EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Leander ISD & Austin Community College
QUOTE OF NOTE
Committee backs LISD calling May bond
HIGHLIGHTS LEANDER ISD The district’s Bond Oversight Committee recommended the board of trustees use $500,000 from 2007 and 2017 bond savings to pay for a stoplight at the intersection of Golden Arrow and Vista Ridge Boulevard in Cedar Park, near Henry Middle School. The board voted to approve the reallocation of funds at its Jan. 26 meeting. The city of Cedar Park will handle the design, bidding, installation and maintenance of the stoplight. AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE The search is on for the next Austin Community College chancellor following an announcement that Chancellor Richard Rhodes will retire in August. According to a Jan. 18 press release issued by the college, Rhodes is the longest-running chancellor TEXAS In an eort to expand access to career and technical education programs, the Texas Workforce Commission distributed over $54 million to colleges and schools across the state, according to a Dec. 28 release. The Jobs and Education for Texans program helps schools purchase the equipment needed to train students for high-demand jobs in a variety of elds. Austin Community College received $331,722 under the program. in ACC’s 50-year history. He began his tenure as president and CEO of ACC in September 2011. Leander ISD board of trustees will meet Feb. 23 at 6:15 p.m. at 300 S. West Drive, Leander. 512-570-0000. www.leanderisd.org Austin Community College board of trustees will meet Feb. 13 and March 6 at 3 p.m. at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room 201, Austin. 512-223-7000. www.austincc.edu MEETINGS WE COVER “WHEN WE HAVE A BOND PASS, IT’S NOT MONEY IN OUR POCKET. IT’S THE ABILITY TO BORROW.” LEANDER ISD TRUSTEE CHRISTINE MAUER, ABOUT A POTENTIAL MAY BOND ELECTION
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
proposal also includes ancillary needs—such as a third transportation facility—and security and information technology upgrades. The last day to call for a May election is Feb. 17. Bond proposals An advisory committee recommended the Leander ISD board of trustees call a $563 million- $601 million bond election.
LEANDER ISD The Citizens’ Facility Advisory Committee recommended the Leander ISD board of trustees call a May bond election Jan. 26. With more than 150 subcommittee members participating in the process, the advisory committee recom- mended a package ranging between $563 million-$601 million. CFAC Co-chair Cara Owen said one of the committee’s largest priorities was ensuring the district does not fall behind on building maintenance as well as “building the necessary buildings so we don’t have overcrowded schools.” The largest of the recommenda- tions—$218 million—is for projects at LISD high schools. This includes modernizing two schools and new facilities for the Skills for Enhancing Lifelong Fulllment program and the early college high school. Elementary projects include the construction of two schools. The
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High schools: $218.1M Elementary schools: $209.3M Ancillary: $57.1M Middle schools: $45M Information technology: $30.6M Security: $3.5M
Security: $3.5M
Total: $563.6M
SOURCE: LEANDER ISD¡COMMUNITY IMPACT
Plans for Leander High School remodel begins
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
savings to cover expenses for the process during a July 21 meeting. LHS Principal Chris Simpson said his top priority for the project is student safety and security in addition to equitable access for school programming. Simpson added it will be important to retain campus history because LHS opened in 1984 as the district’s original high school. “The next biggest thing is the ow,” he said. “We’ve had challenges with parking. We’ve got challenges with how kids navigate the building. A lot of our areas need a face-lift.” To design the plan, district sta and ocials are working with Puger Architects, a rm that has helped develop plans for LISD’s elementary schools. Puger Architects Managing Principal Jessica Molter said it will take about six months to complete the process, which will include hearing from a variety of stakeholders. “We really want a really broad spectrum of people because the more information we get, the better this is ultimately going to be,” Molter said.
LEANDER ISD The board of trustees is developing a master plan to renovate Leander High School after hearing a timeline for the project Dec. 8. The board previously approved a reallocation of $100,000 from bond Road to renovations This timeline will guide the creation of the $100,000 plan for renovations at Leander High School. Completed by Jan. 31: • Establish a vision for the school • Dene goals and objectives • Collect data from tours, surveys and assessments
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Completed by March 31: • Host large committee workshops with students, administrators and stakeholders • Design project concepts • Narrow project direction Completed by May 31: • Develop the site plan • Conduct cost analysis • Plan for project phasing
SOURCE: LEANDER ISD¡ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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