The nonprofit, which advocates for Leander ISD staff, students and families, delivered the same State of the District speech to individual chambers of commerce, according to LEEF Executive Director Kristen Huguley. But in 2019, LEEF broke tradition and came together with the event's sponsors—the Cedar Park, Leander and West Austin chambers of commerce—for one State of the District speech at Glenn High School.
The 2020 event was set to be held Vista Ridge High School before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Now, the event will instead be presented online on the LISD website, LISD Facebook page and LISD YouTube page, according to LEEF.
LISD is currently researching what the 2020 commencement and 2020-21 school year will look like in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
LISD intends to make a final decision by June 18 on the July 9-11 commencements at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Staff is considering at least three options: a normal ceremony; a socially distanced ceremony with limited seating; and a videotaped graduation without an in-person audience, but which involves parents being there in person when a graduate receives their diploma.
LISD will also determine in July what instruction will look like when the 2020-21 school year begins Aug. 13. Officials are considering 100% remote learning, traditional learning on campus and a hybrid of the two.
The event program for the State of the District, which reads as follows, is also available on the LEEF website.
- 9 a.m.: “LISD Responds to COVID-19” mini-documentary presentation
- 9:10 a.m.: “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by Olivia Korioth, Leander High School sophomore
- 9:14 a.m.: welcome addresses by Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce's Tony Moline, Leander Chamber of Commerce's Bridget Brandt, West Austin Chamber of Commerce's Linda Vezina
- 9:18 a.m.: “#InspireLISD from LEEF & Friends” video
- 9:20 a.m.: superintendent introduction
- 9:22 a.m.: “State of the District” presentation by LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing
- 9:45 a.m.: Q&A session with district leadership, moderated by LISD spokesperson Corey Ryan
- 9:55 a.m.: LEEF closing remarks, LEEF grant video
- 9:59 a.m.: closing video, “Student Voice” highlights
