our police. Eliminate the ease by which employers employ illegals. This could be done easily by severe fines to employers who break the laws. But the rest, the moral downward spiral of drug use and perversions, will have to be corrected by citizens who are convicted in their souls that they have done wrong and turn the other way. A wall can’t do that, only a change of heart. That doesn’t mean we don’t need for now a wall, or more immigration judges, or drones, or border guards. That’s what I think but I could be wrong, you know.
Borders and morals, take II
M
aybe America’s morals have gone to pot and maybe not. I’m not sure I’m qualified to say, though I understand “Declining Morals” is a refrain sung for a very long time. My grandmother was horrified when I wore shorts as a child, and I’m talking about shorts that weren’t all that short. “Child,” she’d say, “You’re showing your limbs!” She couldn’t bring herself to say ‘legs’, for reasons I still don’t understand, though I’ve been told that at one time it wasn’t even acceptable to mention piano legs in polite company. Oh, the horror, the shame, of legs! The immorality of showing them! I dismissed her attitude as hopelessly outdated. Little did I know that the entire Muslim population (now a billion and half people) agreed with her.
Tutta’s Take
by Wynette Barton
Hiding female “limbs”, and often faces, was, and still is, their standard code. Is that code about morals, or is it about customs confused with morals? Think of the people who believed slavery was moral, and those who insisted Sunday movie-going was immoral. Some of today’s practices, now imagined to be moral or immoral, are sure to meet similar changes. That doesn’t mean each generation makes morals from scratch. A sense of right and wrong seems to be innate (in all but a very few, thankfully), showing itself even in
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young children; but recognizing basic principles is sometimes obstructed by incessant rule-making. Of course rules are required for living together, but morals are not about rules. They’re about doing no harm, or as little harm as possible, and keeping an eye out for an ultimate good. Is it moral to murder a murderer? Is it moral to let people go hungry, or, on the other hand, to feed them just enough to keep them living in ways or places that are non-productive, perhaps even crippling? Is it moral to make war for anything beyond self protection, or moral NOT to make war against a murderous regime led by someone, say, like Hitler? Is it morally justified to tax parents and non-parents alike for public schools? Or to withhold education
because of a child’s birthplace? As Ray noted, all our problems won’t go away if we wall people out of America. Walls are an easy answer, but not necessarily a moral answer. Remember the cheers when Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!”? Now we’re planning one to keep out the riffraff. I wonder what my seventh great-grandfather would say, the one who came to America uninvited and unannounced. He was part of the riffraff, without enough money for ship’s passage. He paid if off with five years as an indentured servant (like slavery, but with a time limit), and now here I am, an American citizen. I’m glad he came, glad I live here, and glad I don’t have to decide who comes next.
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Page 4
News-Dispatch
Community
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Dripping Springs city secretary strives to connect community and government BY MOSES LEOS III From an early age, native Austinite Andrea Cunningham envisioned playing a role in government. During her high school years, Cunningham served as a volunteer at her local polling station, even though she wasn’t old enough to cast a ballot at the time. She later did a “tiny” bit of work with campaigns for late Gov. Ann Richards and for Kinky Friedman. There was a time when Cunningham held aspirations of possibly running for the County Clerk seat. But Cunningham soon discovered working as a civil servant within government could offer a more lasting impact on citizens. Years later, Cunningham, now city secretary with the city of Dripping Springs, takes pride in giving residents the insight they need to the town they live in. “I love government and I love helping people get the most out of their government, because they pay for us,” Cunningham said. As city secretary, Cunningham fulfills various tasks, which includes receiving and answering public
records manager and municipal court clerk. Cunningham, who graduated with a degree in history, entered the field as an intern with the city of Kyle. There, Cunningham worked with Chief of Staff Jerry Hendrix, who was a “jack of all trades” and introduced her to all levels of a city government. She later obtained a job as an assistant city secretary, followed by becoming city secretary in Kyle before getting hired in Dripping Springs.(I thought she applied for this job but didn’t get it ...) For Cunningham, transparency is her passion, as she seeks to help residents understand and get Andrea Cunningham, Dripping Springs city secretary, was one of our News-Dispatch Citizens of the Year nominees for 2018. the most out of their Read upcoming issues of the News-Dispatch for highlights of government. other nominees. She enjoys the feeling when residents finally understand what is “When someone understands how going on with their things work, they’re more empowered local government and understand how certain to have a say. They are coming from processes work. more solid ground. They’re getting “When someone understands how things their voices heard.” work, they’re more empowered to have a –Andrea Cunningham, Dripping Springs City Secretary say,” Cunningham said. “They are coming from information requests agendas, writing meeting more solid ground. from residents. Other minutes, as well as They’re getting their jobs include crafting working as the city’s voices heard.”
