During its Feb. 15 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
During the Spotlight on Learning, Giddens Elementary students showcased their passion for STEM, after-school clubs and learning tools like vertical boards. All together, these contribute to helping them solve problems, own their learning and focus on having a growth mindset.
Paws up, Jaguars!
Special thanks to the Vista Ridge High School announcements duo of Sheyla Martinez and Astoria Ernst for helping celebrate stand-out individuals and accomplishments around #1LISD.
The Board recognized the following:
🎬 9.A.2. Consider Approval of Elementary School #30 Attendance Zoning Recommendation
The Board approved Scenario 4 in the 2024–25 Elementary School Attendance Rezoning. This rezoning represents a step in the Long-Range Plan. This rezoning comes as Elementary School #30 is scheduled to open in August 2024 to address the growth in the northern part of the district.
The process began Oct. 5, 2023, when the Board reviewed the charter that was developed utilizing the criteria laid out by the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC). The district released the latest scenario incorporating a uniform approach to calculating a campus’ functional capacity, the direct result of community and Board feedback.
After an additional round of community feedback and two more community forums, the scenario was shared with the LRPC to evaluate to what degree the scenario met the parameters established in the charter.
This spring, the district will continue to evaluate the possibility of creating an early childhood hub for PreK 3 and PreK 4 at Elementary School #30 as a way to add additional students to the newly built campus while also providing more enrollment relief to elementary schools in the northern portion of the district.
LISD administration will confirm final decisions about student transfer exceptions in the coming weeks.
These newly approved elementary school attendance zones will all go into effect in the coming 2024–2025 school year.
🎬 9.A.1. Goal 1: Empowered Student Learning Mid-Year Update
At Thursday’s meeting, the district provided an update on the leading measures for the Strategic Plan’s Goal 1: Empowered Student Learning. In this mid-year look at progress, Trustees examined data on literacy, mathematics and college, career and military readiness.
Since the end of the 2022–23 school year and in transitioning to the current year, the Teaching & Learning team has collaborated with our schools around reading and math initiatives that included redesigned curriculum and methods of intervention.
LISD uses universal screener data points – such as NWEA MAP Growth for math and Istation’s Indicators of Progress (ISIP) for reading – at different checkpoints throughout the year.
While a worthwhile exercise to continue to keep a pulse on developing trendlines in the latest mid-year data compared to beginning-of-year benchmarks, district and campus leaders are proceeding with caution before attributing direct causes – for both areas of positive and negative shifts.
“As much as we want to see immediate improvement in the data and know why, we understand that change takes time,” said Board President Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D. “What we can see is our teachers, campus leaders and district support teams putting in the work. We know patience is required to let these new reading and math systems fully take root.”
One data point that stood out showed a marked improvement in the number of students flagged as “at risk” by the ISIP screener for reading. Comparing the same group of students from when they were kindergartners in May of 2023 to January 2024 now in first grade – equivalent to 17 weeks of implementation of the new initiative – LISD saw a 19-percent decrease in those categorized as at-risk.
🎬 5.A. 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report and Public Hearing
The Board reviewed the annual Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) [presentation | full report] and held a public hearing as required by the Texas Education Code.
The 2022–23 report includes:
Certain items traditionally included in this annual report, such as accountability ratings, were absent as a result of ongoing litigation between school districts and TEA centered around the state’s A-F Accountability system.
“It’s important for our families to understand that even with accountability ratings on hold for the time being, Leander ISD has continued the work around looking at assessment data to track progress and look for areas of growth, as is the norm in our district of continuous improvement,” Trustee Trish Bode said.
Looking at one metric charting progress, LISD examined students who did not meet the passing standard the year prior but this year reached the level of passing or above. In both ELA/Reading and Math, the district saw nearly 50 percent with this level of improvement, about 10 percentage points higher than both the state and the region.
During its Jan. 18 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
During the Spotlight on Learning, students from Leander ISD’s Extended Opportunity (LEO) Center shared how teachers make them feel heard, how to learn from their mistakes and how to grow and reach their goal. Thank you to these students for talking about their experiences and demonstrating resilience.
As we continue to celebrate School Board Recognition Month, we want to say thank you and “Spread the Word” of the tireless work Trustees do to support public education and advocate for our district while listening and upholding the needs of our community.
Before Thursday’s Board meeting, we held a reception to show our appreciation of these Trustees who volunteer their time in service of our students and staff.
In his report to the Board, Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. shared information about the district’s work with the Spirit Cultural Exchange Program. Through this, LISD has 32 teachers from 8 countries working here on J-1 visas, which allows individuals to participate in a work-study-based exchange visitor programs.
During the meeting, 11 teachers from the Philippines projected their culture through dance.
🎬 7.A.1. Consider Approval of Elementary School #30 Attendance Zoning Recommendation
During the attendance zoning agenda item, Trustees voiced a desire to see changes in the elementary school zoning process and voted against the district-recommended scenario as presented.
The district will continue its work collecting and examining functional capacity numbers from elementary schools in the impacted areas and will explore next steps before bringing this item back before the Board in February. A school’s functional capacity takes into account the program offerings and specific ways classrooms are utilized in order to provide a more realistic projection of available space.
“This is a hard process, and I think a lot of that is credit to our wonderful teachers and principals and schools for creating this community that people love,” said Board President Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D. “While change can be challenging, we’re fortunate in Leander ISD to know that no matter the school, there are no bad options. All of our #1LISD schools are home to vibrant learning opportunities each and every day.”
