Leander ISD 2023 Bond Discussion

Congratulations to the students and teachers of Leander ISD. The community stood up and loudly declared that the schools you learn and work in are important and we want to give you the best opportunity to achieve your dreams with the best public education available.

And thank you to everyone who voted to support these bonds, and the many groups of people who worked so hard sharing the information and promoting the bond propositions to voters.

And to those who voted against it, know that we want this process to be transparent, economical and efficient to try and earn your trust and convince you through the work that the district plans well and executes well in the name of offering the best educational opportunities to all our students. This page will remain active following the bond process as it proceeds and hopefully can be a place for questions and answers as the projects go forward.

Bond 2023: Results | Leander ISD Bond 2023: Results Results are considered unofficial until the LISD Board of Trustees canvasses final vote totals provided by the counties for the May 16 special meeting. There are no results to share at this time. After polls close at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6, each county will share the results from....

Huge early voting support for all 3 LISD props in Williamson County.

It is much closer in Travis, but still those in favor lead on all three props!

Today is your last day to stand up for public education in Leander ISD and vote in support of the three bond propositions on the ballot. The polls are open until 7 p.m. our students and teachers deserve our investment in our schools.

Find sample ballots and polling information and locations on the Williamson County Elections page.

Elections Williamson County Inner Loop Annex Elections Department 301 SE Inner Loop Ste 104 Georgetown, TX 78626 Driving Directions

The only vote is ‘for’ LISD bond propositions



There’s a pretty weighty decision resting on the shoulders of Leander ISD voters, buy you couldn’t tell by the early voting turnout.

As of May 1, less than two percent of registered voters in the district – of which there are more than 147,000 – had gone to the polls. Our students and teachers deserve better.

Did you know it is Teacher Appreciation Week? What better way to show we support our teachers and appreciate the work they put into providing our children with the best possible education than to support a bond proposal built around helping them succeed?

We ask for more and more of our teachers every year now and saddle them with more and more responsibility. At the same time many subject them to scrutiny and accusations over what’s being taught. It’s often a thankless task that only earns our participation when something goes wrong.

We should all be involved in and invested in building the best public education possible in Leander ISD. Part of that investment is a financial commitment to the facilities and equipment to enhance learning, guarantee enough space to work, keep students and employees safe, and just send the message that our teachers’ work, and the future of our children is worth it.

You can’t vote against these bond propositions and say you truly appreciate our teachers or that you believe the most valuable investment we can make is in our students.

You can’t vote against them because some of the money being spent is on needs and priorities that have nothing to do with you, your children, or your neighborhood. A superb public education comes from a recognition that the good of the entire community matters every bit as much as the school and classroom our own children spend their day in.

Get to the polls tomorrow for the last day of early voting or make your way there Saturday and vote in favor of all three propositions so that we can make sure we all wake up Sunday looking into a bright future with the affirmation that nothing is more important than our students and those we expect to help them achieve their dreams.

Bond 2023 | Leander ISD Important: A new state law requires all school district bond referendum ballots to be printed with “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” While this is legally required language, the Leander ISD bond referendum WILL NOT increase your property tax rate.

Are ethics important to you?

The Leander ISD bond on the May 6 ballot has drawn impassioned arguments both for and against. It is a shame deciding what is best for our children’s education has to be so politicized, but that’s where we are today.

The least we should expect in that sometimes fiery debate is some baseline ethics and political fair play. If you want the voting public to hear and understand your message on the bonds they should be able to trust that you respect the rules of the election.

It should be a huge red flag for voters that political action committees encouraging passage of these bonds filed the proper paperwork reporting their fundraising and expenditures in this election and those telling you to vote against it filed nothing. Are you ok with the people telling you how to vote are raising money in secret and spending it without accountability to the public as prescribed by Texas law?

These are the very people telling you that the school district is shady and isn’t accountable to the community. Do as I say, not as I do, right?

