The bakery cafe serves a variety of French-inspired pastries May 2, 2025 | We are actively monitoring the weather in partnership with local emergency management and will continue to do so throughout the afternoon Dismissal will occur at normal times for all campuses We understand that weather conditions can change quickly and schools may hold dismissals and delay bus departures if necessary to ensure student safety We ask for your patience as we work through any potential delays All after-school and evening activities scheduled for today have been canceled We want to assure you that campus staff will remain on site to supervise every student until they are safely picked up Your student’s program leader will share additional information as needed regarding specific activities or rescheduling We will continue to keep you informed with any updates as needed Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff Estamos monitoreando activamente el clima en colaboración con el departamento local de emergencias y continuaremos haciéndolo durante toda la tarde La salida se realizará a la hora habitual en todas las escuelas Entendemos que las condiciones meteorológicas pueden cambiar rápidamente y que las escuelas pueden retrasar la salida y la salida de los autobuses si es necesario para garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes Les pedimos paciencia mientras trabajamos para resolver cualquier posible retraso Todas las actividades extraescolares y nocturnas programadas para hoy han sido canceladas Esto incluye actividades de enriquecimiento Queremos asegurarles que el personal de la escuela permanecerá en el centro para supervisar a todos los estudiantes hasta que se les recojan de forma segura El responsable del programa de su hijo le proporcionará más información según sea necesario sobre actividades específicas o cambios de horario Seguiremos informándoles de cualquier cambio que se produzca ya que nuestra prioridad es la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal The official Leander ISD Instagram account | #1LISD Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Voters in Leander came out on May 3 to cast their ballots A Leander ISD assistant principal has been arrested and charged with DWI and was arrested after a crash involving her sedan and a bicyclist WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - A Leander ISD assistant principal has been arrested for driving while intoxicated Marta Johnson has been charged with driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content greater than or equal to 0.15% the legal limit for alcohol is 0.08% and Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000 Williamson County court records show Johnson was arrested by the Cedar Park Police Department on Monday A letter from Reed Elementary principal Cynthia Griggs to families said there had been a motor vehicle crash in front of the school on the morning of April 28 identified only as a Reed staff member in the letter was placed on administrative leave pending investigations by the district and law enforcement Griggs said that due to this being a personnel and law enforcement situation she could not offer any additional details to families An arrest affidavit obtained by FOX 7 Austin provided more details on the crash The affidavit says that a Cedar Park police officer was dispatched to the school at around 7:20 a.m to respond to a crash between a car and a bicyclist Someone reported the bicyclist appeared to have a broken arm they found the bicyclist lying on the ground with "what appeared to be road rash on his arms" and actively bleeding from his hands was still sitting in the driver's seat and "it appeared she did not want to get out to check on" the bicyclist The officer also said he observed Johnson "acting strangely" and not wanting to speak in detail to law enforcement The officer stated that he later found out she had said she had been on her phone and not paying attention at the time of the crash The officer was then called in to assist with a DWI investigation as another officer believed Johnson showed signs of impairment and had been told by school staff she was acting erratic The officer observed Johnson having bloodshot and glassy eyes she allegedly was not able to maintain her balance The officer also said he could smell alcohol on her breath Johnson told police she was coming from her Leander home at the time of the crash and had two White Claws around 10 p.m She also told police she had not taken any medications or narcotics Johnson then failed the field sobriety tests administered and her breath specimen showed she had a BAC of 0.282 Johnson has been assistant principal at Leander ISD's Reed Elementary since July 2021 reading specialist and instructional coach says a post from Reed Elementary's Facebook page "It was more of a surprise to find out really to figure out that that was even possible at seven in the morning on a Monday," parent Matthew Brennan said "It appeared that the vehicle had traveled off the road you couldn't drive more than five or 10 miles per hour on it if you wanted to saw a person on the ground in front of the vehicle receiving medical attention just beginning to receive medical attention at that point," Brennan added another incident happened at Reed Elementary the principal said a student brought a toy gun to school "So that happened on Wednesday and then with my daughter being reluctant to even go to school seeing the lights on Monday morning made things just that much worse," Brennan said The principal said they took immediate action on Wednesday and the staff is working to make needed updates to their practices to maintain a safe learning environment "The interpretation of the code is more enabling a bit of difficult repetitive behaviors in the classroom that are disruptive in some cases dangerous," Brennan said After FOX 7 Austin asked Leander ISD for a comment after parents criticized their handling of the situation Reed Elementary School’s principal sent a new message to parents: I want to provide you with an important update regarding the situation reported on April 23 involving a student bringing what appeared to be a weapon to campus At the time of our initial communication including that the item found was a toy gun we have received confirmation from the Cedar Park Police Department that the item in question was specifically an airsoft gun Please know that our intent was never to downplay the seriousness of the situation and we follow established safety protocols to investigate and respond to any potential threat thoroughly This includes immediate contact with law enforcement we were immediately able to separate the student from their belongings Because the situation was secure and the airsoft gun in question was discovered there was no immediate threat to the campus and no need to call for a lockdown or one of our other standard response protocols As a continuous improvement school district we are committed to always looking for ways to refine our processes and we will treat this situation no differently We also want to reaffirm that we handle all disciplinary matters in alignment with the Leander ISD Student & Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct While we cannot share specific details related to individual student discipline We understand that students learn best when they feel safe and supported Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Reed Elementary a safe place for all students to grow and thrive Cynthia GriggsPrincipalReed Elementary School also provided the following statement to FOX 7 Austin: Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students Leander ISD and the Reed Elementary community care deeply about the welfare of the parent who was injured We remain committed to supporting all of our students and families as we move forward from this incident.  We are aware of community concerns following recent incidents that have created tension for our families Trust is not given lightly — it is earned through consistent action and taking meaningful steps that reflect our dedication to the safety and respect of every member of our school community The Source: Information in this report comes from Williamson County court records a July 2021 Facebook post from Reed Elementary School and interviews/reporting by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX Television Stations For all of the CBS Austin area except Mason County. Hail, high winds, isolated tornadoes, and flooding are possible. FORECASTReed Elementary assistant principal charged with DWI after morning cyclist crashby Tara Brolley Texas — The assistant principal at Reed Elementary School was arrested Monday after allegedly striking a cyclist while driving intoxicated near school grounds was charged with Driving While Intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.15 following the incident that occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m Cedar Park police officers responded to a collision involving a vehicle and cyclist at 1515 Little Elm Trail officers found the victim on the ground with road rash and lacerations ALSO | One person dead after disturbance at Shell gas station on East Riverside Drive who is listed as Assistant Principal on the school's directory