As part of the 10-year Long-Range Plan for Leander ISD, Elementary School #30 is scheduled to open in August 2024 to address the growth in the northern part of the district.
The process began Oct. 5, 2023, when the Board reviewed the charter that was developed by the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC). After three rounds of community feedback and six community forums, the scenario was shared with the LRPC to evaluate to what degree the scenario met the parameters established in the charter.
🎬 7.A.2. 2024-2025, 2025-2026 Academic Calendar Discussion
Following the conclusion of a comprehensive feedback process, the district presented its 2024–25 academic calendar recommendation for consideration. Approval will be sought at the Feb. 1 Board meeting.
Key features of the calendar include:
Note: This calendar draft matches the draft presented a year ago when the Board approved the current 2023–24 calendar.
“I appreciate the thought and intentionality that went into this,” said Trustee Trish Bode, applauding the work of LISD’s administration and the calendar development process. “You’ve kept the focus on students and academics while also balancing and considering so many other factors that impact our community – everything from vacation days and custodial agreements to ACC’s calendar for our dual-credit students.”
Through the feedback process, the district received a lot of responses related to the winter break, making note of this current year’s unusual distribution of days before and after the holidays because of how the days of the week aligned. Rolling that forward a year, in the 2024–25 calendar, that split of days nudges backward with staff returning from break on the first Monday of January – Jan. 6, 2025 – and students returning the next day.
🎬 7.A.3. Instructional Materials Adoption Process Overview
The Instructional Materials Selection Process, an annual review of the materials of a rotating selection of courses, continues on its adoption timeline.
After already beginning steps to collect input from teachers and staff and various committee groups, the process now turns to gathering feedback from the community at large. Members of our community have opportunities to provide feedback on these resources from Jan. 11–Feb. 16 through in-person viewing at Central Office and Cedar Park High School, or by viewing the materials virtually on the district website.
The district will host three Q&A Zoom meetings Feb. 7 – at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – with district curriculum experts that allow community members to explore the options, ask questions and provide feedback.
Recommendations on materials will come before the Board for approval later in the spring semester.
🎬 7.C.1. Child Nutrition Services Annual Report
Leander ISD partners with a food service management company – Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) – to run the Child Nutrition Services (CNS) department.
In their annual update, SFE detailed efforts to improve the student experience through things like nutrition education and a Roving Chef program, where the department’s head chef travels to elementary schools to offer hands-on cooking sessions. Programs like Flavor Fest help infuse student choice into the daily menu.
“The very first thing my fifth-grader tells me about when he gets in the car is his lunch – in great detail, every single part of it,” Trustee Francesca Romans shared of her child’s excitement with school meals. “Whatever fizzy drinks you’re putting in the elementary school cafeterias, they’re awesome.”
SFE returned as the district’s vendor for 2023–24 after a one-year absence. In that time, the CNS team has hired more than 70 cafeteria staff members. Currently, the department has a little more than 40 open positions compared to nearly 115 a year ago.
Meanwhile, SFE also reported on its staff empowerment efforts through employee appreciation, team building and training initiatives for staff.
🎬 7.C.2. Discussion and Consider Adoption of the 2024-2025 Budget Assumptions
Trustees approved the budget assumptions and parameters that will be used as a starting point in building the 2024–2025 budget, including:
The 2024–25 budget is scheduled for adoption on June 27, 2024.
Dec. 14, 2023: Budget Outlook for 2024–25 Fiscal Year
]]>This spring, the following courses/content areas are being considered for adoption of new instructional materials for implementation in 2024-2025:
Members of our LISD community are encouraged to provide feedback on these resources from Jan. 11–Feb. 16 through in-person viewing at Central Office and Cedar Park High School or by viewing the materials virtually on the district website.
There are multiple opportunities for the community to provide feedback on the materials being considered for adoption. The following dates have been scheduled for community members & parents to view materials and provide feedback and ask questions.
LISD Admin Building
204 W. South St.
Leander, TX 78646
Cedar Park High School
2150 Cypress Creek Rd
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Note: The feedback window was originally scheduled to close Feb. 16, 2024. To allow ample time for our community to review the new instructional resources, we have extended the feedback window to March. 1, 2024.
For questions about the instructional materials selection process, please reach out to us through Let’s Talk.
]]>During its Sept. 21 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
Students from LISD’s SELF 18+ Transition Services offered first-hand experiences of how they have met personal goals and developed new skills. The program seeks to provide young adults, 18 to 22 years old, with the tools necessary for successful transition into community and adult living on a journey of independence. Thanks to work-based skills, self-advocacy & person-centered planning, these students are thriving!
🎬 7.B.2. Discussion of Long-Range Planning Committee Charter
🎬 7.B.3. Discussion of Long-Range Planning Committee Recommendation
The Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) was originally created during the 2021-2022 school year to make recommendations on how to manage growth, while also optimizing current district buildings. In the spring of 2023, the LRPC expanded to include wider representation from our community. The expanded group now includes 61 people:
This committee has been meeting monthly since June to create understanding of the LRPC scope and current reality of growth and needs throughout the district.
During the LRPC’s last two meetings, the committee engaged in discussion related to addressing growth in the northern portion of our district in order to bring a recommendation before the Board. The district originally presented three options to consider, and in a true show of empowerment, the committee helped develop a hybrid fourth option, which ultimately gained consensus among its members.
Details of Option 4 presented to the Board are outlined below, but in order to seek a greater understanding of this option and all of those considered, it’s well worth your time to watch Superintendent Bruce Gearing’s whiteboard demonstration during the meeting.