In 20 years of covering local elections it is only in my last five years that I found so many candidates and PACs that so casually ignored reporting rules. It is a shame, but there’s still a lot to learn in what people don’t do, isn’t there?

PACs report spending 30-days ahead of 2023 LISD bond election; three PACs opposing bond have no filings about opposition spending Leander ISD voters are being courted by local PACs vying to convince them to vote for or against the district's proposed $762 million bond package in the upcoming May 6 elections.All PACs must file a …

Beware of bond election misinformation

Remember when you go to the polls to cast your ballot in the May 6 LISD bond election that there is a dangerous amount of misinformation floating around. Some of it comes from a lack of knowledge and some of it is purposely shared to poison the issue. Either way, it is important to vote with the facts in hand. Here are some of the most common unfounded accusations and complaints still being spread as we get close to election day:

• This bond package was put on the ballot without community input.

The Citizens Facility Advisory Committee was established and recruited to bring more than 200 volunteers from the community into the planning process and met regularly for nearly nine months. The school board then heard the committee’s recommendations and discussed its own opinions on a bond election in multiple public meetings before calling the election.

• Passing the bonds will raise the tax rate.

It has been verified that the tax rate next year will not increase based on the approval of additional bond debt. Yes, passing these bonds means additional debt to be paid by area taxpayers over time. That concept is no different than when we purchase cars, homes and do home improvements taking on more personal debt. School districts can’t grow without taking on debt. Based on previous efforts to pay down debt, growth projections and increasing property values the tax rate will not need to increase and that’s all the school district can control. The LISD tax rate has gone down five consecutive years and will go down again next summer.

• There are other ways to fund these projects.

There is no other way to fund projects this large. Fundraising won’t do it and school districts have no ability to save money to fund future projects like a homeowner would if saving for a new roof. A bond election, which is called by well over 100 school districts in Texas each year, is the mechanism provided by the state for school districts to manage new facilities, large expenses, and the most expensive maintenance projects.

• The price estimates for proposed bond projects are way off.

Prices for projects are estimated based on average cost per square foot for similar projects and are generally in line with actual costs. You can’t compare the cost of a backyard playscape someone can buy at the local hardware store to the cost of playground equipment and installation for a school district. No project is funded or contracted without board and district oversite including a bid process that is open to the public.

• These funds will be diverted to other areas if the bond passes.

It is illegal for school districts to sell bonds and spend those funds on any type of operational expenses, including pay raises. Even on the facilities side, bond funds can only be used for alternate construction projects not specified in a bond proposal if all projects in the proposal have been funded and the new project is paid for with savings from the approved projects. At no time has Leander ISD taken funds approved for school buildings and used them for a football stadium as has been suggested publicly.

• All Leander ISD does is add new administrators.

This is unrelated to the bond election but is something those fighting against it like to use as a distraction as they claim the district spends too much on administration and not enough on teachers and students. Remember, there is no connection between administrative costs and bond projects, those are different pots of money. But even when focusing on the claim that Leander ISD spends too much on administration, there is no data to back that up. The reality is, according to data collected and published by the Texas Education Agency, in a comparison to eight other similar-sized or situated districts across the state, Leander ISD spends a smaller percentage of its budget on administration than five of them. Leander ISD spends 2.29 percent on administration. Every school on the list spends between 2.14 percent and 3.39 percent on administration. Only two of those same districts spend a higher percentage of their budget on instruction and all seven other school districts have a higher total revenue per student than Leander ISD. Complaints about a lack of fiscal responsibility really don’t hold water.

• The district has lied about bond expenditures in the past.

All bond projects can be followed from approval by voters to final completion through financial information published by the school district. The district’s bond oversight committee follows projects as they are completed, and all expenditures must be approved by the board.

• The district has proven itself to be financially irresponsible in the past.

Leander ISD has an AA Bond rating, and each year the district must have an independent financial audit. The last audit was presented in November with an unmodified, “clean” opinion. Having differing opinions on what funds should be spent on is very different than district officials acting in bad faith or irresponsibly. Make sure that distinction is clear.

