[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6559468,"mediaKeyId","3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298","parentId",3203995,"title","Long-range planning panel recommends holding off on expanding out-of-district transfers","audioSeconds",1165,"startMs",4127000,"endMs",5292000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298&start=4127&end=5292","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298/thumbnail_4127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559468/Texas/Long-range-planning-panel-recommends-holding-off-on-expanding-out-of-district-transfers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559468-9c0f3e822ac9ab8647f5803c4da69cb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563266&Signature=XhVbn3wrUt3dSDuqh0xKhgKNtQlSoSiBbHKRZB7yYtE0l~aLzrUqDnJGFf1idrWvgkh5ShkyQkr~Gw3Tq7aKeBH8CeM62BvFgb4at4gGJg5ZnOpkWh4WyYNFNieGRtHNE1mR~6xCj40YdRNvAi0TgMEesZFvII5EDXYxG6mKZpYEhFtXpJCyIUMKdWqxuHf5jSrcqHSy17N22~NddDANDDsYfog6TJWdnD7pkwXk1qI8aO-L57ItKq8deplkoUEhV7hjFKn0VcW5xQtUAzpDwQEQPBX2xUVcukk6jD0h5eSayIqw59aDnpTH49FJoDHtuY7~7jGNNQJnt67Vka2eMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgetown ISD","date","2025-05-06T19:17:12Z","article","Members of Georgetown ISD’s long-range planning committee presented the first formal subcommittee recommendation to the board during the May 5 workshop: do not expand out-of-district (interdistrict) transfers at this time.

Dr. Stoner, who chaired the open-enrollment subcommittee, said the committee evaluated four options and that the group’s recommendation was for the district to maintain current transfer practice rather than open a broader transfer program immediately. \"The recommendation is let's not look at expanding to out of district at this time,\" Dr. Stoner said, noting the committee’s concern about making such a change while multiple significant actions (rezoning, opening new schools and pending legislative changes) were underway.

The committee’s work included background research and a series of votes among subcommittee members. Committee materials presented to trustees described pros and cons for each option: holding current practice minimizes administrative workload and protects neighborhood-school culture but could leave underutilized buildings underused and limit applicants for specialized programs. The committee reported that nine of 12 members who voted supported maintaining the status quo as the formal recommendation; the group had set a 65 percent threshold for consensus.

Committee members flagged several operational caveats that would need to be resolved before the district pursued any expanded open-enrollment policy: detailed, nondiscriminatory application and admission procedures; caps or buffers to avoid adding students that would force unplanned teacher hires mid-year; guarantees that accepted transfer students would remain at the accepting campus (\"grandfathered\") so families would not be moved back to their home campus the following year; and parallel rules for intra-district transfers so GISD residents would not be disadvantaged by any new policy for out-of-district students.

The long-range planning committee is an 83-member body (69 voting members and 14 district staff, according to the presentation) that met throughout the spring and formed three subcommittees; the open-enrollment subgroup met for several months and gathered research including interviews with other districts. The subcommittee recommended the district record families who express interest in transfers now, revisit the issue after new-school openings and rezoning next year, and only consider expansion after those steps and when enrollment and capacity data are stable.

Why it matters: open-enrollment policy changes can affect class sizes, program viability, staffing and district finances because funding follows enrollment. The committee framed this recommendation as a timing and implementation judgment rather than a permanent policy position; trustees were given materials that include the subcommittee’s full analysis and alternate options for future consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Workshop - May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Georgetown ISD’s long-range planning committee's open-enrollment subcommittee recommended the district not expand interdistrict (out-of-district) transfers at this time, citing timing concerns, rezoning and capacity uncertainty; the committee urged tracking transfer interest and reconsidering after rezoning and new-school openings.","taxTitle","GEORGETOWN ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14102,"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},6559473,"Georgetown ISD gives timeline and progress update on 2024 bond projects",1016,2684000,3700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298&start=2684&end=3700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298/thumbnail_2684000.jpg","/articles/6559473/Texas/Georgetown-ISD-gives-timeline-and-progress-update-on-2024-bond-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559473-079a8c53355351b323ec639132c6db14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563266&Signature=oVtJIFQLVE1m-yJSc35HvSmvmS8EGeFOja0HKrP6n76lYE-F3Ey0wZJlv9J9tqw2ear-I3YwiY9Y-OJSiyc~AmLlZaKxLi1T7lphOlyo2b62Z18fxyQSdYl5utQ5qVO6KErTuh5phBRCFbgMJhTgcs~GXnIwbfP4S8N7RlPevK0sCOqtFFLZeHSEZfXYAifye5XC8DvJFtsXX7nXYz3KIi6j7dLBRW9C57nz~MECC3Sd6nZGpzNslPz8xoDX4E~5cQU2eDfyjYWGGeKqjDJMfIY3rrnx5tjRR5hndE-NkPioiHD5vLoXf66Ux6rkRZ9MqHzvvoVTdeDEODa1Q-aaxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wes Vanishak, the district’s bond projects presenter, gave trustees a progress update May 5 on Georgetown ISD’s 2024 bond program, reporting permitting activity, on-site work and expected opening windows for major projects.

