The Board of Trustees discussed the district’s legislative priorities, reviewed new course proposals and received an update on ongoing construction at its Nov. 8 meeting.
District’s legislative priorities in focus ahead of legislative session
The 2019 Leander ISD Legislative Priorities outline the key legislative agenda for the district in the 86th Texas Legislative Session. The Board’s Legislative Committee was led by Vice President Grace Barber-Jordan, M.Ed., Secretary Trish Bode and Pamela Waggoner.
Leander ISD seeks a partnership with our Texas legislators to focus on supporting all students, to advocate against unfunded mandates, and to empower communities and taxpayers through local control.
Administration will begin creating a communication plan for sharing the Legislative Priorities, as well as additional resources to include impact statements for LISD and draft legislative language.
“It is well-documented that local taxpayers are shouldering a greater and greater share of our school funding, and that’s wrong,” Barber-Jordan said. “We support a recalibration of the state funding mechanism and keeping all public education dollars, including recaptured funds, allocated for public school students.”
New course proposals include IB Latin, math courses
With a nod to IB programs, LISD administration recommended that the Board approve the following new courses as options for students:
- Latin V IB (Higher Level)
- IB Mathematics: Applications & Interpretations
- IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- Multivariable Calculus
- An American Experience
- Parenting Education for School Age Parents I-II
If approved by the Board at its Nov. 29 meeting, these courses will be included as options in the LISD Course Catalog for the next school year. Student interest will determine if the course is included in the campus master schedules.
“I appreciate the administration’s suggestions and look forward to reviewing the options for next school year,” Board President Aaron Johnson said. ”I’m particularly excited about the additions to our IB programme, which continues to grow in popularity. These new courses will make the curriculum even more robust.”
Construction continues on LISD’s major maintenance, Bond 2017 projects
Despite the rainy weather, new school construction at Elementary 27 and facility improvements remain on schedule.
Crews will complete work on the CPHS grandstands, installing bleachers, the press box and traditional (non-video) scoreboard in November. Nearby, projects addressing athletic additions and renovations, security upgrades and softball complex safety are underway. This month will bring selective demolition of existing buildings, the beginning of underground utilities and the relocation of softball bleachers, as well as the building of foundations for the new additions and softball complex.
Construction continues at Monroe Stadium as crews begin adding new bleachers in December. In addition, LISD will be installing traffic gates at 10 elementary schools in December, so concrete anchor posts are currently being installed.
“It’s exciting to see the progress that’s being made on these voter-approved initiatives,” Secretary Trish Bode said. “It’s heartening that despite the weather issues, these projects remain on time and on budget.”
