During its Dec. 11 meeting, the Board of Trustees agenda included:

The Board will meet next for a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Board Names Chris Clark Acting Superintendent

Announcing Dr. Chris Clark as Acting Superintendent

🎬 11.B. Appointment of Acting Superintendent

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Chris Clark, Ed.D., as acting superintendent during the Dec. 11 meeting. In the role, Clark will lead day-to-day operations and maintain stability across the district during a period of transition.

Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., announced his retirement last week. He will continue to serve the district in an advisory capacity as superintendent emeritus while the Board of Trustees advances the process to identify the next superintendent.

“We appreciate Chris Clark’s leadership and his willingness to serve during this transition,” said Board President Anna Smith. “As a respected and effective leader, he will keep our focus on students and district continuity. To preserve the integrity and fairness of the superintendent search process, the Board determined it was important to appoint an acting superintendent who does not intend to apply for the permanent role, and he has agreed he will not be a candidate.”

The Board will launch a comprehensive search for Leander ISD’s next superintendent in early 2026. The process will include opportunities for stakeholder input, with additional details to be shared as the timeline and milestones are finalized.

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Spotlight on Learning: Four Points

During the Spotlight on Learning, Four Points Middle School shared how intentional community engagement helps students feel connected, supported and confident. Through efforts like All Pro Dads, All Pro Moms and community walks, families are welcomed into the life of the campus to better understand and support the middle school experience.

Students described how seeing families on campus builds a sense of safety and belonging, while parents shared how open access strengthens trust and communication.

Way to go, Falcons!

Enrollment Thresholds Approved, Projecting $2M in Savings; School Consolidation Vote Set for Dec. 17

Long-Range Plan Scenarios

🎬 9.B.1. Discussion of Long-Range Planning – Key Considerations for Strategic Direction
🎬 9.B.2. Consider Approval of Enrollment Thresholds for Low-Enrolled Campuses in Alignment with the Board-Adopted Resolution

The Board approved enrollment thresholds for low-enrolled elementary campuses in alignment with the board-adopted resolution, marking a key step in the district’s long-range planning efforts to address ongoing budget challenges. Additional details on the thresholds and associated staffing guidelines were shared in the previous edition of Board Briefs.

As presented, the approved enrollment thresholds which trigger revised staffing guidelines are expected to generate approximately $2 million in annual savings beginning in the 2026–27 school year. These savings come from staffing adjustments at campuses with enrollment below the thresholds and apply regardless of whether any schools ultimately consolidate.

Building on that action, Trustees discussed how potential school consolidation scenarios would result in additional savings beyond the $2 million already identified:

  • Enrollment thresholds alone: approximately $2 million in savings
  • Faubion Elementary consolidation: an additional estimated $800,000 beyond applying the Enrollment Thresholds
  • Steiner Ranch Elementary consolidation: an additional estimated $700,000 beyond applying the Enrollment Thresholds and consolidating Faubion Elementary

District leaders emphasized that consolidation savings are incremental because some staffing efficiencies are already captured through the revised staffing guidelines. For example, while closing Faubion Elementary was previously estimated at $1.2 million by itself, the net impact is closer to $800,000 once threshold-related staffing adjustments are implemented and accounted for.

No decision on school consolidation was made at this meeting. The Board has scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17, where Trustees are expected to vote on whether to consolidate Faubion Elementary and/or Steiner Ranch Elementary for the 2026–27 school year.

Previous Updates

Budget Planning for 2026–27: From Outlook to Next Steps

Factors Impacting the Budget

🎬 9.B.4. Discussion of Proposed 2026-2027 Budget Development Calendar & Budget Assumptions

District administrators provided an update on how key assumptions are shaping development of the 2026–27 budget, building on recent discussions around enrollment trends, staffing models and long-term sustainability.

Key factors shaping the budget include:

  • Enrollment trends, with updated demographic projections showing enrollment for 2026–27 is expected to be about 400 students lower than earlier estimates, resulting in an anticipated $4 million reduction in revenue due to decreased state funding.
  • Rising costs continue to place pressure on the district’s budget, particularly in areas that are essential and difficult to reduce quickly. These include employee healthcare and insurance, utilities and energy, food services, and specialized instructional and support services. While the district continues to manage these costs carefully, many have increased faster than inflation and do not decline proportionally with enrollment, contributing to ongoing structural budget challenges.
  • Legislative impacts, particularly funding changes tied to the 89th session’s House Bill 2, which impacts transportation, safety, special education and employee-related costs
  • Revenue assumptions, which currently reflect flat attendance, modest property value growth and continued recapture obligations

Together, these factors continue to shape the district’s “Recalibrate/Reinvent” phase, as Trustees and administrators rely on multiple third-party studies and internal reviews to inform budget and staffing decisions.

What’s next

An extended budget workshop is scheduled for Jan. 8, when Trustees will take a deeper look at budget assumptions, cost drivers and options for addressing the district’s structural deficit while prioritizing student experience and long-term stability.

Previous Updates

District Earns Top Marks in State Financial Accountability Review

🎬 5.A. School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) Public Hearing

The Board received the annual School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) report, which evaluates how well school districts manage their financial resources based on criteria set by the Texas Education Agency.

Leander ISD earned a “Superior” rating, the highest possible designation, with a score of 98 out of 100, reflecting strong financial stewardship, sound management practices and compliance with state financial standards. 

This rating affirms the district’s commitment to responsible oversight of taxpayer dollars while continuing to support student learning and district operations.

Board Meeting Changing to New Location Starting January 2026

Beginning in January 2026, Leander ISD Board of Trustees meetings will move from Cedar Park Middle School to the Lippe Instructional Materials Center. Located off New Hope Drive just west of Lakeline Boulevard [1775 W New Hope Dr. Bldg. B, Cedar Park, 78613], the Lippe IMC offers a central location within our nearly 200-square-mile school district.

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