“It was great to see the communication and the vulnerability from our committee members,” said Board Secretary Christine Mauer, one of three Trustees sitting on the LRPC. “People want to have their voices heard and really feel like they are part of the process.
“When we have those face-to-face conversations in these committee meetings with members of our community, that’s where the real magic can happen,” she added. “That’s where our community can come together for the betterment of our entire district.”
The recommendation will come back before the Board at the Oct. 5 meeting for approval.
The concept of Early Childhood Centers expands on the district’s current approach to prekindergarten where students are clustered together into 18 different PreK Communities at existing elementary schools across the district. With an Early Childhood Center, the same community approach would pull these young students from multiple elementary attendance boundaries into a facility specifically designed and constructed with them in mind.
ECCs can then better serve our youngest learners while also addressing LRPC’s focus of managing growth.
At the end of closed session deliberation, Trustees authorized Leander ISD to join a coalition of school districts taking legal action against the Texas Education Agency related to changes to the state’s A-F Accountability system.
In particular, the lawsuit takes issue with the state failing to properly notify districts of revisions to the state accountability system.
“The current status seems antithetical to the goal of providing transparency and clarity in the accountability system,” LISD Board President Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D., said. “We believe we have no other choice but to join this lawsuit in an ultimate desire to accurately reflect the success and improvements of #1LISD.”
Earlier this month, TEA announced a temporary delay of releasing 2023 A-F Accountability Ratings, originally scheduled for Sept. 28. TEA said the postponement of ratings for approximately one month will allow for a further re-examination of the baseline data.
In 2022, Leander ISD set in motion the creation of a Community-Based Accountability System, a measure of excellence that goes beyond test-based accountability. The 2021–22 report provided initial benchmarks, and the report for 2022–23 report will be released later this month.
🎬 7.B.1. Legislative Committee Update
In recent remarks from Texas’ governor, he has all but called for a special session on education, representatives from LISD’s Legislative Committee said Thursday.
Projected for mid-October, the session – or multiple sessions – is expected to center on Education Savings Accounts (ESA), a voucher-like system where taxpayer funds could be used to pay for private school tuition, homeschooling, private tutors or online courses.
For comparison’s sake, Texas public schools receive a basic per-student allotment of $6,160. A proposal during the regular session this spring, which did not pass, involved a private school per-student allotment for an ESA of $8,000.
The legislature has not increased basic allotment for public schools since 2019. School districts would need about $1,000 to keep up with inflation and ultimately match the changed economic environment in the four years prior.
“Last summer, well before the start of the 88th session, we came together as a Board and agreed that ‘increased funding for hiring staff and providing the professional development necessary to meet student needs’ would be our top legislative priority,” Trustee Trish Bode said. “There are different avenues the legislature can take to send additional funds to public schools in Texas, but it cannot be emphasized enough that the underlying need is there and growing.”
Another funding discrepancy highlighted during the presentation centered on the special education allotment, which is based on formulas that have not been adjusted since the 1990s. Across the state, Texas districts spend $1.8 billion more on special education than the state funds.
🎬 7.C.1. Leander Educational Foundation (LEEF) Annual Report 2022-23
The president of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation, Devin Williams, and LEEF Executive Director Coleen Brighton presented the annual report, highlighted by the organization’s mission to enrich the educational experience for all.
Over the past five years, the foundation has raised more $2.6 million, investing $1.8 million into Leander ISD programs and classrooms. That’s 228,000 students impacted and 350 teacher grants awarded.
In the last year, LEEF investments back into the LISD community included:
“Our education foundation hits all sectors of Leander ISD, and we’ve only seen those efforts increase in recent years,” Board Vice President Anna Smith said. “You’re out at district events providing books to families, and kids are so excited to get a book. As someone who didn’t have access to books growing up, it’s such a powerful thing to have an education foundation that’s making sure those needs are met.”
Looking ahead to the coming years, the foundation identified the following focus areas as they strive to be a million-dollar foundation:
Visit leeftx.org to learn more about LEEF and how you can help.
🎬 7.A.1. 2023-2024 Instructional Materials Selection Process Update
As part of its yearly review of the instructional materials of a rotating selection of courses, the district will again follow a process in accordance with Texas State law, Texas Education Agency guidelines, and LISD Board Policy. The process places an importance on opportunities for community feedback and aligning vetting criteria with Board Policy EF (Local).
Courses included during the 2023–24 school year, for Fall 2024 implementation:
*Additional courses may be added to the list based on the LISD New Course Proposal process.
The Board will receive a progress update in early 2024. Opportunities for the community to give feedback will be available in person and virtually in the months of January and February. Visit the Instructional Materials Selection page for more information.
]]>During its Aug. 24 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
Current and former New Hope High School students shared inspiring stories during the Spotlight on Learning, offering a great testimony to relationships and the pathway to success NHHS provides.
“I don’t want more schools like New Hope,” NHHS student Anastasia Abeyta said. “I need more schools like New Hope. We need more schools like New Hope.”
Special thanks to the CPHS News team for helping celebrate the hard work and exceptional achievement happening in #1LISD!
The Board recognized the following list of accomplishments:
🎬 7.C.6. Consider Approval of an Ordinance Adopting the 2023 Property Tax Rate
The Board approved a total property tax rate of $1.1087, representing a decrease of more than 16.5 cents from the previous year and creating significant tax relief for LISD property owners.
“I want to offer credit to my fellow Trustees and the work of previous Boards for setting the district on a path where we can continually lower the tax rate, as we’ve done now for seven straight years,” Board Vice President Anna Smith said. “LISD’s sound fiscal management and recent successful elections passed by our community have the district on a solid footing amidst funding uncertainties at the state level and larger economic trends.”