NEWS-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO Above, Luanne Caraway, in her first year as Tax Assessor Collector for Hays County in September of 1994, is surrounded by Hays County Treasurer Michelle Tuttle on the left and County Judge Eddie Etheredge on the right.
Tax Assessor Retires Continued from pg. 1
appointed to the job in May 1994, said the Tax Assessor Collector’s office role has grown along the county it serves. Back then, the office was partially computerized, which led Caraway to learn the intracies of a new digital and existing analog format. While she had experience in property taxes, based on her working as a delinquent tax attorney for nine years beforehand, Caraway had to “lot to learn” on the motor vehicle side. The role of the Tax Assessor Collector includes handling car titles and vehicle registration, among a myriad of other tasks. Eventually, Hays County’s system modernized over the years and has been upgraded a handful of times. Amid the technology changes, Caraway said the staff at the Tax Assessor’s Office has advanced with the teams and has brought the office into the 21st century. In addition, Caraway was also proud to add several substations over
When Caraway started, Hays County had fewer than 80,000 people and there were less than 40,000 accounts on the property tax rolls. Today, the Tax Assessor Collector’s office has close to 100,000 accounts on the rolls for a county that now houses 215,000 people. the years for a growing populace. When she started, Hays County had fewer than 80,000 people and there were less than 40,000 accounts on the property tax rolls. Today, the Tax Assessor Collector’s office has close to 100,000 accounts on the rolls for a county that now houses 215,000 people. “It was a lot of changes all at once. It was huge. But we made it and survived,” Caraway said. One challenge to the job is keeping up with the new laws set by the Legislature every two years. Caraway said she and other Tax Assessor Collectors across the state attend various seminars to stay up-to-date on the
latest rules. Tax Assessor Collectors from across the state also work with legislators to understand what they are doing and how it’s going to impact taxpayers. Ensuring the office is running efficiently while also accommodating for the rapid growth is a continued challenge her predecessor will have to take on, too. That includes trying to keep substations fully staffed as possible, along with offering more options to pay. Even with new technologies, Caraway said some residents are used to dealing with physical transactions and do bring money personally, too. “It’s a job, not just a po-
litical position, that needs a lot of hands-on work,” Caraway said. “We have to pay attention because of the personal liability. This position is liable for every penny that comes through this office.” The job also has had its share of lighter moments over the years. Caraway specifically recalled a resident who made good on his promise to pay his property tax bill in coins as a statement against high taxes. “We were prepared for it,” Caraway said. “We told him the only way to accept it is if it’s in roll coints certified by the bank, and he did it.” While there can be frustrations, as with any job, Caraway said there are many more nice people than mean people to work with. She ultimately credited the efforts of her entire staff for their hard work over the years. “It’s a very rewarding job and I’m glad I’ve been able to do it,” Caraway said. “But I’m looking to spend time with my family and new grandkids.”
Mary Stone, member of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, was one of our News-Dispatch Citizens of the Year nominees for 2018. Read upcoming issues of the News-Dispatch for highlights of other nominees.
