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Resident urges LTISD to freeze spending on proposed elementary school, cites declining enrollment
Summary
A resident told the Lake Travis ISD board the district relied on an inaccurate demography study and urged a spending freeze on the proposed 'elementary 8' amid claims of declining enrollment and prior land expenditures.
Jennifer Fleck, a resident addressing the Lake Travis Independent School District Board of Trustees during the public comment period, urged trustees to place a spending freeze on the district's proposed "elementary 8" school and questioned the accuracy of prior demographic projections and bond accounting.
Fleck said LTISD relied on a 2021 demography study that pushed a high-growth narrative and that the district subsequently approved a $758,000,000 bond package. She told the board she believes the district has since spent nearly $21,000,000 acquiring land for a school she said the district does not need and that rezoning could address capacity issues.
Fleck also said district enrollment has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, that enrollment levels are "below the 2019–20 levels," and that a demographer recently stated LTISD is "nearing build out" with no foreseeable change in low-growth trends. She referenced broader trends she said were relevant to enrollment, including increased homeschooling, an "anti-traditional school sentiment," and a potential voucher impact. Fleck urged trustees to "put a spending freeze on elementary 8."
Board members reminded the speaker that public comment at this special called meeting was limited to items on the posted agenda; the agenda included approval for additional bond expenditures for land. The board did not deliberate or take action on Fleck's requests during the public comment period, and the Texas Open Meetings Act limits board discussion of non-agenda items during public comment.
Fleck also referenced school closures or repurposing in nearby districts, saying Eanes Independent School District recently voted to close Valley View Elementary and that Leander Independent School District discusses school closures or repurposing annually. Her remarks concluded with a call for trustees to prioritize fiscal restraint, academic focus, and staff retention.