She reportedly told officers she had consumed two White Claw beverages the previous night Field sobriety tests conducted at the scene revealed multiple indicators of intoxication and subsequent breath tests measured Johnson's blood alcohol concentration at 0.282 more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 Principal Cynthia Griggs informed parents that Johnson had been placed on administrative leave pending investigations by law enforcement and the school district Johnson was taken into custody at the scene This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page The six candidates competing for three places on the Leander City Council in the May 3 election all say that the main issue facing the city is handling its rapid growth The city's current population is estimated at 86,469 after having 59,202 residents in 2020 The candidates for Place 1 are Stephen Chang a 32-year-old director of communications at the Texas Oil and Gas Association a 43-year-old enterprise account executive at Dell Technologies is not running again because of family health reasons a 56-year-old consultant for transportation departments a 45-year-old former Leander council member and a data analyst at Goodwill Central Texas a 49-year-old human resources executive at Visa a 59-year-old client success manager and senior project manager for Charter Communications Incumbent Chris Czernek decided not to run again so someone else could build off the work he put in over two terms All the candidates answered a series of questions about their campaigns More: Mixed-use, 65-acre Crystal Village project under construction in Leander Blair: "While canvasing the city of Leander I have confirmed that critical measures most impactful to citizens are our rapid growth rate The impact that most citizens would point to is our transportation concerns having the appropriate infrastructure to support the impact that growth has made on traffic congestion across the city." Blair also said Leander needs "water supply sustainability for the future of our city." Chang: Critical infrastructure development in areas such as roads and water we need to diversify our tax base by attracting new businesses and employers which in turn will lessen the tax burden on homeowners fire and EMS to ensure the safety and security of residents," he said McDonald: "I believe managing our growth to not outgrow our infrastructure is one of several important issues Leander faces Having a diversified tax base and getting away from being a bedroom community is another (issue) We have many city offices including City Hall the Police Department and Fire Department that have exceeded capacity and need expansion to keep up with the multiple demands of our city." Sponseller: "Our city is facing major challenges including managing rapid growth while maintaining strong infrastructure ensuring public safety and fostering an inclusive welcoming community for all residents." Implementing rebate programs to address water issues streamlining the development process to attract businesses and reducing the burden on taxpayers are other issues Mahan: "The most important issues facing Leander include managing growth ensuring responsible development and expanding our commercial tax base to relieve the burden on homeowners." Naudin: "Economic planning is very important because that helps people here in this community To ensure we are contributing to job creation we should focus on areas that include education services One idea to support this is an investment in support for a culinary incubator that would enhance the city’s culinary offerings and foster a more vibrant local food scene." Blair: Blair's campaign website said she would seek money such as grants to hire and retain public safety staff and would maintain a collaborative relationship between the city and the Lower Colorado River Authority to support water supply expansion It also says she would create a citizens advisory committee “that would connect with the elected leadership business and educational communities to ensure we have a pulse on the priorities of our citizens.” Chang: "I'm committed to safeguarding residents’ hard-earned tax dollars supporting public safety and ensuring transparency and accountability in our local government We need to do more to foster open dialogue between residents and city hall and encourage civic participation." I will continue to work with city staff and other council members to prioritize the projects within our city to ensure we are meeting the needs of our residents I will continue to work to keep our property taxes low by working toward bringing business to Leander and keeping our sales tax locally and I will continue to advocate for additional positions and increase funding for our police and fire departments."  More: Central Texas town, counties prepare for future water demand as growth continues my goals are to promote responsible development and support policies that enhance economic opportunities and quality of life I bring a proven track record of leadership and a commitment to serving all members of our community with respect and fairness." Mahan: "My goal if elected is to create a business-friendly environment that attracts employers and retail while preserving the character of Leander." Naudin: "To foster a more holistic approach to answering the questions that come before council If we look at long-term water sustainability as an example the efforts to date have been geared to catching up on long unanswered questions of supply and collaborate with regional partners to share infrastructure investments." What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?Place 1 Blair: "What makes me the right fit for place one is my experience in engaging with community and regional organizations that have an impact on everyday lives today experience and sphere of influence to support and invest in the community I live in." Chang: "I have more than a decade of experience working at local as well as a deep understanding of public policy and the importance of communication coalition building and economic development." McDonald: "As a former Marine and serving as a police officer for 25 years I am a leader and give many hours a week of my own time to our residents to ensure I am hearing their concerns and responding to them My experience in public safety and transportation bring a unique skill set to our City Council that is missing." Sponseller: "I believe that city leadership should respect the office honor its responsibilities and serve all residents I will ensure that all voices are heard and that our policies reflect the values of fairness Our city deserves leadership that brings people together Mahan: "What sets me apart from my opponent is my experience serving over five years on the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission giving me firsthand knowledge of how to guide growth effectively my background in (human resources) and consulting has given me the skills to collaborate negotiate and problem-solve complex city issues." From director of sales and marketing to client success manager my approach centers on engagement and strategic communications directed at helping people foster innovation and collaboration as the key to the success of any endeavor." Blair: "I currently serve on the board of directors as chairwoman of the 40-plus-year nonprofit Austin radio station I am also serving my first term on the district-wide Educational Improvement Council Committee for the Leander Independent School District I am the (Leander Educational Excellence Foundation) ambassador for Jim Plain Elementary School and a member of the Leander Chamber of Commerce." Chang: "I currently serve as the vice chairman of the Leander Economic Development Committee and am a member/volunteer with the Coastal Conservation Association Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s 'Stewards of the Wild,' Texas Wildlife Foundation as well as the Texas General Land Office’s 'Adopt-A-Beach' program." McDonald: "I currently serve on the Hope Alliance Board of Directors." Sponseller: Sponseller said she is treasurer of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Booster Club and a board member of the Leander Foundation she has served as founding board member of Keep Leander Beautiful second vice president of the Bagdad Senior Activity Center chair of the city of Leander Charter Review Commission a Leander City Council Member (Place 2 from 2020-21) president of the Leander High School FFA Booster Club member of Leander Planning and Zoning Commission member of the comprehensive plan city's advisory committee member of Leander ISD Citizen’s Curriculum Advisory Committee and vice-chair of Leander Charter Review Commission Mahan: "I have been involved in various community organizations including serving on nonprofit boards and supporting local youth programs (Leander Little League Camacho Elementary and Leander Middle School PTA Naudin: "I have served on multiple commissions and boards in Leander to include the Ethics Committee Charter Review Commission and was elected chair of the Leander Economic Development Committee I am also currently on the board of the Leander Foundation and produce the podcast Lean In Leander." Williamson County voters can vote at the Leander Public Library and Travis County voters can vote at Whitestone Elementary School Feb 5, 2025 | Translate this post into your home language: we want to share important updates regarding our budget planning and staffing decisions.  