Stone continues to fight the good fight BY EXSAR ARGUELLO It is often argued that water is one of humankind’s most precious resource, utilized by all people throughout the globe as a part of a healthy lifestyle. History has shown that Hays County, even when occupied by indigenous populations, is a hub for clean and fresh water. Today, residents across the county consider water as one of the most valuable and vital resources, often in the center of political and civil discussion. Mary Stone, a member of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) board of directors, has committed the last decade of her life protecting the very resource that, at times, is neglected and abused. Stone, whose term expires in 2020, said there is still a lot of work to be done at the water district. With new threats posed on the aquifers at every turn, technology will lead the way to protect the Hill Country’s groundwater. “Every water district needs to be adequately funded so research can be conducted on groundwater research,” Stone said. “Without science, it's difficult to fight your cause. We need good science to support our findings.” Stone said the district is looking into different forms of water storage, including a new practice where water could potentially be transferred from one Aquifer to the next during times of drought, and pumped back when the resource is needed. Additionally, Stone said there is potential for desalination on the east side of I-35, where the groundwater is typically concentrated with high volumes of salt. This could potentially add an additional source of water to the citizenry of Hays County. Vanessa Escobar, the senior regulatory compliance coordinator at the BSEACD, said
“I consider her to be a great mentor, and I am happy to know there is someone in my community who knows how to take reasonable approaches to listen to others and find solutions,” –Vanessa Escobar, the senior regulatory compliance coordinator at the BSEACD
Stone’s commitment to the district is evident through her passion on not just the board of trustees, but various boards she serves on. Throughout her active involvement in Hays County, Stone said she is proud of her work with youth soccer programs for her children, education initiatives and environmental coalitions. “I consider her to be a great mentor, and I am happy to know there is someone in my community who knows how to take reasonable approaches to listen to others and find solutions,” Escobar said. “Mary clearly loves working to help others and that shows through in her dedication to every committee she sits on and every meeting she attends.” Stone said she will continue fighting the good fight to protect the natural resources of Hays County, with focus and intensity. “If we don’t manage our water resources accordingly, what’s going to happen to the next generation of Hays County residents,” Stone said. “It’s all about resource management so we can ensure that those who call this place home can enjoy the natural resources we have grown to love.”
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Sports
Dripping Springs Tiger senior Bobby Holt outpaces the competition during the boys 800-meter run at the Tiger Relays. Holt won the event with a time of 2:02.70.
PHOTO BY ALBERT SANCHEZ
Dripping Springs’ Juan Galindo runs past the Salado goalkeeper en route to scoring a goal at the annual Tiger soccer tournament.
Tigers blank Crockett 2-0 BY SHANE SCHOLWINSKI The Dripping Springs boys soccer team utilized strong defense to upend the Crockett Cougars in a 2-0 shutout Friday. By virtue of the win, Dripping Springs (11-2-7, 6-1-2) is now three points ahead in first place and gathered some breathing room with only a handful of contests remaining. “You can beat or lose to any team in this district and you can see that by
the standings,” Dripping Springs head coach Josh Hill said. “It’s probably the only one in this Austin district that we are in, only sport, that’s this competitive. So, it means a lot (to win).” The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead over the Cougars at the 34:38 minute mark in the first half. A long throw-in from the sideline by Ken Gossett bounced between two players and
PHOTOS BY ALBERT SANCHEZ
Tigers make showing at 23rd annual relays
Dripping Springs Sofia Piccuci explodes out of the blocks in the girls 4x200-meter relay at the Tiger Relays.
Last weekend, more than 15 schools from across Central Texas took to Dripping Springs High for the 23rd annual Tiger Relays. Both Tiger boys and girls teams finished fourth in the meet.
TIGER SOCCER, 6
Dripping Springs Ziva Payer (right) takes the baton from Emma Jones during a transition in the girls 4x200 meter relay event.
Dripping Springs Tiger Avery Kalsu sprints across the finish line in the girls 4x200 meter relay.
Rocked by the Hurricanes PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Dripping Springs’ sophomore Ally Beck is boxed in by Kerrville Tivy’s Katie Harmon (5) and Charli Becker in the 5A Region IV Quarterfinal. The Lady Tigers (25-13) won district (13-1) and the Area playoff game but their season ended with a 68-26 loss to Tivy. Below, senior Kennedy Donovan wipes away tears after the Lady Tigers’ bitter loss.
