The Board of Trustees discussed climate surveys and community engagement, reviewed campus and district improvement plans and received an update on ongoing construction at its Oct. 11 meeting.

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Board considers community engagement priorities in upcoming climate surveys

The Board of Trustees discussed the refinement of LISD’s survey instruments as a way to solicit staff and community feedback. Survey approaches, topics and timelines were considered with a focus on how to best meet the current needs of our educational system.

“Our goal as a Board and a district is to engage our community so our schools, administration and Board can make decisions on behalf of students,” Trustee Pamela Waggoner said. “We look forward to continue to work and enhance our strategies for collecting this data to improve our school district.”

The district uses a trio of surveys – one each for families, students and staff – to gauge satisfaction, areas of concern and where student support may be needed.

In the surveys this past February, three quarters of families had a favorable impression of the district. Students felt encouraged and supported by teachers and staff while also feeling safe in their classroom and on campus. Teachers and employees reported high levels of satisfaction with their learning communities and opportunities for professional development.

Trustees review campus and district improvement plans

Texas Education Code requires that each campus develop an improvement plan with established objectives based on the TAPR (Texas Academic Performance Report). These objectives are approved by the local board of trustees and are published in the annual report.

For the campuses, performance objectives are based on data, with strategies meant to address shortcomings in the tested areas. Throughout the plans are the overarching goals of the district: professional learning communities, high quality teaching and learning, culture and vision, and leadership development.

Trustees will evaluate the improvement plans over the next two weeks, with a vote of approval expected Oct. 25.

“Leander ISD is focused on continuous improvement for the benefit of our children, and these plans are an important step in finding ways to do so,” Trustee Don Hisle said. “I appreciate the efforts of our campuses and district improvement committees in using data to create targeted plans that will have the greatest impacts on student achievement and success.”

Construction continues on LISD’s major maintenance, Bond 2017 projects.

New school construction and facility improvements are continuing through the fall. Trustees reviewed guaranteed maximum price proposals on the construction at Elementary School 27, Glenn High School Ag Center, Cedar Park High School additions and renovations and the North Transportation Center. Approval is expected at the Oct. 25 meeting.

In addition, work on the CPHS grandstands continues, with bleachers going in this month and the press box and scoreboard in November. At Vandegrift High School’s Monroe Stadium, visitor side improvements are set to begin in December.  Ten elementary schools are getting traffic gates installed in December, so concrete anchor posts are being installed this month and next.

“The district has made tremendous progress in fulfilling its construction promises to our taxpayers,” Board President Aaron Johnson said. “These 2017 bond projects are on schedule and on budget, and we’re excited about the value they will add to our campuses and district.”