• The demographics used to justify these bonds are inaccurate.

There is a demographics report for each year posted on the district website. These reports can be checked and compared for their general reliability and accuracy. They are extensive and while not exact, very reliable in future planning.

• The district doesn’t need these projects listed in the bond package.

Those who say the district doesn’t need these projects – or claim they are too costly – don’t work in our schools every day. They don’t do the planning, educating, or administering of our expansive public school district. They don’t have a fraction of the knowledge of education and what it takes to provide a quality education that our district professionals have. So, you can believe the people who have other jobs and whose knowledge of these issues generally ends with their own child’s circumstances and how they “think it should be”, or the education professionals employed by the district who deal with facilities, buses, attendance zones, school finance rules, devices for students, old HVAC systems and more every single day.

In the end, if you choose not to believe the professionals you should have evidence of a very good reason. No one has shown evidence of any wrongdoing or lack of knowledge within Leander ISD. The only thing anyone has truly demonstrated is that they disagree with approving bonds to spend on our district. They have not proven a single shady accusation, rumor, or assumption. You must ask yourself, what’s their angle if there is no evidence shared to support their accusations. Maybe they’re just looking for reasons to not support our public schools.

Have you voted? Early voting is happening now for the Leander ISD 2023 Bond package. Still have questions before you cast your ballot? Here is a list of helpful informational links on bonds, state rules, and taxes:

Leander ISD Bond information page:
https://www.leanderisd.org/bond2023/

Leander ISD financial information:
https://www.leanderisd.org/financialtransparency/

Leander ISD past bond management:
https://www.leanderisd.org/bondoversightcommittee/

How do school bonds work?
https://www.wegopublic.com/community/how-do-school-bonds-work/ #:~:text=After%20voter%20approval%2C%20the%20school,before%20the%20purchase%20becomes%20obsolete.

Texas school bond database:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/bond-elections/

Texas school finance overview:
https://www.tasb.org/services/legal-services/tasb-school-law-esource/business/documents/texas-school-finance-system-overview.aspx

Bond election rule changes:https://www.bickerstaff.com/wp-content/uploads/New-Requirements-for-School-District-Bond-Elections-in-Texas.pdf

Texas property tax primer:
https://www.texastribune.org/series/understanding-texas-property-tax-explainer/

Texas Comptroller tax rate information:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/rates/

Williamson County tax rates:
https://www.wilco.org/Elected-Officials/Tax-Assessor-Collector/Property-Tax/Tax-Rates

Williamson County Appraisal District:
https://www.wcad.org

It's time to vote in the LISD bond election!

Early Voting:
Monday, April 24 to Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 30 no voting
Monday, May 1 and Tuesday, May 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Main Location:
Georgetown: Georgetown Annex, HR 108, 100 Wilco Way
Full-Time Branch Locations:
Austin: Anderson Mill Limited District, Room A, 11500 El Salido Parkway
Cedar Park: Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Boulevard
Cedar Park: Cedar Park Randalls, 1400 Cypress Creek Road
Leander: Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Road
Round Rock: Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive

Information on additional locations in the county can be found online at the Williamson County Elections Department.

An argument in favor of voting for the LISD bond package. Study up! Early voting begins Monday.
https://www.hillcountrynews.com/stories/hill-country-news-04202023,124154

All or nothing?

There has been a lot of public debate over the size and scope of Proposition A, which is $698 million and broad in scope, including new facilities, modernization, vehicles, athletic facility upgrades, and security items.

Some have claimed it is full of “pet projects” which is a disappointing mischaracterization of the whole process. But let’s look at this bond proposition as though we could consider each item individually. It’s been suggested that the district would have more support for much of the list if the items were not all lumped together as though it was being forced on taxpayers as an all or nothing option.

