From school district budget issues to state-mandated reading lists, Community Impact has been following stories that affect local education at all levels over the past month. Education stories impacting Cedar Park include:

Leander ISD now projecting up to $13.7M shortfall, despite reductions: Leander ISD officials are putting together the latest budget projections for 2026-27, and the district is estimating between a $6.8 million to $13.7 million shortfall depending on whether the board increases the budget deficit parameter to fund staff raises.

Round Rock ISD to launch teacher apprenticeship program this fall: Round Rock ISD administrators are putting together a teacher apprenticeship program for the fall 2026 semester. Designed as a grow-your-own program, the apprenticeships will provide a route into the classroom for district paraprofessionals and others without a four-year degree.

Texas education board moves forward with first mandatory K-12 reading list: The State Board of education gave preliminary approval to a list of about 200 literary works that all public school students will be required to read.
 

A senate bill passed during the 2025 Texas Legislative session is requiring all Texas school districts to equip its school bus fleet with three-point seat belts by 2029. 

Current situation: Senate Bill 546 requires school buses have three-point seat belts, which feature both a shoulder and lap buckle, for every passenger and operator by Sept. 1, 2029. Of LISD's current fleet of 318 buses, 212 are equipped with three-point seat belts. There are 79 general education buses not equipped with seat belts, and 27 special education buses equipped with two-point seat belts. 

Breaking it down: To comply with SB 546, LISD can: 

• Retrofit the general education and special education buses for $4.2 million; however, the bus manufacturer will not warranty retrofitted buses.
• Purchase 79 general education and 27 special education buses before the deadline for $18 million, providing a longer runway to full compliance and allow for a more staggered bus replacement cycle. 

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.