Leander ISD Superintendent Dan Troxell discussed the district's performance, accomplishments and future needs at a state of the district event Feb. 17.[/caption]Within the next decade Leander ISD is expected to have 50,000 students, and Superintendent Dan Troxell anticipates a need to build 10 school buildings in 10 years.
Troxell discussed Leander ISD’s performance, accomplishments and future needs at a state of the district event held at Hill Country Bible Church in Austin on Feb. 17.
Troxell remarked on how LISD students performed on STAAR and end-of-course exams in recent years. In LISD, 85 percent of students passed STAAR and EOC exams compared to 73 percent passing in the state, according to district data. LISD had 76 percent of economically disadvantaged students, who are defined as being eligible for free or reduced-price meals, pass the exams, compared to 65 percent at the state level.
“So whether it’s math, science, social studies, whatever the subject matter happens to be, our students do extremely well on the state examinations that are given in grades three through high school,” Troxell said.
For the class of 2015, 97 percent of all students and 95.1 percent of economically disadvantaged students graduated from LISD in four years. In Texas, 89 percent of all students and 86 percent of economically disadvantaged students graduate in four years.
Troxell also discussed the accomplishments students in the past few years have achieved.
In 2015-26, 3,875 students took Advanced Placement tests, and 71 percent of students earned college credit. The district saw 1,426 students enrolled in dual credit courses in 2016 through Austin Community College.
“We appreciate what you are doing in the schools to make sure our kids are college-ready while they’re still in high school,” Troxell said.
LISD had higher average scores on the SAT and ACT than both the state and the nation for the class of 2016. The district was named to the AP District Honor Roll for the second year in a row, and there are also 146 national merit scholars in LISD.
Troxell also addressed the amount of growth the district is expected to see in upcoming years. The student population was 38,226 in the 2016-17 school year, and LISD anticipates having 50,226 students by the 2026-27 school year. Those numbers are based on a 2016 demographic report, according to the district.
The report showed new housing occupancies expected from September 2016 through October 2026, which showed the largest number of opportunities for new homes in Leander.
“The growth is continuing in our district at a very rapid rate. That’s why we are the 14th fastest-growing school district in the state of Texas,” he said.
Troxell estimated the district would need seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one more high school by 2026.
He said as the district continues to grow, LISD will also continue to evaluate its current facilities. Troxell said an advisory committee will present to the board of trustees to determine what facility needs are for the future.
