The Board of Trustees discussed the district’s annual demographer report, reviewed a proposed matrix for determining hazardous bus routes and received an update on ongoing construction at its Oct. 25 meeting.
Demographer’s report again forecasts robust growth for LISD
After adding the most students in the Austin area over the past decade, Leander ISD is poised to continue adding approximately 1,000 new students each year for the foreseeable future, making it No. 9 in Texas for school district growth.
The Board of Trustees discussed these and other findings from the recently completed demographic update following a presentation by Dr. Pat Guseman and Dr. Stacey Tepera of Population and Survey Analysts. Most of the growth is forecast in the north part of the district, which is predicted to add nearly 50,000 new housing units over the next decade, with more than half of that being single family housing.
“Leander ISD continues to be a destination district, and we are excited about the growth that is forecast for our area,” Trustee Will Streit said. “The challenge will be managing that growth so that all our students have equitable opportunities to learn and succeed.”
Proposed ratings tool for hazardous bus routes set for public comment
Following a review by the Board, LISD will solicit public input regarding the proposed hazardous routes evaluation tool the district uses for households within two miles of their assigned campuses.
Each year, LISD Transportation staff evaluates routes using a rating instrument developed by a community advisory committee to assess hazardous conditions. Over the past two months, a committee evaluated multiple rating models and produced an evaluation matrix for the board to consider adopting for the 2019–20 school year.
LISD invites our community to evaluate the ratings matrix and offer feedback between Oct. 26 and Nov. 5. This feedback will be quantified and communicated to the committee as it refines the matrix.
“This redesigned hazardous route rating tool truly is a best-in-class solution in ensuring a transparent and consistent assessment of our potentially hazardous routes,” Trustee Jim MacKay said. “The community-led committee’s addition of clear definitions, explanation of methodology and weighting removes ambiguity. They really knocked it out of the park and I look forward to community getting the chance to look at the tool and weigh in during the public comment period.”
Construction continues on LISD’s major maintenance, Bond 2017 projects
New school construction and facility improvements are continuing through the fall with Trustees approving funding for construction at Elementary School 27, Glenn High School Ag Center, Cedar Park High School and the North Transportation Center.
In addition, crews continue working on the CPHS grandstands, installing bleachers, the press box and traditional (non-video) scoreboard in November.
“The district continues to fund these projects in accordance with the directive issued by our taxpayers,” Board Vice-President Grace-Barber Jordan, M.Ed., said. “These 2017 bond projects will add value to our campuses and district, and we remain committed to making sure they remain on schedule and on budget.”
