Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Liberty Hill ISD approves sta pay raises At a Nov. 17 meeting, the LHISD board of trustees approved a 1% pay raise at midpoint for all sta members as well as retention stipends ranging from $500-$1,500. The additional pay increases, totaling $2.2 mil- lion, come after voters narrowly approved a $0.07 increase to the district’s tax rate in a Nov. 4 election. What else? The new tax rate of $1.2389 per $100 valuation is expected to generate $10.7 million in additional revenue. About $1.3 million of this money will help maintain current safety and security eorts. From December through June, the district is expecting to put $7.2 million toward restoring stu- dent programs and positions that were previously cut. District ocials will survey principals and sta to determine where more positions are needed in the 2026-27 school year.
Gearing announces retirement from LISD Leander ISD superintendent Bruce Gearing announced Dec. 8 his intention to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The gist Per the announcement, Gearing—who has served as superintendent since 2019—will serve in a advisory role Next steps Ocials said the board of trustees will name an acting superintendent at its Dec. 11 meeting and will later begin the search for a new superintendent, likely after winter break. “Dr. Gearing’s dedication has helped shape opportunities for every learner,” board pres- ident Anna Smith said. “With his retirement, we now look ahead to the next chapter of innovation and possibility for Leander ISD.”
LHISD pay raise breakdown
Number of employees
Raise by category
Total cost
Classroom teacher 1% raise Certied employee 1% raise Non-teacher positions 1% raise
657
$420,057
22
$13,538
623
$277,544
1% pay raise total
1,302
$711,139
$500 stipends
284
$142,000
$1,000 stipends
681
$681,000
$1,500 stipends
320
$480,000
Stipends total
1,285
$1,303,000
LHISD benets cost -
$104,231
Total
$2,118,370
-
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Liberty Hill ISD to expand three elementary schools Liberty Hill ISD will expand Bill Burden, Rancho Sienna and Santa Rita elementaries to accommo- date 1,000 students instead of 800. Construction will begin in September and is expected to be complete by August 2027, Director of Construction
1 Bill Burden Elementary School 2 Santa Rita Elementary School 3 Rancho Sienna Elementary School
students, Bill Burden Elementary has 764 students followed by 757 students at Rancho Sienna Elementary and 698 students at Santa Rita Elementary, according to district data. LHISD began building its new elementary campuses to accommodate 1,000 students with the opening of Lariat Trails Elementary in 2026 and Saddleback Elementary in 2027.
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