The Leander ISD school board approved funding for more than $1.5 million for new teaching positions and equipment for the 2013–14 school year.

At the board's May 16 meeting, city staff requested bond savings be added to the 2013–14 budget to fund equipment and furniture totaling $1,155,717, including:

$149,717 for classroom and cafeteria furniture, safety equipment and curricular materials

$795,000 for technology equipment—server replacements

$188,000 for buses to support student growth—one regular route and one special needs route

$23,000 for a grounds truck

Staff reviewed capital outlay requests and determined those with the highest importance, Ellen Skoviera, assistant superintendent for business and operations, said during discussion.

"At this time we are look at those items that are considered necessary for the school to operate," she said during discussions at a May 2 school board meeting.

The board also approved $365,380 for nine staff positions, including:

Four special education instructional assistants

Three English as a second language teachers

One Quest instructional assistant

One middle school assistant principal

To date, the board has approved funding 84.46 of the 158.8 positions requested by staff for the 2013–14 school year, according to district documents.