During its Jan. 9 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Canyon Ridge MS

During the Spotlight on Learning, Canyon Ridge Middle School students, parents and staff showcased how the Eagles library is a safe and innovative learning environment that inspires impactful family engagement. From Reading Rumble to Game-A-Thon, events like this contribute to the space’s humming heartbeat!

Parent involvement allows students to build authentic relationships, experience leadership and create to their heart’s content.

Long-Range Planning Committee Delivers Detailed Update and Resources to Continue Advancing the Process

Watch a special video message from Superintendent Gearing reiterating that no decisions have been made regarding the Long-Range Plan.

The Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) was originally created during the 2021-2022 school year to make recommendations on how to manage growth while also optimizing current district buildings. The committee then expanded in Spring 2023 to include a wider range of community representation. 

During the Sept. 19, 2024 meeting, the Board provided direction to the committee to focus on areas around Facility Optimization, Open Enrollment and Innovative Academies. Subcommittees were formed and have been working over the last few months, focusing on key considerations that could help inform the Board in making future decisions and district administration in developing future recommendations.

At Thursday’s meeting, administration and subcommittee members provided an update on the work of the LRPC.

Facility Optimization

Facility Optimization Subcommittee

🎬 7.A.1. LRPC Update – Facility Optimization

The Facility Optimization subcommittee presented an outline that highlighted the results of the Long-Range Planning Committee’s work from the previous year, reflecting the data and scenarios analyzed using a matrix and rubric that the committee developed at that time. These scenarios aim to optimize resources, create effective learning environments, and maintain fiscal responsibility. Most recently, the committee has focused on refining this tool to ensure it remains effective for future decision-making.

The committee determined that showing the results of the previous work and exploration is the best way to demonstrate how the tool functions. The subcommittee considered factors such as enrollment trends, facility conditions, teacher feedback and the impact on surrounding schools. Their results aimed to address under and over enrollment, ensure access to programs, and improve the efficiency of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The presentation emphasized the committee’s efforts to create a structured and data-driven approach, providing a strong foundation for ongoing and future planning.

This work reflects Leander ISD’s commitment to optimizing resources, minimizing costs and prioritizing equitable student experiences while preparing for future growth.

As noted in Superintendent Gearing’s video at the top of the LRPC section, it’s important to share that no decision has been made. The scenarios presented were demonstrations of how the committee’s tools work as the district uses them to bring back recommendations to the Board at a later time.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment subcommittee

🎬 7.A.1. LRPC Update – Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment subcommittee presented its findings, highlighting planning and operational implications along with possible infrastructure investments. This analysis explored data-driven strategies that could be implemented to increase enrollment while maintaining LISD’s commitment to quality education.

The subcommittee’s work since the last update has focused on researching comparable districts and collaborating with the larger planning committee to generate actionable insights. The analysis included the impact of out-of-district transfer policies, revealing trends that indicate varying levels of enrollment activity across comparable districts in the Central Texas region.

Key findings include a cost analysis indicating that while implementation costs may be significant, the gains from student allotments and processing fees could result in additional revenue.

Moving ahead, the district will consider what focused efforts would be needed to attract non-resident students from other districts while also prioritizing recruitment of students who already live within the district boundaries but not attending a LISD campus. The subcommittee emphasized the need for targeted marketing campaigns and logistical planning to ensure a smooth transfer process. 

If the Board would like to move forward with open enrollment, Trustees would need to revise Board policy to allow out-of-district transfers. In the meantime, the Board directed district administration to determine a recommendation, which would include what a phased rollout plan could look like.

Innovative Academies

Innovation Academies subcommittee

🎬 7.A.1. LRPC Update – Innovative Academies

The Innovative Academies subcommittee provided an update on its exploration of potential opportunities to enhance educational facilities approved in Bond 2023, aligning with the district’s long-term vision for student success.

The Innovative Academies initiative is about more than just new buildings. It’s about creating environments that foster innovation and engagement among our students and ensuring that every student has access to meaningful learning experiences.

The subcommittee emphasized the progress made in planning for two new elementary schools included in the 2023 Bond. Elementary School #31 is expected to maintain its traditional model, while also focusing on community needs. In contrast, as Elementary School #32 is still in the pre-design stage, it offers a potential opportunity for innovative programming, pending further analysis.

When collecting thoughts and analyzing characteristics for Innovative Academies, the subcommittee looked at them through the following four categories:

  • Curriculum & Instruction
    What innovation could be introduced into instructional delivery?
  • Student Experience
    How can innovation further engage students with their learning?
  • Community & Partnerships
    What innovation can be generated through collaboration with the community?
  • Access
    How can the access to innovation be increased for all students?

Some of the big ideas that emerged included:

  • Accelerated academics based on mastery
  • Personalized learning and student leadership
  • Innovative career readiness
  • Community-powered equitable learning

In researching this topic, the subcommittee was excited to see innovation already prevalent throughout the district. Next steps involve further exploration of future facility utilization opportunities.

LRP Next Steps

Throughout the presentation, it was clear the amount of detailed work done by committee members and each subcommittee in developing tools and strategies to use in future planning efforts.

With input from the Board, the work now shifts to district administration to develop recommendations using the tools and strategies developed by the LRPC.

Previous Updates

Charters Approved, Naming Nomination Window Open for Buildings in New Facility Complex: Special Education 18+ Transition Services & Science Materials Center

Shovels in the dirt during groundbreaking ceremony

🎬 5. Consent Agenda

Trustees approved charters for the naming of two buildings that will form a joint facility complex – one for the Special Education 18+ Transition Services program and the other for the Science Materials Center. Both facilities are scheduled to open Fall 2025. 

Both facilities will go through their own concurrent naming process, each with their own charter:

As detailed in the approved charters, next steps involve opening the naming form to the Leander ISD community. Committees aligned to the parameters set forth in the charters will soon be formed to review the submissions for their respective facility, acting in an advisory role to the Board. 

The submission form is now open and will remain open through Feb. 3, 2025. The committees are anticipated to bring naming recommendations to the Board later this spring.

For additional information, refer to the “Naming Process” section of the Dec. 12 edition of Board Briefs.

About the Programs

LISD’s Science Materials Center creates ready-made science kits for all of the district’s elementary school classrooms to provide students with hands-on learning. As the district has grown in the number of elementary classrooms, the existing SMC warehouse has become too small for storage and distribution of the materials.

The 18+ Transition Services program provides young adults, 18 to 22 years old, with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful transition into community and adult living.

A perfect pairing, setting the new building for these programs next to each other on the same lot will further accommodate the work-based learning opportunities available to 18+ Transition Services students at the Science Materials Center. 

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.

Previous Updates