• GENERAL QUESTIONS


    Question 1

    Please outline your top three goals, objectives, or issues for your campaign—the reasons why you are running for Dripping Springs ISD School Board.

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "Listening to our community which includes parent and students, teachers and our businesses;

    working together to make sure we are building the best school district for our children and serving the needs of our students;

    working to address bullying in a meaningful away across each campus and ensuring the emotional wellness of our children.

     

    I am always willing to listen to our parents, our students and our community to solve the problems before us."

    Rob Satterfield

    "My top three campaign objectives are to increase fiscal responsibility & accountability, improve transparency and communication and create the safest possible schools for our children. I am advocating for a bond oversight committee (BOC) with diverse membership with no conflicts of interest. I am also advocating for an unbiased comprehensive safety assessment of all existing facilities, as well as, all proposed new facilities. The assessment will involve multiple branches of law enforcement and can be utilized to create clear budget goals and plans in regards to safety."

  • Question 2

    According to Dripping Springs ISD's March 2019 PASA report: among Texas school districts with greater than 5,000 students, Dripping Springs ISD has the 6th lowest share of students who are economically disadvantaged, but only ranks 15th among those same school districts in 2017-2018 STARR passage rates.

     

    What will you do to improve the quality of our children's education and close this performance gap?

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "We need to have a greater focus on the student. We may not believe or agree in the testing but we do need to prepare our students in taking the test. I am NOT an advocate of "teaching to the test" but rather preparing the student to do their best, remain calm, read carefully and answer the questions before them. To me it is no different in preparing for the SAT or LSAT but in a more succinct shortened timeline."

    Rob Satterfield

    "STAAR passage rates are only one performance indicator that should be considered when evaluating the quality of our children’s education. Consistent growth over time is another excellent indicator. The high turnover in DSISD creates lack of continuity which can negatively impact student performance. To remain competitive and provide the best possible learning environment that supports future long-term success of students, we must recruit and retain educators that desire to grow and innovate. We must evaluate and implement teaching methods that improve performance and increase productivity."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

  • Question 3

    Regarding the Dripping Springs ISD School Board and how it operates and conducts its business, what do you believe is the biggest change that is needed?

    Kara Mayfield

    "The community needs to understand how best to communicate to the board and we need improvement in listing to the community, the whole community. We need to find ways to get the majority of the community involved in DSISD input and decisions and not just those attending the board meetings. We need to find creative ways to encourage feedback to the district and to the board because the majority of the community never attends a board meeting."

    Rob Satterfield

    "Our school board must communicate it’s vision clearly and openly in many different venues so that stakeholders know and understand what the future growth options are. Over time, with clear and open communication our district can unite and reach broad consensus in future growth plans. All stakeholder input and feedback must be welcomed, included and valued in the decision making process. We must also guard against over-taxing, over-spending and excessive debt. The decisions board members make now will impact our students and community for many years to come."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

  • FISCAL QUESTIONS

     

    Question 4

    In 2017-2018, Dripping Springs ISD's General Fund expenditures exceeded receipts by $2.3 million, and expenditures are expected to exceed receipts by an increased $2.7 million in the 2018-2019 budget year.

     

    In fact, the 2018-2019 official budget states that "three year projections indicate the district will continue to face deficit budgets."

     

    During this time of historically-high appraisal values, do you find these budget deficits to be of concern?

     

    Would you allow for continued deficit spending, or would you insist on balanced budgets?

    Rob Satterfield

    "The budget deficits of the last several years, as well as, the three year projections for continued budget deficits are alarming. This is a trend that must be reversed. We must insist on operating with a balanced budget. This can be accomplished by combing through existing expenditures to find ways to lower expenses to come in below budget so that we can actually use budget surpluses to pay down debt at a faster rate. In the not so distant past, DSISD had millions in savings instead of debt. As we grow, it becomes even more critical to trim the fat and grow responsibly."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "We need to look at all aspects of the budget with an open mind yet seeking creative solutions. There are many factors that go in to a budget when dealing with public schools but the goal should be balancing the budget. With that being said, we should never cut funding that impacts our students and we need to find ways to maintain and seek out high quality teachers and teacher aides. People and students are the most important aspect of our district."

