Dozens of families urge Leander ISD board to drop school‑closure plans and weigh alternatives

Dozens of parents, students and community members told the Leander Independent School District board on Tuesday they oppose closing or repurposing neighborhood elementary schools and want full financial transparency before officials act. The board heard 51 speakers during the citizen‑comment portion, including students who said their school communities would be harmed and parents who said school closures would lower property values and drive families out of the district. “Please don’t close my school,” said Reese, a fourth‑grader at Laura Welch Bush Elementary, as several other students and parents repeated similar appeals. Members of the public urged the board to publish campus‑level income statements and a true, line‑by‑line cost‑benefit analysis that includes remodeling, transportation and long‑term tax revenue effects. “Release full financials that clear timelines and launch community‑customized pilots,” one speaker said during public comment, calling for detailed numbers so families and staff can plan. Parents and community groups proposed alternatives to closures, including piloting small‑school models, paid pre‑K and expanded fee‑based after‑school enrichment to generate revenue. “Invoke Chapter 12A of the Texas Education Code and adopt a District of Innovation plan,” a speaker recommended, suggesting the district seek local flexibilities rather than closing high‑performing campuses. Board President and trustees acknowledged the concerns and said the board will discuss additional data at upcoming meetings. Trustees repeatedly told the public that no final decisions have been made and that a full cost‑benefit presentation is scheduled for a future meeting. Trustees also said the district will provide more information and asked administration what additional analyses the board needs to decide on campus optimization. The board did not vote on campus closures during the meeting; instead, trustees approved a modified consent agenda and directed staff to return more detailed financial and enrollment data at a later date. Several trustees asked administration to prepare audited cost analyses so the board can weigh educational and budgetary tradeoffs before acting.