Antlers prove too much for Tigers STAFF REPORT Four Kerrville Tivy Antler players in double figures Feb. 19 proved too much for the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers basketball team to overcome in a 68-26 Regional Quarterfinal loss at Llano High. Dripping Springs (2513) was unable to limit Tivy’s powerful offense, which hit 55 percent of their shots from the field. Tivy (37-1), which over the weekend advanced to the UIL state tournament in San Antonio, limited Dripping Springs to ten total field goals in the contest. Dripping Springs shot 25 percent from the field in the game and was
out-rebounded 31-17. Tigers Ally Beck and Caroline Gamble led the team with eight points each, while Kennedy Donovan had four assists.
Buzzer-beater ends Tiger season in heartbreak BY MOSES LEOS III Finding the words to describe a wild week of emotions was a bit difficult for Dripping Springs Tiger senior post Nick Statz Friday. On one hand was the thrill of celebrating a last-second Feb. 19 bi-district round win over Boerne Champion with his teammates. On the other was watching Sam Houston Hurricane guard Bralyn Sanchez bank a desperation halfcourt buzzer-beating bucket to end the Tigers’ season in a 45-43 area round heartbreaker. While it wasn’t an ideal way to finish the season, Statz said defying low expectations at the start of the year far surpassed a tough ending. “No one expected us to make the playoffs. Getting there, that was a big deal,” Statz said. “But the buzzer beater last week (against Champion), I now know what they’re going through. That’s the way it goes.” Dripping Springs (239) overcame a plethora of first half struggles to rally
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back and attain a lead late in the final quarter. At the center of Dripping Springs’ comeback was bypassing a speedy Hurricane defense that harried the Tigers for the majority of the contest. Craig Swannack, Dripping Springs head coach, said playing a slower pace of basketball, which was the Tigers’ style, led to success in the second half. A key attribute the
TIGER HOOPS, 7
PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK, WFOTOS.COM
Dripping Springs’ senior Nick Statz, listed at 6’9”, goes up for a shot off the backboard as Sam Houston’s Raymond Citizen tries in vain to block the shot. A buzzer-beater 3-point shot won the game for the Hurricanes 45-43. Statz put up 11 points for the Tigers.
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Thomas Bewick’s wren is a friendly little bird BY JERRY HALL
Bewick’s Wren
Wrens are members of a major bird family which contains over 60 species, mostly concentrated in Central and South America. There are no wrens in Alaska or Hawaii. There are some 10 types of wrens in the continental U.S., including rock, marsh, canyon, house, Pacific, Bewick’s, winter, cactus, sedge and Carolina. In our area, the Bewick’s (pronounced Buick’s like the car) is a common species. It
is a far-ranging little bird, being found in all the western states, including most areas of Texas except for East Texas and the upper coast, where it is quite rare. Brown above and white below, the Bewick’s wren has a long white-edged tail. When irritated, it has a buzzy call which has been compared to an “old-fashioned Bronx cheer.” I confess I have never heard this vocalization. Insects, spiders and other invertebrates are this bird’s favorite foods. The
Tiger Soccer: Tigers tame Crockett
female generally lays from five to seven whitish eggs, flecked with brown. This wren was named by John James Audubon after Thomas Bewick, an English engraver who worked on Audubon’s famous bird prints. A friendly little bird, it is not shy of nesting around humans and takes up residence in open mail boxes, flower pots and about any handy cavity or crevice. If you have a bird nesting in a cast-off cowboy boot, it could well be the Bewick’s wren.
