Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | February 2024

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON, GRACE DICKENS & CHLOE YOUNG

Districts foresee budget shortfalls for next year Following preliminary budget discussions in January, districts in Lake Travis-Westlake are projecting up to $19.8 million in budget shortfalls for the 2024-25 Œscal year. The details Lake Travis ISD o˜cials are pointing to increased recapture payments and stagnant per student funding as causes of the district’s pro- jected $3.8 million shortfall. EISD Chief Financial O˜cer Chris Scott said a shifting local real estate market and less state funding for programs are contributing to the $4.5 million shortfall projections. Leander ISD is projecting a $19.8 million short- fall for next Œscal year due to lower enrollment and increased operation costs. Final decisions on budgets will happen in June and August, according to the districts.

EISD report shows mixed results on STAAR tests A January report for Eanes ISD shows how stu- dents performed on the newly redesigned State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams. The report uses three levels to indicate a student’s STAAR performance: “approaches grade level” is a passing score, “meets grade level” is above average and “masters grade level” shows content mastery. The details Reading STAAR scores for students in third through eighth grades showed: • 95% of students or more approached the grade level • 83% of students or more met the grade level • Between 36%-69% of students mastered the grade level Math STAAR scores for students in third through

LTISD enrollment projected to grow

LISD adopts 202425 academic calendar Leander ISD students will head back to school Aug. 14 for the 2024-25 school year following the district calendar’s approval by board members Feb. 1. The setup The 2024-25 academic calendar includes the following features: • A short Œrst week of school starting Aug. 14 • A weeklong Thanksgiving break Nov. 25-29 • Two weeks for winter break Dec. 23-Jan. 3 • An early release day at the end of each semester Dec. 20 and May 23 • Spring break March 17-21, aligning with Austin Community College • The last day of school falling before Memo- rial Day weekend May 23

Budget overview

2021-22 school year stats

LISD $19.8M projected shortfall, up from $6.3M in FY 2023-24 2% salary increase, down from 4% in FY 2023-24 $0.7569 maintenance and operations tax rate per $100 valuation, down $0.0218 from FY 2023-24 LTISD $3.8M projected shortfall, down from $5M in FY 2023-24 Salary increases planned but currently not budgeted for $0.7126 maintenance and operations tax rate per $100 valuation, down $0.034 from FY 2023-24

95%

84.2%

99.7%

Lake Travis ISD is expected to experience steady growth over the next 10 years despite a recent decline in enrollment, according to the district’s 2023-24 Population and Survey Analysts demographic study. Two-minute impact As of October, the district’s enrollment of 11,276 was lower than previous projections for the 2023-24 school year due to a slowing market, smaller kindergarten class sizes and new conservation e‡orts targeting develop- able land. The district’s enrollment is expected to grow each year over the next decade, gaining almost 2,400 students by 2033 if the housing market stabilizes, kindergarten class sizes grow and unemployment stays low, according to the report.

attendee rate, higher than the state average of 92%

EISD’s College, Career and Military Readiness rating

of students in the class of 2022 graduated

SOURCE: 2023‹24 TEXAS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE REPORT, EANES ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

eighth grades showed: • 93% of students or more approached the grade level • 72% of students or more met the grade level • Between 20%-63% of students mastered the grade level Third graders were in kindergarten when the pandemic began, and district o˜cials said scores indicate those students will need more help.

EISD $4.5M projected shortfall, up from $1.3M in FY 2023-24

3% salary increase, down from 5% in FY 2023-24 $0.7637 maintenance and operations tax rate per $100 valuation, down $0.0043 from FY 2023-24

SOURCE: EANES ISD, LAKE TRAVIS ISD, LEANDER ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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