[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6643066,"mediaKeyId","2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082","parentId",2532613,"title","Liberty Hill ISD board approves first round of budget and staffing reductions amid projected shortfall","audioSeconds",10411,"startMs",1879000,"endMs",12290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082&start=1879&end=12290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082/thumbnail_1879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643066/Texas/Liberty-Hill-ISD-board-approves-first-round-of-budget-and-staffing-reductions-amid-projected-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643066-3d63656e1add7272548808f8625ab2c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534619&Signature=QV4tEDhd0HpW3CPhIt-wtaJ4DthIZhg9wAaq2ag2NcCN0Q5GqTvMpGEK8~ACrw0m91ctlAykRUN6~vE0E6tGZZp92OY5c49TtIs9NJz6Lpe9uXCX4F7C8i0iSmUaSPyjT~tbouSm016GsUQgUN1jWetu6GZVfyzudUuu~ezqF0LBouyxQml9kNwf-P3Wp5Y8RxpGB9Av0AHdMYMBO5292t8PeLn7Cd66xrCSl8AnyY-LkEOoHi6p61K7xT6UjLF5WKsCxzBi3Aaiy6IBBJinwbQI4NVR-ZBRCuFJZ3gTXzISiRgf30YcF~leXxjiN1TDgDaZLqD4pU5T8kZ~ZC3ELg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Liberty Hill ISD, TX","date","2025-03-11T04:20:41.267Z","article","The Liberty Hill Independent School District board on Wednesday approved Phase 1 of proposed budget and staffing reductions as district leaders warn of a continuing shortfall and uncertainty in state funding.

The board approved about $6.3 million in suggested budget and staffing reductions but added roughly $2.6 million in new positions and services needed to cover projected student growth, leaving a net gap of about $3.7 million and short of the original $5.5 million target set by district staff. Trustees approved the package after presentations from district finance and operations staff.

Why it matters: Liberty Hill ISD officials say the district faces reduced local tax revenue stemming from state-mandated tax-rate compression and possible increases to homestead exemptions, alongside the end of some temporary federal funding. Staff told the board the district must both reduce recurring operating costs and plan for about 1,000 additional students expected for 2025–26. Without a change in revenues, officials said further reductions or revenue actions will be required.

Details of the reductions and adds

- Department and campus budgets: Staff proposed roughly $1.3 million in cuts to campus and central-department operating budgets. Finance staff noted campuses already absorbed prior reductions and administrators said schools and PTOs will be asked to prioritize fundraising and operational efficiencies.

- Central office and student-support staffing: District staff recommended eliminating about 7.5 full-time central-office positions (a mix of unfilled roles and reorganizations) and about five positions in student support services, producing roughly $800,000 and $300,000 of annual savings, respectively.

- Classroom staffing model changes at the secondary level: Middle-school core teachers would move to a 7-of-8 teaching load (retaining a daily conference); high-school teachers would move to a 7-of-8 pattern with a 90-minute alternating-day conference period. Staff estimated about 23 fewer classroom positions under the proposed allocations, with an estimated savings of about $1.5 million.

- Special-program staffing paid from state allotments: The district recommended limiting state-funded positions to what allotments will pay. That would reduce the number of gifted-and-talented specialists from nine to two (with GT work restructured as district-wide specialist support), and reduce bilingual/ESL positions to match the bilingual allotment (about 11 to 7 positions). Academic interventionists funded by state compensatory allotments were projected to be retained at current funded levels (14).

- Other nonclassroom changes: Instructional coaches would be reduced from 11 to 10; elementary STEM specials would be eliminated and some STEM and technology duties reassigned to librarians/specials teachers; elementary libraries would be restructured so some librarians work as specials teachers responsible for library/STEM/tech rotation. Mental-health counselors funded from the general fund would be reduced from five to two; staff noted grant applications were under way that might fund two counselor roles.

- Net effect and next steps: Staff presented a combined total of roughly $6.3 million in savings before accounting for required new hires to serve projected enrollment growth. The district estimated it must add about $2.6 million to staff new classes, assistant principals and counselors at rapidly growing campuses, leaving a remaining gap of approximately $1.7 million relative to the board’s original reduction goal.

Board members and staff said the district will continue to pursue additional Phase 2 reductions and look for local revenue options while monitoring legislative and appraisal-value developments that could materially change revenue estimates.

Attribution and board action

Rosanna Guerrero, who led the budget workshop presentation on the district’s revenue and expenditure assumptions, told trustees: “All this to say that the challenges that we are facing here at Liberty Hill ISD and the budget deficits … is not isolated to our district.”

Superintendent Snell warned trustees the board may need to consider local revenue options and said staff would be ready if the board chooses a future tax election. Trustee Neighbors moved to approve the Phase 1 reductions; Trustee Major seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the staff recommendations.