  • Question 5

    The compensation of Dripping Springs ISD teachers lags behind many area districts. In fact, at the June 2018 Tax Rate Public Meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Elaine Cogburn acknowledged (discussion at 1:46:20) that DSISD is "still way behind [other area districts] on health insurance" compensation for teachers and staff.

     

    DSISD's uncompetitive compensation is driving away dozens of high-performing teachers each year—because they cannot afford to live within DSISD, which necessitates burdensome and discouraging commutes.

     

    In order to stop this talent drain, DSISD must direct additional funding to students and teachers in the classroom, including increasing teacher compensation.

     

    In order to increase teacher compensation, will you seek new dollars primarily in the form of additional tax revenues, or will you primarily work to re-prioritize DSISD's current expenditures?

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "We need to look at all options to hire and maintain the best teachers."

    Rob Satterfield

    "To stop the talent drain and attract new talent, DSISD must direct additional funding to students and teachers in the classroom by primarily working to re-prioritize current expenditures. High performing teachers should be rewarded with increased compensation to
    encourage them to remain in the district creating consistency and building a strong culture. If the current tax and spending trend continues our teachers, clergy, first responders, law enforcement professionals and other hard working tax payers will not be able to afford to live in the district."

  • Question 6

    To ensure our community's tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, would you support moving DSISD to, or incorporating components of, modified zero-based or performance-based budgeting instead of the current practices of (primarily) line-item and (secondarily and minimally) program-based budgeting?

     

    If you are unfamiliar, here is some information on these budget practices.

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "The line-item budgeting practice currently being used most often by DSISD offers many advantages. It’s straightforward, simple to administer, and readily understood by school board members, district employees and citizens. The other three types of budgets each have unique advantages and disadvantages. The zero-based budgeting format is intriguing. I would like to evaluate it further to determine if components could be successfully implemented. Zero-based budgeting requires all departments to show various levels of service that could be provided with different levels of funding."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

  • Question 7

    To ensure our community's tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, would you support an independent, third-party efficiency audit of Dripping Springs ISD's finances?

    Kara Mayfield

    "I am willing to consider an audit but audits just like elections are very expensive and I personally need to be ensured the use of those funds is necessary. Using funds for such activities means taking funds away from another much needed source. But with that being
    said, I am always willing to look at all the facts to make the best and informed decision to determine if an audit is needed."

    Rob Satterfield

    "I wholeheartedly support an independent, third party efficiency audit of DSISD’s finances to ensure our community’s hard earned tax dollars are used effectively and efficiently. The audit would provide independent and objective insight, analysis, and recommendations on improving efficiency. The audit would greatly assist DSISD’s administration and board of trustees with long-range growth planning. Although this service will come at a financial expense to tax payers, it will ultimately save money because we will perform with greater efficiency and productivity."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

  • Question 8

    DSISD's Long Range Facilities Planning Committee is currently discussing whether DSISD should become a multiple high school district or remain with one high school. If remaining a one high school district, creating a 9th OR 9th and 10th grade center is being discussed. Such a center is also being discussed to delay the cost and construction of an entirely new second high school.

     

    As the 2018 Bond FAQs acknowledged that the current Walnut Springs Elementary ("WSE") is nearly 40% too large for its current planned use as a combined Administration and Day Care facility, do you believe that the current Walnut Springs Elementary would be better used for a 9th OR 9th and 10th grade center instead of the planned Administration and Daycare facility?

     

    Does it affect your opinion knowing that the relocation of WSE ($34.7 million), upgrade of Dripping Springs Middle School septic for the adjacent addition of a new WSE campus (nearly $1 million), and renovation of current WSE ($4.1 million) will cost DSISD’s taxpayers a total of nearly $40 million?

    Rob Satterfield

    "A new admin and child care facility is an over reach at this time. It’s best to delay improvements on admin buildings. Relocating the admin building at WSES and then rebuilding WSES will cost hard working tax payers over $40 million. We will not add any student capacity and administrators will have a building that is 40% underutilized. Providing for the needs of a growing student population should be the focus. The 2018 bond did not adequately provide for the growth in elementary student population. The 2018 bond also missed the mark on the growth in the middle school student population."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "What has been passed in a previous bond would be extremely difficult to change and we need to respect the voters. But with that being said, the board should always look at all possible options to improve our schools and our school district while also being cost conscious. We have a great community and need as many ideas brought to the table as possible so each option can be evaluated and weighed as to what makes the most sense for DSISD."

