During its May 7 meeting, the Board of Trustees agenda included:

The Board will meet next for a regular meeting Thursday, May 21.

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Bagdad ES

Students and teachers from Bagdad Elementary highlighted the many cultures and backgrounds represented throughout their school community during the Spotlight on Learning.

With more than 25 languages spoken at the school, Bagdad leaders intentionally weave in cultural learning experiences through campus activities and schoolwide celebrations.

During their presentation, students performed a Filipino folk dance led by two of their international exchange teachers.

Way to go, Bobcats!

Student Leaders Share Research-Driven Recommendations to Strengthen the LISD Experience

SSAC presentation slide

🎬 7.A.1. Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) Student Empowerment Report

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) presented its annual Student Empowerment Report, highlighting student-led research and recommendations focused on improving the student experience across Leander ISD. Trustees praised students for the depth of their research and thoughtful recommendations, with several noting the presentation provided valuable perspective on issues impacting students across the district.

The council includes students from all eight high schools, with participants using a continuous improvement process to study districtwide challenges and propose ways to strengthen the student experience.

This year’s student-led focus areas included:

  • AI & Digital Safety: Students explored the growing use of artificial intelligence in classrooms and recommended clearer expectations, digital literacy education and guidance around responsible AI use.
  • Life Skills: Students examined how schools prepare students for adulthood, including communication, financial literacy and organizational skills. Recommendations included integrating short life-skills modules into existing coursework to help students build practical real-world skills without requiring additional classes in already full schedules.
  • Mental Health: Students reviewed awareness and accessibility of existing mental health resources and suggested ways to improve visibility and communication. Members of SSAC noted that many supports already exist across the district, but awareness among students remains limited. Recommendations included more visible campus website resources and student-supported communication efforts to better connect students with available services.
  • Academic Inclusivity: Students studied how awareness of academic opportunities differs across campuses and grade levels and proposed expanded student resource guides and peer mentorship opportunities.
  • Budget & Student Opportunities: Students explored extracurricular funding transparency and ways to improve access to student organizations and Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities.

Throughout the discussion, Trustees and district leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to elevate student voice in district decision-making and exploring ways to follow up on student recommendations in future work and planning discussions.

Trustees Approve 2026–27 Compensation Plan Amid Ongoing Budget Pressures

Total Compensation slide

🎬 5.A. CONSENT – Consider Approval of 2026-27 Total Compensation Recommendation

As Leander ISD continues navigating a difficult budget environment shaped by rising costs, enrollment pressures and no meaningful increase to the state’s per-student funding formula since 2019, trustees approved the district’s 2026–27 compensation plan.

For additional background and details from the April 23 discussion, see the previous Board Briefs edition.

The approved plan includes:

  • 0% general pay increase for 2026–27
  • Targeted market adjustments recommended through a third-party Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) review
  • Authorization for a potential one-time lump sum retention payment of up to:
    • $1,000 for full-time employees
    • $500 for part-time employees

District leaders emphasized that the recommendation attempts to balance remaining competitive in employee pay while avoiding deeper reductions in future years after significant budget cuts heading into both 2025–26 and 2026–27. The TASB review identified approximately $1.3 million in targeted pay adjustments across several employee groups to address market positioning and internal balance.

The Board also authorized the superintendent to amend the compensation and benefits plan later in the year if required because of future legislative action or other legal requirements.

Previous Updates

Gifted and Talented Update Highlights Rigorous Learning Opportunities for Students

Gifted & Talented presentation slide

🎬 7.A.3. Gifted and Talented Services Annual Update

Trustees received the district’s annual update on Gifted and Talented (GT) Services, highlighting one of the programs that continues to make Leander ISD a destination district for many families seeking advanced academic opportunities for their students. 

Leander ISD currently serves more than 8,100 identified GT students in grades 1–12, representing approximately 21.5% of students — well above the state average of 8%. Trustees also noted that while districts are not limited in the number of students who may qualify for GT services, the state only provides GT funding for approximately 5% of students.

District leaders shared that GT services are designed to challenge students through advanced coursework, creativity, critical thinking and research opportunities beginning in elementary school and continuing through high school advanced academic pathways. 

Highlights from the presentation included:

  • Elementary QUEST programming focused on interdisciplinary learning, creativity and critical thinking
  • Advanced academic pathways in middle and high school, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit and Career and Technical Education opportunities
  • Strong college readiness and direct-to-college outcomes for GT-identified students
  • Continued alignment between GT services and the Leander ISD Graduate Profile
  • Ongoing focus areas around teacher training, expanded access to advanced coursework and rigorous instructional strategies across classrooms 

District leaders also emphasized the importance of continuously evaluating GT services to ensure students continue receiving rigorous, engaging and responsive learning opportunities aligned to their strengths and future goals.

School Health Advisory Council Shares Recommendations Focused on Student Wellness and Support

SHAC presentation slide

🎬 7.A.2. School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Annual Report

Trustees received the annual report from the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), a parent-led advisory group that provides recommendations related to student health, wellness and coordinated school health programming across Leander ISD.

During the 2025-26 school year, SHAC members organized work around several focus areas connected to supporting the whole child. Highlights from this year’s recommendations included:

  • Physical Activity & Nutrition: Recommendations focused on improving access to healthy food choices, daily health messaging, cafeteria flow and recess opportunities for students.
  • Social and Emotional Well-Being: The committee reviewed student mental health supports and recommended expanding the Hope Squad peer support program to two middle schools next year, along with additional social-emotional learning supports.
  • 18+ Healthy Relationships Curriculum: SHAC reviewed and recommended the adapted “My Rights, My Life” curriculum for students in the district’s 18+ program, which was previously approved by the Board earlier this spring.
  • Graduate Profile & Ethical Principles: Building on work from the previous year, SHAC members collaborated on recommendations to better align the district’s Ethical Principles with the LISD Graduate Profile through updated guiding characteristics and student-friendly “I can” statements.

District leaders emphasized that SHAC serves in an advisory role and helps ensure parent and community perspectives continue informing student wellness efforts across the district.

Trustees Address Financial Requirements of State School Bus Seat Belt Law

Seat Belt slide

🎬 5.C. CONSENT – Consider Approval of Board Determination that the District’s General Fund Budget Does Not Permit Compliance with Senate Bill 546

Following the district’s presentation at the April 23 Board meeting, Trustees approved the required determination that Leander ISD’s current General Fund budget does not permit compliance with Senate Bill 546 from the 89th Texas Legislature (2025), which requires all school buses in Texas to be equipped with three-point seat belts by Sept. 1, 2029.

For additional background and details, see the previous Board Briefs edition.

District leaders previously shared that while all daily route buses already meet the new requirement, the district would still need to replace or upgrade 106 buses at an estimated cost of approximately $18 million.

Future bus replacement needs are expected to continue being evaluated through the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC) process as part of long-term facilities and bond planning.

Previous Updates