If the district decided to overwhelm voters with 40-plus propositions like it was an election-day menu of items to choose from the results would be a mess. Renovations at Leander High School? Well, the Leander High School feeder area would undoubtedly support this proposition. Everyone else in the expansive district? Maybe not. Turf at Vista Ridge and Maybe Cedar Park? Can we justify the change at one and not the other? We don’t have a good track record of setting aside our own wants and needs for the greater good of the district, so the item-by-item scenario breaks down quickly.

Every effort has been made to build this bond proposition first to be economical and responsible, but also – as much as possible – to represent the interests of everyone across the district and put a premium on making sure everyone has similar facilities and equipment in quality and opportunity.

There is no ask on this bond that can’t be justified, and while we all may not agree on every item line by line, there is room for us to all look at the big picture and understand the decisions from a position of what best serves our students across the district.

Bond 2023 | Leander ISD Important: A new state law requires all school district bond referendum ballots to be printed with “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” While this is legally required language, the Leander ISD bond referendum WILL NOT increase your property tax rate.

Demographically speaking

Can anyone argue that Leander ISD is not growing? We've been a high-growth district for a long time. So long, perhaps, that we are no longer shocked by the pace and impact of such a student population boom.

But where do those growth projections come from, and how can we rely on them? Well, there is no better way to prepare for future needs than by looking at projected demographics. Thankfully these projections are historically very accurate.

It is not an exact science as so many things can impact the speed or magnitude of the growth, but demographers use many tried an true research and information-gathering tactics. LISD demographer Population and Survey Analysts works with dozens of large districts around the state (a list of references can be found on their website) and have been producing these reports for a very long time.

Look over the reports, see how deep and thorough they are, see how historically accurate they are, and realize that no decisions or plans are made without very thorough, reliable data as the foundation.

Demographic Update | Leander ISD Demographic Update Overview The district receives an annual demographic report that predicts population shifts within LISD boundaries. This helps in planning for new facility construction and the balancing of staff and district resources. Archive 2022 2022 Demographic Full Report2022 Demographic Sum...

Come be a part of the discussion! Learn about the May bond propositions and ask all your questions. If you’re unsure or skeptical take the time be sure you’re making the most informed decision possible when you cast your ballot! LISD is giving the community four opportunities in different locations, at different times to make sure everyone can participate.

Did you know?

Across Texas, school bond elections are as normal a part of life as sunrise and sunset.

With budgets so tight and operating expenses always increasing, the only way for school districts to fund new building projects, large-scale maintenance and the most expensive equipment and vehicle purchases is through bond election.

Here is the breakdown of bond propositions on the ballot across the state over the last two years:

2022:
177 Districts placed 347 propositions on the ballot
184 approved, 163 defeated
$22.8 billion approved

2021:
120 Districts placed 224 propositions on the ballot
145 approved, 79 defeated
$11.7 billion approved

If Leander ISD is doing it all wrong by proposing these bond projects, it means hundreds of other districts in Texas are doing the same. We’re not in a unique situation in our community aside from the fact that we are among the districts with the highest growth rates in Texas.

If we want our students to succeed at the highest level, with a second-to-none variety of program and experience options, then addressing facilities and equipment needs are a must.

If you’re curious about past bond elections in Leander ISD or any other school district in Texas, the link below is a unique tool for researching the issue.

Texas Bond Review Board - Bond Elections Database Search

It’s all about the information, right? Asking questions, getting answers.

Leander ISD has made it easy to get bond election information, even offering the public the opportunity to request a speaker to come and explain and talk about the bond proposal in detail.

If someone tells you this is not an open process, they are not being honest with you.

Bond 2023 Informational Meeting Sign-Up If you are hosting any type of gathering (booster club, PTA/PTO, HOA, faith-based, community, staff or parent meeting) and your group is interested in learning more about Bond 2023, please complete this form and we will schedule a LISD leader to attend. ---------- Si está organizando algún tipo de...

There is only one week left to register to vote in the LISD May 6 bond election!

April 6: deadline to register
April 24: early voting begins
May 6: Election Day

Study up, talk about it, but make sure you’re ready to make your voice count by being registered. Not sure? Look up your registration on the Williamson County or Travis County Elections Department site and get all the election information you need.

