With their role as advocates, the Board has started preparing for the 88th Texas Legislative Session in 2023. During their May 19 Board meeting, members laid out what’s best for students at the legislative level. Based on issues that may come before lawmakers, the Texas Association of School Boards has requested resolutions to help align their stance. With the help of Ancira Strategic Partners, trustees have outlined a series of resolutions they plan to submit to TASB:
- Increase the amount of time to complete Reading Academies, additionally allowing Leander ISD to conduct in-house training, saving time and expense.
- Regarding HB 4545, ease the 3-to-1 student-to-tutor ratio, due to staffing shortages as well as provide funding for supplemental accelerated instruction.
- Establish with Leander ISD a K-12 apprenticeship program registered with the US Dept. of Labor, which allows for instructional aides to work and earn their teaching certifications within 3 years.
- Adding an inflationary measure to help with cost of living for full-time employees through basic allotment.
- Set aside funds for full-day pre-k students.
When examining legislative priorities, the Board’s Legislative Committee created two categories: targeted priorities and collaborative opportunities.
Targeted priorities are defined as initiatives that LISD Board members will face decisively. They are:
- Increase funding for hiring staff and providing professional development to meet student needs
- Continue to monitor student data privacy legislation that passed last session, including ensuring data mining is 100% prohibited.
- Special Education advocates, ethical standards and qualifications
As collaborative opportunities arise, the LISD Board will seek out engagement based on movement among lawmakers and committees. They are:
- Workforce retention and recruiting
- Loan forgiveness
- Increase compensation
- Alteration of legislation that causes undue burden
- Increase funding for Reading Academies
- Support allowing flexible options, a more holistic accountability system
- Supporting Special Education allotment fully funds each child base on needs and circumstances
- Oppose differing standards for bond and tax ratification elections
- Transition school funding from an attendance-based system to an enrollment-based system
- Ensure decision-making encourages participation and prioritizes the needs of parents, teachers, staff and trustees identified by the education code and local governance matters
- Support full and adequate funding for full-day Prek
- Create new or modified funding mechanisms to better meet the needs of fast-growth districts
