Georgetown Edition | January 2022

EDUCATION

School stories to follow

2 0 2 2 A N N U A L C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E

TOP STORIES TO WATCH IN 2022

Georgetown ISDpresents timelines formajor construction projects BY TRENT THOMPSON GEORGETOWN ISD District ocials discussed tentative timelines for upcoming large construction completed in May 2024. NewBenoldMiddleSchool The replacement school for the

Southwestern nets STEM grant Southwestern University is receiving a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to attract and retain students with nancial need and people of color pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics—or STEM—careers, the university announced, in a news release. The university will recruit 25 incoming rst-year students within the next two years, said Emily Neimeyer, professor of chemistry and principal investigator in charge of the program. The six- year program will recruit 13 students enrolling in fall 2022 and 12 students enrolling in fall 2023, Neimeyer said. The students will receive $7,000 or $10,000 renewable annual scholarships for up to four years, according to the release. Students who qualify for the scholarship program must be eligible for the Pell Grant or the Tuition Equalization Grant, meet certain academic requirements, complete application requirements, and demonstrate an interest in math or science through high school courses. The grant will support the university’s S-STEM scholarship program Equipped for Success: Science Identity, Community and Engagement to Promote STEM Student Persistence. GISD continues virtual program to accommodate needs of families Georgetown ISD started its virtual learning program Nov. 8, providing virtual learning opportunities to students in kindergarten to eighth grade as well as an enhanced virtual learning program for high school students. Terri Conrad, the chief strategist for learning design for GISD, said out of 125 students who showed interest in the program, 50 students began virtual learning for the regular program as well as 15 students for the enhanced virtual leaning program by enrolling in Richarte High School. GISD is partnering with Pearson Connexus for the main program, according to Conrad. Pearson Connexus is a virtual learning platform that partners with schools through program management support that gives schools a digital platform to make successful virtual learning possible, according to the website. NUMBER TOKNOW projected enrollment for GISD in the 2021-22 school year, a 19.33% increase from 10,651 in the 2014-15 session. 12,710

labor availability,” Biesheuvel said. FutureReady LearningComplex The Future Ready Learning Com- plex, which will be located at 5001 Airport Road, Georgetown, will be the district’s facility to house several programs, such as advanced career and technical programs; the Bridges Transition Program for young adults age 18 and up; Richarte High School, the district’s alternative school; and the Early Learning Center, currently known as Eagle Wings, which provides child care for the children of GISD employees and students, according to a spokesperson. Design for the complex was completed earlier this year, and jurisdictional review for the project is projected to begin in January. Construction will begin in May once bidding for the project is completed. The project is anticipated to be

original Benold Middle School, located at 3407 Northwest Blvd., Georgetown, is expected to begin its jurisdictional review process between January and June with the bidding process to start in July-September. Construction is estimated to begin in October and be completed by June 2024. The new Benold Middle School will be located in the Parmer Ranch neighborhood at 1000 Garrett Oaks Lane, Georgetown. ElementarySchool No. 11 The design for Elementary School No. 11 will be drafted at the beginning of 2022. Design for the school must begin as soon as possible in order to open in 2024 to keep up with George- town’s population growth, Biesheuvel said. Construction for the project is estimated to begin in March 2023, and completion is expected in June 2024. It will be located in the Santa Rita Ranch development at 175 Elizabeth Park Blvd., Liberty Hill. ElementarySchool No. 12 Design for the project is scheduled to start in November. Elementary School No. 12 would begin construc- tion in February 2024 and is expected to be completed by June 2025. The location for the school has not been determined.

projects funded by bond initiatives, some scheduled to begin development in 2022, at a meeting Dec.13. Executive Director of Construction and Development David Biesheuvel presented timelines for projects such as the Future Ready Learning Com- plex, the new Benold Middle School and two new elementary schools, Nos. 11 and 12. These projects stem from the 2021 bond program passed in Novem- ber. Biesheuvel stressed the impor- tance of a number of factors that could potentially inuence the presented timelines, including the construction of a $17 billion, 6 million-square-foot Samsung plant coming to Taylor. “There are issues with materials, costs, delivery schedules as well as

Georgetown voters passed two of ve bond initiatives brought by Georgetown ISD in 2021 that will provide the bulk of the funding for planned new construction. PROPOSITION RESULTS

YES NO

Proposition A 56.2%

43.8%

Proposition B

56.4%

43.6%

Proposition C

45.4%

54.6%

Proposition D

38.9%

61.1%

Proposition E

43.3%

56.7%

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

GEORGETOWN ISD The district’s board of trustees President Scott Stribling stepped down from his role and nominated fellow Board Member Elizabeth McFarland to take his place during a Dec. 14 meeting. Stribling was elected to serve on the GISD school board for Place 1 in May 2013 and has served as the board president since 2019. He is stepping down to continue the district’s history of strong and well-done transitions of power between board presidents, he said. Stribling will serve out his term on the board to help McFarland transi- tion and keep the district’s stability, he said. All board members voted in favor of Stribling’s McFarland to leadGISDboard after Stribling steps down as president BY TRENT THOMPSON

nomination, and McFarland will now run board meetings, eective immediately. Stribling also said that he will not run for reelection in May. McFarland was elected to serve on the board in May 2019 for Place 2. She founded McFarland Legacy Law in Georgetown and works as an estate planning and business attorney. She has lived in Georgetown for 15 years with her husband and four children.

Elizabeth McFarland

“There is great momentum in the work happening in GISD, and serving on the GISD board of trustees is an honor,” McFarland said. “While Scott is leaving big shoes to ll, I am excited at the opportunity to lead this board moving forward and grateful for his leadership and support.”

GEORGETOWN EDITION • JANUARY 2022