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Leander Liberty Hill Edition VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 SEPT. 18 OCT. 17, 2025
2025 Education Edition
Liberty Hill ISD seeks new funding
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Liberty Hill ISD has become one of the fastest growing districts in Central Texas with nearly 1,000 new students joining the district each year. Nearly 2,000 new homes are built in the district annually, which is the third highest amount of new home construction in the Austin area, Zonda Demographics Vice President Bob Templeton said. “Liberty Hill is going to be a very strong growth district for at least the next 10 years,” Templeton said. Despite its enrollment growth, the district has projected mounting budget shortfalls in recent scal years. Now, the district is seeking to generate an additional $10.9 million in revenue by asking voters to approve a $0.07 increase to its tax rate in a Nov. 4 election.
CONTINUED ON 18
This school year, LHISD campuses have larger class sizes as the district looks to cut costs amid budgetary concerns. CHLOE YOUNGCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Also in this issue Impacts
Page 7
Transportation
Page 9
2025 Education Edition
Page 14
Check out the latest TEA accountability scores
Hone hockey skills at TPH Academy in Leander
Check in on construction updates from TxDOT
More connected to the care you need than ever before .
Ascension Seton Cedar Park
Our community is growing. That’s why we are, too. Cedar Park Regional Medical Center is now Ascension Seton Cedar Park — giving you more access to care, right where you live. And that includes a direct connection to Dell Children’s for world-class specialty care when your family needs it most.
To find care, visit ascension.org/CedarPark
© Ascension 2025. All rights reserved.
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact
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MYSTERIES & MYTHS INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY COMMUNITY Celebrate Liberty Hill’s Designation as an with surrounding communities at our Family Stargazing Event • High-powered telescopes from Wmsn Cnty Astronomy Club • Dinner for purchase from local food trucks • Space-themed crafts for kids by the Liberty Hill Public Library Sat, October 25 T 5:30-11:11pm T River Ranch County Park River Ranch County Park | 194 Reveille Wy, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 @ Interpretive Center Under the Stars
Scan the QR code for camping sites or day-use passes. Park admission required for entry.
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Impacts
Leander
Coming soon
VALLEY VIEW RD.
279
SAN GABRIEL CAMPUS DR.
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3 AnTeNa Kitchen and Bar Owner Anil Annepu said he plans to open AnTeNa Kitchen and Bar in November 2025, serving Indian food to Leander residents. • Opening in November • 2082 N. US 183, Ste.130, Leander • No website or phone number available 4 Bluebonnet Family Estates The assisted living and memory care facility for seniors, is set to open its new facility in Leander in early 2026. The facility will oer round-the-clock care for seniors and individuals struggling with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Bluebonnet will feature an executive chef to plan meals, a variety of daily activities to keep residents active, private rooms for family visits, a nail and hair salon, and more. • Opening in January • 1202 Seward View Road, Leander • www.bluebonnetfamily.com 5 Cork2Glass The wine bar will oer premium and high-end wines, including organic and sustainable wines. The wine bar will also serve charcuterie boards, olives, nuts and atbread. • Opening October • 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 618, Cedar Park • www.cork2glass.com 6 HTeaO Leander will soon have a new option for avored iced teas when HTeaO opens it’s latest location in October. The Texas-born franchise oers a wide variety of drink options and signature avors of tea, coee, lemonade and refreshers. • Opening October • 11780 Hero Way W., Leander • www.hteao.com 7 Leander Senior Activity Center The center will oer recreation and entertainment facilities to active adults and seniors. The activity center will provide meals, exercise classes, games, art classes
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Leander
SEWARD VIEW RD.
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269
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2243
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183
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183A TOLL
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2 Riverbat Bites Food Pantry Students at all Austin Community College campuses can access groceries, snacks and hygiene products free of charge. Additionally, students will now be able to get support enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they are interested in receiving extra food support. • Opened Aug. 18 • 449 San Gabriel Campus Drive, Leander • http://students.austincc.edu/personal-resources/ riverbat-bites-food-pantry 45 TOLL
Now open
1 Injera & Beyond The restaurant serves authentic West African staples, including injera, a type of spongy atbread and doro wat, a chicken and egg stew considered the national food of Ethiopia. Manager Gabriella Samuel said the traditional Ethiopian coee ceremony is one of the restaurant’s signature oerings. Coee is ground and roasted in-house and then presented in a ceremonial Ethiopian pot called a jebena. • Opened Aug. 14 • 410 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 100, Cedar Park • https://injeratx.com Cedar Park
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Boldly leading Leander to a stronger future.