This tax rate is the combined total of $0.7787 on the maintenance and operations (M&O) side of the tax rate, which is used to fund the district’s day-to-day expenses, along with $0.3300 on the interest and sinking (I&S) side, which pays for bond debt.
During the latest legislative session, lawmakers increased the maximum compression rate, which essentially reduces the property tax rate on the M&O side. The district is proposing a tax rate that would save homeowners $820 compared to the previous year on an average value home in LISD.
As promised throughout the spring bond election, the I&S side of the tax rate will remain flat at $0.33. Due to rising property values the rate will generate additional funds to cover the annual I&S payment – including the 2023 Bond payment – and any remaining funds will be used to pay down the debt.
🎬 7.C.5. Discussion of House Bill 3 – Safety & Security
During the recently concluded legislative session, the passing of House Bill 3 requires school districts to place an armed security officer at each campus, among other requirements.
Due to a lack of funding and available personnel, LISD is pursuing a “good cause” exception, allowing the district time to implement an “alternative standard” to meet the requirements of the bill. The district’s alternative standard recommendation includes the formation of an LISD police department.
Funding and logistical challenges aside, an in-house police department would come with its own set of benefits. Existing practice has LISD with School Resource Officers (SROs) at each high school through partnerships with the Leander and Cedar Park police departments and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
“With an in-house police department, it could be easier for us to hire these roles compared to the staffing challenges faced by surrounding law enforcement departments,” said Executive Director of Student Support Bryan Miller, relaying feedback they have received through community partners on LISD’s Safety & Security Committee. “It also would simplify internal communication and collaboration processes by having one system compared to the current model of working with three and sometimes four entities.”
To meet the requirements of HB3, the creation of an in-house police department would encompass 35 SROs for middle school and high school, along with 32 Single Role Marshals for LISD’s elementary and alternative schools.
This would happen over a nine- to 18-month process and would incorporate an application and inspection by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE); the purchase of uniforms, vehicles, weapons and other necessary equipment; and a series of training requirements.
Funding from HB3 would provide LISD with approximately $1.1 million. Preliminary budget estimates for the armed security officer requirement – not the only requirement in the bill – project an ongoing cost of $4.8 million, with an additional $2.8 million of start-up costs.
At the Sept. 7 meeting, the Board will consider a resolution for a good cause exception. More deliberation over what the district’s alternative standard will look like and planning for the possibility of an LISD police department will take place over the coming months. The district will publish additional information as it becomes available.
🎬 7.C.2. Consider Approval of Architects for the 2023 Building Program
🎬 7.C.3. Consider Approval of Construction Managers At Risk for the 2023 Building Program
Following the passing of all three propositions in the 2023 bond, LISD immediately started the vetting process for architects and construction contractors for projects included in the 2023 Building Program. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for architects and the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for construction contractors yielded the following recommendations, which were approved by the Board:
* actual construction costs would be included in a future bond
** approved for construction when funded
* actual construction costs would be included in a future bond
** approved for construction when funded
A new website to track the status of 2023 Bond projects and house all of this information in a single location will be published and shared with the community in the coming weeks.
🎬 7.B.1. Discussion of School Naming Charter Process for Elementary #30 and Other Facilities
Elementary School #30 broke ground in May 2023, and with its scheduled opening in August 2024 comes the opportunity for the Board to name the building.
Based on policy CW (LOCAL), the authority for naming schools lies with the Board of Trustees. The administration would like to utilize the following process:
“I remember when we named Carol Ann North Elementary,” said Board Vice President Anna Smith, a resident in the Bryson subdivision where the school is located. “The process that committee – made up of families whose kids would attend that school – led to a deep understanding of the importance of school naming, and it produced a school name recommendation with buy-in from those residents.”
Board members expressed interest in a charter to name ES30 and a separate charter to name district facilities included in the 2023 Bond. This topic will go back before the Board for review at the Sept. 7 meeting.
Each year, representatives from Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) present enrollment projections to the Board through three growth scenarios: low, moderate and high. Before PASA presents their 2023 findings later this fall, this meeting provided the opportunity to dig into the work and methodology that goes into developing these yearly enrollment projections.
The process includes a host of complex research and analysis, including:
These projections inform the work of the Long-Range Planning Committee for Leander ISD, which is focused on student learning while maximizing resources in the years ahead.
“As a member of the LRPC, this is vital data to support the committee’s work,” Trustee Trish Bode said. “Getting on the same page of the methodology that goes into PASA’s yearly demographic projections will equip the LRPC and the Board for critical discussions on maximizing resources in the upcoming years.”
PASA will return in October to present the latest demographic data for the district.
🎬 7.C.4. Consider Approval of Texas Education Agency Certification Waiver for Teachers
Throughout Texas and the nation, there is a shortage of qualified teachers, and Leander ISD is no exception. Despite increased recruiting efforts, LISD continues to struggle to find highly qualified, certified teachers for many positions.
Primary areas of critical need include mathematics, science and elementary.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Board approved a Certification Waiver for Teachers, a waiver the Texas Education Code has in place to allow an individual to serve as a teacher without the necessary certification requirements for the assigned position for a term of one to three years. The waiver allows the Human Resources department to employ candidates deemed qualified based on their education and/or experience to serve as a teacher while working toward their certification requirements. Note: A waiver is not permissible for special education or bilingual positions.
