During its April 23 meeting, the Board of Trustees agenda included:

The Board will meet next for a regular meeting Thursday, May 7.

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: River Place ES

River Place Elementary students showed off the school’s Titan Excellence System, a campuswide approach designed to help students live out the Leander ISD Graduate Profile and Ethical Principles through meaningful leadership opportunities.

From morning announcements and safety patrol to garden leaders, Unified Ambassadors, new-student ambassadors and monthly “Titan Time” assemblies, students take active roles in shaping campus culture.

At River Place, leadership is intentionally built into the student experience — not reserved for a select few — helping students grow in confidence, empathy, responsibility and resilience.

Way to go, Titans!

Special Education Programs Continue to Deliver Strong Student Outcomes

Special Education slide

🎬 7.A.1. Special Education Update

Trustees received the district’s annual Special Education update, highlighting strong student outcomes, growing family engagement and continued planning for future legislative changes.

Leander ISD currently serves approximately 6,800 students receiving special education services — nearly double the number from a decade ago. Despite that growth, students continue to outperform state averages in both reading and math growth on STAAR.

Postsecondary outcomes remain a major strength, as well. For the Class of 2024, 82% of graduates receiving special education services were engaged in higher education, competitive employment or other postsecondary opportunities after graduation, outperforming both the region and the state.
The district also highlighted expanding access to Career and Technical Education (CTE), strong family engagement through the Special Programs Parent Advisory Council (SPPAC) and parent workshops. Trustees noted that Leander ISD is often seen as a destination district for special education services because of its strong student supports and outcomes, a reflection of Leander ISD’s commitment to ensuring opportunity and support For Every Student. Always.

Trustees Review Compensation Plan Amid Rising Benefit Costs, Budget Pressures

Total Compensation slide

🎬 7.C.1. Discussion of 2026-27 Total Compensation Recommendations

As Leander ISD continues planning for 2026–27, Trustees reviewed total compensation recommendations shaped by a familiar challenge facing school districts across Texas: rising costs, enrollment pressures and no meaningful increase to the state’s per-student funding formula since 2019.

After significant reductions in Leander ISD heading into both 2025–26 and 2026–27, district leaders emphasized that compensation decisions must support employees while avoiding deeper cuts in future years. Pay and benefits make up nearly 88% of the district’s budget, with salaries accounting for 83% and benefits another 5% .

Pay Recommendations

A third-party review by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) found Leander ISD remains competitive with surrounding districts, with teacher salaries within about $1,000 of the local market median and strong alignment across most employee groups.

Administration is considering recommending:

  • 0% general pay increase for 2026–27
  • Targeted market adjustments to maintain competitive pay
  • Authorization for a one-time lump sum retention payment of up to:
    • $1,000 for full-time employees
    • $500 for part-time employees

Unlike a permanent raise, a one-time payment provides flexibility while enrollment, state funding and healthcare costs continue to shift. Leaders noted this approach helps avoid committing to recurring costs before the district has clearer long-term revenue projections.

Benefits Pressures Continue

Leander ISD continues to offer one of the strongest employee health plans among neighboring districts, contributing $510 per employee each month.

At the same time, healthcare costs continue rising faster than inflation. High-cost claims and reduced fund infusions have caused the district’s health benefits fund to decline below recommended reserve levels.

As a result:

  • Employee premiums will increase for the 2027 plan year
  • Plan design changes will be needed to improve long-term sustainability
  • Staff feedback showed employees strongly prefer keeping plan choice, even if premiums increase

District leaders said final benefit decisions will come later this summer after additional employee input and claims review.

Looking Ahead

Trustees also discussed a potential Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), which could generate an estimated $6.5 million in additional annual revenue, though final projections remain uncertain.

Even with that possibility, leaders stressed the need for caution. Permanent raises today could create larger reductions in future years if state funding, enrollment or healthcare costs shift unexpectedly.

LISD administration is expected to return May 7 with a formal recommendation for Board approval.

Previous Updates

Hazardous Route Adjustments Finalized for 2026–27 Following Annual Review

School bus

🎬 5.A. CONSENT – Consider Approval of 2026-2027 Hazardous Routes

As part of the consent agenda, trustees approved the district’s annual Hazardous Routes recommendations for the 2026–27 school year.

