During its Sept. 5 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included: 

Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording

Spotlight on Learning: Hisle Elementary

The spotlight was on #1LISD’s newest elementary school – Hisle Elementary – with a quick check-in after the school opened its doors for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Teachers and staff from Hisle shared how they have been focused on building connection and sense of belonging and how that translates to student learning.

Hisle Elementary will host a dedication ceremony Saturday, Sept. 7. More information

Board Recognitions

Special thanks to Glenn High School students Dalton and Feather for helping celebrate stand-out individuals and accomplishments around #1LISD.

The Board recognized the following:

  • Leader in Me Lighthouse Recertification – Reed Elementary School
  • Solution Tree Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) – Block House Creek Elementary
  • Hill Country Community Ministries “Sunshine in Education” Award – Denise Geiger, Leander ISD Senior Coordinator, Special Education Transition Services
  • Journalism Education Association Rising Star – Shelby Nickells, Journalism Teacher, Rouse HS
  • Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) President-Elect – Drew Sanders, Athletic Coordinator, Head Football Coach, Vandegrift HS

Empowered Learning Starts with Strong PLCs

Empowered Student Learning

🎬 7.A.2. Strategic Plan & District Improvement Plan Formative Review – Empowered Learning Part 2

Throughout the 2024–25 school year’s Board Meeting calendar, LISD will present a formative review of one goal within the five-year Strategic Plan and the District Improvement Plan. In this meeting, district administrators continued to review the Empowered Student Learning goal.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) or collaborative teams are a key component in reaching an educational environment where learners – students and adults – own their learning. In building highly effective PLCs at all levels of LISD, there has been a redoubling of professional development around this topic while paying specific attention to barriers standing in the way.

“We’re a big district, and sometimes consistency across the system can be a challenge. That said, I’m seeing that consistency across the district in all feeder patterns,” Board Vice President Anna Smith said. “We’re seeing it from area superintendents, from principals and from teachers in the classroom. And as a parent, I see that engagement, and it’s making a difference.”

Previous Updates

Math Initiative Moves the Needle at Elementary Level

Tiered Math Initiative

🎬 7.A.3. Discussion of Elementary Tiered Math Initiative Program Evaluation

Starting in the 2023–24 school year, LISD conducted a comprehensive program evaluation and began to implement a tiered math initiative for the elementary school level.

This initiative seeks to improve student outcomes in mathematics by enhancing math instruction and providing tiered support tailored to each campus’ specific needs.

Rooted in this review is the reality that math has changed over the years – both in the ways it is taught to children and in the belief systems we have about how children learn and engage in mathematics. In tackling math problems, it’s essential students know what’s happening and why it’s happening.

“How can we, as a community, talk about math in a way that doesn’t make it scary? The way we teach math, the way we approach math, the way we conceptualize math is different now,” Board Secretary Christine Mauer said. “We have to think about what the future will be like for these kids. That’s where bringing parents in is important – whether it’s Math Pentathlon, a math night or just games, whatever it is to get them involved.”

Previous Updates

Substance Abuse Prevention Education & Student Support Update

Prevention Education

🎬 7.A.1. Substance Abuse Prevention Education and Support Services Update

The Board received an update on LISD’s substance abuse prevention and education efforts, along with details on the different ways the counseling and health services departments support students who are experiencing substance abuse concerns.

The district has a clear focus to educate and empower students to make safe and healthy choices. These efforts also recognize the need to engage parents and equip them with tips and strategies for how they can best support their child.

“I think a big part of this is families having conversations with their kids that are uncomfortable and don’t feel good in the moment, but you want to prepare your kids for these situations. We have to empower our families,” said Board President Gloria Gonzales-Dhokakia, Ph.D. “There’s so much we can do in school, but I think we have to take responsibility as parents for what conversations we’re going to have with our kids at home.”

In addition to prevention education, LISD has been ahead of the curve when it comes to making Narcan – a medicine that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – accessible at every campus and district facility.

LISD’s Education Foundation – LEEF – Continues to Enrich the Student Experience

LEEF Lifetime Impact

🎬 7.C.1. Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) Annual Report 2023-2024

Leander Educational Excellence Foundation Executive Director Coleen Brighton and LEEF Board of Director President Devin Williamson presented the annual report, showcasing how the district’s education foundation helps bring together the community in enriching the student experience.

What began as a $17,000 foundation in 2007 has flourished to what is now a $784,000 foundation as of 2023–24. And LEEF is not stopping there as the foundation has a vision to become a $1 million foundation by 2025.

This past year, LEEF funded 69 Collaborative and Innovative grants totaling $138,984. When looked at over the history of the foundation, LEEF has put more than $1 million back into classrooms through grants alone.

Widening out the focus from grants, LEEF impacts LISD in so many ways. From AP scholarships that help expand educational access to funding two LISD mental health specialists, the foundation works closely with district administrators to help identify needs in order to see where LEEF funds could be most beneficial.

“The LEEF board and everyone involved with LEEF is the most dedicated group of people,” said Trustee Francesca Romans, who serves as the LISD Board’s liaison for LEEF. “It’s different types of businesses, all different types of people, but everyone is genuinely there for a common purpose: ‘What do you need?’ The number of times I hear that asked during LEEF board meetings. It’s about figuring out how they can help further the health, safety and education of all of the kids and educators.”

Visit leeftx.org to learn more about LEEF and how you can help and become a monthly donor.

Hiring Announcement: Leander MS Principal

Leander Middle: Announcing Principal Tom Robbins

Leander ISD is pleased to welcome Tom Robbins as the new Leander MS principal after the Board approved the recommendation at Thursday’s Board meeting.