“In Leander ISD, we’re committed to bringing in the highest quality teachers we can find for our students,” Board Secretary Christine Mauer said. “This waiver gives our HR department another option in doing that.”
The district would provide teachers brought in through this waiver with a variety of support as a first-year teacher to ensure high-quality classroom instruction.
Teachers hired under this waiver will have the following expectations:
🎬 7.A.1. Update on Professional Learning
As a learning institution, Leander ISD’s strong commitment to continuous improvement is apparent when looking at the students who enter our schools each day. That same philosophy of continuous improvement extends to the teachers and staff of the district – how can we get better each and every day?
The Instruction and Professional Learning and Curriculum departments played pivotal roles in driving this Professional Learning work, most heavily concentrated over the summer and through the weeks immediately preceding the start of the school year.
Professional learning experiences and programs sought to provide LISD staff with choice, voice and autonomy, offering varied modes of instruction along with in-district and national presenters. In total, more than LISD staff earned more than 12,000 hours of continuing professional education. This included targeted learning opportunities in reading and math to dig deeper into LISD’s initiatives in those two subjects.
The district is also piloting a Learning Leaders program aimed at maximizing opportunities for teachers to learn from teachers and leveraging the expertise of our teaching staff. There are 31 LISD master teachers in its first year with more than 100 hours of peer-to-peer learning in the three weeks leading into the school year.
“I get so excited seeing investment in leadership roles for teachers who want to stay in the classroom,” Trustee Trish Bode said. “I love how we continue to look for ways to support teachers’ leadership journey right where they are at.”
This year, Leander ISD welcomed 930 new employees of which 680 are campus-based. That includes 300 new-to-profession teachers in the larger pool of 500 new teachers across the district. During their first days, new employees are exposed to the culture of the district and of their home campus. A new experience of “Learning Environment Day” complemented curriculum orientation, along with activities designed for returning staff, like Convocation and Professional Learning Community (PLC) days, among others.
During its June 15 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
We’re closing out end-of-year celebrations with achievements from our Career & Technical Education programs, specifically Journalism, along with medalists in UIL Academics, the Special Olympics Summer Games, Destination Imagination and Math Pentathlon.
🎬 5.A. Public Hearing on the 2023-24 Budget and Proposed Tax Rate
🎬 9.C.3. Consider Adoption of the 2023-2024 Budget
Following months of planning and work to provide the resources necessary to support the #1LISD mission, the Board approved the general operating budget for 2023–2024.
Features of the $496.6 million budget include:
“We’re in a very solid fiscal position because of the planning by the district’s administrative team and this Board’s decision to not rely on proposed bills while the state legislature was in session this spring,” Board President Trish Bode said. “I know my frustration with the state’s current inaction in addressing changes to public school funding is shared among my fellow Trustees. While LISD remains competitive with the school districts in our surrounding area, our programs and operations will suffer without being fully funded.”
Budgets for the General, Child Nutrition, and Debt Service Funds are included in the official district budget.
To fund this budget, the tax rate is projected to be $1.2644, a $0.0102 decrease from the previous year. The final tax rate is scheduled to be adopted by the Board in August or September.
The projected tax rate decrease is represented in the state-required compression of the Maintenance & Operations portion of the tax rate. This decrease does not account for potential actions by the state during special legislative sessions.
As promised throughout the spring bond election, the Interest & Sinking (I&S) portion of the tax rate will remain flat at $0.33. The district will use these I&S funds to pay off debt, including using $35.7 million toward defeasance or refunding of issued debt to continue the district’s trend of paying off debt ahead of schedule. In fact, since 2015, LISD has saved more than $625 million by paying off debt early.
🎬 9.A.1. Discussion of LISD Reading Intervention Redesign
Leander ISD plans to use a redesign of reading intervention strategies to optimize student outcomes in reading and minimize the loss of core instructional time. In achieving these goals, this redesign is committed to enhancing and protecting student services that are provided in addition to the standard grade-level curriculum and teaching (known as Tier 1 classroom instruction).
The redesign’s action plan includes boosts to professional learning and resources for staff. It also includes a change to staff structures, where the current titles of Supplemental Reading Program teachers and Dyslexia teachers will be merged into a new, combined Reading Specialist title. This move is intended to build capacity for student support, while maintaining the strong services our families have come to expect.
“By moving these positions under the ‘Reading Specialist’ umbrella, this might give some pause or have them think that we’re taking something away, but that’s not the case,” Trustee Christine Mauer said. “This title change comes with continued cross-training among teachers so more can provide these specialized services.”
Early intervention is key. Rolled out in phases, the first year will place added emphasis on kindergarten and 1st grade. Specifics outlined in this partnership between the Curriculum and Intervention teams for kindergarten and 1st grade include:
🎬 9.C.1. Discussion of School Naming Process for Elementary #30
Elementary School #30 broke ground in May 2023, and with its scheduled opening in August 2024 comes the opportunity for the Board to name the building.
Based on policy CW (Local), the authority for naming schools lies with the Board of Trustees. The administration outlined next steps, which includes bringing forward a charter at a future meeting to further define the process for naming ES30, along with the potential of naming other facilities.
The policy currently outlines five naming criteria:
Capturing community voice will remain central to the school naming process, which is projected to conclude toward the end of the fall semester.
“Through the last naming process of Carol Ann North Elementary, this Board prioritized a transparent process that incorporated our community’s input,” Board Secretary Anna Smith said. “The community truly had a voice in the process, and I look forward to continuing in the same fashion for future namings.”