The State of Texas has not increased school funding since 2019 – despite rising operational costs the state has cut funding for instructional materials limiting resources for textbooks and classroom materials Leander ISD will lose $1.5 million in Title I funds which directly support academic resources for students from low-income families Another $1.5 million was cut from a Medicaid reimbursement program called SHARS (Student Health and Related Services) – funding that covers costs related to therapy that supports students with disabilities This change has led us to use a “reduced growth” enrollment projection which will ultimately bring in less revenue than previously anticipated and will also result in a reduction in staffing positions.  the District dipped into savings (fund balance) we face a projected $34.4 million deficit – a $21-million deficit above the board-approved deficit parameter During meetings with district and campus leadership teams we solicited feedback for insight and ideas to reduce expenditures and increase revenue After an extensive review of the feedback and by implementing some of the personnel suggestions I believe we can close the budget gap to around $17 million which equates to $4 million above the board-approved deficit parameter While we remain committed to prioritizing empowered student learning These are difficult decisions designed to ensure financial stability Part of this work is a reduction of approximately $3 million (6%) at the central office level and approximately $12.8 million (5.8%) at the campus level.  With 87% of our budget dedicated to human capacity we cannot make changes to the budget without impacting staff The urgency of getting staffing allocations to principals meant prioritizing the identification of specific positions at the campus level We are still working on identifying specific positions at the central office level but remain steadfastly committed to reducing central office expenditures by $3 million each principal received modifications to their staffing allocations for 2025-2026 The following outlines the overall impact:    Principals and campus leaders are working closely with area superintendents and human resources personnel to implement these adjustments thoughtfully and supportively Any position reductions are expected to occur primarily through natural attrition enabling us to make adjustments as needed while striving to maintain stability for our employees.    We understand that changes of this scale are difficult treating our people with dignity and respect remains of utmost importance to us we will continue to identify further expenditure reductions in areas outside of staffing to get closer to the board-approved parameter with a renewed focus and commitment to high-quality student experiences I appreciate your continued partnership as we navigate these challenges together I am completely confident that together we can emerge stronger on the other side Texas — The Leander Police Department reported a major crash near Raider Way and Crystal Falls around 2:15 p.m All westbound Crystal Falls lanes between Artesian Springs and 183A Toll Road were closed due to the incident and officials stated that they expected the roadway to be closed for extended amount of time ALSO:Georgetown Fire Department responds to house fire in Berry Creek subdivision Precinct 3 County Commissioner Valerie Covey spoke about upcoming road projects in Georgetown and Leander at an April 24 Georgetown Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting Pizza Twist & Taco Twist will offer fusion cuisine Ziggy's Kielbasa House announced it would be closing in early June Dacia is a features reporter for northern markets in the Austin metro She joined Community Impact in June 2024 shortly after graduating from The University of Texas with a degree in journalism Dacia previously interned for Austin PBS and Voces Oral History Center practicing yoga and trying new restaurants in the city mixed-use project in Leander is under construction with one restaurant already open and luxury apartments ready for lease Crystal Village is expected to be completed by 2030 with retail conference and meeting spaces and more residential units is at the southeast corner of the 183-A tollway and East Crystal Falls Parkway "Culver’s (restaurant) opened in February this year with a record-setting opening day for the franchise in the state of Texas," Forbes said The QuikTrip convenience store has been open at the project since early 2024 and there is a recently completed 3.2-acre park at the south side of the Village which is part of the city of Leander Park System," Forbes said in an email The city of Leander has agreed to provide a sales tax rebate of $400,000 to the steakhouse to open at the village if the restaurant invests a minimum of $7.5 million in its building and employs at least 75 people is leasing and expected to complete construction in the early summer The developer of Crystal Village is Alaska-based Koniag Inc "Koniag has explored options for developing the property over the years along with the tremendous growth of the Leander community began moving forward with the plans for the current development in January 2020," Forbes said More: Round Rock's upcoming mixed-use project, 'the District,' will transform city, mayor says Koniag chose to develop in Leander because it has been identified as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country "This is an exciting time for expansion to support the evolving needs of the growing residential community," he said "This location provides convenient access for residents to shop Leander's population is estimated at 86,469 Crystal Village is being developed in three phases "Phase three will be the heart of Crystal Village and the vision for the entire project is to be a hub for area residents to enjoy and highlight the vibrancy that the Leander community has to offer," said Forbes "We are refining the exact configuration of Phase Three but it is slated to include mixed-use space for family-friendly entertainment More: Leander's Northline gets first retail developer in project to create a downtown will have "significant" retail development and townhome construction underway by the middle to late third quarter of this year He said an office building is expected to break ground this year The 116-acre Northline project is between U.S Jan 21, 2025 | After continued collaboration with local emergency management and weather experts Leander ISD plans to operate on a NORMAL schedule Wednesday We trust parents to make the best decisions for their children so if you feel travel in your area is unsafe in the morning we respect the decision you make for your family’s safety Conditions on the roads have improved throughout the day today and experts advise little to no impact in our area as temperatures return to below freezing overnight We also want to encourage our families to dress accordingly for the cold weather.  The concern for student and staff safety always serves as the main driver when a decision is made As we continue to expect very cold weather this week please remember to keep your child warm and safe this winter Ensure proper footwear for winter weather protection be cautious of slippery roads and allow extra travel time We are continuing to see how or if we will need to make up the canceled day Tuesday and we will share more information with you as we determine the next steps For more information on our bad weather protocols, visit our website: https://www.leanderisd.org/weather The district and its facilities will be closed Tuesday which is forecasting sleet and snow along with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the day We made this decision after consultation with emergency response agencies and local officials Conditions may improve during the daylight hours but because they are expected to remain unfavorable during our morning and evening commutes we are prioritizing safety as a precaution Although Monday is a scheduled school holiday planned practices and school activities may continue ahead of the expected winter weather conditions arriving Monday evening We will continue to evaluate conditions and notify families of any impact to Wednesday’s school day as soon as a decision has been made For more on our weather protocols, please visit this page: https://www.leanderisd.org/weather/ Remember to protect the four “Ps” – people protect exposed skin and ensure your home and vehicles are winter-ready The district will continue to monitor the lingering weather effects and receive updates from the National Weather Service please return to this page or follow us on social media Después de la continua colaboración con la administración local de emergencias y expertos en clima Leander ISD planea operar en un horario NORMAL el miércoles y el día escolar comenzará a tiempo.  