WWW.MOHANMARCHETTY.COM
Pol. Adv. Paid for by Mohan Marchetty Campaign
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Now open
In the news
8 TPH Academy The sports training program has begun accepting admissions for their new Austin-area branch. The academy is open to student athletes grades 4-12 and oers sport-speci¢c training and instruction paired with academic learning. • Opened July 1 • The Crossover, 1717 Scottsdale Drive, Leander • https://tphacademy.com
Community Impact Community Impact celebrates 20 years as a company in September. Founded in Pugerville, owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the ¢rst Community Impact newspaper in the Round Rock-Pugerville market in September 2005 with a cover story about the ¢rst toll roads in the Austin area. Today, the company has more
adopted a hybrid academic calendar with a combination of four and ¢ve-day work weeks. • 1501 Country Road 269, Leander • www.bradysbridge.org/daycare 12 Shark’s Burger The Leander location is celebrating ¢ve years of operations. Sharks Burger oers build-your-own burgers, specialty burgers and cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and more. • 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander • www.sharksburger.com than 200 employees supporting 40 hyperlocal editions in Texas, printing and distributing more than 2.5 million newspapers a month. Community Impact has a strong print and digital presence, including a daily email newsletter, to serve readers with free news and help local businesses thrive. • www.communityimpact.com
and other featured activities for area active adults and seniors, according to the city’s website. • Opening Oct. 8
Relocations
10 ExoDiscovery ExoDiscovery develops technology targeting earlier detection of cancer-speci¢c biomarkers. • Relocated June 2025 • 1460 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.exodiscovery.com
• 201 N. Brushy St., Leander • www.leandertx.gov/860/ CIP-P6-Senior-Activity-Center
9 Little Leaps Play Cafe The family-owned business is set to open in late 2025. The cafe will oer imaginative play areas, child-parent classes, storytimes and a café space for parents, according to the company’s website. Additionally, the space will oer pre-packaged snacks, pastries, smoothies, espresso, coee and other canned and bottled drinks. • Opening late 2025
In the news
11 Brady’s Bridge The nonpro¢t will oer all-day care on select Fridays, accommodating four-day school weeks after Liberty Hill
• 3550 N. Lakeline Blvd., Leander • www.littleleapsplaycafe.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Impacts
Liberty Hill
BY SAM SCHAFFER
2 Toss It Dumpsters, LLC. The locally-owned roll-o dumpster and portable toilet rental company opened in Bertram Texas at the beginning of July and oers delivery and pick up. • Opened July 1 183
new building will be built at 3737 RM 1869. • 3737 RM 1869, Liberty Hill • www.operationlh.org 5 Walmart The retail giant is expected to build a facility in Liberty Hill’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Design and engineering rm Kimley-Horn submitted an application for a site development permit for 20991 Ronald Reagan Blvd. Aug. 5, a copy of the application shows. No timeline has been given for the project yet. • 20991 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill • www.walmart.com
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• 1107 CR 264, Bldg. 5, Bertram • www.tossitdumpstersllc.com
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Coming soon
KAUFFMAN LOOP RONALD REAGAN BLVD.
