Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
GISD implements new cellphone-use policy Georgetown ISD is one of several Texas school districts to implement a phone use policy aimed at reducing the amount of time students are using their devices at school. How we got here This change in policy is intended to increase student achievement and maintain safe environ- ments on campuses, per the district. GISD is just one of several school districts across the state implementing a more stringent policy or an all-out ban on phones in the classroom. The policy also standardizes the way it is enforced, Superintendent Devin Padavil said during an Aug. 19 board meeting, when trustees approved some updates to the student code of conduct. It also allows the district to combat phones as a distraction in the classroom, he said.
Site work agreement approved for 2 schools Trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price for site work in preparation of the construc- tion phase for Georgetown ISD’s elementary school No. 12 and middle school No. 5 on Aug. 19. The details An agreement outlining the most the district will pay to prepare the construction sites for both campuses was presented to board members at their regular meeting in August. Per the agreement with Huckabee Design and American Constructors, the district will pay $10.85 million for the elementary school site and $16.04 million for the middle school site. What’s next? A second price agreement for the cost to con- struct both schools will be brought to the board in October, per district documents.
GISD trustees set tax rate for FY 202425 The Georgetown ISD board of trustees approved a tax rate slightly higher than the previous scal year’s for 2024-25 in August, nalizing the budgetary process for this scal year. The breakdown Trustees approved the tax rate for the 2024-25 scal year Aug. 19, setting the maintenance and operations rate at $0.6969 and the debt service rate at $0.3575. These rates combined result in an eective tax rate of $1.0544 per $100 valuation, which is $0.0077 per $100 valuation higher than the previous year’s rate. The rate will raise more tax revenue than last year, and includes the one-penny increase approved in May to fund the $649 million bond.
District buys land for future school
What you need to know In August, the district announced it would implement the following policy across all campuses.
Upcoming schools
Elementary School No. 12 850 student capacity $57 million estimated total construction cost
Elementary and middle schools: Phones must be out of sight, not to be used or heard throughout the school day.
As Georgetown ISD continues to plan for student population growth, district ocials are moving forward with plans to purchase a property for a future school. What happened? During a Sept. 3 workshop, the GISD board of trustees voted to allow the district’s superintendent to enter a contract to purchase 11.47 acres of land in the district’s northwest quadrant, near the rapidly growing Santa Rita Ranch and Parmer Ranch communities. Per the district, details including the exact location and cost to purchase the land will be forthcoming as a deal to secure the property is nalized.
Middle School No. 5 $106.05 million total cost for design and construction
High schools: Phones may be used during passing periods and lunch only.
EAST VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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What they’re saying “This is an issue that’s really dear to my heart because I see it as an issue that’s really aected our students’ mental health,” Place 4 Trustee Stephanie Blanck said. “I see it as an issue that has really aected the academic focus of our students. I also see it as an issue that aects how our students can relate with each other.”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NO. 12 AND MIDDLE SCHOOL NO. 5
130 TOLL
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SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Both campuses are expected to open to students in fall 2026, Superintendent Devin Padavil said. They will be constructed on a property near the intersection of SH 130 and University Avenue in Georgetown, south of East View High School
GEORGETOWN 1013 W University Ave (512) 868-6696 CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681
ROUND ROCK 201 University Oaks Blvd (512) 341-9066
PFLUGERVILLE 19000 Limestone Commercial Dr (512) 953-4070
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