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. Null brings 23 years of experience to the table from his time as a deputy and assistant superintendent, principal and assistant principal, teacher, and athletic trainer.
“It’s a much smaller district, which I’m enjoying that change,” Null said. “It allows me the opportunity to be present at all of our schools to really get to know the people individually.”
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 main thing is always student achievement. That’s why we do what we do, to make sure that our kids can be successful,” Null said. “We understand here that we have budget challenges that we have to address and work with the team to try and find a pathway forward with that.”
A closer look
Following two years of decline, the moderate scenario for enrollment projections estimates the district will gain 1,676 students by 2033-34.
Even so, these numbers still show a decline from the original figures used to predict the size and scope of High School No. 2 and an elementary school on Bee Creek Road, which were both funded by voter-approved bonds. Alongside a slower housing market, these changes are due to Travis County’s purchase of large amounts of land demographers originally thought would contain subdivisions.
The decreased enrollment numbers have resulted in delays for both projects, with High School No. 2’s opening delayed to 2028 and the opening of a Bee Creek Road elementary school delayed indefinitely.
What to expect
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. Once permitting is approved, the district can move forward with other aspects of the high school, such as choosing a mascot. The 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.
“This is going to be a big change, and I think a lot of our community are really looking forward to it,” board President Lauren White said.
The construction of an elementary school on Bee Creek Road is based on enrollment and the construction budget, Null said, resulting in its indefinite delay. An elementary school on Hamilton Pool Road is currently in its design phase, according to the district.
The outlook
Other bond projects, such as Cavalier Stadium renovations and the Women’s Field House expansion, are planned to begin in September, while districtwide facilities projects are also in progress.
“The current high school competition gym and fine arts addition, ... that’s underway right now. ... And then we’ve also started construction for our new science addition,” Chief Financial Officer Pam Sanchez said.
The district plans to keep the community updated on HS No. 2 through districtwide communications. If county permitting is approved in the next couple of months, Null said the community engagement process for HS No. 2 decisions should begin next spring for a 2028 opening.
Bond projects timeline
According to LTISD officials, ongoing bond project completion timelines include:
2026
- Summer-fall: science addition completed
- October: Cavalier Stadium renovation completed
- Spring: Women’s Field House addition completed
- Summer: fine arts and competition gym addition completed
- Fall: High School No. 2 opens