🎬 9.A.2. Consider Approval of Instructional Materials Selection World Languages Update
The Board approved the recommendations for the purchasing of new instructional materials for two World Languages courses:
For American Sign Language, the selection includes a fully digital platform alongside an updated version of the current hard-copy version for both teachers and students. And for the Chinese courses, this selection will cover a digital platform, with hard-copy sets available for students as needed.
Earlier this spring, the Board approved four other instructional material recommendations. For these World Languages courses, the vendor Request for Proposal process shifted the timeline from that of the other courses.
As with the other courses involved in this year’s process, these World Languages courses followed the same steps over a series of months that involved LISD teachers working hand-in-hand with district administrators throughout the research and selection process. Input and feedback was then gathered from staff, parents, students, and community members through virtual and in-person opportunities earlier this spring.
🎬 11.A. Consider Reorganization of the Board of Trustees
As part of its annual process to review and vote on its leadership positions, the Board named its officers.
During its June 8 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
We’re continuing end-of-year celebrations with medalists from the state golf tournament and achievements from our Career & Technical Education programs, including Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); FFA; Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA); Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE); and SkillsUSA.
With school out for the summer, there was no Spotlight on Learning to start the LISD Board meeting this week. Nevertheless, Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., invited recent Leander High School graduate Ava Baldwin to share her student experience with the Board.
Ava bravely talked about the struggles students face in dealing with GPA and class rank. Eligible to be recognized in her class’ Top 10 – once a goal in the early years of her high school career – Ava shared how that target began to take away from her joy of learning and her decision to decline this recognition.
For incoming freshman or anyone still in high school, Ava had this bit of advice:
“Don’t let the system of grading overtake you,” she said. “Try to focus on the learning aspect of school. It’s really difficult, especially if you are in more advanced classes. Try to separate yourself from it.
“Remember that you are more than a number. A number is never going to define you, even though it feels like you get rewarded for this number. The sacrifice it takes to get there is usually not worth it.”
🎬 9.C.5. Consider Approval of Secondary Schools Attendance Zoning Recommendations
The Board approved Scenario 2 in the 2024–25 Middle School and High School Attendance Rezoning. This rezoning represents the first step in the 10-year Long Range Plan.
The process began Dec. 8, 2022, when the Board approved the Attendance Zoning for Secondary School Relief Charter. Unlike attendance zonings of the past that often centered on the opening of a new school at the respective level, this rezoning sought to accomplish the following two main objectives:
“Thank you to everyone who participated and shared feedback as part of this rezoning process over the past six months,” said Board Vice President Gloria Gonzales-Dholakia, Ph.D. “Changes to attendance zones can cause real challenges for families, and we, as a Board, always attempt to balance that with the needs of the district as a whole.
“This rezoning does a great job balancing enrollment among our middle schools and high schools, continuing to accommodate future growth in the northern part of our district,” she added.
Administration will confirm final decisions about student transfer exceptions and secondary athletic eligibility in the coming weeks.
🎬 9.A.1. Discussion of Leading Measures End of Year Data
Building on formative review presentations of past board meetings where district administrators outlined the work happening in each of the five goals laid out in the Strategic Plan, at Thursday’s meeting, Trustees received a leading measures update. While the May 25 meeting outlined key performance indicators, the information presented Thursday focused on student performance.
During these quarterly updates, quantitative and qualitative data relating to the district improvement plan and the Superintendent’s Evaluation provides Trustees with a better picture of where LISD is at in a variety of different focus areas.
The student performance data incorporates NWEA MAP for Math and ISIP for reading, along with College Readiness indicators.
“What’s presented here at the Board meeting is the executive summary version,” Board President Trish Bode said. “However, from a visionary to a granular level, we’re looking at this data in a disaggregated fashion to look at what’s driving the data and determine how we need to respond. This deep dive aligns with our vision to cultivate each student individually.”
🎬 9.C.1. Discussion of Leander High School Masterplan
The Board received an update on the Leander High School Masterplan from representatives of the community group that worked throughout the spring semester.
Through four meetings, this group of nearly 80 members developed findings and recommendations for where to take the LHS Masterplan next.
As presented in the Dec. 8, 2022 Board meeting, Leander HS has gone through a series of add-ons and renovations since opening at its current location in 1984. Now, nearly 40 years later, these changes to the site plan have resulted in a disjointed campus layout.
Examples of recommendations to create a better layout include:
“I am really excited about this masterplan,” said Leander HS student Jaya Coats, “because with these new additions, we have the opportunity to make our school stand out and evoke pride.”
Board Secretary Anna Smith, who was involved with the community group working on the LHS Masterplan, related this process to the work ahead with the district’s Long-Range Plan.
“What I loved about this process is that we worked together as a community – staff, parents and students,” Smith said. “It was an amazing thing, and it gives me hope for what we have planned for our Long-Range Plan.”
Funding for Design of the LHS Masterplan, along with construction of Phase 1, were outlined in the 2023 bond.
Hiring an architect and construction manager to work together to provide the design and cost estimates will form the next steps for the LHS Masterplan. The district anticipates bringing recommendations for the architect and the construction manager at the Aug. 10 Board Meeting.
The Board adopted a delegation order authorizing the issuance and sale of Series 2023 Bonds. Defined within specific parameters, the district can now move forward and plan for an issuance of new Bond money later this summer.
The timing of the sale will be dependent on market conditions and completion of all the necessary documents to perform a sale. Once the sale has been completed, the Board will receive a report of the results.