  • Question 9

    Do you support or oppose using the current Administration Building campus's land—the former High School—for a Town Center with nearly 128,000 square foot of new and modern, multi-story government offices and retail?

     

    Or would that land be better used for school facilities?

     

    Or should it be sold for private-sector development?

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "I am opposed to using any district resources to fund Town Center projects. Any proposal to use the district’s land resources for anything other than educating our children should be financed by those outside entities. In addition to financing all development, they should be locked into long term lease agreements in order to ensure a net gain for the district. If a private-sector developer proposal to purchase the district owned land aligns with the long term growth goals and objectives of the district, I would consider it carefully."

  • Question 10

    In the past 8 years, taxes levied by DSISD on an average residence have increased by nearly 50%.

     

    Who is responsible for those tax increases: the Central Appraisal District or the DSISD School Board?

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "The Central Appraisal District is mandated by the state budget to raise property values to a certain level each year. All of us need to be working with the State Legislature, our elected Representative and State Senator as well as leadership to make sure public education is
    funded because currently it is falling on the local homeowner to fund our public schools.
    Although HB 3 does address school finance, I have been told by members of the legislature the line item in the budget will not change and there will be an increase each year of the bienniumas to what CAD's are required to raise property val[...]."

    Rob Satterfield

    "The governing body of each taxing unit decides whether property taxes increase. The Central Appraisal District (CAD) simply assigns property values. Local taxing entities are solely responsible for their own budgets. They control their own revenue, spending, debt and taxation through the adoption of tax rates. Our property tax burden is decided by our locally elected officials and all tax inquires should be directed to those officials, not the CAD. In the case of DSISD taxes, the superintendent and DSISD board of trustees are responsible for the 50% tax increases over the past 8 years."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

  • Question 11

    In 2011, the total taxable value of all properties in DSISD was $2,551,630,435, and in 2018, that total taxable value was $5,138,518,108. That’s an increase by more than double, an increase of 101.4%.

     

    In 2011, DSISD’s student enrollment was approximately 4,500 students, and in 2018, that enrollment numbered approximately 6,500 students. That’s an increase of less than 50%, an increase of 44.4%.

     

    Accordingly, DSISD’s revenue base (total taxable property value) has been increasing at nearly 2.3 times the rate of student growth over the past eight years.

     

    Recognizing this disparity, instead of continuing to increase the effective tax rate every year, should the DSISD School Board instead be offering homeowners tax relief by cutting the effective property tax rate?

     

    Source

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "I support adopting a conservative fiscal policy that does not hold tax payers hostage to servicing massive amounts of debt. It is irresponsible to shackle future generations with unnecessary debt. We must make wise and responsible financial decisions that balance both the near and long term financial interests and well being of our children. DSISD cannot tax its way out of recapture. As the district’s population and student enrollment grows, so does the total taxable value of all property within the district. Balancing the revenue base growth and the student enrollment growth is extremely important."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

  • TRANSPARENCY QUESTIONS

     

    Question 12

    As previously mentioned, DSISD's Long Range Facilities Planning Committee is currently discussing whether DSISD should become a multiple high school district or remain with only one high school campus.

     

    While a two high school district has been previously discussed, Superintendent Gearing recently began recommending that DSISD become a three high school district.

     

    Which path do you support?

     

    Why?

    Rob Satterfield

    "I support a fiscally responsible long term plan for secondary growth that includes options with renderings and budgets. Exploring the option of a 9th grade feeder school now at the cost $30 million allows our community to remain a one high school town for as long as possible and could potentially save us $100 million dollars. I support an approach that tracks actual student population growth and allows for a staged implementation plan which will not spend hard earned tax dollars unnecessarily. I support building modest facilities that are safe & support a positive learning environment."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

  • Question 13

    Through the public information request of a communication between Superintendent Gearing and the current DSISD School Board, CEEDS became aware that DSISD is attempting to transfer the Travis County portions of DSISD to Lake Travis ISD.

