Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG
EISD consolidates 2 schools, ends Spanish Immersion program Two big changes are coming to Eanes ISD in the 2025-26 school year: Valley View Elementary will close and blend with Barton Creek Elementary, and the Spanish Immersion program will be dis- continued, all in an effort to address the district’s anticipated $6.5 million budget shortfall next year. The campus blend was unanimously approved, while the discontinuation of Spanish Immersion was approved in a 5-2 vote, with council members Kim McMath and Ellen Balthazar dissenting. Over 30 community members spoke during the public forum before the vote, including Valley View Elementary parent Lauren Amador, who said the blend was a “quick fix” to minimize anger for budget problems that have been around for years. Many parents also spoke in support of continuing
LISD making strides with police force Leander ISD is taking the next steps in creating its own police force. LISD is working to submit an application to create the department with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, or TCOLE, said Shā Rogers, LISD’s executive director of safety and security, at winter community events. The details If approved, TCOLE will issue an agency number that will be transferred to Rogers, who is slated to become the department’s police chief. LISD is hiring for several police officers and school marshal positions, which Rogers said she plans to fill by June 30. The board of trustees approved $1.84 million for startup costs on Nov. 21, plus $662,315 for nine positions on Dec. 12.
Next steps Jan. 28: board will consider additional decisions related to the blend Spring: board will direct further efficiencies or reductions to offset the shortfall May 20: board may vote on freezing staff salaries, if needed June 24: last day for the board to propose a November election to approve copper pennies
SOURCE: EANES ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SI, with Balthazar suggesting a substitute motion to table the issue as over 276 parents pledged $900,000 to financially support the program through the Eanes Education Foundation. What’s next Along with blending the campuses and discon- tinuing SI, other cost saving measures have been proposed by district officials, such as adopting nine copper pennies that would raise the tax rate and generate $4 million for EISD, making staff reductions or freezing staff salaries.
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