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Continued from pg. 5
into the middle of the box, where Dripping Springs’ Ethan Roberts placed a header towards the back post. “You see so many of those long throws, you know the first two guys challenge they almost negate each other or take each other out,” said Hill. “The ball just ends up going to the back post. I told Ethan, ‘go to the back post,’ and he was right there and headed it in.” Dripping Springs’ next goal didn’t come until the final minutes of the game as junior Max Gonzales broke away and scored on a counter-attack at the 6:55 minute mark in the second half. “When I was running, I was looking and the keeper was moving more to the left side of the goal, so I just opened up my foot and hit it back post.” Gonzales said. Attacking the goal was
“You can beat or lose to any team in this district and you can see that by the standings. It’s probably the only one in this Austin district that we are in, only sport, that’s this competitive. So, it means a lot (to win).” –Josh Hill, Dripping Springs head soccer coach
a big part of Dripping Springs game plan and dominated Crockett by out-shooting the Cougars 27-2, with 14-1 shots on goal, during the match. Hill credits the Tigers with putting themselves in good positions to score with a lot of corners and set pieces. While the Tiger offense was rolling, the defense was just as good as they prevented the Cougars from scoring opportunities and gave up their only shot on goal in the second half. Hill said that he was impressed with the play
of his back four defenders during the match and applauds them for the shutout performance. “We have a really great back four,” said Hill. “Sometimes our midfield, we look slow sometimes, and sometimes we are vulnerable I guess defensively. But our back four really really is solid, and if we can keeping having shutouts like this that’s good.” Dripping Springs returns home March 5 when it hosts Lockhart. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Continued from pg. 1
Part of the recommended ordinance change would require STR owners to reapply for their CUP every year, in conjunction with the yearly fee to keep the permit. 300 STR are operating in the city out of compliance. But according to the same findings, the city has approved 52 CUPs, including 24 grandfathered properties since 2004. Bowen said the numbers of STR out of compliance is severely inflated. Mayor Pro Tem Gary Barchfeld supported purchasing the software at the Feb. 21 council meeting as it could bring those STR into compliance with city’s ordinances. City leaders originally voted to purchase the software in December 2018, but the company that the city contracted with was bought out by Host Compliance, prompting the item to return. Precedent may prove ordinance change unconstitutional However, Bowen questions the validity of the proposed ordinance changes. The Texas Supreme Court sided with STR in the Tarr v. Timberwood Park case in May 2018, a ruling that could affect the outcome of Austin’s STR ordinances case, which is currently held up at the Third Court of Appeals. High ranking Texas officials have also supported STR owners. Following the Tarr case rulling, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urged the Texas Appeals Court to declare Austin’s STR ordinance unconstitutional. “City governments do not have the authority to trample Texas constitutional rights and protections for property owners and their guests,” Paxton
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DONUT SHOP FOR SALE Small town Donut Shop for sale by owner. Contact Al at 806-939-6362.
EMPLOYMENT Schneider Hiring Party – March 8 & 9, 10 a.m. 5 p.m., Houston Community College, 555 Community College Dr., Houston. Learn about Schneider driving opportunities; food and prizes. RSVP: schneiderjobs. com/events. Contact: Joe at 713-882-1081.
EVENTS
Wimberley STR: Proposed rule change proposed changes, criticizing the city’s motives as a means to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. “You cannot treat longterm renters different than short-term ones, and that’s a constitutional issue we’re seeing all over the state,” Bowen said. “What these ordinance changes do is constitute unequal treatment to people who have equal rights under the law, and the courts have been on our side with this.” Part of the ordinance change includes strict requirements for bed and lodging STR, such as prohibiting on-street parking and requiring two parking spaces plus additional space per room rented. More than two hours of the Feb. 13 Wimberley Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was spent discussing the proposed ordinance change as outlined on the agenda. Tony Jenkins, an STR owner in the city, was one of the many local business owners who urged the P&Z, city council and the STR Committee to not go through with the changes. “This feels like an overreach by someone with deeper pockets and a vendetta against competition,” Jenkins said. “Wimberley’s main industry is tourism and it only makes sense that the working families who live here are able to benefit from that.” Albert Valera, chair of the STR Committee, refuted those claims at the committee meetings in the past, citing the intent of the ordinance changes is to bring citizens into compliance, not to discourage competition. “This is not an attempt to stomp out people or single out people and say you’ve broken the law,” Valera said at an STR Committee meeting earlier this month. “It’s actually an attempt to encourage compliance and discourage non-compliance.” On Feb. 21, Wimberley city leaders approved to enter into a contract with Host Compliance for STR software that has a price tag of $19,000. The approval, while controversial, is in direct response to the city’s finding that around 200 to
TexSCAN Week of February 24, 2019
said in a press release after the case. “The city of Austin’s short-term rental ordinance is not only bad policy but also unlawful and must be struck down.” Bowen said the city is putting the cart before the horse in the midst of a legal battle over STR that she predicts could play out in higher courts.
