Leander ISD voters in both Travis and Williamson counties approved the district’s three propositions included in the $762.8 million bond package to fund new facilities, vehicles and technology, according to unofficial election results.
Superintendent Bruce Gearing said while there was a small voter turnout, with about 15,000 votes cast for or against each measure, the results reflect the trust the community has in the district.
“I'm just very relieved that we can go forward as a fast-growth district and be able to plan for the growth that's coming to our district, and also ensure that the facilities that our current students deserve are put into place,” he said.
Proposition A, which includes $698.33 million in funding for facilities, school buses and vehicles, received 62.04% of the votes. Proposition B was supported by 64.43% of voters, while Proposition C received 60.52% of votes in favor.
What’s in the bond
Proposition A will fund 52 school facility, transportation and infrastructure projects, including:
- $328.41 million for modernization and repurposing projects
- $193.53 million for new facilities
- $66.66 million for transportation-related projects
- $49.13 million for designs of future construction and remodeling projects
- $43.68 million for facility renovations and turf installations
- $10.66 million for security and cybersecurity
- $6.27 million for music instrument replacements
- $18 million for interactive panel installations
- $13.64 million for internet network refresh and upgrades
- $7.86 million for student and staff device refreshes
- $7 million for a second broadband network node
- $2.2 million for interactive panels in non classrooms
- $1.2 million for server and storage replacement
- $800,000 for second-grade Chromebooks
- $121,000 for CTE Mobile Maker labs
- $6.84 million for Don Tew Performing Arts Center modernization
- $6.84 million for South Performing Arts Center modernization
Among items listed in Proposition A are proposals to repurpose three elementary schools and the Leander Extended Opportunity Center. The administration’s original ideas for these facilities–attempting to address uneven growth in the district—were to transform one school and the LEO campus into early childhood centers, a professional learning center and a facility housing both New Hope High School and administration staff.
However, district officials have since changed their approach to this plan, and instead are expanding and reorganizing the district’s long range planning committee to evaluate how the district will spend dollars meant for repurposing facilities. According to Superintendent Bruce Gearing, the ballot language for the bond election gives the district flexibility for how it spends funding received through the propositions.
POSTED: May 6, 8:06 p.m.
Early voting results in both Travis and Williamson counties show Leander ISD residents in favor of the district’s three propositions included in the $762.8 million bond package to fund new facilities, vehicles and technology.
Proposition A, which includes $698.33 million in funding for facilities, school buses and vehicles, has received 63.1% of the early votes. Proposition B has received 65.6% of the votes, while Proposition C has received 61.68%.
The $50.82 million in Proposition B would go to technology equipment and infrastructure. Projects include refreshing and upgrading the district’s network, providing second grade students with Chromebooks and replacing LISD’s network server. Meanwhile, Proposition C includes $13.67 million to go to renovations for both the Don Tew and South performing arts centers.
According to LISD, the issuance of these bonds will not increase the tax rate for residents, as officials have stated the existing debt service tax rate of $0.33 per $100 property valuation is enough to pay the district’s current debt payments as well as the projects contained in the three propositions.
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all elections in your community.