What remains open

District officials said they will continue scenario planning for Phase 2 reductions, track the outcome of pending state legislation affecting school funding, attend the Williamson County appraisal meeting for certified property values and revisit the budget at future workshops. Staff emphasized some proposed reductions depend on final certification of student counts and property values.

Provenance: The Phase 1 package was presented and discussed during the budget workshop and later approved during action items of the same meeting (presentation began March session; approval recorded under action item discussion).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LHISD Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Liberty Hill Independent School District board on Wednesday approved Phase 1 of proposed budget and staffing reductions as district leaders warn of a continuing shortfall and uncertainty in state funding.","taxTitle","LIBERTY HILL ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",49814,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643046,"Board approves consent agenda, personnel hires, resignations and administrative contracts",5933,6359000,12292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082&start=6359&end=12292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082/thumbnail_6359000.jpg","/articles/6643046/Texas/Board-approves-consent-agenda-personnel-hires-resignations-and-administrative-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643046-6878422fe5adb9635f9469326732ecec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534619&Signature=UczHl3~nBOjtkRaSN5ZKI4P60KOkQ9OTCUKSWN882nUn-StHKcs35Yj0DYbglhiG9nq6jwvSQA7788BLYTENnfyMGLv5wmbmRb1hSQLYC-Muf2mYLwDuLsx9qjHsLwojfq7jiwryNBzwBEsDQ4a2PsC5hpxKzJE5MB4aCgwWJwJ0xfALw2M~n-RgJ7w1XUon7fp~TgwOAT85APiH6GU-0FledgVewKS95-yBXjpYGXOb8jmzyL8f65yMo9u7E09rpVB1Pv7eg3OsdoskCiPXNlA-gM67gZL4HCs2xzqxlcwqS-sOoUjtCFazeAdgIuMlZGyCag0Dl8Nx6ZrU50Wosg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberty Hill ISD board approved the consent agenda and took multiple personnel actions during Wednesday’s meeting, including approving minutes, financial reports, donations, enrollment counts and routine business items; accepting resignations; approving administrative contracts; and hiring personnel.

Consent agenda and routine business

Trustees approved the consent agenda which included minutes from the February 18 meeting, financial highlights, budget amendments, bond reports, the enrollment report (9,992 students), child nutrition reports and certification of instructional materials for 2025–26.

Personnel actions

Following closed-session consideration, the board approved administrative contracts, accepted resignations as presented and approved employing personnel on the list provided to trustees. The board authorized staff to complete required employment steps and finalize contracts in accordance with district policy.

Action on motions

Trustee Neighbors moved to approve the consent agenda; Trustee Major seconded and the board approved the consent items. Later in the meeting trustees voted to accept resignations and approve administrative contracts and personnel appointments; motions and seconds for those items were recorded during the action-item sequence and each motion carried.

Provenance: Consent agenda approval and personnel votes were recorded in the meeting’s action-item portion (consent vote at the start of action items; personnel approvals recorded near the end of the meeting after closed session).","The Liberty Hill ISD board approved the consent agenda, accepted resignations, employed personnel and approved administrative contracts during its regular meeting, completing routine business following presentations and discussions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643050,"Liberty Hill ISD approves E‑Rate technology contracts to expand bandwidth and update campus networking",709,7473000,8182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082&start=7473&end=8182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082/thumbnail_7473000.jpg","/articles/6643050/Texas/Liberty-Hill-ISD-approves-ERate-technology-contracts-to-expand-bandwidth-and-update-campus-networking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643050-b4f89b8f1de1e9b28a32e3aa596323e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534619&Signature=aBe9csyi0Rc0PNaoyCA1ejI0v4Si8ikdFR~Iup-7iEK~4bt2Q1Hmx~y0xxbWvr2q5J2FzKsihXKti1Je04Pq1kBmDCeQ8grIiyZimqEvs5usg0P4TPNjVJqT1AwnWS6neRf~uwaOig6OzaEuJru4yzJh2N2CRaRVkEZyCcHkH1spM19iTl9rTRPfiFoLhh8hFi5QMgSQ0TcHQG337wQ4iJmmdZA7Jb0jnqNlsjhdCwemHcr~L5xgARoCg5kzxcBf8U5YQyM-OeZ3XBYeRRjm51-Q~v-K~axaR4XbFHUGGnPmnRNdBIeaQShBZ4EL8AjWA~1ybXX2t3ga7pVtrLEUOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees on Wednesday approved a slate of technology procurements recommended by district staff after an E‑Rate competitive process. The purchases are intended to expand Internet bandwidth, increase the district’s wide-area network speeds between buildings, and replace aging campus networking equipment.