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Classifieds
Thursday, February 28, 2019
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Public Notices PUBLIC NOTICE
By order of the Hays County Commissioners Court, notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 9 AM in the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio Street, San Marcos, Texas, the Hays County Commissioner’s Court will hold a public hearing to consider: Replat of Lot 75, Resubdivision of The River Oaks Ranch Phase One establishing Lot 75A.
Page 7
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from sale. Property may be sold by the space. Property being sold includes contents in spaces of following tenants, with brief description of contents in each space. Saturday, March 9, 2019 12:00 pm AAA Self Storage Dripping Springs at 2300 W. US Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620. www.SelfStorageAuction.com Richard Flores: Misc. items. Richard Flores: Misc. items. avis Farrell: Misc. items.
Pursuant to Chapter 59 of the Texas Property Code, TJO 10 X 10 Management, Ltd Managing properties listed below will hold a public auction of property being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The sale will begin on or about the time indicated at each selfstorage facility listed. Property will be sold to highest bidder for cash. Deposit for removal and cleanup may be temporarily required. Seller reserves the right to reject any bid and to withdraw property
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Continued from pg. 5 Tigers talked about was playing under control as Sam Houston was “going to speed us up,” Swannack said. That was easier said than done, however, as Sam Houston utilized an aggressive press-style defense to force 19 Tiger turnovers in the game. Letting their playmakers make plays, as well as staying patient and feeding 6-foot, 9-inch Statz in the post, allowed the Tigers to whittle down a 25-21 halftime deficit, Swannack said. “They tried to make us play out of control. You saw a bit of that early on. We rushed a few shots, but once we settled down, we did a good job,” Swannack said. Dripping Springs outscored Sam Houston 11-6 in the third frame, carried
by several key buckets from senior Enzo Arnold and juniors Trace Young and Xavier Phillips. While the Tigers fell apart before halftime, Statz said the team pulled together to get back into contention. Statz cited the experience Dripping Springs had during its tough district slate. Statz and Arnold both finished with a team-high 11 points. “We just had to pull it back and slow it down,” Statz said. Those efforts gave the Tigers a 43-41 advantage with less than two minutes left. But several key Tiger miscues down the stretch, as well as a key Hurricane free throw, cut the Tiger lead to 43-42 and gave Sam Houston life late in the contest. That set the
stage for Sanchez, who in three dribbles got to mid-court and banked the game winning shot off of the backboard. Despite the last-second loss, Swannack was proud of his team’s efforts and continued progress of the program. For the third straight year, Dripping Springs’ boys basketball team not only made the postseason, but also made it past the bidistrict round. Swannack credited the foundation built by the senior class and what he said is “probably one of the most unselfish teams I’ve coached.” “There were a few mistakes, but these guys are an amazing group of young men,” Swannack said. “I’m proud of their fight and what they’ve done.”
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News-Dispatch
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Education
DSISD hires new chief financial officer SUBMITTED REPORT
On Feb. 25, the Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Superintendent Bruce Gearing’s recommendation of Scott Drillette as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. Drillette has more than 15 years of experience in educational admin-
istration, including a year in his current role as Manor ISD’s Chief Financial Officer. PreviDRILLETTE ously, he was the superintendent of Brock ISD for three years, after serving as the district’s CFO for a
year. Drillette served in several other capacities in Brock ISD including assistant superintendent, athletic director, and high school principal. Prior to arriving in Brock, he had been a teacher then an assistant principal in Aledo ISD. He started his career in education as a math teacher at two Texas school districts, and also spent eight years in private business.
In his position at Dripping Springs ISD, Drillette will be the district’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition to managing DSISD business and financial services, he will develop the annual district budget. The position oversees support functions such as Human Resources, Transportation, Community Services, Facilities and Construction, and Child Nutrition.
