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From the upcoming trustee election to a school bus upgrade for student safety and more, here’s the latest on what's happening at Bastrop ISD.
Bastrop ISD trustee election nears; one seat contested
Those living within Bastrop ISD boundaries can vote in the upcoming May 3 trustee election.
What’s happening?
Three seats are soon expiring, including places 5, 6 and 7. Following the Feb. 14 application deadline, only Place 5 was contested.
The details
The candidates for Place 5 are:
Dillon is a local attorney and the current vice president of the board. He has served as a trustee since 2018.
Eason has served as pastor of Bastrop’s Celebration Community Church for over 30 years, and is challenging Dillon for Place 5.
Read more by Reporter Amanda Cutshall.
Bastrop ISD school bus overhaul
Bastrop ISD will increase its bus fleet from 108 to 129—all equipped with seat belts—and add more bus routes by the 2026-27 school year after trustees approved an amendment to the district’s agreement with GoldStar Transit.
Two-minute impact
During a regular meeting Jan. 28, Deputy Superintendent Kristi Lee presented the amendment, which resulted in a 5.5% increase in the amount paid to GoldStar. Lee noted that 77% of the current fleet is equipped with seat belts; however, 23% are not.
This change comes nearly one year after a fatal school bus crash in Bastrop County that killed a Tom Green preschool student and one adult during a field trip, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
Notable quote
“You know, with the incident happening in our own backyard ... we’ve been pleased with the communications [with GoldStar],” BISD board President Ashley Mutschink said. “It seems like there's a good working relationship there.”
Get all the details from Reporter Amanda Cutshall.
Bastrop ISD to start 2025-26 school year earlier
Bastrop ISD students will begin the 2025-26 school year earlier after the board of trustees approved the new academic calendar at a regular meeting on Feb. 18.
How we got here
District staff developed the new calendar using required guidelines and input from community surveys conducted in late 2024.
Kendra Monk, director of leadership development and school improvement, said during the meeting that while the number of responses was average for the district, there was an overwhelming public preference for the calendar she recommended to trustees.
“There was something about [this calendar option] that people really, really liked,” Monk said.
Get the full story by Reporter Amanda Cutshall.
Denise Guerrero named inaugural principal for BISD's Adelton Elementary School
Bastrop ISD officials selected the inaugural principal for the district’s newest school, Adelton Elementary School.
In a nutshell
Denise Guerrero, the current assistant principal at Bluebonnet Elementary School, will transition into her new role to prepare for Adelton’s opening in August.
Notable quote
“[Guerrero] is an exceptional leader and is committed to fostering an academically challenging, yet nurturing environment for students and families. We are confident that under her direction, Adelton Elementary will build a strong foundation for success and inspire every child to reach their full potential,” said Superintendent Barry Edwards in a news release.