“I am excited to see the fruits of the community’s support in the district through the passing of the recent Bond election start to take shape,” Trustee Christine Mauer said. “These approvals allow the district to begin work to improve the safe and innovative learning environments for our students and staff.”
With the Bond issuance projected later in late July or early August, the Board approved a Reimbursement Resolution to allow the district to move forward with near-term Bond-related expenses, utilizing money from the General Fund that will later be reimbursed once the bonds are sold.
Leander ISD is pleased to welcome Alison Pennington in her new role as principal at Reagan Elementary and Chris Clark as the new assistant superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, after the Board approved the recommendations at Thursday’s Board meeting.
]]>Leander ISD is thrilled to welcome an experienced leader in education, Chris Clark, Ed.D., to the role of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, after the Board approved his hiring at Thursday’s meeting.
“Dr. Clark brings 19 years of experience as a principal at both the elementary and secondary level, which gives him an incredible depth of insight and empathy for the challenges and needs of the campus leader role. It gives him credibility that is essential in establishing relationships and trust while building partnerships with campus leaders,” Chief Academic Officer Matt Bentz, Ed.D., said. “With an unwavering focus on student learning and high quality instructional experiences, Dr. Clark’s ability to bring people together, his respect for multiple viewpoints and his knack for leveraging the strengths and talents of his team will help launch LISD into a new era of educational excellence.”
Clark comes to Leander ISD with nearly thirty years of total experience in education, and over two decades of experience in educational leadership. He most recently served as Managing Director of Academic Programs for Frisco ISD. Prior to that role, he served as principal at Hunt Middle School, Press Elementary School and Caldwell Elementary School in Frisco ISD, and as a principal, assistant principal and teacher in Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma.
Clark said that he is honored and excited at the opportunity to serve the Leander ISD students and community.
“I have admired the work being done in LISD for several years, and my professional beliefs are tightly aligned with the LISD Learning Model and its focus on student learning,” Clark said. “I look forward to collaborating with the members of the department as well as principals, teachers and other staff to build upon the academic excellence that exists in Leander.”
Clark attended Northeastern State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. He completed a Masters in Curriculum Supervision and School Administration at Oklahoma State University, and went on to complete a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.
]]>Leander ISD’s K-12 Language Arts team and Instruction & Professional Learning department put on an enriching day of learning with the Lit Love Symposium for more than 200 educators.
Authors John Schu & Holly Durham provided the keynotes to open and close the day, and the middle was filled with various choice sessions.
What a full day of opportunities for #1LISD educators to deepen their knowledge of books and celebrate their joy and passion for literacy!
During its May 11 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:
Showcasing student voice and choice, River Ridge Elementary shared their focus on how to bring the graduate profile to life with personal and academic goals. Students learned to accept that failure is a part of the process.
“Setting goals helps me understand progress and areas I need to get better at,” a River Ridge student said.
Thank you to Danielson Middle School students for helping celebrate the hard work and exceptional achievement happening in #1LISD!
🎬 10.C.3. Discussion of 2023-24 Total Compensation Recommendations
LISD remains committed to attracting, growing and retaining top-notch employees. In alignment with this goal, the district presented a compensation plan with pay raises for every staff member in the 2023–24 budget.
Based on the current budget forecast, LISD administration recommended an across-the-board 3% increase. Under this 3-percent increase at midpoint, every teacher would receive an additional $1,789. The starting salary for teachers would rise to $55,059.
Another component for the Board to consider is a new longevity pay proposal to reward employees for years of service with LISD. After every 5-year milestone completed, starting in Year 5 and continuing through Year 35, an employee would receive a $4,000 incentive on top of their base pay for that year.
“I think it’s important we do what’s right for our teachers,” Trustee Sade Fashokun said. “Our Board has heard feedback from teachers underscoring the importance of rewarding their years of service to this district, especially as starting pay rises.”
Additional highlights of the compensation plan include:
The district also recommended including language in the compensation plan to allow for one-time payment options should certain parameters be met, along with language to allow for a further increase to the base pay should the legislature provide enough funding to do so.
Note: Increases to Special Education stipends and supplemental pay increases were approved at the March 9 meeting.
Superintendent Bruce Gearing will hold staff listening sessions throughout the week of May 15 to hear directly from LISD employees.
In addition to the district-recommended 3% increase, included in the presentation were summaries for what a 2% and 5% increase would look like. The Board is scheduled to take action on the full compensation plan and continue budget deliberations at the May 25 meeting.
🎬 10.C.4. Discussion of 2023 Certified Estimated Property Values and Recapture
Following estimates received by Williamson and Travis counties, the district’s total overall estimated freeze-adjusted property value is projected to increase by 9.83% compared to last year’s certified net freeze-adjusted taxable value.
It’s important to note that the increase in Maintenance & Operations (M&O) property tax collections is offset by the decrease in state funding and/or increase in the district’s recapture payment to the state. LISD’s M&O funding does not increase, and as such the district does not have any increase in funding to use toward its day-to-day expenses, such as employee salaries.
Instead, the current estimates with 9.83% property value growth would result in the recapture payment increasing by $9.3 million compared to 2022–23 to a total of more than $58 million for 2023–24 (under current law). Recapture represents money a school district sends back to the state from money generated from the M&O portion of the tax rate that is above the amount needed to fund the Tier 1 Entitlement. It also includes excess revenues generated on copper pennies above the yield.
“An estimated amount of almost $300 million of Leander ISD taxpayer money is being paid to the state in recapture over the next 4 years,” Board President Trish Bode said. “This was a timely update for the Board as we are considering compensation and building the budget for next year.”
