During its Nov. 21 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included: 

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Cypress Elementary

During the Spotlight on Learning, students from Cypress Elementary showed how goal-settings equals growth. Through the use of continuous improvement tools to track progress, these students are setting personal and learning goals while mastering new skills.

Way to go, Cheetahs!

Newly Elected Board Member Takes Oath of Office

Oath of Office

🎬 3. Oath of Office

To start the Nov. 21 Board meeting, newly elected Trustee Nekosi Nelson, Place 3, took the oath of office administered by his brother-in-law, Judge Joseph Stephens, Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 1. 

Two other trustees – Anna Smith and Sade Fashokun – were re-elected to their positions in the November 2024 election. 

Outgoing Member

Also at the start of the meeting, Trustees paid tribute to outgoing member Christine Mauer, who did not seek re-election after joining the Board in 2020. Her involvement with Leander ISD started as a volunteer at Reagan Elementary in 2009. She began her volunteerism in the classroom and with Math Pentathlon. That grew to becoming an officer on the PTA board for Reagan. Mauer was also an employee with the district as a special education instructional assistant for resource and inclusion at Reagan.

We thank her for her countless hours of hard work and dedication in service to our #1LISD community.

Trustees Reorganize Board Office Positions

Board of Trustees

🎬 5.A. Consider Reorganization of the Board of Trustees

As part of its process to review and vote on its leadership positions after an election, the Board named its officers.

  • Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D., remains in the role of president. She moved into this role in June 2023 after previously serving three years as vice president.
  • Anna Smith remains in the role of vice president. She moved into this role in June 023 after previously serving as secretary since December 2022.
  • Sade Fashokun moves into the role of secretary, her first officer position since joining the Board in October 2021.

Long-Range Planning Committee Update on Open Enrollment 

Open Enrollment

🎬 12.B.1. Long-Range Planning Committee Open Enrollment Update

The Long-Range Planning Committee provided an update on its Open Enrollment subcommittee’s progress. The subcommittee, made up of parents, students, staff and community members, is guided by two core questions: 

  • the considerations needed for implementing open enrollment 
  • the implications of not doing so.

The subcommittee’s work focused on three key priority areas: 

  • Identifying factors to be used in the evaluation process, such as staffing, resources and program capacity 
  • Answering critical questions about cost-benefit analysis, campus eligibility and family transfer decisions
  • Identifying potential challenges, such as logistical constraints and capacity issues.

The subcommittee emphasized the importance of operational, staffing and communication strategies to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with district standards.

In continuing to evaluate this as an option for Leander ISD, Trustees requested a cost analysis – from administrative costs to potential application and tuition fees – and additional data about open enrollment from comparable districts that have implemented open enrollment.

Previous Updates

Bond 2023: Project Funds Released for Leander HS Masterplan’s Phase 1 Construction

🎬 10.B. Consider Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price #3 for Leander High School Master Plan- Phase 1

Trustees approved the third Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for the Leander High School Masterplan Redesign’s Phase 1, allowing for the release of Bond funds already allocated for this project.

This GMP will go toward the remodel of the existing athletic area (Phase 1C). Construction work on the Phase 1 project is ongoing.

GMP #3

  • Leander HS: $28,470,641 (for a total GMP of $50,152,992)

Phase 1 of the Leander HS Masterplan Redesign addresses the Athletic area [campus layout] of the campus. This phase will be split into four separate sections:

  • Phase 1A – Relocating the utilities for the auxiliary gym and weight room additions. Construction is underway.
  • Phase 1B – Addition of an Auxiliary Gym (to be located next to the existing Competition Gym) and a new Weight Room. This phase also includes security gates to enable the campus to be separated from the Don Tew Performing Arts Center and the gymnasiums. Construction is underway
  • Phase 1C – Remodel the existing athletic area. Construction estimated to start Summer 2025
  • Phase 1D – Remodel the existing Blue Belle dance space, auxiliary gym and rubber gym into a wrestling room, dance/cheer gym with supporting spaces and fitness center. Construction estimated to start Summer 2025

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