3 Anytime Fitness Twelve Oaks The gym, which is expected to open in Liberty Hill in October, will be open 24/7 for members and oer individually tailored training plans. It will also oer coaching, according to its website. • Opening Oct. 1 • 2021 Kauffman Loop, Liberty Hill • www.anytimeitness.com
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In the news
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N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
6 GT Insurance Services, LLC. The service, which helps people nd insurance policies, celebrated 10 years of operations in Liberty Hill. • 402 Forrest Street, Liberty Hill • 512-713-9462
Now open
What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
1 Liberty Hill Locksmith The hybrid locksmith service provides key reprogramming and duplication for keys, lock repair, unlocks, safe opening and combination resets. • Opened Sept. 2 • 13997 Hwy. 29, Unit 2, Liberty Hill • 737-775-5480
4 Operation Liberty Hill The nonprot provides food, programs and services in Liberty Hill and hopes to break ground on a new building by the end of the year. Currently operating at 1401 N. Hwy. 183 in Leander, Operation Liberty Hill’s
Project Completion September 2025 RESERVE YOUR UNITS NOW
FOR SALE OR LEASE
4-way stop light on Hwy 29 for easy ingress/egress Unit Sizes: 1,800 – 21,600 SF (+ Optional Mezzanine Level 600 – 3,240 SF) Units from 24 ft to 28 ft outside height Large Grade Level Frosted Glass Roll-up Doors Community Loading High Dock Parking Spaces Ratio 3.33 per 1000 SF High Speed Fiber Internet Access & 3 Phase power available Option to add a fully enclosed yard
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355 Cross Creek Road, Georgetown, TX 78628 www.tbndevelopment.com/ crosscreek
Watch Video link here:
LEE IDOM 512-993-0071 CCCommercialPark@gmail.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Transportation
BY STEVE GUNTLI & SAM SCHAFFER
Liberty Hill creates new school zone Liberty Hill has a new school zone on Hwy. 29, according to the police department. The Liberty Hill Police Department posted about the zone on its Facebook page Aug. 19. What you need to know The school zone runs from roughly the 13500 block of Hwy. 29 to the 12700 block, according to the post. Speed limits in the zone are reduced to allow for pedestrian trac.
TxDOT breaks ground on frontage roads project Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation were joined by local and state ocials on Aug. 22 to break ground on the new 183 frontage roads project. The details The project will add two non-tolled, grade-sep- arated lanes on each side of 183A Toll, running between RM 1431 and Avery Ranch Boulevard, according to a TxDOT news release. Preliminary construction and signage began in late July. The project has been in the works since 2018, according to TxDOT. It will cost $139 million and is expected to be completed in 2029. What else? According to the TxDOT website, the increased growth and development in the region has necessitated creating relief routes to keep trac
1431
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owing. The new routes will help alleviate backup on the toll road while allowing trac to continue to ow during periods of maintenance. The goals of the project, according to TxDOT documents, are to increase mobility, improve safety, reduce environmental impacts and allow more exibility for Cedar Park to grow.
New school zone
1869
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Education Education Edition
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
2025
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! Education in Texas has undergone some signi cant changes over the last few months. As the landscape in Texas and beyond continues to evolve at a rapid pace, our team of local reporters is looking at how those changes will aect you, your family, and the Leander/Liberty Hill community. This month, we’re taking an in-depth look at the changes and challenges facing the Leander Independent School District, as well as digging into some statewide coverage that will aect all Texans in the coming months. We’re catching up on the A-F accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency, which have been held up in legal battles for the last several months. And we’ll be reporting on updates from Austin Community College to provide comprehensive coverage of the education news that matters in your community.
What's inside
Learn about the newest advances at Austin Community College (Page 12)
Steve Guntli Editor sguntli@ communityimpact.com
See how local districts fared in the most recent TEA accountability ratings (Page 14)
Catch up on the new legislation aecting education statewide (Page 17)
For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!
