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.”

When it comes to charter and private schools, families in the Leander ISD attendance area choose the district’s schools at a high rate (94 percent of all possible students, up one percent from last year).

“The excellence of our teaching staff is the clear reason why families in Cedar Park and Leander continue to choose our schools,” Superintendent Dan Troxell, Ph.D., said. “With caring and compassion, they maintain a focus on innovative teaching methods that nurture the whole child.”

Demographers noted that Leander and Cedar Park are impacted by the area’s allure to retirees, which are moving in greater numbers into LISD than any other Austin metro school district. By doing so, they are occupying homes previously  projected for younger buyers. Millennials are moving into LISD at slightly higher rate than the previous year; however, their growth remains slow due to lack of affordable housing.

“Home prices in Leander continue to rise, as does interest in our community,” Board President Aaron Johnson said. “It’s more important than ever that we keep managing resources effectively to deliver value and achievement to our taxpayers.”