In contrast, the rise in property values results in additional tax collections from the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate. All monies raised by the I&S tax rate stay in LISD and are not subject to recapture. This provides additional capacity for future debt service retirement.
Taxpayers have until May 15 to protest their appraisals, and the final certifications are due to taxing entities by July 25.
🎬 10.B.1. Discussion of Secondary Schools Attendance Zoning Recommendations
LISD administration recommended Scenario 2 in the 2024–25 Middle School and High School Attendance Rezoning and provided an overview of the steps taken throughout the past five months of moving through this process.
This rezoning represents the first step in the 10-year Long Range Plan. The process began Dec. 8, 2022, when the Board approved the Attendance Zoning for Secondary School Relief Charter. Unlike attendance zonings of the past that often centered on the opening of a new school at the respective level, this rezoning sought to accomplish the following two main objectives:
Community engagement and feedback anchored the process through each step.
“I’ve been in this district for a while, and I’ve seen a lot of rezoning. And what I haven’t seen is this level of asking people what they want and what they need,” Trustee Francesca Romans said. “I saw the immense amount of work that goes into this, and I appreciate everything LISD did to talk with the community to make sure they were aware of what was happening.”
One particular area showcasing the district’s response to feedback can be seen in the recommendation to phase in changes, allowing 8th-graders at the middle school level and 11th- and 12th-graders at the high school level to remain at their current campus. This phase-in would lead to a more gradual increase to schools seeing a forecasted uptick in enrollment as a result of Scenario 2.
Administration will confirm final decisions about student transfer exceptions and secondary athletic eligibility after the Board adopts the new secondary attendance zones on June 8.
🎬 10.A.3. Discussion of Leander ISD Mathematics Initiative
After analyzing academic achievement data from multiple sources, evidence demonstrates that reading achievement in LISD has returned to “at or near” pre-pandemic levels while mathematics achievement has not.
Unsatisfied with this reality, the district created a prototype of additional math support and tested it out at four campuses in this 2022–23 school year. Showing promising results, LISD now plans to launch the LISD Mathematics Initiative districtwide, addressing this challenge with a two-pronged approach:
The base level Tier 1 includes the systemwide professional learning and support. The higher tiers build on that with targeted campus support seen at Tier 2 and embedded support at Tier 3.
“I am so impressed with this initiative,” Trustee Christine Mauer said. “This has me so excited, the fact that we have the MAP data and can see where the growth is, we can see the spots that need help. We’re sending in math curriculum specialists to work directly with teachers, using our district curriculum and guiding documents as the foundation of that support.”
The first year of this initiative focuses on training and support in math for elementary
Grades 2–5, Grade 6 Mathematics, and Algebra I. Costs associated with this initiative – including nine new math curriculum specialists, five new co-teachers and extra-duty pay for Teacher Learning Leaders – will be funded utilizing federal funding from Title II and ESSER.
🎬 10.C.5. Consider Approval of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural/Engineering Services for 2023 Building Program
🎬 10.C.6. Consider Approval of Selection of Construction Delivery Method for 2023 Building Program
Following the passing of all three propositions in the 2023 bond – according to unofficial results from the Saturday, May 6 election – the Board approved two steps Thursday night that allow the district to start the vetting process for architects, engineers and construction contractors for projects included in the 2023 Building Program.
Because no funds are committed, nor contracts signed with this initial step, they are permissible to happen before the Board is scheduled to canvass the vote and make results official at the May 16 special meeting.
Outlined projects in the 2023 Building Program include the following new facilities:
* actual construction costs would be included in a future bond
The 2023 Building Program also includes the following additions and renovations to existing facilities:
* actual construction costs would be included in a future bond
The district anticipates bringing back recommendations at the Aug. 10 meeting for additional Board action. Visit the Bond 2023 Detailed Project Notes document for full descriptions about each of the projects listed above and all of the items included in the 2023 bond election.
🎬 10.A.2. Discussion of Leander ISD Programs
Leander ISD provides a variety of programs for students in Prekindergarten through 12th grade. Current programs available in Leander ISD include unique campus-based programs, Career and Technical Education programs, and schoolwide programs.
In addition to programs, the district provides a wide range of course offerings available to students, many of which can be found in the high school and middle school course catalogs.
Differing from the programs described above, LISD also offers three Schools of Choice options:
LISD defines a School of Choice as a public school offering specialized educational opportunities that utilize a non-conventional approach designed to meet diverse needs and interests of students throughout the LISD community. A School of Choice becomes a student’s home campus.
🎬 10.A.1. 2022-2023 School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Annual Report
Subcommittee members of the Student Health Advisory Committee made recommendations to the Board regarding:
The Board will review the recommendations and then direct district administration if any action should be taken. Details of the recommendations can be found in the SHAC presentation.
🎬 10.C.2. Consider Approval of Food Service Management Contract
The Board approved the district’s recommendation to bring back Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) as its food service provider. This recommendation comes after a formal Request for Proposal process in which a district committee reviewed submissions from three food service management companies, along with the approval of SFE by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The term of the agreement will last one year with 4 one-year extensions optional.
Additional information will be provided to current Child Nutrition Services (CNS) employees about the transition from Sodexo to SFE.
Leander ISD is pleased to announce Darla Smith as the Wiley Middle School Principal after the Board approved the recommendation at Thursday’s Board meeting.
“Darla is a focused leader who values and understands that relationships coupled with consistent and high expectations drive positive school culture,” Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., said. “We look forward to seeing her journey continue with LISD and in the Rouse feeder pattern.”
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