Confiamos en que los padres tomen las mejores decisiones para sus hijos así que si considera que viajar por su zona no es seguro por la mañana respetamos la decisión que tome por la seguridad de su familia Las condiciones en las carreteras han mejorado a lo largo del día de hoy y los expertos aconsejan poco o ningún impacto en nuestra zona ya que las temperaturas vuelven a estar por debajo del punto de congelación durante la noche También queremos animar a nuestras familias a vestirse adecuadamente para el frío.  La preocupación por la seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal siempre es el principal motor cuando se toma una decisión Para las escuelas en un horario de bloque A / B Como esta semana se esperan temperaturas muy bajas recuerde mantener a su hijo abrigado y seguro este invierno Utilice calzado adecuado para protegerse del clima invernal tenga cuidado con las carreteras resbaladizas y reserve más tiempo para el viaje Seguimos analizando si será necesario recuperar la jornada cancelada del martes 21 de enero y compartiremos más información con ustedes a medida que determinemos los próximos pasos Para más información sobre nuestros protocolos ante el mal tiempo, visite nuestra página web: https://www.leanderisd.org/weather El distrito y sus instalaciones permanecerán cerrados el martes que pronostica aguanieve y nieve junto con temperaturas que permanecerán por debajo del punto de congelación durante todo el día lo que afectará significativamente a los traslados Se cancelan todas las clases y actividades Tomamos esta decisión después de consultar con las agencias de respuesta a emergencias Las condiciones pueden mejorar durante las horas del día pero debido a que se espera que sigan siendo desfavorables durante nuestros trayectos por la mañana y por la tarde estamos dando prioridad a la seguridad como medida de precaución Continuaremos evaluando las condiciones del tiempo y notificaremos a las familias sobre cualquier impacto en el día escolar del miércoles tan pronto como se haya tomado una decisión.  Para obtener más información sobre nuestros protocolos de mal tiempo, visite esta página: https://www.leanderisd.org/weather/ Recuerde proteger del frío a las cuatro «P»: personas proteja la piel expuesta y asegúrese de que su casa y sus vehículos están preparados para el invierno El distrito continuará monitoreando los efectos climáticos y recibirá actualizaciones del Servicio Meteorológico Nacional regrese a esta página o síganos en las redes sociales Apr 11, 2025 | Rutledge Elementary students spotlighted how they’re blending innovation creativity and leadership to foster empowerment From VR science lessons to hands-on inquiry labs and strong emotional support Rutledge is all about preparing kids to thrive – now and in the future – equipped with the skills and confidence Special thanks to Cedar Park High School students Krya Reid and Lulu for helping celebrate stand-out individuals and accomplishments around #1LISD 🎬 7.C.4. Consider All Matters Incident and Related to Bond Plan of Finance The Board approved the 2025 Bond plan of finance which included the proposal to issue up to $300 million in new bonds to fund projects from the 2023 voter-approved bond package.  The plan also included refinancing existing debt – specifically two bond sales from 2015 – to achieve an estimated $21.4 million in debt service savings This strategic move continues the district’s efforts to reduce reliance on capital appreciation bonds and enhance financial stability Leander ISD’s strong credit ratings from Fitch (“AA+”/Positive) and S&P (“AA”/Stable) along with consistent tax base growth and strong financial reserves support the district’s capacity to move forward with this plan The proposal maintains the current Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate of $0.33 ensuring no projected tax rate increase to property owners While the Board approved the parameters order to authorize potential bond issuance district leaders emphasized that no bonds will be sold without careful consideration of market conditions Given recent fluctuations in the bond market the finance team will closely monitor interest rates and economic indicators to ensure any issuance aligns with the district’s long-term financial goals and minimizes taxpayer impact Bond pricing is tentatively scheduled for May The Board approved a recommendation of the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) to reallocate bond funds to go toward the 2023 Bond Early Childhood Center (ECC) project The BOC met in March and voted in favor of bringing this recommendation to the Board In October 2023 the Board originally approved BOC’s recommendation to designate $60 million for this project refined design scope and additional sitework final estimates showed a gap of $4 million bringing the project’s new total to $64 million At Thursday’s meeting, the Board also approved the first Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract for the ECC, allowing for the release of Bond funds already allocated for this project as part of the May 2023 bond The facility is scheduled to open in the 2026–27 school year As a resource to the #1LISD community to learn more about these projects and track their progress, the district has created a Bond & Construction Projects page Specific project pages include an overall scope of the project 🎬 7.C.3. Consider Withdrawal of Application for a Permit with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Related to the Vandegrift Emergency Access Road Leander ISD will no longer pursue a permit application with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to build a secondary access road to Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School seeking construction for the road to provide emergency access The Board voted to withdraw the permit application Due to road improvements along Ranch Road 2222 that provide two dedicated turn lanes into the campus complex better traffic management with roundabouts on McNeil Road and Ribelin Ranch Road has provided enhanced safety and efficiency The City of Austin has also allowed LISD to run buses through the vacant 3M corporate campus which mitigated bus traffic from contributing to the congestion LISD voters approved $3 million for road improvements in a bond election The Bond Oversight Committee approved reallocating some of the funding to pay for legal expenses to bring the project to fruition In lieu of constructing the secondary access road the district intends to use remaining money to create a better connection between Four Points MS and Vandegrift HS District staff and local emergency management agencies have worked collaboratively to develop emergency access plans 🎬 7.A.1. Safe and Innovative Learning Environments Formative Review Throughout the 2024–25 school year’s Board Meeting calendar, LISD is presenting a formative review of one goal within the five-year Strategic Plan and the District Improvement Plan. In this meeting, district administrators reviewed the Safe & Innovative Learning goal to provide safe and innovative environments to inspire each individual learner The update highlighted several major efforts underway across the district including ongoing modernization of school facilities expansion of early childhood infrastructure and adherence to all current TEA safety requirements The district plans to submit an application to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to officially establish the Leander ISD Police Department by later this spring Technology access also continues to improve with full implementation of Chromebooks at the middle school level expected to save approximately $700,000 annually in bond funds with the districtwide rollout of interactive panels teachers are increasingly comfortable with these classroom tech tools – 74% report confidence using them effectively – thanks to expanded training and implementation tracking Leander ISD plans to strengthen student voice in decision-making and improvement efforts around feeling a sense of belonging Information regarding our budget planning and staffing decisions we want to share important updates regarding our budget planning and staffing decisions The State of Texas has not increased school funding since 2019—despite rising operational costs Another $1.5 million was cut from a Medicaid reimbursement program called SHARS (Student Health and Related Services)–funding that covers costs related to therapy that supports students with disabilities This change has led us to use a “reduced growth” enrollment projection which will ultimately bring in less revenue than previously anticipated and will also result in a reduction in staffing positions we face a projected $34.4 million deficit–a $21-million deficit above the board-approved deficit parameter Part of this work is a reduction of approximately $3 million (6%) at the central office level and approximately $12.8 million (5.8%) at the campus level The District will also discontinue its Empowerment Fund a $2 million grant program available to staff to drive initiatives that support deeper learning Still in the early phases of implementation the District will look at supporting staff and students through other available initiatives The following outlines the overall impact:    enabling us to make adjustments as needed while striving to maintain stability for our employees I’m a big believer that clarity requires dialogue we will be hosting webinars