The Board of Trustees approved new course proposals, adopted the academic calendar for the 2020–21 school year, talked budget, and received a construction update at the Dec. 12 Board meeting.
Trustees greenlight 2020–21 academic calendar
Students, teachers, staff, and parents can plan for a similar school calendar in 2020-21.
With no changes or revisions required by the Texas Education Agency and with college schedules set, the LISD Trustees approved the 2020-2021 academic calendar. The calendar had been in draft form and posted on the district website since January 2019.
Calendar highlights include:
- Aug. 13: the first day of school for students;
- Oct. 12 – 13: staff development;
- Nov. 23 – 27: Thanksgiving holiday;
- Dec. 21 – Jan. 1: winter break;
- March 15 – 19: spring break (UT Austin spring break expected March 15-19);
- April 12: bad weather makeup day; and
- May 27: the last day of school/early release (all schools).
“It’s always the Board’s intention to give our community as much time as possible to plan around our academic calendar,” Board President Trish Bode said. “We believe that this calendar continues to honor that while maintaining our commitment to continuous improvement and professional learning.”
Cedar Park, Vandegrift additions highlight construction project review
Cedar Park High School’s girls’ locker room is slated for completion this month, while the construction of the fieldhouse focuses on the interior of the structure. Vandegrift High School’s new classroom addition is underway with the forming, pouring and erecting of tilt-wall panels. The two schools highlight a review of the district’s 2017 Bond projects and ongoing major maintenance.
Construction on Danielson Middle School, the district’s ninth middle school, continues. This school – with a large, open common area in the middle of the campus and wings of classrooms designed for collaboration – will welcome its first batch of students during the 2020–21 school year.
Trustees approve new advanced, skills learning courses
Students will have more opportunities for advanced skills development with the Board of Trustees approving new course proposals, including practicum level courses in law enforcement, technology and digital communications.
Budget discussion previews timeline for 2020-21 financial goals, review
New LISD Chief Financial Officer Elaine Cogburn outlined the timeline and framework for the Board’s 2020-21 budget development. The budget timeline changed to a July 1 fiscal year start date.
“The fact that Leander ISD has consistently earned superior financial ratings is no accident,” Trustee Elexis Grimes. “It is always our goal to be deliberate and conservative in our budgeting process to make efficient use of tax dollars while providing the very best resources for our students.”
The district also presented its perfect FIRST rating report, the state evaluation tool for fiscal management.
District remains focused on continuous improvement, learning opportunities
As a community of leaders and learners passionate about growth for our system, LISD continues to align, support and promote continuous improvement, including innovative instructional models for maximum student experience. In the teaching and learning department report and in the superintendent’s update, the district shared the following books and videos being discussed:
