ATX-LTW: Impact 9/26/2025

In light of Leander ISD's growing budget shortfall and declining enrollment in some parts of the district, the board of trustees voted Sept. 18 to implement an open enrollment policy starting next school year. 

How it works: Prior LISD policy language restricted interdistrict transfers to nonresident students with some exceptions, such as children of nonresident district employees.

The updated policy will now allow for nonresident interdistrict transfers, but district documents state transfer decisions will continue to take building capacity, grade-level enrollment and program needs into consideration.

Students are also required to be in “good standing,” and an appeals committee and centralized denial process will remain in place.

More details: The number of transfer requests at the start of the 2025-26 school year was slightly down from last year, which had 1,058 requests with 942 approved and 116 denied.

In 2025-26, there were 910 transfer requests, with 754 approved and 156 denied.

Looking ahead: The transfer request window will open in January for the 2026-27 school year.

The city of Bee Cave unanimously approved its fiscal year 2025-26 budget and tax rate Sept. 22, maintaining its tax rate of $0.02.

The overview: The tax rate adopted is the same as was maintained by the city in FY 2024-25 and at least the five years preceding that.

The details: The tax rate adopted by the city will result in a $153.97 yearly tax payment for the average taxable homestead value in the city, which is $769,846, according to city documents. Although the tax rate remained the same, the average taxable homestead value in Bee Cave increased from last year, so this payment is $2 more than FY 2024-25.

New rules for short-term rentals, or STRs, are moving into place as the city attempts to curb the spread of unlicensed rental operations and nuisances in neighborhoods, while raising more tourism dollars.

The details: Austin kicked off an "overhaul" to STR policies earlier this year, but had put several changes on hold while Texas lawmakers were in session this spring and summer. The city won't see any impacts from legislative activity this year, and is now moving forward with new policies to regulate how platforms like Airbnb can list rentals in Austin—and how the city can enforce local rules and remove problem operators.

Starting in October, renters in the city will also be allowed to participate in the STR market with their landlord's permission; more units in neighborhoods could serve as short-term rentals; and the number of STRs in apartment buildings will be limited. Other changes for operators and city enforcement are also planned.

The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.

The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.

Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA. 

The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.