for you to gain that clarity The Chief team is committed to listening carefully and answering questions with honesty and transparency You’re invited to attend these virtual listening sessions and can find details on how to do so directly below this letter You can view the recording of the first listening session from Thursday The questions listed below were pulled from listening sessions This will be an evolving section of FAQs as more questions are received we are still needing to reduce by $3,642,448 we believe we can accomplish this through operating budget reductions and not additional positions While we cannot speak to other districts specifically in our experience 87% is a very comparable percentage for staff Most districts will be within a few percentage points of that number The district is actively working with the Board of Trustees this spring through a Long-Range Planning Framework which focuses on three key areas: Open Enrollment We’re still in the early stages of gathering data and exploring options to ensure any future steps are well-informed Any potential recommendations will be approached with careful consideration of the impact on students No decisions have been made at this time regarding the optimization of specific campuses or specific feeder patterns We are committed to building the schools approved in our May 2023 bond which is in the northeast part of the district This is a possibility and will actually be a discussion with the board of trustees at the upcoming meeting on Feb we have to be very thoughtful about the parcels of land that we do own and their intended use as there are no large parcels of land for sale inside the boundaries of our district while the sale of land can provide a one-time infusion of revenue we have to be mindful of the fact that this does not solve the budgeting problem in the long run the budget assumptions that were adopted by the board of trustees on Jan Leander ISD is currently engaging in a salary study review through the Texas Association of School Boards This third-party review analyzes our current pay structures in relation to market as well as internal equity The administration is currently analyzing central office positions and potential reductions we will communicate those reductions to our community once finalized Attrition is the reduction of positions by employees leaving and not being replaced rather than by their being laid off Teachers possessing and meeting the terms of their employment contract with Leander ISD will not be losing their jobs Teachers assigned to a position that is being eliminated because of a decline in enrollment or a modification of staffing guidelines will be designated as an employee in a “surplus position.” The identification of an employee as surplus is based on seniority within the district with some exceptions Exceptions include employees that were listed in previous years as a surplus employee bilingual employees for campus specific needs those responsible for campus specific initiatives Information about the Leander ISD surplus guidelines At the time that we asked the board to commit those funds out of fund balance we anticipated that we would be able to manage the building budget situation The Empowerment Fund is for one-time costs and were never intended to be items that would roll into the larger operating budget we have paused the Empowerment Fund and will be returning these funds to the fund balance We have reached out to all of the teams that had submitted applications to the Empowerment Fund to make them aware We appreciate the work they have done on these projects and want to partner with them to help find another grant funding source We recognize the value of IB’s rigorous curriculum and global perspective; however we must ensure that our programs are both sustainable and equitably accessible to all students As we navigate budget constraints and shifting enrollment patterns we are prioritizing initiatives that maximize impact across the district Our focus remains on expanding advanced academic pathways and specialized career and technical education (CTE) programs which provide rigorous coursework while offering greater flexibility and affordability for students and families The additional funds will be moved from the 2023 bond in order to complete the ECC by 2026 Apr 25, 2025 | , Leander ISD students earned top honors at the Texas Science & Engineering Fair After advancing through regional competitions earlier this spring these students showcased innovative research projects at the state-level event in several categories A team from Vista Ridge High School — Gabriella Thiakos and Aliza Azam — earned 3rd place for their project exploring potential treatments for Huntington’s Disease using microscopic organisms called C The group was inspired by Veluru’s late grandmother Motivated by the high cost and limited treatment options for these diseases the students focused on identifying accessible and affordable prevention methods and prevention methods are often extremely expensive,” Veluru explained “This motivated us to investigate alternatives that could be available to everyone.” Their research showed promising results using microorganisms as a model which could have broader impacts on the treatment of similar diseases “Huntington’s Disease is closely related to other neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s “Using the same methodology as our experiment this year can allow for investigations into more supplemental treatments for all sorts of preventive and proactive medications.” the team is developing a coding program to analyze data from the microorganisms This tool could be applied to future experiments across various scientific disciplines The students credited their success to strong support from their science teachers at Vista Ridge — Mrs “They’ve constantly encouraged us and provided both guidance and materials to make this experience meaningful,” Thiakos said “The lessons we learned in their classes laid the foundation for our project.” the students are able to have fun and make meaningful connections with each other and even students from other LISD schools along the way “My favorite part of this project was working with my good friends “We connected with others who share our passion for science who placed third at state in biochemistry.”  Competing at the State Science Fair also gave the students access to other enriching opportunities like the Night at the ZACH event a showcase of STEM programs and hands-on activities “I love how the university we competed at and our school facilitated a place for us to enjoy ourselves and have fun while facing a serious academic competition,” Thiakos said “The fair has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my high school career and I can’t wait to compete again next year.”  Congratulations to all the #1LISD students who participated in the fair and placed in their respective categories Learn more about the Texas Science & Engineering Festival here.  🥇 1st Place: Jaxon Baharudin – Canyon Ridge MS  Healing Eczema: Unveiling the Cellular Power of Natural Ingredients “I chose this topic because several people I know personally suffer from eczema and I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be,” said Jaxon Baharudin “Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions globally yet many people still struggle to find effective I wanted to create something that could make a real difference It could be something that could potentially help not just those close to me but many others dealing with this condition.” “The support I received from my teachers at Canyon Ridge was essential,” Baharudin said “They answered my questions about cellular and molecular biology and encouraged me to dig deeper into scientific concepts Several of them even recommended specialists and resources that guided my research helping me turn my idea into a well-developed project.” elegans model of Huntington’s Disease to introduce antioxidants and disaccharides in order to analyze the preventability and reduction of glutamine-40 accumulation through the observation of mobility and essential life 🥉 3rd Place: Sahana Pandey – Vandegrift HS Targeting Cellular Senescence: In Silico Chemoinformatics Screening of Bioactive Compounds for Inducing Senolysis to Advance Geriatric Therapies 🥉3rd Place: Maria VanLeeuwen – Vandegrift HS  Investigating the Correlation between the Concentration of Calcium Chloride involved in Gene Insertion and its Effect on Transformation Efficiency 🥉3rd Place: Siddharth Vazhkudai – Running Brushy MS  AIM-BASE: AI-integrated model to predict the Energy consumption of Extraterrestrial Colonies Apr 1, 2025 | Leander ISD Transportation Registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year all eligible riders (general and special education) who will use transportation are required to register to ride.  Please find the LISD Transportation Registration process outlined below: please contact your child’s campus registrar.  For more information, please visit the Transportation: Bus Registration page on the district’s website.  