Myths and Facts

There is no curriculum provided by the State Board of Education (SBOE).

 The SBOE creates curriculum standards - the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), which the district meets and exceeds. Curriculum and instructional materials

are created locally with the help of our experienced teachers and staff.  

Districts across Texas and the nation are working to recover from the pandemic as revealed by the NAEP and STAAR scores; this is not unique to Leander ISD.  But we do know the district on its accountability received a B this year and previous years when ratings were provided. The district is also addressing learning needs for each and every student. The recently adopted Strategic Plan and Community Based Accountability Report s address this. 

Numbers being tossed around this election season appear to be out of context - here is the context of the STAAR scores. Note: STAAR scores and accountability measures are fraught with issues when you rely on them as the only data point to measure student learning. In a recent report from a public education advocacy group, 98% of educators indicated a lack of confidence in the A-F single grade ratings system. In LISD there is an community based accountability system with more details thanks to the work of the district, the incumbent board, and the community.  This system shows us areas where we have grown and areas where we have work to do. 

Fitch Ratings reports: due to the districts “historically conservative budgeting practices, which include over-estimating expenditures and mid-year budget adjustments, the district typically outperforms the budget.” Deficit budgets are seldom realized because the incumbent board has dedicated time and research in collaboration with district leadership.

The Board of Trustees not only look for ways to include parent voice in the educational process, but they recently updated their policy to ensure parents have the ability to interact on literature selections for their student. More details can be found on the district's instructional material site. The Texas Education Code enumerates further details on parental rights and responsibilities. 

Districts across the nation are facing workforce issues.  The LISD board and staff have worked together to bring solutions and reduce workforce vacancies.  Prop B on the current ballot is yet another example of the way the board and community are working together to positively impact retention and recruitment.

Multiple entities charge property taxes and Leander ISD only has control of the LISD portion.

Multiple entities charge property taxes and the board does not control property appraisal valuations.

The state funding to the district is continually decreasing; the state will take at least $30 million in revenue for robin hood / recapture.

Due to solid debt management, the board already lowered the part of taxes that goes toward debt.  The board is asking voters to raise the part of taxes that will increase funding for teachers and programs, but the result will be a tax rate reduction.

The board has lowered the LISD portion of the tax rate each year for the last 4 years.  If voters approve the bonds, there will be another tax rate reduction this year.

Since 2015, the board has taken deliberate action to improve LISD's debt profile, including the reduction of total future principal and interest requirements by approximately $733 million.

Leander ISD scored a B, which is an “Above Standard Achievement” rating - a score that is not awarded to “nearly insolvent districts.”