During its Sept. 3 meeting, the Board of Trustees agenda included:
- “Leander ISD 2037” Launches Plan for the District’s Next Decade
- Spotlight on Learning: Early Childhood Continuum
- Board Reflects on Role in Professional Learning Communities
- Hiring Announcement: Bagdad Elementary Principal
The Board will meet next for a meeting Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.
“Leander ISD 2037” Launches Plan for the District’s Next Decade
🎬 7.B.1. Discussion of Civic Solutions Group (CSG) Work and Engagement Timeline
At its Sept. 3 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees received an introduction to Leander ISD 2037, a comprehensive future-focused planning process designed to help the district navigate changing enrollment, financial pressures and the evolving needs of students and families.
The process, facilitated in partnership with Civic Solutions Group (CSG), will bring together district data and extensive community input to establish shared priorities and create a 10-year roadmap for Leander ISD.
District leaders emphasized that there are no predetermined outcomes. Instead, the process is designed to surface concerns, test assumptions, reveal possibilities and improve decision-making as the district plans for the next decade.
The first phase of work this fall will focus on priority development, including engagement with Trustees, staff, families, students and community members. Priorities are expected to be brought back to the Board for consideration in December.
Future phases will include campus overview reports, draft scenarios, additional community input and detailed financial and operational analysis before final recommendations are brought forward in spring 2027.
Learn more about Leander ISD 2037 and how to get involved.
Spotlight on Learning: Early Childhood Continuum
Leander ISD’s youngest learners were at the center of the Sept. 3 Spotlight on Learning, as district leaders shared how the Early Childhood Continuum supports children and families from the prenatal years through age five.
The continuum includes Parents as Teachers, PreK 3, PreK 4, Early Childhood Special Education, tuition PreK, Head Start and YMCA Extended Day. While these programs serve different needs, district leaders emphasized that they are part of one intentional system grounded in play-based learning, developmentally appropriate practice, early brain development and strong family partnerships.
The presentation also featured the new Faubion School for Early Childhood, which brings several early childhood services together in one building, including Parents as Teachers, PreK classrooms, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Find, Head Start and assessment supports.
Leander ISD parent Maria Talbot shared how early childhood programs helped prepare her children for school while also connecting her family with resources, community and support. District leaders noted that the same early childhood philosophy extends beyond Faubion through 17 early childhood communities across Leander ISD.
From the very beginning, Leander ISD is helping families build a strong foundation for learning.
Board Reflects on Role in Professional Learning Communities
Trustees continued their learning around Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), reviewing results from a Board self-assessment connected to the PLC Implementation Guide.
The discussion focused on how the Board’s governance role can support student outcomes, including alignment around
- vision
- strategic planning
- progress monitoring
- resource allocation
- evidence-based decision-making
District leaders noted bright spots in the Board’s shared vision and leadership modeling, while identifying opportunities for continued growth around strategic planning, monitoring progress and using disaggregated student data to inform governance conversations.
Trustees also discussed how upcoming campus learning walks, guardrail presentations and student data updates can help connect the Board’s learning to the district’s ongoing work in classrooms and campuses.
Hiring Announcements: Bagdad Elementary Principal
Leander ISD is pleased to welcome Cristy Castañares as the new principal of Bagdad Elementary after the Board approved the recommendations at Thursday’s Board meeting.