Apr 14, 2025 | Leander ISD will be auctioning off surplus equipment items Online Auction through: Lemons Auctioneers and Online Pros — Look for the Leander ISD auction Leander ISD Distribution Warehouse1900 Cougar Country Dr.Cedar Park, TX 78613Driving Directions Texas — A woman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a major crash involving six vehicles in Leander Friday morning at the intersection of the southbound 183A Toll Road frontage road and RM 2243 All eastbound and westbound lanes of RM 2243 at the intersection were closed along with all southbound lanes of the 183A Toll Road frontage road "This is a complex scene that is still in the early stages of the collision investigation," said city spokesperson Ty Meighan ALSO | Two suspects in custody after APD SWAT callout on South Congress Ave Apr 22, 2025 | , Keep an eye out for student artwork from Leander ISD displayed on CapMetro vehicles as they travel around the city Students at North Elementary School were among the winners of this year’s CapMetro “Art on the Bus” competition elementary school students created artwork inspired by sustainability while learning about the environmental benefits of public transportation The CapMetro bus featuring the artwork from North Elementary students was unveiled at a special ceremony held at the Leander CapMetro Park & Ride Station on Tuesday We are incredibly proud of these talented young artists Mar 1, 2025 | Leander ISD will be offering two transfer opportunities during the month of March Families may submit transfer requests for students currently in Kindergarten through 11th grade for the 2025-2026 school year Please visit the Leander ISD transfer information website for additional information Both opportunities to transfer will be open from March 1–31 the application window will close and additional requests will not be accepted or considered.  Families will be notified of their transfer request status by the end of April 2025.  Reminder: Previously approved transfer students remaining at the same campus WILL NOT need to reapply or pay another application fee as they will be automatically approved for the next year if the student is in good standing* If the previously approved transfer student is changing campuses – moving from fifth grade to sixth grade or from eighth grade to ninth grade – they WILL need to apply and pay the application fee if their desired campus is different from their zoned campus If the previously approved transfer student wishes to return to their zoned campus *Good standing is determined through a district and campus review of attendance Mar 14, 2025 | The Leander ISD Board of Trustees has approved names for two new buildings the Denise Geiger Compass Center and the Linda Lippe Instructional Materials Center After a thoughtful review of the nine unique name submissions a committee recommended that the 18+ Transition Services Center be named after Leander ISD SPED Transition Services Senior Coordinator Denise Geiger Geiger has been an educator in Leander ISD for 32 years She was the founder of Transition Services in the district and facilitated the creation of 18+ services with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful transition into community and adult living the program has grown from serving one student to 140 students yearly “We champion every student to have self-determination and independence and she has dedicated her career to the belief that all students should have that opportunity to find their path and their true north in fulfilling their life to their highest level of independence So we chose Denise not only to honor her dedication to this commitment but also to her years of education and her belief that all children can be the best that they can be,” said committee chair and 18+ Transition Services Team Leader Debbie Gauna The naming committee for the Science Materials Center carefully deliberated over seven unique submissions and recommended that the building be named in honor of former Leander ISD Elementary Science Coordinator Linda Lippe Lippe was an educator in Leander ISD for 31 years before retiring in 2015 She’s credited with introducing and pursuing the idea of creating ready-made science kits for all of the district’s elementary school classrooms The kits provide students with hands-on learning and ensure that all students have access to the same quality science education and learning opportunities “Linda Lippe was a visionary and an innovator,” said Brenda Howard Specialist of the Science Materials Center “Her leadership transformed science teaching and learning and empowered teachers to put science in students’ hands Naming this facility after Linda is a powerful way to honor her pioneering spirit and her unwavering commitment to science education.”The committee recommended modifying Science Materials Center to Instructional Materials Center because of the evolving use for this new facility It will be designed to store not just science materials but a broader range of instructional materials for ELA The Denise Geiger Compass Center and Linda Lippe Instructional Materials Center will be located next to each other on the northwest corner of Lakeline Blvd which will further accommodate the work-based learning opportunities available to 18+ students at the Instructional Materials Center Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application school system and later graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in finance LeAnder was a loving and doting mother above all else A memorial service will be held at 12:00 PM which is located on the grounds of the funeral home Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com Silas Creek Chapel - Hayworth-Miller Funeral Homes & Crematory Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Texas — Leander police announced Tuesday that a reported attempted kidnapping incident was determined to be "unfounded" after investigation The Leander Police Department posted on social media that the April 11 report — in which a juvenile female claimed a stranger tried to entice her into his vehicle — was closed after detectives canvassed the area and spoke with all involved parties "Through this investigation it was determined that the alleged incident was unfounded," the department stated "There is no ongoing threat to the community regarding this matter." PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Police investigate series of child abduction attempts on Central Texas streets Hutto police also recently released details about an attempted abduction in the Riverwalk subdivision where a child reported two men in a white van tried to pull them inside Austin police arrested two suspects in March after a 7-year-old was found inside another apartment unit at a complex on South Pleasant Valley Road No further details about the unfounded Leander case will be released Mar 5, 2025 | We are so excited to welcome a new batch of students joining the #1LISD family for the 2025-26 school year Beginning April 1, families can also enroll online through the New-student Registration page Enrollment will remain open through the summer in-person PreK registration will be held by region at each elementary school in the district on Wednesday Please see the chart below to find your child’s campus: To kick off the school registration and enrollment season, families are invited to attend LISD’s PreK Registration Event and Early Childhood Resource Fair Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the LEO Conference Center This fair will provide district families who have incoming PreK students the opportunity to register for the 2025–26 school year while introducing them to community and district resources Families who plan to register their student for PreK at the fair must bring the required registration documentation The Northline development in Leander has already begun to attract residents 116-acre development that will combine commercial and residential space with a modern aesthetic that the city hopes will be a draw for residents and tourists businesses and services for residents in the area The developments will comprise an updated downtown region for the city Leander’s director of economic development Northline sits just north of Leander Station and Austin Community College’s San Gabriel Campus and south of St principal of the Northline Leander Development Company said he bought an initial 23 acres of land in Leander around 2016 He eventually purchased two adjoining lots and coordinated with the city on a vision for a town center The property was designed and rezoned in 2018 creating the 116-acre tract that is the Northline development today Tynberg said he expects roughly 1 million square feet of construction will be done on the development Though full build-out won’t be completed for another 10 years residents and businesses have already begun to settle in the development Tynberg predicted the development would be valued at $1 billion Malik said Novak Brothers Residential Construction has built 25 townhomes in the area Slate Real Estate Partners has built a 343-unit apartment complex but there are still homes for sale and apartments for rent Southbrook Station Malik said the first shops should be opening in Southbrook in late April and the development should be fully built out by the end of the year Southbrook Station will comprise three buildings that will house a variety of retail and office space The development