Trustees approved a community-led plan to name the Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) the district’s sole foundation with a move to create academic booster clubs across the district.

Representatives from LEEF and the Viper Nation Education Foundation (VNEF) have been working since Spring 2018 to create a single, districtwide foundation after the Board of Trustees heard concerns regarding equity and legality of two foundations.

“To our volunteers who served through these discussions, thank you for the grace and dignity you handled yourselves through this process,” Board President Aaron Johnson said. “I applaud the conclusion of the work and appreciate everyone who contributed to serving the students, teachers, staff and schools of Leander ISD.”

The LISD administration will work with VNEF and other community members to create equity with multi-campus academic booster clubs across the district. Because current booster club guidelines are specific to individual activities and to single campus organizations, LISD will review and update guidelines for the 2019–20 school year.

“We are blessed to have a caring community in Leander ISD of parents and businesses committed to investing in our schools,” said Superintendent Dan Troxell, Ph.D. “I want to thank our leaders of LEEF and VNEF for your partnership, collaboration and diligence. Moving forward, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnerships for the betterment of our schools.”

Community members formed LEEF in 2007 to support academic initiatives throughout all LISD schools, specifically targeting programs for early literacy, college readiness and grants for classroom teachers.

Residents in the southern part of Leander ISD formed VNEF, then known as the Hill Country Education Foundation, in 2009 to focus on STEM, leadership, entrepreneurship, robotics, professional development for teachers, and college readiness. VNEF primarily served the schools in Austin that align with Vandegrift High School.

Under the approved MOU by the Board of Trustees, LEEF will operate for three years. As part of their MOU, LEEF will present annually to the Board of Trustees its progress and financial information.