Eanes ISD grapples with superintendent search and plans for facility discussions
Changes are in store for Eanes ISD as the district continues its search for a new superintendent and gears up for conversations about campus shifts.
The background: As part of a report from the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee in May, committee members recommended a range of improvement projects around the district, including full reconstructions of multiple campuses.
What they're saying: Repurposing Eanes Elementary into an early education center was also proposed. For Eanes Elementary parent Jon Selden, this raised many concerns.
“I’m totally for every single change they proposed except for closing Eanes Elementary, and that makes the entire plan completely dead on arrival,” Selden said.
Board President Kim McMath said the district has had no further discussion on the item given the unexpected resignation of former Superintendent Jeff Arnett over the summer.
“We will look at both cost but also the community’s either support or concern about any of these concepts,” McMath said.
8 bond project updates to know as LTISD starts school year with new superintendent
A new superintendent, a new high school and new enrollment trends are just a few adjustments Lake Travis ISD is facing as the school year kicks off.
The most recent shakeup for LTISD was in May with the hiring of Superintendent Curtis Null, who formerly served as superintendent of Conroe ISD near Houston.
“It’s a much smaller district, which I’m enjoying that change,” Null said.
Current situation: Now at the helm, Null and the school board are facing a number of decisions and delays on facility bond projects as enrollment projections shift and a $4.2 million budget shortfall for this year persists.
The details: The adjustment of HS No. 2’s opening was originally to update building designs to accommodate 1,500 students instead of 2,000 students, but the district is still facing barriers due to county permitting, Null said. LTISD board of trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $46.3 million for Phase 1 of the project Sept. 19, including excavation, paving, the construction of retaining walls and utilities work.
Ahead of a $20.2 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2025-26, Leander ISD administration has put forth three possible cost-saving pathways that could include closing down and repurposing Cypress, Faubion and Steiner Ranch elementary schools next year.
Despite a public school funding bill that sent $8.5 billion to Texas school districts, the bill requires the money be spent largely on teacher salary raises, school safety mandates and special education allotments.
“House Bill 2 just passed, and that money, as great as it was ... it was money that we had to spend in certain areas,” Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape said. “It wasn’t money to help with the deficit; it wasn’t money to help in any other areas.”
Grassroots efforts such as Save Cypress Elementary, Fight for Faubion and Speak Up for Steiner Ranch have formed in light of the potential closures, and LISD students and parents have packed school board meetings over the last several months in an effort to keep their schools open.
West Lake Hills celebrates grand opening of new City Hall
West Lake Hills opened the doors of its new City Hall in September for a grand opening event attended by residents, past and current city officials, and members of the Westlake Chamber of Commerce.
The overview: Voters passed the new $22.7 million complex as part of the city’s 2021 bond election under the leadership of former Mayor Linda Anthony. It was led to completion by current city officials as well as project leaders at Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects and SpawGlass.
The details: Speakers at the Sept. 9 grand opening event included Anthony as well as Mayor James Vaughan, Police Chief Scott Gerdes and city administrator Trey Fletcher. Refreshments, musical performances and informational booths were also set up at the event. Following remarks by officials in the City Council room, attendees gathered outside for a ribbon-cutting with the Westlake Chamber of Commerce.
Austin-based Harbor Health grows Texas footprint with VillageMD acquisition
Harbor Health is expanding its presence in the Austin area, following acquisition of 10 Austin-area Village Medical clinics.
What happened: In a Sept. 18 news release, Harbor Health announced that through an acquisition of 32 total clinics from VillageMD, growing its local presence and entering the Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio markets.
Eligible K-12 students receive free school meals after legislature approves funding
This school year, students who are eligible for reduced-price meals can receive free breakfast and lunch at public schools across Texas.
The overview: During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers approved $19.8 million to cover the cost of reduced-price meals for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years.
What parents should know: Eligibility for free school meals is determined based on a family’s income through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Families can contact their school district to fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Students who are deemed eligible for reduced-price meals will receive them at no cost through the 2026-27 school year.
What they're saying: “Kids who would have paid a small fee for meals will now receive them at no cost,” said Stacie Sanchez Hare, director of No Kid Hungry Texas. “[School] is where we know so many kids get their meals—it is a guaranteed place for kids to have access to free and nutritional meals.”