     

    These taxpayers and their children have been members of Dripping Springs ISD since its 1940 founding and chose to remain within DSISD in its 1981 split with Lake Travis ISD.

     

    DSISD has not publicly communicated to anyone, including the affected property owners, that these discussions are underway.

     

    Should the affected Travis County property owners have already been notified?

     

    If not, at what point should they be notified?

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "I believe in full transparency. I believe tax payers/stakeholders should be notified and included in major decisions such as this from the very beginning."

  • Question 14

    Less than one month after the May 2018 DSISD School Board Election, a DSISD School Board Trustee resigned.

     

    Rather than holding a new election, the DSISD School Board opted to appoint her replacement, and conducted the interviews and selection in a secret/closed meeting outside of the public’s view.

     

    The DSISD School Board's public discussion and unanimous vote to fill this Trustee vacancy lasted only one minute at the special public/open meeting for this matter.

     

    In the event of a future vacancy on the DSISD School Board, do you believe that vacancy should be filled by an election or an appointment?

     

    If an appointment, should that be a secret/closed or public/open process?

     

    Please note that the DSISD School Board can hold elections every six months, in both May and November.

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "I believe in full transparency. If, in the future, the DSISD School Board knows and understands that someone will be resigning their seat on the board, I believe the community would be best served by the vacancy being filled by holding a public election. If, in the future, a school board vacancy is filled by appointment, I believe a public/open process is best in order to promote transparency and inclusiveness."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

  • Question 15

    In light of recent news coverage regarding conflicts of interest of Dripping Springs’ local elected officials, please disclose and describe any possible financial, property, or employment conflicts of interest—for yourself, your spouse, either of your employers, or you or your spouse’s parents or children—that could bring into question your actions as a Trustee on the DSISD School Board.

     

    In compliance with Chapter 171 of the Texas Local Government Code relating to conflicts of interest, will you file conflict statements prior to any vote affecting these potential conflicts of interests and abstain from any vote or discussion on such matters, including during secret/closed session?

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "My heart and desire is to serve the students and staff in our district. I have no ambitions beyond that. I don’t have any conflicts of interest in this district."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

  • ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS

     

    Question 16

    Bond oversight committees help to increase community participation, foster transparency, and ensure that the Bond is implemented as promised to taxpayers, including holding school employees, architects, and contractors accountable, such as staying on time and on budget.

     

    Instead of allowing only school employees, architects, and contractors to oversee the details of Bond expenditures as is current practice in DSISD (compensation for all of these parties being directly tied to the expenditure of our tax dollars/Bond funds), would you support the creation of a citizen-led DSISD Bond Oversight Committee as is common in many other area school districts, such as Hays Consolidated and Eanes ISDs?

    Rob Satterfield

    "I support the creation of a citizen-led DSISD Bond Oversight Committee (BOC). It increases community participation and fiscal accountability, protects the district and builds trust. A recent example that highlights the need for a BOC involves the May 2014 Bond. In May of 2014, voters approved a $92,410,000 bond referendum that included funding for SSE, SSMS, the stadium and expansion of the high school locker room facilities. After the bond was awarded, approximately $10 million was diverted away from schools & locker rooms and reallocated for a field house and press box improvements."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

  • Question 17

    The $132 million May 2018 Bond was the most expensive in DSISD History. In just 2 ½ to 3 years later (November 2020 or May 2021), DSISD is planning to put forward an even larger $400 million Bond.

     

    In the interest of public accountability, do you believe DSISD should place one large, omnibus $400 million Bond on the ballot or instead put forward several smaller project-specific Bond propositions that would provide voters with greater opportunity to decide which components they are willing or able to pay for?

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "I am in favor of smaller project-specific bond propositions with clear plans for future growth including renderings and budgets. If there is a clear long-term plan with broad consensus for total district growth it becomes much easier to put forward several smaller project-specific bond propositions that work toward gradually accomplishing goals. As the district truly grows, each of these steps forward can be re-evaluated to meet the district’s greatest needs at that time."

  • Question 18

    In June of 2018, the current DSISD School Board voted to give Superintendent Gearing a five year contract extension; however, DSISD Trustees’ terms are only three years.

