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Parents and students press Leander ISD after decision to remove IB offering; dozens urge reversal
Summary
Multiple students and parents told trustees the decision to cancel or curtail components of the International Baccalaureate (IB) offerings at Vandergrift High School and feeder sites has left families and students disillusioned and asking for reconsideration or clearer rationale.
Dozens of students, parents and community members used the citizen‑comment portion of the Leander ISD board meeting to urge trustees to reverse a recent decision to remove or scale down International Baccalaureate (IB) offerings at Vandergrift High School and related feeder programs.
Several student speakers described moving long distances specifically to attend an IB pathway and said the program’s depth and holistic preparation had been central to their plans for college and careers. “Our education is our future, not a budget line,” sophomore Abby Hurley told trustees during public comment, adding that IB’s extended essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS components offer sustained skills different from AP.
Other students testified that the district had advertised a growing IB cohort and that removing the program now would nullify years of work by current students who had committed to the IB diploma track. Parents and community members pointed to enrollment interest numbers the district provided—dozens of sophomores expected to move into IB in coming classes—and urged trustees to revisit the decision or at least provide a transparent process and timeline for transition.
At least one parent, Emera O’Daugherty of Steiner Ranch, described the cut as an “abrupt cancellation” that occurred without consultation with students, parents or the school. Sylvia Zolfanelli, who said she had moved from Europe in part for IB options, told trustees the program “can enter a college campus with more than 30 college credits in their freshman year” and asked the board to consider the district’s competitiveness regionally and internationally.
Several speakers asked how the district evaluated the program against other offerings and whether principals would have discretion to protect programs on their campuses. Trustees asked administration to provide a program‑level inventory—numbers of students served, per‑student costs and outcomes—so the board could weigh program‑by‑program trade‑offs as it addresses the broader budget gap.
Administration did not present a vote or final action on IB during this session; instead trustees asked for additional information and signaled that program decisions will be taken as part of the larger budget and program review.