will also be surrounded by residential developments all but three of Southbrook’s retail locations have been leased out Future development near the site will make room for businesses like Small’s Sliders and Take 5 Oil Change which are expected to be complete by the end of 2025.Southbrook Station retail ​​The developments will lead to increased tax revenue for the city and a wider range of local industry “We want to have a diverse economy because when there’s a recession you don’t know if something is going to fail and you need to have that wider tax base to keep going so that you’re not just relying on the homeowners,” DeLisle said Leander Chamber of Commerce President Bridget Brandt said businesses already operating in town would only see positive effects from the developments She noted that incoming businesses lift up businesses already operating in town by bringing more people to the area “because there is such a deficit in our business community.” the boutique-style town square surrounding North Brushy Street Northline is meant to serve as a complement While Old Town serves as the current center for nightlife Leander needs an established downtown area and is still figuring out what that looks like “It’s a very different vibe," DeLisle said "Where Northline is going to be upscale and sort of like hanging out at The Domain Brandt said a downtown area is important for cities to build community “The wonderful thing about Leander is we have these two really distinct communities starting to blend—Northline as a modern and Old Town will still be here,” Brandt said The city has several other development projects in progress or expected in the future, including a 115-acre business park and a $48 million retail and restaurant development, according to its website The business park is expected to include 1.3 million square feet of industrial space It will go in the northeast corner of the intersection at Hero Way and CR 270 The project will add 155,000 square feet of retail and it will include a new Northpoint Austin church LEANDER, Texas — Leander Independent School District is grappling with a significant financial shortfall, facing a $34.4 million deficit as it prepares for the next school year the district is planning to cut $16 million from its budget with $3 million coming from its central office and the remainder affecting classroom resources "We have to pull together in these difficult times and I know that we can come out the other side stronger," said Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing Gearing explained that the district's deficit is largely due to a lack of increased state funding resulting in a projected deficit of $21 million higher than anticipated "This current year we're running a budget deficit that we're absorbing out of our fund balance but we can't continue to do that," he said RELATED| Leander ISD announces $34.4M budget deficit, plans staffing cuts for 2025-26 school year With personnel costs comprising 87 percent of the district's budget Gearing noted that staffing cuts are unavoidable "Because we're 87 percent in personnel the bulk of that has to come out of positions," he said indicating that teaching positions would be affected The district's cuts will adjust the student-teacher ratio to 20-to-1 in elementary schools resulting in the loss of approximately 122 educators "When you're trying to cut $16 million out of a budget our size you have to go to where there's 48 campuses It's just not possible," he said "We could cut the entire central office and still not come anywhere close to meeting that need." president of the Texas State Teachers Association expressed concern over the impact on students "We're going to see another increase in our teacher shortage," she said She says the impact will be students being in class sizes that are too large and stunt their development and ability to foster a proper teacher-student relationship "We don't just teach them our TEKS and we are told what to teach in our TEKS," she said "We have to also see what our students need and it often goes to also finding out their family situations and what their family and the community needs and so our educators continue to have to come out of pocket to help ensure that our students are able to learn in our classrooms." The Texas Senate recently passed the governor's school choice voucher bill which some believe could further affect public schools "Those come in the form of charter schools in the form of other choices as well," he said Gearing hopes the state legislature will fulfill Governor Greg Abbott's promise to fund public education if the school choice bill is enacted "I do believe that it is the responsibility of the legislature to adequately fund public schools," he said "It's in the constitution that way and I believe they have that responsibility." Gearing called it "devastating" to see money left on the table from last session to the tune of $4.5 billion "I hope they do come together and create the right legislation that does help to adequately fund public schools I believe that the dollars are there," said Gearing Leander ISD serves about 42,000 students according to its website Mar 13, 2025 | Leander ISD is proud to offer a new health benefit to eligible employees. The Frontier Direct Care Clinic provides direct primary care at reduced costs and with no wait times exclusively to LISD employees The clinic celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10.  “The new clinic represents Leander ISD’s commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees and their families,” said Casey O’Pry personalized healthcare will result in healthier employees Frontier Direct Care Clinic has been available to employees since January 1 and provides the following benefits:  The clinic offers a wide variety of healthcare services, such as family medicine, women’s health, and minor procedures. Frontier Direct is located at 11840 Hero Way, Suite #200, Leander, TX 78641 Employees enrolled in a Leander ISD medical plan have access to Frontier at no cost or a discounted rate, depending on their specific plan. For questions regarding Frontier membership, employees may contact Frontier’s member services at [email protected] or at (956)-983-9272 Learn more about LISD benefits here.  Mar 28, 2025 | the Leander ISD Board of Trustees agenda included:  Reagan Elementary teachers and students showcased empowerment and even how a focus on empowering staff translates to empowerment of the students.  Teachers shared how they collaborate to refine their craft while students explained how they have a better understanding of ownership of learning through goal-setting and progress-tracking Reagan Elementary’s growth mindset allows reflection and student voice to play a key role in driving success This approach to learning creates confident self-motivated students ready to tackle new challenges 🎬 7.C.2. Discussion and Consider Adoption of the 2025-2026 Amended Budget Assumptions The Board approved changes to the budget assumptions used to shape the 2025–26 budget including an adjustment to the parameter that determines the allowable budget deficit the district can propose to the Board The deficit adjustment –  an increase from a previously set 3% to 4.5% – was a major mechanism used to accomplish the modified plan discussed at the March 13 meeting this percentage difference changed from an allowable deficit of nearly $13 million to one of nearly $19.5 million The modified plan included revisions to the planned assistant principal reductions; the implementation of the TASB pay study; and the continuation of the International Baccalaureate program with changes to how it is currently administered The budget will continue to take shape over the coming months with an eye on any funding impacts at the state level during the ongoing legislative session this spring 🎬 7.B.1. Legislative Committee Update As the Texas 89th Legislative Session continues this spring LISD leaders provided an update highlighting the district’s advocacy efforts and the potential impact of pending education-related bills Thousands of bills float between each chamber – the House and the Senate – and ultimately a bill will need to pass both with differences reconciled before reaching the governor’s desk for final approval it’s too early to tell what a bill’s final shape will look like but the district’s legislative committee is paying close attention to those impacting public schools Outlined in the Board’s Legislative Priorities a specific approach this session is to target increased funding for special education and the safety and security allotment LISD spends well over the state-provided funding in both of these areas the district spent $39 million more than the funding it received – more than twice as much as the revenue coming in A bill tracker has been added to the Legislative Priorities page to help see those related to education The Board encouraged the community to stay engaged by reaching out to their representatives and participating in advocacy efforts underscoring the importance of public education voices in shaping policy outcomes 🎬 7.A.1. Empowered Staff Formative Review Throughout the 2024–25 school year’s Board Meeting calendar, LISD is presenting a formative review of one goal within