During its Feb. 13 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included: 

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Glenn HS

For the Glenn High School Guardians dance team, learning goes beyond technique or memorizing routines. The guardians host a special motivational speaker series in which they invite accomplished women in the community to come and inspire them to continue to “rise up”! This empowers GHS dancers to then go out and uplift other students in the Glenn feeder pattern.

Academic Calendar Approved for 2025–2026, Drafted for 2026–2027

2025-26 Academic Calendar Approved

🎬 5.A. Consider Approval of the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar and Acceptance of the 2026-2027 Draft Calendar

Trustees approved the 2025–26 academic calendar, closing out a monthslong process of community feedback.

Responding to a common refrain heard from each stakeholder group, the approved Version C calendar adds additional two-day holidays for students and staff in each semester – in October and in February – to help break up what were previously uninterrupted stretches in the calendar. In order to accomplish this version, the last day of school is pushed one week later, ending May 29, the Friday after Memorial Day.

Key features of the calendar include:

  • First day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, the same week as in 2024–25
  • ** New ** Student and staff holiday Oct. 16–17, with a staff professional development day Oct. 20
  • ** New ** Student and staff holiday Feb. 12–13, with a staff professional development day Feb. 16
  • Last day of school Friday, May 29, one week later than in 2025–26
  • Student early release days at the end of each semester: Dec. 19 and May 29
  • Continuous Improvement Conference: Nov. 3–4, aligning with Tuesday’s student holiday for Election Day.
  • Spring Break: March 16–20, aligning with Austin Community College
  • Staff development days during the school year will balance new learning with teacher planning and collaboration time: Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Jan. 5, Feb. 16, March 23 and April 6

This calendar-adoption process also resulted in a draft of the 2026–27 academic calendar, which would be formally approved at a future meeting next year.

Previous Updates

Dynamic Student Speaker Shines During Legislative Committee Update

Legislative Committee: PTA Rally Day

🎬 7.B.1. Legislative Committee Update

The Board’s Legislative Committee Update started with a preview of the upcoming PTA Rally Day as Rouse High School senior Mayank Bharadwaj shared his passion and purpose. The Texas PTA chose Mayank as one of three student panelists at the event’s student caucus.

“Our legislators and representatives truly need to be asked some tough questions, which is what I intend to do, “ Mayank said.  “I want to represent the students who are often too comfortable and think that change happens automatically.”

PTA Rally Day at the Capitol is Monday, Feb. 24.

One great way to get involved this legislative session is to make your voice heard by contacting the state senators and representatives who represent you. Visit LISD’s Legislative Priorities page to learn more.

Previous Updates

Leading Measures Show Growth in Math, Reading

Leading Measures: Student Performance in Reading

🎬 7.A.2. Discussion of Leading Measures

The latest Leading Measures report, a report tracking the progress of key district initiatives, showed strong student growth in reading and math in the middle-of-year data.

The data shows a higher achievement and, importantly, a level of growth that maintains that higher achievement over time. While these improvements are appearing now, district administrators shared how these are a result of years worth of work put in by everyone throughout our district.

Reflective of this work has been the investment in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) and collaborative teams. This focus empowers educators through collaboration and stronger engagement practices and data-informed accountability.

Previous Updates

Budget Development for 2025–2026

2025-26 Budget with Assumptions

🎬 7.C.3. 2025-2026 Budget Development Update

Earlier in February, Superintendent Bruce Gearing shared important updates in the budget development process for the 2025–2026 school year. In the face of a projected $34.4 million deficit, the district announced reductions to each level – central office, high schools, middle school and elementary schools. 

This deficit comes in a financial environment where the State of Texas has not increased public school funding since 2019 – despite rising operational costs. Like many school districts, not only Leander ISD, but our families, likewise, are experiencing a 22% rise in inflation.

Since the budget announcement, district administration held three listening sessions for staff. Links to those recordings along with a developing Frequently Asked Questions section can be found on the newly created Budget & Staffing Update webpage

At Thursday’s Board meeting, Trustees had the opportunity to ask questions on how these reductions were identified. A more detailed discussion will take place at the Board’s Feb. 27 budget workshop.

Previous Updates

Long-Range Planning Framework Developed for Future Work

Long-Range Plan Framework: Space Needs

🎬 7.C.1. Discussion of Long-Range Planning Framework- Identifying Key District Needs

During the Jan. 23, 2025 meeting, district administration continued conversations within the framework guiding the next phases of the Long-Range Planning effort. 

As LISD continues its Long-Range Planning efforts, the current step in the framework involves developing the following draft list of preliminary space needs focused on educational programs, student services, and operational support: 

  • New Hope High School
  • Leander Extended Opportunity (LEO) Center
  • Early Childhood Center(s)
  • School & Community Relations
  • Police Department & Emergency Management
  • Professional Development
  • Administrative Offices

Next, district administration will apply the Optimization Tools developed by the Long-Range Planning Committee to the list of space needs, along with other priorities identified through this process. The Board is expected to receive the next update in April.

Previous Updates

Bond 2023: Project Funds Released For Cedar Park HS Modernization

Cedar Park HS exterior
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🎬 5.C. Consider Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) #3 for Cedar Park High School Modernization Project

Trustees approved the third Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for the Cedar Park High School modernization project, allowing for the release of Bond funds already allocated for this project as part of the May 2023 bond.

This GMP is for the continued construction phase of this modernization project.

GMP #3

  • Cedar Park HS: $7,170,365 (for a total GMP of $48,697,401)

Modernization of an existing facility involves the replacement of major building sub-systems including but not limited to roofing, elevators, air conditioning, lighting, electrical, plumbing, fire protection systems, built-in specialties, interior finishes, and furniture that is at the end of the expected service life.

As a resource to the #1LISD community to learn more about these projects and track their progress, the district has created a Bond & Construction Projects page. Specific project pages include an overall scope of the project, the status of the project, a timeline, information about contractors and vendors, and more.

Bond & Construction Projects

Previous Updates

New Human Sexuality Curriculum Presented

Human Sexuality Curriculum Development

🎬 7.A.1. Discussion of Human Sexuality Curriculum Grades 7-9

The Board received an update on the Student Health Advisory Committee’s (SHAC) recommendation of the resource for human sexuality curriculum for 7th, 8th and 9th grades in Leander ISD. 

SHAC reviewed multiple curricula through this process. The district then contracted with an experienced public school health specialist to create the curriculum and lessons to meet the specific needs of LISD.

The lessons for each grade level cover all of the Health Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Human Sexuality and meet all of the legal requirements for teaching Human Sexuality as outlined in Texas Administrative Code.

To view the lessons for each grade level and leave feedback, visit the Human Sexuality Curriculum page.
Important to note that in following Texas Education Code, parents and guardians must opt their student(s) into Human Sexuality Instruction.