Leander ISD ready for growth

Leander ISD ready for growth

Written by Susan VanDeWater Monday, 07 August 2006

When Leander Independent School District began its school year, Aug. 16, it opened its doors to approximately 24,000 students. As one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, LISD faces the challenge of keeping up with the exponential growth of Cedar Park and Leander. But even with 2,500 more students than last year, the district is confident it can keep up.

“Leander ISD’s pacesetting growth is testament to the progress that LISD has made over recent years,” said Bill Britcher, executive director of school/community relations. “People are choosing Leander ISD to educate their children based on a reputation for excellence and a focus on teaching and modeling ethical behavior.”

To keep up with demand, LISD opened three new schools this year. Two are new elementary schools – Jim Plain Elementary, located in the Benbrook Ranch subdivision, and William J. Winkley Elementary, off of Lakeline Blvd. near Osage Drive. The district’s sixth middle school, Wiley Middle School, is located east of US 183 on East Crystal Falls Pkwy. With a current population of 650 students, the school is expected to grow quickly.

Vista Ridge High School, the district’s newest high school, welcomes its first graduating class this year just as construction on a fourth high school is expected to begin. That school is scheduled to open in fall 2008.

To prepare for the influx of new students, the district began recruiting teachers in the spring.

“Fortunately, we had approximately 10 applicants for every open position, so we were able to select the best teachers for the district,” said Britcher, who has been with LISD since 1992.

All LISD teachers receive four to five days of training before a new school year starts. New teachers receive additional training to help familiarize them with the district.

“Teachers are supported and encouraged to continuously learn and improve and then to mentor others,” said Grace Barber Jordan, president, Leander ISD School Board. “The administration and the board continually study and support programs and best practices in our own schools and from other schools across the state and nation.”

To help teachers individualize instruction, students within LISD participate in knowledge assessments two to three times a year – typically at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The information gathered from the assessments allows teachers to gain insight into a student’s knowledge level. This helps teachers tailor the curriculum – keeping the instruction relevant for advanced students while still paying heed to those who might be struggling so they, too, can advance.

LISD continues to focus on reducing the gap that accompanies economically disadvantaged students.

“Typically those students don’t have the same opportunities as others and tend to start out a step or so behind,” Britcher said. “LISD is working to eliminate that gap by using data driven instruction (knowledge assessments) and additional human resources such as facilitators, teachers’ aides and mentors.”

The district is re-energizing its Student Mentoring Program, which is designed to help students of all economic levels succeed.

Other than meeting the needs of a growing school district, LISD’s biggest challenge will be avoiding the complacency that tempts those who have reached a high level of performance.

“Leander ISD is a very good school district, but our students need for us to be great,” Britcher said. “Fortunately, we see ongoing proof that this district’s leadership — school board, administrators and teachers — remains focused on continuing improvement and increasing academic challenge for all of our students.”

LISD looking for student mentors

In September, LISD will kick off its annual recruitment campaign for the district’s Student Mentoring Program. Designed to help students in kindergarten through 12th grade, the program provides students with role models who offer guidance and support to improve academic performance and character development.

“We have a lot of students in LISD who need a little extra help to reach their potential,” explained Shandalyn Porter, mentoring coordinator for LISD. “Research has shown that an extra, positive adult role model can help students who may be struggling with different issues in school.”

Students participating in the program come from different backgrounds and may need help with academic achievement, character development, problem-solving skills, improving self-esteem, relationships with adults and peers and school attendance. A teacher, counselor, or parent can recommend students for the program, or a student may ask for a mentor. No student will participate in the program without parental consent.

According to Porter, successful mentors will possess qualities including respect for individuals and their abilities, and for their rights to make their own choices in life; ability to listen and accept different points of view; ability to empathize with another person’s struggles; ability to see solutions and opportunities as well as barriers; and flexibility and openness. Mentors can request a specific grade level and campus which may be more convenient for them.

Student mentors are asked to make a minimum commitment of six months to one school year. Interested community members can visit the LISD Community Involvement Web site (www.leanderisd.org/Community_Involve/comm_invol.html) for more information and to fill out an online application. All mentors are subject to criminal background checks.

A New Hope for Students

Leander ISD boasts a low drop out rate of only 0.6 percent, which Bill Britcher, executive director of school/community relations for LISD, attributes largely to the creation of New Hope High School. The school offers an alternative program for students struggling to catch up on credits and continue their education.

“A lot of the students at New Hope have real world challenges that keep them from attending school on the traditional schedule,” explained Britcher. “Many of them have had to take on part-time jobs to help support their families, either due to the death of a parent, an illness in the family or a number of other reasons. Their stories are truly inspiring.”

• New Hope High School allows students to align teaching opportunities with computer-aided learning.
• They can learn at their own pace as long as they continue to progress.
• Students must be at school a set number of hours a week, but can do so before or after work.
• The school has a capacity for 60 students and currently has a waiting list.

2006 TEA Accountability Ratings

• Exemplary:
  • Canyon Ridge Middle School
  • Laura Welch Bush Elementary
  • Steiner Ranch Elementary
• Recognized:
  • Cedar Park Middle School
  • Henry Middle School
  • Block House Creek Elementary
  • Cox Elementary
  • Cypress Elementary
  • Deer Creek Elementary
  • Faubion Elementary
  • Giddens Elementary
  • Mason Elementary
  • Naumann Elementary
  • Pleasant Hill Elementary
  • Rutledge Elementary
  • Whitestone Elementary

School board deals with positives and negatives of May school bond vote

On May 13, Cedar Park and Leander residents made their way to the polls to determine the future of the Leander Independent School District.

“Because parents of our district value the need for quality classrooms for our children, Proposition 1 passed,” said Grace Barber Jordan, president of the Leander ISD school board. “Our schools can continue to be ready with enough room even for the extra students who show up on the first day of school.”

With Proposition 1, which provides $286 million, LISD will have the funds to build six additional elementary schools, and a seventh middle school. Also, the proposition allows the district to buy land for eight future elementary and four future secondary schools, build auditoriums at Vista Ridge High School and the planned fourth high school, as well as upgrade technology and security at existing schools that need it. The bond also includes funding for other projects including $26 million for technology and $8.3 million for ancillary/support services.

Proposition 3, which would have provided $7 million to create a partnership with the YMCA for a competition natatorium, did not pass. But it’s the loss of Proposition 2 that will be more troubling for the district.

Proposition 2 called for $6,864,000 to renovate and upgrade A.C. Bible, Jr. - Memorial Stadium at Leander High School. Barber says the renovations are needed to bring the structure up to current building codes and to build additional restrooms, renovate the concession stand and replace the press box, ticket booth and playing surface.

“The loss of the funds to renovate A.C. Bible [stadium] means that LISD parents and students will continue to use a stadium that is over 30 years old and in need of updates,” explained Barber Jordan. The stadium was purchased from Odessa’s Ector County ISD in 1983.

Whether the items that failed will be voted on again will be decided in the future.

“The board always works hard to present our community with bond propositions that have a known need and good justification,” added Barber Jordan. “But it is ultimately up to the community to decide what their priorities are for the district.”