Leander ISD to discuss fall instruction, equity, diversity at July 16 meeting

At the July 16 agenda review meeting, the Leander ISD board of trustees plans to discuss several items in advance of the start of the school year, which is Aug. 13. Trustees plan to discussing fall reopening plans, among other items.

On July 6, LISD announced that district parents have until July 31 to decide between 100% in-person or 100% online learning for the school year.

However, LISD trustees and Superintendent Bruce Gearing sent a letter July 13 to state education officials, Gov. Greg Abbott and legislators requesting that LISD be allowed to keep schools closed—meaning all students will initially receive online instruction—until the pandemic wanes and hospitalizations drop to five or fewer per week.

After stating that schools must offer on-campus instruction or risk losing state funding, the Texas Education Agency confirmed to The Texas Tribune on July 15 that Texas schools may remain closed beyond the initial three-week school opening period and offer online learning only without the risk of losing state funding.

Abbott said the decision to reopen schools would be a “local-level decision.”

Trustees also plan to discuss possible next steps in promoting equity and diversity based on input received at two community meetings held on the topics during the spring. During their June meetings, trustees heard from a number of citizens urging the district to improve equity and diversity awareness among its employees and students.

Trustees will also discuss staff-recommended changes to the student dress code.

The meeting will begin online at 6:15 p.m. and will be livestreamed at this link, which will not be active until five minutes before the meeting begins.

Individuals may register to speak during citizen comments, which are limited to agenda topics, from 4:30-6 p.m. at this link.

During the agenda review meeting, trustees discuss, but do not take action on, agenda items. Votes on agenda items will occur during the July 23 regular meeting.