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Check out three of the latest updates impacting the Leander ISD community.
1. LISD approves 2026-27 compensation plan with 0% general pay increase
Following a review from the Texas Association of School Boards, the LISD board approved the 2026-27 compensation plan May 7.
While TASB found that LISD remains competitive with surrounding districts, district officials recommended the 0% general pay increase due to continued budget challenges.
However, the approved plan also includes a one-time lump sum retention payment of up to $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.
The board also authorized the superintendent to amend this plan later in the year if needed due to future legislative action.
2. Citizens' Facility Advisory Committee works toward potential bond package
Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble provided the board with an update on the district's Citizens' Facility Advisory Committee process May 21. The CFAC could form a potential bond package for a November 2026 bond election, which the board previously discussed in February.
According to Trimble, the CFAC is currently made up of 70 members across six subcommittees that have reviewed over 90 project categories with over 170 individual line items.
Superintendent Chris Clark said that in the past, LISD bonds have largely revolved around fast growth and new facilities. However, the district now needs to think about bonds differently, focusing on facility modernization, lifecycle replacements and addressing aging infrastructure. Officials said there are 10 campuses projected to reach their 25-year lifecycle milestone between 2026 and 2030.
"We really want board members and the community to have confidence in the process that we have followed this year so that when it is time to look at specific items, that you have confidence in how those items were selected in conjunction with community members as part of the CFAC process," Clark said.
Further discussion is planned for the June 4 board meeting, and the deadline for the board to call a November 2026 bond election is Aug. 17.
3. LISD considers $18 million budget impact for three-point seat belt buses
A senate bill passed during the 2025 Texas Legislative session requires all Texas school districts to equip its school bus fleet with three-point seat belts by 2029.
The Leander ISD board of trustees considered two potential options to bring its bus fleet up to compliance during its April 23 meeting.
Per district documents, Senate Bill 546 requires school buses have three-point seat belts, which feature both a shoulder and lap buckle, for every passenger and operator. Districts must fully comply with the law by Sept. 1, 2029.
Of LISD's current fleet of 318 buses, 212 are equipped with three-point seat belts. There are 79 general education buses not equipped with seat belts, and 27 special education buses equipped with two-point seat belts. Buses not equipped with three-point seat belts are not deployed for daily school routes, per district documents.
Officials said the district observes the industry standard of a 15-year replacement cycle for buses. In order to comply with SB 546, LISD has two potential options:
Trimble said this process "typically doesn't happen" with mandates like this, saying the May 29 deadline is so the state can gather information from districts and make a determination if there's any associated funding that could come in the future.
"Typically they don't do that, so that is one thing I want to carve out there that could benefit districts," Trimble said. "I can probably guarantee it won't be fully funded, but there may be some associated funding that could come through the [Texas Education Agency] later on."
