During its Feb. 19 meeting, the Board of Trustees agenda included:

The Board will meet next for a regular meeting Thursday, March 12.

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Mason ES

Student ambassadors from Mason Elementary shared how they are leading continuous improvement efforts by using data and collaboration to shape their school community.

Students described using tools such as the “Five Whys” and cause-and-effect charts to identify challenges, understand root causes and focus on actions within their control. Through this work, they identified shared priorities around mindset, belonging and growth, helping inform the campus’s refreshed vision and mission.

By analyzing data, listening to peers and learning to collaborate, Mason students are owning their learning and helping define their school’s future, reflecting Leander ISD’s commitment to empowering student voice and leadership.

Way to go, Mustangs!

Mark Your Calendars: Board Approves 2026-27 Academic Calendar

Approved 2026-27 academic calendar

🎬 7.A.2. Consider Approval of the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar and Acceptance of the 2027-2028 Proposed Academic Calendar

Trustees approved the 2026–27 academic calendar, closing out a monthslong process of community feedback.

Since the calendar was first presented as a recommendation, one key adjustment was made based on additional review and feedback:

  • Last day of school updated: The final approved calendar now ends on Thursday, May 27, 2027, an early-release day, instead of Friday, May 28 as previously shared. This change responds to feedback about ending the school year as early as possible while maintaining required instructional minutes and contractual days for teachers..

Other highlights of the approved 2026–27 calendar include:

  • First day of school: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026
  • Major breaks preserved: A full week for Fall Break, two weeks for Winter Break and one week for Spring Break — all consistently identified by families and staff as highly valued
  • Refined mid-semester breaks: October and February breaks maintain the same amount of time off, with the professional learning day now on the Friday and student/staff days off on Monday and Tuesday to better support family schedules and extracurricular activities
  • Built-in flexibility: Additional instructional minutes provide capacity to absorb potential weather-related disruptions
  • Contract alignment: The calendar meets the required 187 teacher contract days

This calendar-adoption process also resulted in a draft of the 2027–28 academic calendar, which would be formally approved at a future meeting next year.

Previous Updates

Leander HS Phase 2 Design Highlights Plans for Transformative Campus Features

LHS Design of old and new

🎬 7.C.1. District Facilities Modernization Overview and Leander High School Phase 2 Master Plan – Design Update

The Board received an update on the Leander High School Masterplan, focusing on the design work underway for Phase 2 and how it fits into the district’s broader facilities modernization efforts and planning.

Leander HS Masterplan Project Page

Phase 1: Nearing Completion

LHS Phase 1 construction photo

Funded by the 2023 Bond, design and construction of Phase 1 of the LHS Masterplan focuses on improvements to the athletics and performance areas. Construction began in Summer 2024, and Phase 1 should be completed by the end of Summer 2026. 

Phase 2: Design Update and Key Focus Areas

LHS Phase 2 Design rendering of courtyard

At Thursday’s meeting, Trustees reviewed the design for Phase 2 of the Leander High School Masterplan, which would modernize the remainder of the campus through a comprehensive reorganization. Unlike Phase 1, Phase 2 construction is not yet funded and would require a future bond and voter approval.

District leaders emphasized that Phase 2 is intended to address long-standing challenges created by decades of incremental expansion since the campus opened in 1984. These additions have resulted in the accumulation of fragmented additions, circulation challenges, limited visibility and operational inefficiencies that affect supervision, safety and daily operations. Phase 2 reflects a thoughtful reorganization of the campus improving cohesion, safety and function not just replacing systems.

If funded, Phase 2 design concepts would focus on:

  • A rearranged main entry and administrative core to improve campus identity, visibility and security
  • Expanded and centralized Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces, bringing programs into the heart of the campus
  • Improved circulation and wayfinding to address a disjointed layout
  • Updates to fine arts, classroom and shared learning spaces aligned with current instructional needs
  • Site and layout adjustments to improve supervision, student flow and emergency response

District leaders noted that these concepts remain in the design phase and are intended to provide clear options for future community discussion, not a reflection of final construction decisions.

Community Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) Process

CFAC Kickoff meeting

On Oct. 9, 2025, the Board approved the process to form a Community Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC). That group held its kickoff meeting Feb. 11 and will continue its work throughout the spring, reviewing facility needs, design concepts and cost considerations.

A CFAC steering committee is then expected to bring recommendations to the Board over the summer. Trustees would then have until Aug. 17, 2026, to determine whether — and for what amount — to call a bond election for November 2026. The LHS Phase 2 timeline presented is dependent on funding from a successful November 2026 bond election. 

Previous Updates

Board Continues Work on Defining Priorities & Goals

Board Priorities slide on Governance Architecture

🎬 7.B.1. Discussion of Board Priorities

Trustees continued an in-depth discussion focused on establishing clear Board goals and priorities to guide governance, decision-making and long-term district planning.

During the workshop-style conversation, Trustees explored how well-defined goals can serve as a foundation for effective governance by clarifying expectations for the Board, the superintendent and district leadership. The discussion emphasized aligning priorities around:

  • student outcomes
  • protecting core values through guardrails
  • clearly defining roles and responsibilities
  • improving how progress is monitored and communicated

District leaders shared draft student-focused goals, including those already adopted under House Bill. The discussion reflected how these goals could anchor future monitoring and accountability conversations. Trustees also reviewed how additional priorities, such as equity, consistency of implementation and alignment of budget and long-range planning, may be addressed through constraints, delegation and monitoring rather than through additional goals.

The Board will continue refining its goals and governance framework, with the intent to finalize and adopt Board goals at a future meeting. This work is designed to create clearer focus, more efficient Board discussions and stronger alignment between governance, administration and student outcomes.