What the board approved

- Leased lit fiber Internet access (Category 1): Staff recommended and the board approved Millennium Telecom as the selected provider for leased lit fiber Internet access from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. District staff said the award would double capacity while reducing pricing by more than 50% compared with current costs.

- Leased lit fiber WAN (Category 1): The board approved Spectrum Enterprise for leased lit fiber wide-area network connections linking district campuses to the data center. Staff said the contract will increase speeds about fivefold for each campus and save approximately $75,000 annually compared with current rates.

- Category 2 network equipment and in‑building electronics: The board approved two contracts with MGT Impact Solutions LLC to supply campus switches, access points and internal networking equipment for campuses covered by the E‑Rate category‑2 application. Staff proposed a combined purchase (category 1 and category 2 electronics) to standardize equipment across campuses and maximize E‑Rate discounts; funding will depend on available bond program funds.

Board discussion and procurement notes

District staff said they received multiple bids (40 bids across broadband and equipment categories), dismissed bids that didn’t meet minimum specifications and evaluated finalists based on specifications and long-term compatibility. Staff noted dark‑fiber construction bids were received but were not recommended for initial procurement because construction costs materially exceeded the district’s near-term operating budget advantage.

Budget and funding

Staff requested authority to complete contract negotiations with each chosen provider and said the purchases would be funded from the general fund except where bond funds were required or E‑Rate discounts applied. For equipment purchases, staff requested conditional approval pending availability of bond funds.

Formal action

Trustee Major moved to award the leased lit fiber Internet contract to Millennium Telecom; the board approved the recommendation. Other procurement approvals were made by separate motions and votes during the same action-item sequence.

Provenance: E‑Rate procurement presentations were part of action items 8b–8e and each award was approved by separate board motions during the meeting.","The board approved multiple E‑Rate funded technology contracts including leased lit fiber Internet, leased wide‑area fiber, and network equipment to increase bandwidth, reduce costs and update campus switches and wireless equipment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643056,"Board approves schematic design for new maintenance and warehouse facility at former Higginbotham site",1070,6388000,7458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082&start=6388&end=7458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082/thumbnail_6388000.jpg","/articles/6643056/Texas/Board-approves-schematic-design-for-new-maintenance-and-warehouse-facility-at-former-Higginbotham-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643056-d696d5eda848a3ec343ddfbb167fa1e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534619&Signature=N2RfGFdUPecaDTDGpoeVSS5ik3Uv2tkF66OBsBOesNnLlBleeVJ3xpZjinCHhuILRbHtZ99dmaiHzEHyPqCUe87DUvr3-4zTHpLvPIALxVYBGVeHHNh-hesq16H-Q1ESVXyM5qZrKcyTZLORjdktx5nkx4RtoukADOUsrdNmoFb5Py~ICM6wrJ3kuKwz~~nfQMP0lpZpJisXXG1I0OWkMcd3BMw1K5qEvW~LUbGvYqTQqFFRSBjRkvsFzx4Uaxq6dIOalT2Vc42-s3XUWKrTmQ35-LmfI78bZ-0iRtTO1HdKUS5qbx8qEE9nRKT2h0NNK-bZfgk9FylNQsCW2MMujw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberty Hill ISD board approved schematic designs Wednesday for a new maintenance and warehouse facility at the district’s recently purchased former Higginbotham building on Highway 29.

Designers and district staff told trustees the 17,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal building has “good bones” for conversion and will provide conditioned workshop space, expanded warehouse storage and a secured front vestibule. The schematic includes a professional-development room intended to serve as an emergency power–capable technology hub and an interior “shelter” space designed to meet storm-shelter needs for users of the facility.

Key features and rationale

- Use of existing structure: Architects recommended adapting the purchased metal building to reduce cost while adding interior office, nurse and police department space.

- Program spaces: The design includes conditioned shop space, a larger warehouse (roughly double the district’s current conditioned storage), a professional-development room sized about two classrooms, a district-nurse office, a staff break room and a secured area for the district police office and evidence/storage.

- Alternate work: Designers proposed a small enclosed attic-stock storage area as an alternate bid item and three covered outdoor storage bays.

- Schedule and next steps: The board approved schematic designs; staff will proceed to design development and construction documents, target contractor selection in April–May and anticipated a construction completion date in November 2025. Presentation materials noted no construction costs were being approved at schematic stage.

Board discussion and action

Trustees asked whether the facility would include a loading dock; architects said the district’s delivery patterns and equipment made a loading dock an unnecessary cost. Trustees also discussed the facility’s role as a base for the district police chief and the site’s relative security; district leaders said the police chief will remain engaged on campuses and the facility would serve as an administrative base rather than a campus command post.

Trustee Hargrove moved to approve the schematic design; Trustee Neighbors seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the schematic as presented.