Leander ISD ocials consider plan for repurposing campuses
As Leander ISD ocials consider implement- ing cost-saving measures such as closing and repurposing campuses and updating stang guidelines, the board of trustees held a board workshop meeting Sept. 9 to discuss future budget shortfalls and long-range planning. Some context The district adopted its 2025-26 budget in June with a $20.2 million shortfall. House Bill 2 funded LISD sta raises but could not be used to oset the shortfall, Chief Financial Ocer Pete Pape said. Chief Operations Ocer Jeremy Trimble pre- sented three pathways to the board of trustees during the May 29 meeting that could net the district millions of dollars in savings. Trimble said the pathways were determined due to LISD’s shifting enrollment patterns and uneven facility utilization, and that the campuses considered for consolidation were slated to be under 60%
Potential optimization actions
Cost savings
Consolidate: • Faubion to Westside Elementary • Cypress to Naumann Elementary • Steiner Ranch between Laura W. Bush and River Ridge elementary schools Update stang guidelines districtwide to reduce roles to one or to part-time: • Assistant principal • Counselor • Instructional coach • Art and performing art • Librarian • Gifted and talented • Reading specialist • Dyslexia
Path 1
$4.1 M
• English as a Second Language • Special education coordinator
Path 2
$1.7 M
Update: • Stafing guidelines at Naumann and Cypress
Consolidate: • Faubion to Westside • Steiner Ranch to Laura W. Bush and River Ridge
Path 3
$3.5 M
SOURCE: LEANDER ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
were discussed such as open enrollment, increasing average daily attendance and selling or leasing land. The board will discuss options at its Sept. 18 meeting and could vote on the actions Oct. 9.
utilization in the coming years. LISD is projecting a $22.8 million shortfall in 2026-27 that does not include any sta raises, which Superintendent Bruce Gearing said is “unsustainable” going forward. Other potential revenue generating streams
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Education
BY DACIA GARCIA & BROOKE SJOBERG
Austin Community College enrollment rises Current Austin Community College enrollment is nearing 44,000 students, showing a near 10% growth from fall 2024’s enrollment numbers. The details According to a news release, more than 10,300 students are using the college’s Free Tuition Pilot program, which allows students to take classes without paying tuition or general fees for up to three years. In fall 2024, only 4,800 students enrolled in the program. The program is open to high school graduates from the class of 2024 and Texas GED graduates from the ACC service area. Digging deeper The news release stated the college is witnessing growth in various areas of study, with the largest growth in health sciences, up by 19%.
ACC awarded $3.6M semiconductor grant Austin Community College received a $3.6 million grant from the state of Texas in August. In a nutshell Per an Aug. 14 news release from Gov. Greg Abbott’s oce, the grant is part of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, an incentive program to encourage semicon- ductor research, design and manufacturing in Texas. The fund grants state and higher educa- tional institutions money for manufacturing and design projects. How we got here ACC received the grant based on a semi- conductor manufacturing lab and precision welding program at its Round Rock campus.
Enrollment in ACC's Free Tuition Pilot Program
12K
10K
10,300
8K
6K
4K
4,800
2K 0
Fall 2024
Fall 2025
SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT
“The enrollment surge is proof that more students are choosing ACC as their pathway to a better future,” ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Low- ery-Hart said. “That doesn’t happen without the dedication and teamwork of our faculty and sta. This is what it looks like when a college commu- nity comes together to put students rst.”
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Education
Leander and Liberty Hill ISDs receive latest TEA ratings
Yearly accountability ratings have been released by the Texas Education Agency, highlighting the performance of Texas public schools in the 2024-25 school year. The scoring system provides an overall grade for school districts as well as grades for individual campuses.
Ratings are based on student academic achievement, test results, graduation rates and distribution of grades among dierent groups. According to state law, A-F ratings must be sent out by Aug. 15 each year. However, 2023-24 ratings were blocked following a lawsuit led by 33 Texas school districts. The districts
argued that the agency’s system made it impossible for some schools to earn a high score. In July, Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals ruled that the 2023-24 ratings could be released, and the TEA shared them alongside rankings for the 2024-25 school year.