On the new high school at DV1 and Cedar Breaks Road, Vanishak said initial site clearing began mid-April and the team expects to seek a building permit toward the end of summer. \"I think we'll look probably early fall at the earliest to do groundbreaking,\" Vanishak said, adding the project is on a long construction timeline with an anticipated opening in fall 2028. The facility is envisioned as a comprehensive high school of roughly 530,000 square feet with capacity for about 2,250 students.

Vanisshak (presenter name in transcript spelled both \"Wes Van\" and \"Wes Vanishak\") told trustees Middle School 5 and Elementary 12 are scheduled to open in fall 2026. Middle School 5’s footprint is similar to other district middle schools and Vanishak said the project team had a groundbreaking planned for the coming Friday. He described the Fox (site) conversion as an accelerated, roughly 11-month turn that will expand capacity in that portion of the district.

The district is also in schematic design on a high-school performing-arts center (PAC) with a preliminary seating target near 800 and a projected opening in January 2028, Vanishak said. He showed conceptual renderings and said the PAC’s design aims to expand fine-arts capacity while minimizing disruption to current operations during construction.

Trustees and staff discussed rezoning, principal selection and school naming timelines tied to the new high school. Vanishak said naming and color decisions will be made in advance of principal selection to allow interior finishes and procurement to proceed on time, and the district expects rezoning discussions to begin about a year before opening (roughly a year prior to the 2028 opening date).

The bond update also covered renovation and smaller capital projects: Forbes Middle School will receive a new fine-arts wing and weight room, Cooper Elementary playground replacement is scheduled for the upcoming summer, and multiple roofing, painting and mechanical projects are being designed with plans to stagger work across summers to reduce disruption.

Where to find more information: Vanishak said the district maintains a bond website with regularly updated timelines and photographs and encouraged constituents to use the district's \"Let's Talk\" portal for specific questions.

Why it matters: The 2024 bond program funds major capacity and instructional-facility expansions across Georgetown ISD; the update gives the community dates and expected milestones for construction and for upcoming rezoning and naming processes that will affect families and staff.","District staff reported construction progress on the 2024 bond program, confirming schedules for a new high school, Middle School 5 and Elementary 12, and early design work on a high-school performing-arts center and multiple campus renovations.",{"_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},6559478,"Georgetown ISD CFO outlines budget outlook, legislative risks and VATRE timeline",2573,119000,2692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298&start=119&end=2692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3203995-e1f29909da37d9df588b6298fdf0b298/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6559478/Texas/Georgetown-ISD-CFO-outlines-budget-outlook-legislative-risks-and-VATRE-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559478-e35a95a9be807e5d5ba7909639fff1c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563266&Signature=B4E5gVOkWrt2jZD1lop5TnbAwIWH5WXoqhhJVQKi0cj2PqTmieORKVU9C2D-WWl28BrCJVRaNye2CSiu8KSzhSA16~WTZJO-F503109vQpEcwyQtmgnv-qDuDqejKHqjQfJbzvd3ugQdrkxLxpZlLmP9oV-xNdH-8ZbZgKjpG-70-nnOz75y6OcnB7h0v8QnaZtVA~rdN~1kCpg97dKu3sjg8sCYK9T~rUB2IjzDEJkDNmmJjPTiNDJM1XkWugiz7bhCO7qeCGzRi77r2w473fYgvMUMMEtNj~suRFIa5Prm7S8hHlfba7O0y8QDWJeXstJmhB6qaHYwzJ6VlV8jhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Hannah, Georgetown ISD chief financial officer, told the board of trustees during a May 5 workshop that the district’s 2025–26 budget picture has improved slightly but remains contingent on pending state legislation and several moving parts.

