During its Oct. 24 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included: 

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Cedar Park MS

During the Spotlight on Learning, Cedar Park Middle School packed the house with students from all grade levels sharing their passion for learning through extracurricular activities. Data shows that students involved in extracurricular activities have a stronger sense of belonging, academic success, personal and social development and better direction for their future. Hear them Leopards roar!

Board Recognitions

Special thanks to Cedar Park Middle School students Jonny and Akshitha for helping celebrate stand-out individuals and accomplishments around #1LISD.

The Board recognized the following:

  • ACT Perfect Score – Yiming Peng, Vandegrift High School
  • Finance/Business Office’s Superior “FIRST” rating
  • National Merit Semifinalists
  • National School Bus Safety Week – October 21-25, Transportation, Crossing Guards
  • National School Lunch Week – October 14-18, Child Nutrition Staff

One-Time Employee Appreciation Payment Approved for LISD Staff

Leander ISD Logo; Thank you, #1LISD Staff!

🎬 8.C.3. Consider Approval of Employee One-Time Lump Sum Payment Resolution

Acknowledging the dedicated service of teachers and staff to the community’s students, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved a one-time employee appreciation payment of $1,000 for eligible full-time employees and $500 for eligible part-time employees, set to be disbursed in December 2024.

The decision follows a condition established in the 2024–25 compensation plan, ensuring that the payment would not impose a financial burden on the district. With a robust general fund balance estimated at $185 million – well above the Texas Education Agency’s recommended 25% of the operating budget – this payment will not create financial strain.

To qualify for the payment, employees must hold a regular part or full-time position, including Teacher Fellows, and be in active status as of November 22, 2024. Please note that this one-time payment is not eligible for TRS creditable service.

Wage Continuation Approved for Employees in VHS Feeder Impacted by Recent Short-Term Closures

🎬 8.C.5. Discussion and Consider Approval of a Resolution to Grant the Superintendent the Authority to Continue Wages for Employees Due to Emergency Closure of Schools

The Board also adopted a resolution to continue wage payments to employees at the eight schools within the Vandegrift High School feeder pattern affected by the campus closures on the evening of Oct. 18, 2024, and/or Oct. 21, 2024.

The limited closures were the result of a gas leak impacting multiple buildings and requiring multiple road closures within the VHS feeder. This resolution compensates employees who otherwise would not be paid for their regular duty schedule due to the district’s emergency closures.

Previous Updates

Annual Demographic Report

Demographic Report projections

🎬 8.C.1. Discussion of the Annual Demographic Report: Population and Survey Analyst (PASA)

In an annual update to the Board, representatives from Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) shared their latest findings.

Leander ISD is currently made up of 42,537 students. PASA develops three growth scenarios – low, moderate and high – looking out over the next 10 years. Based on current projections, in the moderate-growth scenario, LISD would hit 44,474 students in 2034.

PASA’s process includes a host of complex research and analysis, including:

  • The study of background data, such as Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping information and a study of past enrollment
  • The study of housing and economic data
  • The study of past and current student population

Every year, the projection starts with a clean slate and they are not impacted by the previous year’s accuracy. Noting that, this latest report continues to show growth but at a significantly slower rate than previous years – changes also seen in other school districts in the region and across the state. The past five years have seen a global pandemic, record-setting highs and lows in mortgage rates impacting the housing market, an expansion of charter schools in the area, and an increased interest in virtual and other non-traditional schooling options.

Highlighted in the report, numbers show growth unevenly spread across the nearly 200-square mile district, as the northern and perimeter areas continue to see new development as the area builds out while the central and southern portions see declines with a lack of regeneration.

These projections inform the work of the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) for Leander ISD, which is focused on student learning while maximizing resources in the years ahead. After reviewing this newest batch of demographic data, the LRPC and district administration will update the Long-Range Facilities Plan and present an update at a later Board meeting.

Community-Based Accountability System Annual Report: Continued

CBAS Executive Summary

🎬 8.A.1. Discussion of 2023-2024 Leander ISD Community Based Accountability System – Part 2

During the Oct. 24 Board meeting, Leander ISD presented Part 2 of the 2023-2024 Community-Based Accountability System (CBAS) report, which outlined progress in three other goal areas.

Goal 3: Impactful Family Engagement

The district showcased strategies to foster relationships and inclusivity among families. Metrics from the report indicated 80 percent of respondents saying they received just the right amount of communication when measuring for frequency.

Highlights of communication efforts included the launch of dedicated Legacy and Bond webpages, along with the alignment of campus social media channels. Additional marketing materials to increase awareness and ensure the consistency of the message is an area of opportunity going forward.

Goal 4: Equitable Access

Leander ISD continues to address systemic barriers to program participation. This year’s accomplishments include implementing cultural competency training, launching an Access Data Dashboard to empower leadership decisions, and engaging staff in inclusive leadership education. 

Collaboration with athletic coordinators and coaches also focused on expanding equitable access to extracurricular activities, ensuring all students have opportunities to thrive.

Another outreach effort included the launch of the On the Street podcast series, which highlighted heritage months throughout the year by inviting members of the #1LISD staff to tell their story.

Goal 5: Safe and Innovative Learning Environment

In 2023–24, facility updates were prioritized to enhance student safety and learning experiences. 

This school year saw a direct impact of the May 2023 Bond package, as playground shade covers were installed, modernization projects began for a handful of campuses, and new technology was integrated into learning spaces through the addition of interactive panels.

An expanded Long-Range Planning Committee – with a membership in the 60s, including students, parents, community members, and representatives from the Board, campus and district staff.

Through these efforts, Leander ISD reaffirms its dedication to cultivating an inclusive, innovative and supportive educational environment.

To view the full report, visit the CBAS webpage. And to hear more about how this report is More than a Test, check out this video.

Previous Updates

Bond 2023: Project Funds Released For Grandview Hills Ancillary Building Projects

Grandview Hills aerial shot

🎬 5.A. Consider Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price #2 for the Grandview Hills Ancillary Building Project

The May 2023 bond included funds for new buildings for ancillary building projects located next to Grandview Hills Elementary School – including the Information Technology Broadband Network Node, South Transportation Terminal, and the Plant Services Ancillary Renovation – with PBK Architects approved to design them and Bartlett Cocke General Contractors to build them.

As part of the consent agenda item, Trustees approved the second Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for these new buildings, allowing for the release of Bond funds already allocated for this project as part of the May 2023 bond.

This GMP will go toward the start of the construction phase of the project. Construction is projected to start later in early 2025.

GMP #2

  • Grandview Hills Ancillary Building Projects: $17,510,428 (for a total GMP of $18,855,282)

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