Liberty Hill ISD
Reading Math This shows how well a district is ensuring that all student groups are successful. Closing the gaps
District score
Percent of students per rating
18%
A
2023-24
2024-25
69% 52% Two or More Races 54% 37% African American
54% 42% Hispanic
70% 55% White
77%
B
B B
5%
C
56% 45% American Indian 57% 20% Pacic Islander
44% 37% High Focus* 67% 55% All Students
0%
D
85/100
86/100
0%
F
88% 84% Asian
School scores
School
2023-24
2024-25
*HIGH FOCUS INCLUDES ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND THOSE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
Bar W Elementary Burden Elementary
B B
A B B B B B B A B B B
Percentage of students approaching grade level or above on STAAR tests
Four-Year Graduation Rate
Legacy Ranch High School Liberty Hill Elementary Liberty Hill High School Liberty Hill Middle School Louine Noble Elementary Rancho Sienna Elementary Santa Rita Elementary Santa Rita Middle School Tierra Rosa Elementary
N/A
C B B B A B B
State
District
State
District
Reading
Math
Science
Social Studies
N/A
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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BY STEVE GUNTLI & KAROLINE PFEIL
Leander ISD District score
Percent of students per rating
School scores
School
2023-24
2024-25
62%
A
2023-24
2024-25
Canyon Ridge Elementary
A
A
24%
B
B
B
Cedar Park High School
A
A
9%
C
Cedar Park Middle School
B
A
3%
D
Cox Elementary
B
B
88/100
88/100
1%
F
Cypress Elementary
B
A
Deer Creek Elementary
A
A
Reading This shows how well a district is ensuring that all student groups are successful. Closing the gaps
Math
Faubion Elementary
C
D
51% 33% African American 74% 60% Two or More Races
56% 41% Hispanic
75% 59% White
Four Points Middle School
B
B
Grandview Hills Elementary
B
C
67% 51% American Indian 64% 59% Pacic Islander
48% 38% High Focus* 71% 58% All Students
Henry Middle School
B
A
Laura Welch Bush Elementary
A
A
88% 86% Asian
Naumann Elementary
B
B
Reagan Elementary
B
A
Reed Elementary
C
B
*HIGH FOCUS INCLUDES ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND THOSE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES
River Place Elementary
B
C
Percentage of students approaching grade level or above on STAAR tests
Four-Year Graduation Rate
River Ridge Elementary
A
A
State
District
State
District
Rutledge Elementary
A
A
Steiner Ranch Elementary
B
A
Vandegrift High School
A
A
Vista Ridge High School
A
A
Reading
Math
Science
Social Studies
Westside Elementary
B
A
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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Education
BY HANNAH NORTON
Teachers now have more disciplinary authority House Bill 6 gives public school teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others. The change comes after nearly half of Texas public school teachers cited disci- pline issues as a top workplace challenge in 2022, according to the Texas Education Agency. What you need to know The law, which took eect immediately when Gov. Greg Abbott signed it on June 20, allows schools to suspend students of any age who engage in “repeated or signicant” disruptions, reversing a 2017 state law that generally prohib- ited schools from suspending students in pre-K through second grade. If students in kindergarten through third grade are sent home for behavioral
Districts to level-set high school GPAs Texas school districts will soon be required to use a standard system to calculate high school students’ grade point averages. At a glance Senate Bill 1191, which became law June 20, directs the Texas Education Agency to create a new GPA standard “as soon as practicable.” The system must give equal weight to advanced placement, international baccalaureate and dual enrollment courses. “It most likely won’t impact kids that are currently enrolled in high school, … because it’s going to take a while to make sure every- one is on the same page,” said Bob Popinski, who leads the policy team for public school advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas.
“A lot of the problems we see with our kids in high school is because they did not have consequences, none whatsoever, when
they were younger.” BILL AUTHOR REP. JEFF LEACH, RPLANO
issues, schools must provide documentation explaining their decision. HB 6 gives schools the option to place students in an in-school suspension for as long as they see t. State law previously mandated that students could not be suspended for more than three school days, whether they were inside a school building or at home. The three-day time limit on out-of- school suspensions remains unchanged.
New law bans cellphone usage in all K12 schools Texas students are now prohibited from using cellphones, smart watches and other personal communication devices throughout the school day. The details
School districts could:
as math, science and reading, and the reality is, these phones are a distraction. ... Schools cite growing incidents of cyberbullying due to these phones,” bill author Rep. Caroline Fairly, RAmarillo, said in March. HB 1481 includes exceptions for students with medical needs or special education accommoda- tions, and does not apply to devices supplied by school districts for academic purposes.
