Hill Country News

Leander High School, seen on Sept. 29. 2022.

LISD board approves incentive pay for special education teachers

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees on Jan. 12 approved a program that will provide a one-time payment of $2,000 to certain full-time special education teaching positions and a one-time payment of … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 1/25/23

Round Rock ISD's Blackland Prairie Elementary was selected as a 2022 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll school.

Blackland Prairie Elementary named 2022 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll school

Recognized for their work as part of the Leader In Me Program, Blackland Prairie Elementary School was named a 2022 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll School.The recognition is determined … more

Contributed Report | 1/20/23

Leander ISD Early College High School's inaugural class of students takes part in science class at the ECHS campus in Leander.

Leander ISD Early College High School applications open

Leander ISD's Early College High School is accepting applications for its second-ever class of students. Current eighth graders within LISD are eligible to apply for the program, which allows … more

Staff Reports | 1/15/23

Pride flags, pronoun buttons and other merchandise are available at an Austin school district Pride event at Eastside Early College High School last year.

2 Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools

Two bills that would ban classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in Texas public schools before certain grade levels are poised to receive top Republican backing in this … more

By Alex Nguyen and William Melhado, The Texas Tribune | 1/12/23

RRISD teachers advance science lessons with 'STEM-For-All' program

Through a partnership with Texas State University – Round Rock, 21 District K-12 teachers attended a STEM-for-All professional development day designed to build and educate diverse pipelines of … more

Staff Reports | 1/6/23

The Leander ISD's "Bus Barn" at the intersection of Lakeline Boulevard and New Hope Drive in Cedar Park, August 23, 2022.

LISD seeks feedback on hazardous bus routes

Leander ISD is seeking feedback from the community as the district begins its annual review of hazardous bus routes within two miles of each school campus."We want to hear from families about … more

Staff Reports | 1/5/23

The Vista Ridge High School marching band performed in the annual holiday tradition Rose Bowl Parade on Monday, Jan. 2.

Families of Vista Ridge Band Changed Travel Plans

With Vista Ridge's marching band scheduled to perform in the holiday classic Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, the excitement of many parents was temporarily dampened as Southwest Airlines … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 1/4/23

The Vista Ridge High School Ranger band performs at the State Marching Band competition in November, earning 5th place.

Vista Ridge Ranger Band to Perform in Rose Parade

The Vista Ridge High School Ranger Band will leave the cold and take off for sunny California on Jan. 2 to perform in the legendary Rose Parade in Pasadena. Vista Ridge is one of 21 bands from … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 12/25/22

Cedar Park High School performs their annual Winter concert with a full house on Dec. 13 at CPHS stadium

Cedar Park HS Choir spreads holiday cheer

Christmas tree lights, winter symphonies, and live-action theater! Cedar Park High School Choir (CPHS) had an eventful winter holiday season spreading joy and cheer in a multitude of live holiday … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 12/20/22

Five Round Rock ISD campus counseling programs were recently recognized for excellence.

Five RRISD counseling programs awarded for excellence in student counseling services

Campus counseling programs at Round Rock ISD's Laurel Mountain and Spicewood elementary schools and Canyon Vista, Grisham and Pearson Ranch middle schools were named 2022 Lone Star State School … more

Staff Reports | 12/16/22

White named RRISD assistant chief of police

Rose White has been named assistant chief of police for the Round Rock ISD Police Department.White has nearly 30 years of experience serving in various law enforcement roles, 20 of which were in a … more

Staff Reports | 12/15/22

Rouse High School in Leander, Texas, seen on October 13, 2022.

Leander ISD receives a B for TEA's Financial Accountability Rating

Leander ISD earned an overall B rating, or a score of 88 out of 100, for the 2021-22 school year from the Texas Education Agency during its recent financial integrity evaluations of Texas … more

Staff Reports | 12/14/22

The Secondary School Utilization Forecast as provided by data made from LISD at the Dec. 8 meeting

Leander ISD Approves the Charter Process for Attendance Zoning

To provide relief on the school district’s enrollment numbers, Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved Dec. 8 a new process for utilizing existing facilities and came up with criteria to counteract … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 12/14/22

The number of Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA applicants will likely increase for the first time in recent years as families continue to deal with financial and health hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's FAFSA time: Why and how to apply for college financial aid

Holiday shopping dominates the headlines and airwaves this time of year, but it's also when teenagers and young adults are deep into thinking about one of the most important financial decisions of … more

By Evan Ramstad, Star Tribune (TNS) | 12/10/22

Newly elected Place 5 board member Sade Fashokun.

LISD swears in newly elected board members, appoints new secretary

Three incoming and newly elected Leander ISD Board of Trustees members - Sade Fashokun in Place 5, Francesca Romans in Place 6, and Paul Gauthier in Place 7 - took the oath to faithfully execute the … more

By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer | 12/7/22

A classroom at Ott Elementary School in San Antonio on Aug. 11, 2020. A state program that backs school districts' bond debt is close to reaching its limit. If it does, districts — and taxpayers — may have to pay higher interest rates on that debt.

A Texas program that backs school districts’ bond debt is about to reach its limit — and it could mean raising taxes

A state-backed program that for decades has helped school districts get the lowest interest rates possible on bonds is about to reach its limit — and if it does, districts might find themselves … more

By Brian Lopez, The Texas Tribune | 12/7/22

Maggio named 2022 RRISD Gifted Administrator of the Year

The Gifted Education Family Network (GEFN) has selected Round Rock ISD's Raine Maggio as the 2022 Gifted Administrator of the Year. This was the group’s inaugural year for the GT Excellence Awards … more

Staff Reports | 12/4/22

The Round Rock ISD Lillie Delgado Administration Building in Round Rock, Texas, April 28, 2022.

Round Rock ISD opens applications for 2023 Early College High School

Round Rock ISD has opened applications for the district's Early College High School for students who would enroll as a freshman in the 2023-24 school year. "Students attending Early College High … more

Staff Reports | 11/28/22

The Leander ISD administration building in Leander.

Leander ISD is seeking new DEI advisory members

The Leander ISD Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is seeking applications to join the DEI Advisory Committee for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year and to continue into the 2023-24 … more

Staff Reports | 11/27/22

Vandegrift band and dance team performs at Macy's Day Parade in New York

The Vandegrift High School Band and Vision Dance Team performed at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City last week. more

11/27/22

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