During its Aug. 18 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees:

  • Were updated about the first day of school
  • Approved the 2022 property tax rate
  • Approved calling an election for the: 
    • Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) Proposition B
    • Attendance Credit Election (ACE) Proposition A
    • Five of the Seven positions in the 2022 LISD Board of Trustees

View the entire agenda. Watch the livestream video.

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees celebrated students and staff at the height of achievement.

A Fabulous Start to the New School Year, Superintendent Gearing Shares First Day of School Update

This year is off to a fabulous start! At Thursday’s Board meeting during his report, Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D, shared how he and several Board members visited campuses. 

“We had a great first day. Several Trustees and I visited the campuses that had new principals to ensure they felt celebrated and supported,” Gearing said. “Visiting our newest campus, Carol Ann North Elementary School was a thrill and a testament to the hard work of our Facilities team, teachers and staff that ensured the building was ready for students on Wednesday!” 

Leander ISD will no longer send Remind notifications when there has been a COVID-19 case on a campus or in a department. The dashboard will now serve as our form of notification to staff, students and parents when a campus/department has been notified of a positive COVID-19 individual. Following guidance from the Department of State Health Services, LISD has changed student isolation from 10 days to 5 days for COVID-19 positive students. This is the same amount of time required for staff member isolation. 

First day enrollment was 41,463 students with an increase of over 300 additional students on the second day. Gearing mentioned that we will continue to see an increase in student enrollment over the next several weeks. 

Chief Human Resources Officer Karie Lynn Eggeling shared an update explaining the increase in staffing over the last few weeks. “Five middle schools and 24 elementary schools are fully staffed,” Eggeling said. “We made great gains before students showed up and we will continue to work to fill those vacancies that are remaining.”

In a conversation with substitutes on the first day of school, the subs told Gearing that they felt included, like they were part of the family. If you or someone you know would like to be part of our #1LISD family, please consider becoming a substitute teacher or serving in one of our many other district positions. 

Leander ISD Board of Trustees Adopt New Property Tax Rate 

The Board of Trustees adopted the 2022 property tax rate as proposed triggering an election (see below). The tax rate recommended for adoption reflects an overall decrease of $0.0624. Pending voter approval, the tax rate of $1.2746 will be reflected on taxpayers 2023 property tax bills. The breakdown includes $0.9446 for Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and $0.3300 for Interest and Sinking (I&S).

While the required language indicates the tax rate is being increased, the adopted overall rate is lower than the current overall 2021 property tax rate. 

Elections Ahead, Trustees Approve Calling a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election  (VATRE)

The LISD Board of Trustees called for the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) to take place during the Nov. 8, 2022 election. This will appear on the ballot as Proposition B.

“When we look at the mental health and student learning components, we see how classroom ratios are important. We need our teachers in the classroom with our kids,” said LISD Board President Trish Bode. “But we cannot fund salaries over a consistent period of time through fund balance. We will continue refining and streamlining our system. We need to address a funding source, and address what we need to do to take care of our staff, to support them and their programs. That’s why the Board called for a VATRE and we will continue to be active in the legislative session asking for proper state funding.” 

Trustees Approve Calling a Attendance Credit Election (ACE)

For the first time in several years, LISD is subject to recapture. The district projects paying $31.2 million to the state. In order for the district to make these mandatory payments, voters must approve the process. On Thursday, the Board approved calling an Attendance Credit Election (ACE). In what will appear as Proposition A on the ballot, voters will decide whether to authorize the purchasing of attendance credit from the state with local tax revenue. The “purchasing of attendance credit” is the most cost-effective method to make our recapture payments. 

Although the district has made recapture payments in the past, this type of election has never been held; however, this election is required for the district to make recapture payments to the state for 2022-2023. 

The district would like to offer opportunities for community groups to learn more about Propositions A and B. These groups can be an HOA, a church group, a PTA, booster club and more. If you are interested in signing up for a presentation/discussion, please submit your request on this form. 

Five of the Seven Trustee positions will be on the Ballot for November 2022

The Board approved the Order of Election for the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election for the purpose of electing one trustee each for the positions designated as Place 1, Place 2, Place 5, Place 6 and Place 7. For additional information about the elections, visit the election website.