Provenance: The schematic design presentation and board approval took place during the meeting’s action items (schematic design discussion in agenda item 8a, approval recorded under the action item vote).","Trustees approved schematic designs to convert a 17,000-square-foot pre-engineered building on Highway 29 into a consolidated maintenance, warehouse and operations center with a secure professional-development room, district nurse space and a police department suite.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6643061,"Board approves 2025–26 school calendar that ends before Memorial Day; district outlines Friday professional learning plan",2814,8196000,11010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082&start=8196&end=11010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532613-ba1e79fda4705c5b9941472c7cd03082/thumbnail_8196000.jpg","/articles/6643061/Texas/Board-approves-202526-school-calendar-that-ends-before-Memorial-Day-district-outlines-Friday-professional-learning-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643061-7e822cb8fd6b91801cd76238476b3393/orig.mp4?Expires=1770534619&Signature=jDYpHZC6uzxv3ytEFSqqhE3bf6w1oHXa7Z5Nv~GC90DkJGiioxWBP96UZb-i18LJN6mNXbtEQuBy4gjtyQMuIF2h5AO0x~TqxDr6DG7NAmnggSK-hYhYGQxFyEd9icPPF884TIBFhILHHtcspmY~bSpIHpaxWBI-qBJGM6G826QN3tbT6zLBMYnJP~r96bRWcRHzc081H60UhXwBWoGbIuc-zPJm-JPEBTyW~x4ICyyI6Kuei6tJ1v1MNJbRYE3y7H71M7bGYeEB0eRJ5eIZ7N282hLnsBk2WkI3Dio7G3rKKIjPb5Ow9ogjqVDkSlYTFEcRBj25-Utx6VeBh2LayQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberty Hill ISD board on Wednesday adopted a 2025–26 school calendar that moves to a student-year end before Memorial Day and formalizes a Friday schedule for staff development.

District staff presented two calendar options during a budget-related workshop and recommended the calendar that reduces student instructional days slightly (to 157) while adding minutes to the school day so total instructional minutes meet state requirements. The board approved the staff-recommended calendar.

Why it matters: The adopted calendar shifts instructional time rather than simply shortening or lengthening the year. Staff said the change allows the district to provide district-wide professional learning on selected Friday mornings and preserve afternoon blocks for teacher planning and grade work. District leaders said the Friday model is intended to give campuses autonomy over campus-directed morning sessions, while meeting the state’s documentation requirement for a minimum number of professional-development minutes.

Key points from the plan

- Student days and minutes: The adopted calendar reduces student days from the district’s prior count (160) to 157 but adds daily minutes (about 10–15 more per day) so the district maintains required instructional time.

- Friday professional learning and campus autonomy: The calendar designates specific Friday mornings as district professional learning days (two in fall, two in spring) and campus-directed mornings. Staff emphasized principals will be able to tailor campus sessions and that principals oppose long, four-hour mandatory sessions.

- Blackout days and exceptions: Staff proposed blackout rules (days staff are discouraged or not allowed to request leave) tied to district professional learning days and days adjacent to holidays; the board asked staff to clear exceptions for documented medical procedures, family emergencies, weddings, UIL events, and other immediate-family events and said principals should have discretion for exceptional circumstances.

- Community comparisons and logistics: Presenters showed neighboring districts’ calendars and said many area districts finish before Memorial Day. Transportation considerations — including requested spacing between bell times — will determine final start and end times for each school level. Staff plans further engagement with principals to finalize school start/end times.

What trustees said

Trustees discussed trade-offs between a longer day and a longer year and heard principals’ feedback that they can make either calendar work. Several trustees emphasized that the quality of the professional learning matters more than the schedule and urged clear communication to families about the plan.

Action taken

Trustee Neighbors moved to approve the proposed calendar; Trustee Major seconded the motion. The board voted to approve the calendar as presented.

Next steps

Staff will finalize exact bell times in consultation with transportation and principals, create a menu of options for campus sessions, provide guidance and templates for documenting professional learning minutes required by the Texas Education Agency, and circulate finalized schedules to families and staff.

Provenance: Staff calendar presentation and board discussion occurred during the same meeting when trustees adopted the calendar under action items later in the agenda.","The Liberty Hill ISD board adopted a 2025–26 calendar that ends the student year before Memorial Day and designates Friday mornings for professional learning while preserving afternoon planning time for teachers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liberty Hill ISD board approves first round of budget and staffing reductions amid projected shortfall

Board approves consent agenda, personnel hires, resignations and administrative contracts

Liberty Hill ISD approves E‑Rate technology contracts to expand bandwidth and update campus networking

Board approves schematic design for new maintenance and warehouse facility at former Higginbotham site

Board approves 2025–26 school calendar that ends before Memorial Day; district outlines Friday professional learning plan