Leander ISD previews new Early College High School design after student input; construction awaits future bond

Leander ISD officials and Pflueger Architects presented trustees with a developed design for an Early College High School that would sit on the Austin Community College San Gabriel campus and serve roughly 500 students. The three‑story design shown to the board includes a central commons, a lecture hall/community room, a dining/cafeteria area, science labs, maker space and covered outdoor collaboration patios on upper floors. Architects emphasized a compact footprint to fit the ACC master plan and prioritized shared adjacent college facilities to reduce the school’s own footprint and transportation needs. Students and the campus principal joined the presentation. “This building will foster student ownership and responsibility over their own education,” said Pranav Sherikuri, a junior who has attended the Early College program since ninth grade. Pranav told the board student access to dedicated lab space and small‑gym facilities would improve instruction and extracurricular offerings and limit class disruption during inclement weather. District leaders said the design was generated through workshops that included staff, students, ACC representatives and the design team. The design phase began in late 2024, and administrators said a final cost estimate will be ready after pricing work concludes later this spring. Construction was not included in the 2023 bond; administration said building would require a future bond referendum if trustees choose to proceed. Trustees questioned whether the design could be expanded if district growth or policy needs change and discussed the tradeoffs of siting the campus on ACC property versus other land. Trustees also pressed administration for cost estimates and contingency plans if bond timing or state funding changes make construction infeasible. Administration said pricing would be available soon and that the district would present options for pivoting if necessary. No construction contract was approved. The board did approve the design work to continue and asked staff to return with firm cost estimates and alternative scenarios for capacity and siting before placing any construction measure before voters.