Hannah said two bills she and district staff are following closely — Senate Bill 2 (a voucher/education savings account bill) and House Bill 2 (the main school funding bill) — could change district revenue but are not final. \"Senate Bill 2 ... was passed by the house and the senate, and it was signed by the governor over the weekend,\" Hannah said, and she added that students would be eligible to begin using education savings accounts in the 2026–27 school year. On House Bill 2 she said, as written at the time of the workshop, \"we would get a $395 increase in the basic allotment,\" though she cautioned the bill could change in the senate.

Until the legislature’s final actions are known, the district plans to adopt a compensation plan with the June budget adoption that can be amended later if state revenue materializes. \"We will be adopting a compensation plan in June with the budget,\" Hannah said, adding that the plan could be amended in July if late legislative action provides more revenue.

Hannah walked trustees through updated budget assumptions and several quantitative details used to model 2025–26: a demographer-projected enrolled student count of roughly 14,060 and an adjusted average-daily-attendance assumption of 93 percent (yielding an ADA figure the staff has used for modeling of about 13,076); preliminary property values from the Williamson Central Appraisal District that came in at about $25.1 billion (up from a projection of $24.6 billion); a projected payroll total of about $132.3 million (a net increase of roughly $900,000 from prior projections); and total projected revenues of about $70.2 million (an increase of roughly $1.9 million from last month). The current working budget at the time of the workshop showed a very small excess balance of $40,725.

Hannah and other staff described a number of items that could materially affect the final numbers: potential changes to the homestead exemption and business personal property exemptions under bills being debated in Austin; an ongoing property-value study that staff expect will yield about $155,000 when finalized; and a state appropriation proposal to offset reductions in Medicaid-related School Health and Related Services (SHARS) reimbursements. Hannah said the SHARS-related proposal would appropriate about $934 million statewide to help districts recoup lost reimbursement revenue.

Board members pressed staff about several specific policy changes in the Legislature that could affect district operations. Hannah noted that one proposal would place new limits on debt issuance, including capping new debt at 20 percent of average property-tax collections for the preceding three years and restricting May election timing; the proposal also would require November elections. Hannah gave the board a rough example: the district’s 2024 bond had roughly $10 million in principal and interest, and with district property-tax collections around $140 million, a 20 percent cap would equate to about $14 million — likely not affecting the 2024 bond but signaling a constraint on larger future issuances.

The board also discussed increases in the state allotment for school safety and security funding. Hannah said a proposed change would raise the allotment from $10 per ADA and $15,000 per campus to $14 per ADA and $37,000 per campus, which she estimated would add roughly $90,000–$100,000 to Georgetown ISD’s funding based on the district’s student counts and campus numbers; she said those dollars largely would free general-fund dollars currently used for safety staffing such as school resource officers. \"We spend more on security than the allotment. So what it would do would free additional funds to use in other areas,\" Hannah said.

On recapture and property-value math, staff explained the district is pursuing an annual property-value study that looks back up to three years and may result in a comptroller adjustment that reduces recapture and yields additional revenue; Hannah told trustees the most recent audit should yield about $155,000 to the district.

Hannah closed with a reminder of near-term budget milestones and the timetable for possible tax-rate actions: if trustees wanted to pursue a voter-approval tax-rate election (VATRE) the board would need to select an efficiency auditor (the workshop mentioned a target of selecting one at the June 16 board meeting), complete the auditor work by July 4, receive the district’s maximum compressed rate from TEA (projected on the slide for Aug. 5), call the election by Aug. 18 if the board chooses to proceed, and hold the election on Nov. 4. Hannah and other staff emphasized that those dates are statutory and that the legislative session could still alter revenue assumptions before the board adopts a final budget in June.

Why it matters: the district’s compensation decisions, program funding and capital planning hinge on the Legislature’s actions and on local revenue calculations. Trustees indicated they will adopt a conservatively structured compensation plan in June with the intent to amend it after legislative outcomes are known and to continue discussing a VATRE and community engagement if additional local revenue is needed.

The board moved to the bond-project update after the budget discussion concluded.","At a May 5 board workshop, Georgetown ISD Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hannah presented updated 2025–26 budget assumptions, legislative developments that could change revenues, and a timetable and conditions for a potential voter-approval tax-rate election (VATRE).","actionData","errors"]

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Long-range planning panel recommends holding off on expanding out-of-district transfers

Georgetown ISD gives timeline and progress update on 2024 bond projects

Georgetown ISD CFO outlines budget outlook, legislative risks and VATRE timeline