Williamson County:
https://www.wilco.org/Departments/Elections

Travis County:
https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/elections/

Elections - Travis County Clerk Elections 2022 “I Voted” Sticker Contest Winners! Current Election Your Voting System Election Results Required Notices Election Calendar Voter ID Ballot by Mail Voters with Disabilities Election Workers Elected Officials Campaign Finance Resources FAQ Cast Vote Record In Travis County, the cond...

Where do estimates come from?

There's been a lot of public debate and confusion over the cost estimates of the items listed on the LISD bond proposal for May. The most important thing to know is that no project has reached final design (many have not been designed at all), and nothing has gone out for bid.

You can't bid projects that don't have voter approval because the funds are not there. For some projects, the design cost is part of cost estimate unless it is a large design project that had funds approved for design only from a previous bond package.

The estimates for each project in the bond proposal is base on projected cost per square foot and based on current construction rates for similar projects. They are often also projected across a variety of circumstances such as different inflation rates, to be prepared for higher-cost scenarios.

The lists are long and the numbers staggering when you look at how the district breaks down even the smallest costs. You will see line items for as little as a few thousand dollars, which is not small change, but pretty granular in detail when you are talking about a $762 million overall package.

As an example, the district has cost estimates for furniture replacement by year to include projected increases. Estimates for larger projects like new buildings have the construction estimate as well as soft costs – design an planning – and a contingency meant to cover change orders that almost always come with new buildings along the way.

The hope is that estimates turn out to be high and the district will see some savings. In many cases that is the reality when all is said and one. Looking at Leander ISD's track record with bond management it is much more likely the district will find savings along the way and eventually be able to refinance the debt to lower payments as well.

Those who argue the district is wasteful and not responsible with bond funds have absolutely no past evidence to point to in their claim. If anyone has evidence to the contrary we should all look at it and discuss it in detail in the public forum. Like everything else regarding the bond proposal, the estimates used to settle on a final package price are public information and available for anyone to look at and consider.

The truth is the planning is not done haphazardly and neither is the ex*****on when it comes time to sell bonds and spend the funds.

Bond 2023 | Leander ISD Important: A new state law requires all school district bond referendum ballots to be printed with “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” While this is legally required language, the Leander ISD bond referendum WILL NOT increase your property tax rate.

But the price, right?

A bond project manager once sat down with me and talked through the ins and outs of why school construction projects seem so costly. There are a number of reasons, but the answer is almost never that the district did a poor job of estimating costs or is just casually throwing money around.

Traditionally, school projects have a lot more regulation when it comes to size and construction. Considerations from safety to Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, future growth considerations, longevity and durability of the structure, and energy efficiency can all drive up the initial cost in a way that seems unreasonably high.

But the regulations are not negotiable. Safety is no place to cut corners. Durability is something we all expect, or we will be asking the questions sooner rather than later about why maintenance costs so much. Use cheap materials or install heating, air, plumbing and wiring systems that are not meant to last and the long-term cost far outweighs the upfront cost of doing the job right.

Then there are the issues brought on by the economy. In recent bond elections I wrote about in Central Texas, the cost of labor was much higher than even five years before because of the high demand. Materials cost considerably more, and the need to order them well in advance was critical to keep projects on track.

All of these reasons can be explored in depth, and we can discuss any of them here. But the most important thing to remember is that the school district has nothing to gain by inflating or carelessly estimating costs. When the bonds are approved the rigid bid process will dictate the costs and if the bond is not estimated properly then the district will not be able to meet its promises to voters.

Before anyone throws out accusations about wasteful spending or inflated costs, I urge you to look into the issues above and learn more about them.

This bond package deserves to be carefully considered, but that means learning about and understanding the process.

Bond 2023 | Leander ISD Important: A new state law requires all school district bond referendum ballots to be printed with “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” While this is legally required language, the Leander ISD bond referendum WILL NOT increase your property tax rate.