• Purchase pouches to store devices during the school day • Ask students to keep devices in their lockers or backpacks
Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 into law on June 20, giving school districts 90 days to adopt new electronic device policies, including disciplinary measures for students who violate the cellphone ban. “We want our kids to focus on academics, such
Texas’ 2026-27 budget includes $20M in grants to help districts implement the law.
SOURCES: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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17
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Liberty Hill ISD seeks new funding From the cover
Two-minute impact
Historical tax rates in Liberty Hill ISD
Maintenance and operations
Interest and sinking
$0.5 $1 $1.5 $2
LHISD is looking to propose a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, this November. This would increase a homeowner’s annual property tax bill by $341 in FY 2025-26 based on a median home value of $516,513, Chief Financial Ocer Rosanna Guerrero said. If the election is not successful, district leaders say $4 million in additional cuts could be coming. “We want to be able to say that we’re providing the best educational experience,” interim Superintendent Travis Motal said. “It’s going to be hard to do that if we keep having to cut, cut, cut, cut just to get to a balanced budget.” District ocials told Community Impact they are hopeful that this year’s calendar, which features many four-day school weeks, will provide greater support to teachers who may be impacted by the loss of support sta due to budget cuts. “That voter-approved tax ratication election is to potentially add $10 million back into that hole that’s been dug,” Motal said. “We want to remain a top district in Williamson County.” The district made around $8 in budget cuts over the past two scal years and is projected to realize a $2 million budget decit in FY 2024-25.
$1.54
$1.47
$1.36
$1.3647
$1.3446
$1.2389
$1.1692
$1.1669
$0
2019-20
2023-24
2022-23
2018-19
2020-21
2024-25
2025-26
2021-22
Fiscal year
THE FY 202526 TAX RATE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF DISTRICT VOTERS NOV. 4.
2025 26 Budget surplus LHISD adopted an $105.9 million balanced operating budget for scal year 2025-26. If voters approve a $0.07 tax rate increase, LHISD could generate $10.9 million in additional revenue.
Impact to homeowners Fiscal year 2024-25 • Median home value: $469,557 • Homestead exemption: $100,000 • Tax rate: $1.1669 • LHISD taxes: $4,324 per year/$360 per month Fiscal year 2025-26 • Median home value: $516,513 • *Homestead exemption: $140,000 • Tax rate: $1.2389 • LHISD taxes: $4,665 per year/$389 per month If approved, the VATRE would raise property taxes by: • $341 a year • $29 per month • $1 per day
Expenses
Revenue
VATRE does not pass $105.9M $105.9M
Balanced
VATRE passes $118.4M $107.5M
$10.9M surplus
*TEXAS VOTERS MUST APPROVE INCREASING THE STATEWIDE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TO $140,000 IN A NOV. ELECTION."
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Projected enrollment in Liberty Hill ISD
Some context
One more thing
Enrollment
Projected enrollment
LHISD is undergoing sweeping changes this school year to prepare for fast enrollment growth while facing budgetary constraints. The district’s enrollment of over 10,000 stu- dents is expected to nearly double to nearly 19,500 students by the 2034-35 school year, according to data from Zonda Demographics. This school year, the district will hire additional teachers to accom- modate growth and sta three new campuses opening in 2026. In the 2025 legislative session, state lawmakers increased school funding by $8.4 billion. Bob Popinski, dean of policy for educational advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas, said new funding under House Bill 2 was “well short of what school districts needed” to keep up with rising costs of utilities and fuel along with keeping sta salaries competitive. The basic allotment of funding per student, which increased by $55 under HB 2, would need to be raised by $1,400 to account for ination, Popinksi said. “We would need roughly $19.8 billion for the next
Under LHISD’s new calendar, teachers will have time for professional development in the morning and a teacher work day in the afternoon on Fridays when students do not attend school. In September, LHISD community member Rachael Dunn will open Panther House Friday School to provide education and extracurricular programming for around 30 elementary students when school is not in session.
+299.32%
20K
15K
19,479
10K
5K
4,878
0
School year
two years just to keep school districts level with their purchasing power from 2019,” Popinski said. The $12.7 million in HB 2 funding does not fully cover the district’s expenses for insurance and utilities, safety and security as well as special edu- cation evaluations, Guerrero said. HB 2 provides $2,500-$5,000 raises for teachers, but the district must pay for the benets, Guerrero said.