Drillette received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tarleton State University. “The Tiger Nation is excited to welcome Mr. Scott Drillette to our family,” said Gearing. “He brings a wealth of experience in multiple roles, strong expertise in
Registration for Kindergarten, Pre-K begins in March SUBMITTED REPORT
Registration for Kindergarten and Pre-K students entering Dripping Springs ISD schools in the fall 2019 is now underway. Parents should go online to complete the first portion of the enrollment process by March 15, 2019. See www.dsisdtx. us/registration for instructions and the online link; new kindergarten/pre-K students should look for “New Families” under Step 2. On March 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and March 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., parents should visit the campus their child will be attending to complete the process by presenting required documents. Kindergartners must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to be registered for the 2019-20 school year. Families enrolling in the tuition-based Pre-K program will be entered into a lottery to determine if they are placed at the campus of their choice. Enrollment assignments are not given on a firstcome, first-served basis. According to district officials, there is no advantage to lining up early in the morning to secure a Pre-K “spot” at the campus of choice. For both kindergarten and pre-K students, the following documents should be brought to the in-person registration day: • Proof of residency (electric bill and copy of lease/warranty
deed/property tax statement with homestead exemption listed) • Parent/guardian photo ID • Child’s certified birth certificate • Immunization record • Child’s Social Security card DSISD offers three types of Pre-K for children who will be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2019. See the pre-K webpage for complete information. • Tuition-based for district residents • Free for qualified children, based on at least one of the following documents: Language proficiency assessment administered by the district; Pay stubs, tax return statements, verification of
enrollment in a state/ federal program such as SNAP or Medicaid; Statement of Residence-homeless classification; Verification of parental enrollment in the armed forces; Verification of the child being in conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; Verification of parental employment as a peace office, firefighter, or emergency medical first responder. • Tuition-based for outof-district residents (limited capacity) Kindergarten and Pre-K students are assigned to a campus based on the district’s attendance zone boundaries. The Address Look-Up feature on the district website directs users to the correct campus.
DSISD students recognized at Regional Science Festival SUBMITTED REPORT Several Dripping Springs ISD students were honored at the 2019 Austin Energy Regional Science Festival. In the Junior/Senior division, Dripping Springs High students Tucker Sawyer and Alfredo Salazar’s projects, “Cars to Water,” won first place in the Engineering Mechanics division. In addition, the team also won three special awards: the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award, the Tyrex Group Award, and the Superintendent’s Award. Tucker and Alfredo will advance to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University March 29-30. Many elementary students also entered projects in the regional event. Eleven students won first-place awards: Allen Kundukulangara
Other Students New to the District Other than Kindergarten/PreK: Most of the registration process for students new to the district can be done online, but will still be completed at campuses. In-person registration completion/document drop-off dates at elementary and middle schools are Tuesday, June 4 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Thursday, Aug. 1 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). New high school students should make an appointment with the counseling department during the weeks of June 17-20, July 30-Aug. 2, and other dates as needed. Call 512.858.3109 or 512-858-3129 to make an appointment.
business and finance, and a positive mindset to the table. We look forward to working with Scott to build upon our legacy of excellence in Dripping Springs ISD.” Drillette will begin his new responsibilities at DSISD in late March. Currently Kay Kizziar is serving as the interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations.
Second D.S. High School Continued from pg. 1
in navigating and equalizing the rezoning process. Community buy-in was an initial challenge felt by Rockwall ISD when it opened Rockwall-Heath High, the district’s second high school, said Tom Maglisceau, RISD Chief Student Services Officer. “You have an entire community that grew up and went to that high school and then comes this second school,” said Maglisceau. “We don’t get the attendance at our games than at Rockwall High. That’s something our fans note.” Rachel Sashen, an area resident with students in Dripping Springs ISD, said hearing all possible options for solving the high school issue was helpful. However, Sashen said she didn’t prefer Allen High’s mega-school solution for DSISD, based on overcrowding issues. While she sees both sides of the one versus multiple schools argument, Sashen said tax base and growth patterns are primary factors that could impact the discussion. Allan McAiden, who has had students attend DSISD in the past, said the district is “smart in getting ahead of the growth” and considering its options. McAiden said he leaned toward a
“This is probably a 100-year community decision. What happens at the end of this process will determine how this community grows for a long time. We want to get it right as much as possible.” –Bruce Gearing, Dripping Springs ISD Superintendent
second high school with smaller student populations, citing benefits for students and staff. Gearing said his preference was a second high school for DSISD; Gearing said smaller high schools are “better educationally” for students. However, Gearing said the next year could allow community members to think creatively. “I’m glad we have a year to go through and think about what those options are for this generation and the next generation, our grandkids and greatgrandkids,” Sashen said.
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