the five-year Strategic Plan and the District Improvement Plan. In this meeting, district administrators reviewed the Empowered Staff goal to attract grow and retain a collaborative community of first-rate employees who are empowered to meet the needs of each and every student The presentation highlighted streamlined recruitment strategies including targeted campaigns and enhanced outreach efforts District leaders emphasized expanding pipelines through partnerships with universities and alternative certification programs to attract top-tier talent LISD has implemented more robust support structures This includes regular check-ins with new hires mentor programs and expanded wellness resources to promote staff well-being Professional development continues to be a priority The district showcased its leadership growth programs such as the Aspiring Assistant Principal Academy and the Grow Our Own initiative which offers pathways for instructional assistants to become certified teachers LISD reaffirmed its commitment to employee recognition and engagement with new programs designed to celebrate staff contributions and foster a positive These efforts reflect the district’s dedication to building an empowered Dec 13, 2024 | Leander ISD is thrilled to announce Becky Craig in the role of senior director of athletics With more than 15 years of serving in athletics leadership roles Craig brings a wealth of valuable experience to her new position at LISD.  “I am excited to welcome Becky Craig back to Leander ISD as our Senior Director of Athletics,” said Sarah Grissom LISD deputy superintendent of administrative services and strategic planning “Coach Craig’s history of creating exceptional student athlete experiences coupled with her focus on relationships while supporting our incredibly talented coaching staff will lead our athletic programs toward an even brighter future.” Craig most recently served as assistant athletic director for Frisco ISD Craig served as district executive chair for District 11-5A was responsible for leading the evaluation process of the Frisco ISD athletic budget and was instrumental in recruiting and growing talent within the athletic department she served as assistant athletic coordinator and head cross country and track and field coach at Memorial High School.  “I am humbled and honored to serve as the Senior Director of Athletics for Leander ISD,” Craig said “I look forward to partnering with the district and campus leadership in continuing to foster the growth of a championship culture while preparing our student athletes for leadership opportunities in their future endeavors.” varsity assistant coach for girls’ basketball and assistant track and field coach at Vista Ridge High School from 2013–2015 Craig held a position as director of football operations and served as a coach for basketball and track and field in Lubbock and Midland ISD.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in corporate organizational communications from Texas Tech University and earned a Master of Education in educational administration from Lamar University.  Her new role with Leander ISD is effective January 13 Mar 4, 2025 | At the Feb. 13 Board meeting, Trustees approved the 2025-26 academic calendar closing out a monthlong process of community feedback Responding to a common refrain heard from each stakeholder group the approved Version C calendar adds additional two-day holidays for students and staff in each semester – in October and in February – to help break up what were previously uninterrupted stretches in the calendar the last day of school is pushed one week later This calendar-adoption process also resulted in a draft of the 2026–27 academic calendar which would be formally approved at a future meeting next year Mar 24, 2025 | Senior walks for the Leander ISD Class of 2025 will be held across elementary campuses from May 19-22 These walks allow graduating seniors to reconnect with the elementary campus where they began their education and inspire current elementary students who get to see a glimpse of their own futures Seniors who participate in the walk on May 19 and 21 should dress in school spirit wear (elementary etc.) since they will not yet have their caps and gowns Seniors walking on May 22 should wear their graduation caps and gowns Mar 14, 2025 | Parkside Elementary showcased their staff’s commitment to teacher growth and its positive impact on student learning Highlights included mentorship opportunities and growth within a supportive campus environment shared her progression from substitute teacher to kindergarten teacher to now pursuing a master’s degree described her path from Parkside student to now a member of the school’s faculty with inspiration from her previous teachers along the way who nurtured her love of learning Special thanks to Danielson Middle School students Nicolas and Riddhi for helping celebrate stand-out individuals and accomplishments around #1LISD 🎬 6.A.1. Discussion and Consider Approval of Naming of the 18+ Transition Services Center🎬 6.A.2. Discussion and Consider Approval of Naming of the Science Materials Center Introducing the Denise Geiger Compass Center and the Linda Lippe Instructional Materials Center The Board approved committee naming recommendations for two 2023 bond projects at Thursday’s meeting Both facilities are projected to open Fall 2025 The Denise Geiger Compass Center will be the home to the 18+ Transitions Services program the Science Materials Center will take on the new name of the Linda Lippe Instructional Materials Center paying homage to the program’s founder and reflecting its evolving purpose of housing materials more than just science Read More about Geiger Compass Center & Lippe Instructional Materials Center LISD’s current Science Materials Center creates ready-made science kits for all of the district’s elementary school classrooms to provide students with hands-on learning As the district has grown in the number of elementary classrooms the new space will be used to house other instructional materials beyond science and be able to accommodate the additional demand The 18+ Transition Services program provides young adults setting the new building for these programs next to each other on the same lot will further accommodate the work-based learning opportunities available to 18+ Transition Services students at the Science Materials Center.  🎬 6.A.3. Discussion of the 2025-2026 Budget Development Earlier in February, Superintendent Bruce Gearing shared important updates in the budget development process for the 2025–2026 school year In the face of a projected $34.2 million deficit the district announced reductions to each level – central office Gearing detailed the reductions in non-campus positions and operations to reach the $3 million of cuts pledged in February Through Thursday’s budget discussion at the Board meeting Trustees and administration paved a way forward that included modifications to the update shared in February.  Note: These revisions are contingent on the Board changing the budget deficit parameter from 3% to 4.5% which would be formalized through a vote at a future meeting this comes in a financial environment where the State of Texas has not increased public school funding since 2019 – despite rising operational costs this would be the equivalent of an estimated additional $64 million in revenue The budget parameter adjustment is expected to come back before the Board for a vote at the March 27 meeting 🎬 5.A. CONSENT: Consider Adoption of Human Sexuality Curriculum Grades 7-9 the Board approved the Student Health Advisory Committee’s (SHAC) recommendation of the resource for human sexuality curriculum for 7th As shared during the Feb. 13 meeting SHAC reviewed multiple curricula through this process The district then contracted with an experienced public school health specialist to create the curriculum and lessons to meet the specific needs of LISD The lessons for each grade level cover all of the Health Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Human Sexuality and meet all of the legal requirements for teaching Human Sexuality as outlined in Texas Administrative Code For more information, including lesson previews, visit the Human Sexuality Curriculum page It’s important to note that in following Texas Education Code parents and guardians must opt their student(s) into Human Sexuality Instruction Apr 9, 2025 | Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison Ashley Anderson is joined by Assistive Technology Specialist Cici Fritts to talk about the supports available for families This Collaborative Partners podcast series provides a platform to continue the discussion around supporting our Special Programs families and enhancing educational experiences for every student Our goal is to bring together voices and insights that empower families and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the journey toward a meaningful future Cici starts by asking Ashley to share a little about herself and her role in the district (00:44) Cici and Ashley have a conversation centered around: Note: For a transcript of the episode we recommend using the built-in transcription feature of a podcast platform Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts /  RSS