This is an ongoing issue and response by Leander ISD. As we continue to get new information and make new decisions, the content of this article may be outdated. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date news and announcements.

Trustees finalize compensation and benefits plan for 2020–21, adjust bell schedules 

Meeting remotely, the LISD Board of Trustees convened a special meeting May 19 and a regular meeting May 21 to discuss the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, finalize compensation and benefits for 2020–2021, and adopt a proposal to adjust school start and end time. 

  • All teachers and staff will see a $1 million investment into the employee benefits fund, allowing the district to maintain or decrease health insurance premiums and offer a $0 insurance plan option. The Board’s approval also leaves open the possibility for a one-time payment to all employees, equivalent to 2% of salary, if enrollment and economic indicators allow for it in November. The Board considered the one-time payment in lieu of traditional raises in order to avoid locking into additional fixed costs when there is so much uncertainty regarding the economy and to better absorb potential funding cuts in the next legislative session.
  • Students will return to school for the 2020–21 school year with new school start times and additional time in the school day. Trustees approved a plan to extend the school day by 10 minutes for elementary, five minutes at the middle, and 15 minutes at high school in order to meet the academic needs for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and International Baccalaureate classes at high school and to loosen elementary school schedules to allow for more social or playtime. The new plan builds more time in-between bus routes, allowing for more drivers to operate three routes versus two, creating more efficiencies for scheduling and reducing delayed pick-ups and drop-offs. 

Under the new start times, schools would run on the following schedules:

  • Elementary 7:40 a.m. – 2:55 p.m. 
  • Middle 8:10 a.m. – 3:25 p.m. 
  • High 8:40 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Summer meal assistance for students on the way  

This summer, LISD will continue distributing meals to all students under the age of 18 at RBMS, Reed ES and River Place ES. The summer meal program runs through July 31 at these three campuses. Bagdad ES will no longer operate as a food service location starting June 1. Please note that LISD will not operate drive-thru meal services on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. 

Some LISD families may qualify for additional federal assistance as part of a new program starting June 1. If your child qualifies for the free or reduced price meal program during the 2019–20 school year, you may be eligible for an additional benefit from the Health and Human Services Department. This one-time benefit of $285 will be available only to those students currently on the meal program.

UIL allows summer strength camps, off-campus PE application deadline extended

The UIL is actively working with appropriate state officials to allow schools to begin limited summer strength and conditioning activities in June. We are waiting on more details and working on plans to hopefully offer strength camps next month. Please stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Due to the effects of recent COVID-19 closings, the deadline for off-campus PE student applications for the 2020–21 school year has been extended. Applications must be emailed to the campus guidance counselor no later than 4 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2020. The updated policies, procedures, and forms can be reviewed in detail on the Leander ISD OCPE website.

Off-campus PE is an optional program utilized by students grades 6–12 who wish to receive their PE credit through an outside, privately funded, pre-approved organization. For additional questions, please contact K.B. DeBord, assistant athletic director, at [email protected].

Districtwide art show spotlights talented LISD students 

Despite not having a physical location to display their works of art, LISD artists showcase a remarkable range of talent at the district’s virtual art show. Student artists submitted entries over the last few weeks, with more art being added all the time. As more schools participate, the galleries and videos will be updated into the fall.

Post-Graduation Help Available this Summer

We know this spring has been a trying time for our students, including our graduates, as they navigate to the next phase of their life. If your post-high school college, career or military plans have changed, feel free to reach out to your school counselor or college and career transition coordinator for help. 

Your high school counselors are available to assist you until June 12. After that time, Leander ISD will have a summer counselor available Monday through Thursday to assist graduates with postsecondary planning needs. That includes the weeks of: 

  • June 15-18
  • June 22-25
  • July 6-9

Students can contact the summer counselor by emailing [email protected]. This email will only be monitored during the weeks identified above.