“We know it’s not ideal, but … if we want the same high-quality expectation that we have in the classroom, we have to be able to give our teachers time in order to be ready for that.” TRAVIS MOTAL, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Currently open 1 Legacy Ranch Middle School • Opening date: August 2025 • Square footage: 190,380 • Student capacity: 1,200-1,300 • Address: 450 CR 258, Liberty Hill Opening in 2026 2 Legacy Ranch High School • Opening date: August 2026 • Square footage: 475,000 • Student capacity: 2,800 • Address: 1277 CR 258, Liberty Hill 3 Elementary School No. 8 • Opening date: August 2026 • Square footage: 112,992 • Student capacity: 1,000 • Address: 3086 CR 214, Liberty Hill Opening in 2027
Looking ahead
183
183
3
258
4
Last school year, LHISD used the site of its future third middle school campus, Legacy Ranch Middle School, to temporarily serve incoming high school students until the new high school campus is complete. In August 2026, the district will open the ocial Legacy Ranch High School campus o CR 258 and open Legacy Ranch Middle School to sixth through eighth graders. The opening of a second high school was needed as Liberty Hill High School is close to exceeding its capacity of 2,200 students, Motal said. “We really felt like it was better to build a sec- ond high school and expand the opportunities for the kids that we have rather than try to crowd them all into one building,” Motal said. The district will open Elementary School No. 8 in the Lariat neighborhood in 2026 and Elemen- tary School No. 9 in the Saddleback at Santa Rita
214
1869
2
258
Liberty Hill
29
258
1
213
29
260
N
Ranch subdivision in 2027. These campuses will be designed to accommodate 1,000 students per campus. This fall, the district will begin the process of rezoning school campuses ahead of the 2026-27 school year. The district will form a committee in September to provide input on rezoning before the board of trustees vote in January, Motal said.
4 Elementary School No. 9 • Opening date: August 2027 • Square footage: TBD • Student capacity: 1,000 • Address: TBD
Managing the impact
Stay tuned
Measuring the impact Class sizes increased from: Grades 3-4 22 to 23 students Grades 5-8 23 to 25 students Grades 9-12 25 to 27 students
A week into the 2025-26 school year, Motal said teachers are already sharing concerns about crowded classrooms. Going forward, Motal said teachers may feel the impact of the $5 million in eliminated positions. The district is phasing out its two-way dual language Spanish program after cutting its 14 emergent bilingual paraprofessionals. The district eliminated seven gifted and talented teachers, seven STEM special teachers and four English-as- a-second-language interventionists.
If the VATRE is approved, LHISD could reinvest $7.4 million into student programs, $1.3 million into safety and security initiatives, and $2.2 million in raises. If the VATRE does not pass, LHISD may need to make $4 million in cuts in FY 2026-27, Motal said. The district could consider not opening Legacy Ranch Middle School or Elementary School No. 8 in 2026, he said. Other cost saving options include increasing class sizes and sharing sta.
78 positions cuts Campus budgets decreased by 10% Department budgets decrease by 12%
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19
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD, SAM SCHAFFER, GRACIE WARHURST
WilCo approves budget additions
Leander approves police contract Leander City Council voted Aug. 7 to approve an agreement dictating the terms of employment for the city’s police ocers for the next three years. The meet and confer agreement is a contract negotiated between the city and the Leander Law Enforcement Association, a nonpro t that supports Leander’s ocers-provides guidance on pay conditions, sick time and more. The gist The contract will be eective from Oct. 1 until Sept. 30, 2028, according to a copy of the agreement. The contract also ensures there are procedures in place to provide guidance and structure for members of the association to give feedback in the process of choosing a new police chief when the time comes.
