Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
LISD OKs $4M toward Early Childhood Center Officials are preparing to break ground on Leander ISD’s first prekindergarten Early Child- hood Center, but a recent funding gap identified more funds are needed to complete the project. The board of trustees approved 4-1 to reallo- cate $4 million in bond funds toward the ECC during the regular board meeting April 10. The 2023 bond allocated $161 million toward repurposing underutilized campuses, $60 million of which has been allocated for building an early childhood center at Halsey Drive. What’s changed A $4 million funding gap was identified following a refined design scope and additional site work, Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Trimble said. The ECC differs from a traditional elemen- tary campus, which is where the cost differences lie, Trimble said.
Leander ISD updates budget assumptions The Leander ISD board of trustees adopted updated budget assumptions to be considered in creating the 2025-26 fiscal year budget at its March 27 meeting. LISD Chief Financial Officer Peter Pape said the board asked administration to increase the deficit threshold to 4.5% and increase the attendance assumption to 94.125%. Dig deeper The new budget assumptions are param- eters that will guide decision-making in crafting the 2025-26 proposed budget, which the board will vote on. The increased attendance assumption, up from 94%, could increase state funding, which is based on average daily attendance, according to the state.
The Early Childhood Center is expected to have:
A capacity of about 600 prekindergarten students
Five learning pods with literacy areas, free play stations and meals
Outdoor play areas with covered porches, gardens, trike tracks and free play areas
A gym, media center, administrative offices and community resource spaces
Space for the Parents as Teachers program
SOURCE: LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
With the reallocation of funds toward the ECC, there is now $97 million in bond funds remaining for other campus repurposing projects.
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