Beginning discussions about whether to build a YMCA in Leander are underway.

YMCA staffers are looking at several possible locations throughout the city, including a portion of 36 acres owned by Leander ISD.

At its Nov. 19 meeting, LISD trustees discussed the possibility of partnering with the YMCA to bring a facility into the city.

"The idea of building a [YMCA] is great," said LISD Superintendent Bret Champion. "We are a long ways [away] from a direct partnership."

The YMCA plans to conduct a viability study on LISD's 36 acres to determine whether a portion of the property would be an ideal place for a facility, according to LISD board documents. The board's role in the process is to decide whether to reach consensus about the district participating in the study and also whether to allow the YMCA to "list one potential location on the LISD property," according to board documents.

No decisions were made at the meeting. However, staffers plan to meet with the YMCA the week after Thanksgiving to discuss details about the viability study.

Future elections


Trustees discussed whether to change its election schedule from the first Saturday in May to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Senate Bill 733, which was passed in the 84th Texas Legislature, allows school districts to choose, but "requires elections for school district trustees to be held jointly with certain other political subdivisions," according to SB 773.

Should trustees move elections to November, board members previously scheduled to run in May 2016 elections for three-year terms will have their terms extended until the new election date in November 2016, according to board documents. Board members previously scheduled to run in May 2018 elections will have their terms extended to November 2018. After this transition, trustees will elect board members every November, or every other November—pending the board's decision—to serve three-year terms.

Champion said moving elections to every other November could cost the district "dramatically less." LISD pays for the number of registered voters.

If trustees choose to change the date in which elections will be held, they must do so by Dec. 21. The board is scheduled to vote on the election date at its Dec. 10 meeting.