Each year, transportation staff review walking routes for students who live within 2 miles of their assigned campus — known as the Not Eligible for Transportation Zone (NET Zone) — to determine whether bus service should still be provided due to hazardous conditions. State law requires districts to provide transportation for students living more than 2 miles from school, while students inside the NET Zone only qualify for bus service if their route is rated hazardous using a Board-approved, community-developed safety matrix.

Based on updated construction, new sidewalks, traffic signals and safer controlled crossings, several areas will transition back to standard NET Zone status for 2026–27, while others will remain classified as hazardous due to ongoing roadway or traffic concerns. Transportation for students receiving services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is not impacted.

Families can view the full list of affected campuses, neighborhood codes (NBCDs) and transportation changes here: Read More

Previous Updates

New School Bus Seat Belt Law Could Add Significant Unfunded Cost for the District

Seat Belt slide

🎬 7.C.2. Discussion of Senate Bill 546 – School Bus Seat Belts

Trustees received an overview of Senate Bill 546 from the 89th Texas Legislature (2025), a new state law requiring all school buses in Texas to be equipped with three-point seat belts for every passenger and driver by Sept. 1, 2029.

While all of Leander ISD’s daily route buses already meet that standard, the district still has 106 buses — 79 general education and 27 special education buses — that would need to be replaced or upgraded to comply. Because LISD’s primary bus manufacturer does not provide warranty coverage for aftermarket three-point seat belt retrofits, and newer models are now built with factory-installed lap-shoulder belts as the standard, replacing many older buses becomes the district’s most practical long-term option resulting in an estimated cost of approximately $18 million.

As part of future planning, the district will evaluate school bus replacement needs through the ongoing Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC) process as potential consideration for a future bond. The Board may consider formal action at the May 7 meeting to document the district’s determination regarding SB 546 compliance. The required report and public meeting presentation have already been completed, and meeting minutes will serve as supporting documentation for TEA.

Bond 2023: Remaining Project Funds Released for Leander High School Master Plan Phase 1 

🎬 5.D. CONSENT – Consider Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #4 for Leander High School Master Plan – Phase 1

Trustees approved Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #4 contract for Phase 1 of the Leander High School Master Plan, allowing for the release of 2023 Bond funds already allocated for the project.

GMP #4 totals $5,095,944 and will fund the re-routing and upgrading of site utilities, providing critical infrastructure improvements needed to support current campus operations and align with long-term campus needs. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026 and is expected to take approximately four months.

This approval brings the total GMP for Phase 1 to $55,248,936, following previous approvals:

  • GMP #1: $3.39 million
  • GMP #2: $18.29 million
  • GMP #3: $28.47 million

Phase 1 of the Leander High School Master Plan focuses on the athletic area of the campus and includes utility relocations, the addition of an auxiliary gym and weight room, security improvements and the renovation of existing athletic and student activity spaces.

As a resource for families and community members to learn more and track progress, the district maintains a Bond & Construction Projects webpage with project timelines, scope details and contractor information.

Previous Updates

Trustees Approve New K–3 Phonics Resource for 2026–27

Instructional Materials presentation

🎬 5.E. CONSENT – Consider Approval of Instructional Material Tier 1 K-3 Phonics

Following the district’s April update on instructional materials, trustees approved the adoption of Reading Horizons Discovery as the district’s new Tier 1 phonics resource for kindergarten through third grade beginning in the 2026–27 school year. To learn more about the review process and previous Board discussion, see the April 2 Board Briefs.

The recommendation was based on educator and community feedback gathered during the spring adoption process. District staff also shared that a comprehensive professional learning plan has been developed with Reading Horizons to support implementation, including initial teacher training, individual coaching for each K–3 teacher, follow-up training during spring 2027 and targeted campus support.

Previous Updates

Hiring Announcement: River Ridge ES

Principal Marcia Fields, River Ridge Elementary

Leander ISD is pleased to welcome Marcia Fields as the new principal of River Ridge Elementary. The Board of Trustees approved her hiring at Thursday’s meeting.