     

    Recognizing that five years is nearly two full terms, and in the interest of public accountability, should the DSISD School Board have limited the Superintendent’s contract extension to no more than three years?

     

    Please explain.

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "Allowing for superintendent contract term lengths that are longer than DSISD trustee term lengths do not necessarily present public accountability concerns. Historically, our school board trustees have served multiple consecutive three year terms. The main reason for approving longer contract extensions is to lock in high performing superintendents with proven results in order to keep them from being recruited away by other school districts. Additionally, the length of a high performing superintendent’s tenure contributes to a consistent vision that makes a positive impact on performance."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

  • Question 19

    In response to many errors and misadministration by DSISD and Hays County Elections in the May 2018 Bond Election (including DSISD effectively disenfranchising Travis County voters and mis-assigned school districts for dozens of DSISD taxpayers in the Driftwood area) and an improper recount, CEEDS filed a Election Contest against DSISD.

     

    In response, DSISD counter-sued CEEDS, which expedited the legal proceedings, increased legal costs to taxpayers (for both CEEDS and DSISD—DSISD spending our tax dollars), and would have required CEEDS to post a $3 million forfeitable bond in order to properly litigate the case along standard timelines.

     

    DSISD lawyers even knowingly scheduled the trial for a date that DSISD School Board President Carrie Kroll—one of CEEDS's key witnesses—would be on an Alaskan vacation and accordingly unable to be present for trial. DSISD lawyers did not inform CEEDS’s attorney of Kroll’s planned absence until her lawyers volunteered that her impending departure flight, on the very same evening as her deposition, required that the deposition be conducted quickly—this being just a few days before the scheduled trial.

     

    While DSISD ultimately prevailed in the consolidated and expedited legal proceedings, CEEDS believes DSISD did so only through legal maneuver and loophole—not on the merits.

     

    In fact, in a PIR communication to the DSISD School Board dated December 2018 regarding the transfer of the Travis County portions of DSISD to Lake Travis ISD, Superintendent Gearing recognized that an “election issue” continues to exist for the Travis County portions of DSISD—one of the primary issues raised in CEEDS's Election Contest.

     

    Further, during the course of these legal proceedings, DSISD spent $456,963.53 on high-priced San Antonio attorneys from the largest law firm in Texas, while the costs to DSISD for holding the original election were only $5,864.87.

     

    In the event that the outcome of a future Bond Election comes into question, would you support counter-suits against taxpayers and costly legal proceedings, or would you advocate for holding a new election in order to achieve a clear and definite outcome?

     

    Additionally, please speak to what, if anything, DSISD should have done differently following the questionable passage of the May 2018 Bond by a margin of less than 1% and upon learning that taxpayers called for a recount and filed an Election Contest.

    Kara Mayfield

    DNR

    Rob Satterfield

    "We must ensure that DSISD is conducting fair and legal elections in order to achieve clear and definitive outcomes. I don’t have enough specific information concerning the election contest lawsuit to give a fully informed answer to this question. The less than 1% margin in the passage of the May 2018 bond indicates the district lacked broad community support for the bond. It serves the best interest of the community when bonds are only put forth when they are known to have broad community consensus. I am advocating for a bond process that is transparent, inclusive and options driven."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

  • CLOSING QUESTION

     

    Question 20

    In light of the preceding questions, is there anything else that you would like DSISD voters to know about you or your campaign? Thank you for participating in our survey.

    Rob Satterfield

    "This survey asked many thought provoking questions. Although the questions were long and my responses were limited to only 600 characters, this survey provided an opportunity to offer insight and information that will hopefully help voters to be more informed about who I am and how I think. Please feel free to go to www.robsatterfield.com to learn more about me and my qualifications. My desire is to use my gifts to serve the students of this community."

    Joanna Day

    DNR

    Marisa Grijalva

    DNR

    Kara Mayfield

    "Unfortunately, there was not enough time given to the candidates to answer all of these questions and I do apologize not all 20 questions were answered by me. I encourage you to seek out other publications that requested candidate answers including Community Impact, Dripping Springs Century News and the DSISD website under Candidates.

     

    I look forward to working with everyone in this community and evaluating all the questions posed. I am dedicated to making sure we are working with all the children of the district, seeking the best staff for our children and being good stewards of the taxpayers monies"