Hill Country News

Although millions of students continue to learn remotely, the state is expecting them to take STAAR tests in person in school buildings this spring.

STAAR testing adds pressure to final weeks as frantic Texas school year nears end

After a tumultuous year that has seen students falling behind and teachers simultaneously conducting classes remotely and in person, Texas public schools face a pressurized final six weeks … more

By Duncan Agnew, The Texas Tribune | 4/15/21

M. Katherine Banks, the next president at Texas A&M, in the Zachry Engineering Center on campus.

M. Katherine Banks, Texas A&M’s incoming president, says she’s planning for a campus in “normal mode” this fall

When M. Katherine Banks became the new engineering school dean at Texas A&M University in 2012, an associate dean drove her to the Zachry building, the heart of the university’s … more

By Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune | 4/9/21

Many Texas school districts are administering the STAAR tests online for the first time this year.

First day of STAAR testing canceled for thousands of students experiencing technical issues across Texas

Texas education officials advised school districts to suspend the first day of STAAR testing after thousands of students showed up in person and were prevented from taking the ... more

By Duncan Agnew and Neelam Bohra, The Texas Tribune | 4/6/21

If St. Edward’s students don’t comply with the vaccine requirement or submit exemption documentation by Sept. 1, they will not be able to live on campus or have access to campus facilities, and will be limited in what courses they can take.

St. Edward’s becomes one of the first universities in nation to require COVID-19 vaccine this fall for in-person activities

St. Edward’s University, a small, private university in Austin with about 4,300 students, is one of a few universities in the country so far requiring students and employees to get a … more

By Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune | 4/6/21

School supplies and disposable masks sit on a desk.

Parents sue Katy ISD for keeping mask mandate after Gov. Greg Abbott lifted statewide requirement

A group of parents are suing the Katy Independent School District, calling its continued requirement for masks in schools unconstitutional and a violation of Gov. Greg Abbott’s … more

By Neelam Bohra, The Texas Tribune | 4/3/21

Leander ISD trustee Jim MacKay said that the vitriol that had consumed the public debate about book club reading selections nearly caused his resignation from the board. However, he decided to rescind that resignation in order to help the district work through the issues raised by the controversy.

Leander trustees hold 'hard conversation' about books

More than 40 people signed up to speak prior to last week’s Leander ISD trustee meeting. The overwhelming majority of them raised issues about the district’s high school student choice book … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 3/30/21

Gaby Testa, 12, of Livonia is pictured at Emerson Middle School in Livonia, Mich. on Sept. 1, 2020. Testa started attending face-to-face special education learning at Emerson Middle School in September. (Robin Buckson/The Detroit News/TNS)

Special education advocates press Biden administration for aid boost

Typical public education initiatives that get a lot of attention like teacher pay raises and funding for preschool are taking a back seat to emergency needs as schools reopen … more

Jennifer Chambers, The Detroit News (TNS) | 3/26/21

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on the federal coronavirus response on Capitol Hill on March 18, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Susan Walsh/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

CDC eases school COVID-19 guidance, allowing desks to be closer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an update to its coronavirus prevention guidelines Friday that reduces the minimum required physical distance in classrooms ... more

Amina Khan and Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times (TNS) | 3/22/21

A new suburban middle school in Florida. Real estate values closely tied to perceived school quality in some areas.

Education spending on teachers – not buildings — lifts home prices

Spending more on teachers lifts home prices, a new report finds. New buildings don’t matter. A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) adds to the potential research … more

Neal Templin, Rate.com (TNS) | 3/5/21

Students in Mrs. Cazares' third-grade class on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary. Texas funds its public schools based on the number of students who attend, whether they are learning in person or virtually.

Texas schools won't lose state funding this academic year for coronavirus attendance declines

Texas will fully fund school districts that have seen student attendance drop during the pandemic, as long as they maintain or increase the rate of students learning in person ... more

By Aliyya Swaby, The Texas Tribune | 3/4/21

Experts say that attending school in person can be relatively safe, if community spread of COVID-19 is contained and if schools follow safety procedures including the universal use of masks.

Caught by surprise, Texas education officials unsure how end of mask mandate will affect schools

Texas school superintendents did not receive advance notice of Gov. Greg Abbott's announcement ending the state’s mask mandate Tuesday, leaving them scrambling to tell parents and educators what to expect. more

By Aliyya Swaby, The Texas Tribune | 3/3/21

Students won't be able to return to in-person schools at Giddeon Elementary School until at least March 8 as Leander ISD repairs the damage caused by the recent snowstorm.

Damaged Leander ISD campuses won't resume in-person schooling March 8

The remaining Leander ISD school campus damaged by last month's historic snowstorm - Block House Creek Elementary School - won't resume in-person school until next Monday, assuming repairs … more

By JOSH MONIZ, Senior Reporter | 3/3/21

LISD cancels classes through Friday

Leander ISD announced this afternoon that all classes are canceled through Friday. This includes in-person and virtual classes. more

From Staff Reports | 2/17/21

Leander ISD board discusses potential extension to virtual learning, phase-in plan

The Leander ISD board discussed an extension to the virtual learning for an additional four weeks to better implement a phase-in plan at the regular meeting on Aug. 20. more

By ZACH SMITH, HCN Sports Editor | 8/22/20

LISD cancels first two days of school for high schoolers, citing tech issue

Leander ISD announced on Wednesday night that they have canceled the first two days of the school year — Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 — for high school students due to a technology issue. more

By ZACH SMITH, HCN Sports Editor | 8/12/20

Texas schools are being compelled to reopen classrooms on the state's timetable, like it or not

Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to formally announce a definitive plan for reopening Texas schools safely, but two actions Tuesday effectively force districts to have students back in classrooms after eight weeks of the school year's start. more

Aliyya Swaby and Stacy Fernández | The Texas Tribune | 8/3/20

It took two votes but Leander ISD trustees approved a spending plan for FY 20-21 last week.

Trustees approve $380 million budget

Leander school trustees last week very nearly foundered on the shoals of Covid-19 uncertainties and concerns over structural issues with the budget before passing a total half-billion dollar spending … more

Richard Stone | Editor at Large | 7/1/20

Former LHS student Bri Branscomb called out Leander ISD Trustee Pamela Waggoner for "liking racist tweets" at a meeting on Thursday, June 11.

LISD students share stories of discrimination; Board member called out for liking 'racist tweets'

Leander Independent School District students and former students shared their stories of discrimination, racism and homophobia at Thursday’s meeting. One former student called out a Leander ISD board member for behaviors on social media, while another exposed body shaming and hazing on the Leander High School Blue Belles dance team. more

April S. Kelley, HCN Community Reporter | 6/12/20

The Leander Independent School District Administration Building at 204 W. South Street in Leander, Texas.

Leander ISD to host virtual State of the District tomorrow

LEEF, in partnership with the Cedar Park, Leander and West Austin chambers of commerce will be presenting a virtual 2020 State of the District at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 10.

more

Staff Reports | 6/9/20

The Leander Independent School District Administration Office, located at 204 W. South St., Leander.

Leander ISD Superintendent condemns racism, discusses equity in video

“In Leander ISD, we unequivocally condemn racism, discrimination and exclusion of all kinds,” Leander Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Bruce Gearing said during the 11th installment of the school district’s “Let’s Learn with Bruce and Friends” video series on June 3. more

April S. Kelley, HCN Community Reporter | 6/5/20

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