Liberty Hill adopts FY 2025 26 budget Liberty Hill City Council voted to adopt the city’s scal year 2025-26 budget on Aug. 27. The budget, accounting for a total of $74.1 million in expenses, added two new police ocer positions as well as an emer- gency management coordinator, according to agenda documents. What you need to know City Council also adopted a property tax rate of $0.469407 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025, which will fund the FY 2025-26 budget. The adopted property tax rate equates to the no-new-revenue rate for the city, and it eectively decreases the tax rate. The 2024 rate was $0.483029 per $100 of assessed property value, according to the city.
Travis County faces health care tax hike
Central Health FY 202526 proposed budget
Under the agreement, the base pay for an ocer is $73,876, and the maximum pay for positions in the agreement are as follows: Maximum pay positions Ocer: $104,385 Corporal: $114,823 Sergeant: $126,306 Lieutenant: $138,936
Total revenue $424M
Central Health, Travis County’s taxpayer-funded hospital district, has proposed a 9.3% property tax rate increase for scal year 2025-26. If board members approve, the average homeowner will pay about $608 annually, up $64 from last year. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3, with a vote on Sept. 16. A closer look Dubbed the “year of access,” the budget aims to expand health care for low-income residents by reducing appointment wait times, lowering avoidable hospital visits and broadening insurance coverage. Central Health is working closely with partners CommUnityCare and Sendero Health Plans on a joint budget focused on primary and specialty care, including a record $98 million for CommUnityCare services.
Williamson County commissioners discussed possible additions to the county’s proposed $671.1 million budget during workshops Aug. 12 and Aug. 19. What’s new Commissioners unanimously supported an item from County Judge Steven Snell to hire a preparedness and mitigation specialist in the Oce of Emergency Management. Commissioners voted to add county positions, including an additional Precinct 1 constable and deputy constable and an elections/ballot by mail coordinator. Commissioners also approved a 2% cost- of-living adjustment for civilian employees, amounting to $2.2 million in the general fund budget and $300,000 in the road and bridge fund.
Total expenses $544M
90% Property taxes
SOURCE: CITY OF LEANDER
1% Tobacco settlements 6% Interest & other income 3% Lease revenue
Total revenue $424M
What they’re saying City Manager Todd Parton expressed con dence in the agreement after what he called a series of productive negotiation meetings. Carlos Gonzalez, Leander Police Department Corporal and President of the Leander Law Enforcement Association, said he and other ocers were satis ed with the process. “We’re over the moon,” he said, expressing his appreciation for the agreeable nature of negotiations.
77% Health care delivery
9% Administration 7% Other
Total expenses $544M
6% Dell medical aliation agreement 1% Restricted expenses
SOURCE: CENTRAL HEALTHTRAVIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY SAM SCHAFFER
Leander council halts Leander Springs project
Leander Springs project timeline 2018: An agreement to develop the land fell through after a di erent developer left the project. 2020: iLand Development Group takes over the project. 2021: iLand and Leander enter into an agreement, with the requirement that the lagoon be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. 2024: In March, the City of Leander terminated the agreement, citing the developer’s failure to begin construction by the agreed date. 2025: Leander’s Planning and Zoning Commission denied iLand’s PUD amendment request. The decision was upheld by the City Council.
Leander Springs, a proposed luxury develop- ment with over 1 million square feet of commercial space and a four-acre lagoon, is heading back to the drawing board after Leander City Council denied a planned unit development amendment request on Aug. 21. The property, comprising 77.9 acres southwest of the intersection at 183A Toll and RM 2243, is only allowed to be developed with 35,000 square feet of commercial space until a PUD amendment is approved by the city, according to agenda documents. iLand Development Group, the developers of the project, will have to resubmit a PUD amend- ment application if they wish to build more than
Leander Springs is a proposed 78-acre mixed-use project that will oer dining, housing and retail around a 4-acre lagoon.
COURTESY ILAND DEVELOPMENT GROUP
35,000 square feet of commercial space at the property moving forward. What’s going on? The vote mirrors action by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission July 24. The commission recommended denial of the PUD amendment request, and members of the commission said they wished more information was made available about the project.
SOURCE: CITY OF LEANDERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
“There’s just too much ambiguity with the proj- ect,” City Council member David McDonald said. Council member Michael Herrera added he would like to see the project come back to council with more sustainable guidelines in place.
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23
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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