Long‑range planning committee unveils facility‑optimization tool; board and residents press for faster action on north schools

A Long‑Range Planning Committee (LRPC) update at the Leander ISD Board of Trustees meeting presented a new facility‑optimization “matrix and rubric” the committee developed to weigh campus factors such as enrollment trends, program capacity, teacher collaboration, and transportation when considering repurposing or reassigning school sites.

The committee demonstrated how the tool would rank campuses and then be used with project specifications (for example, an Early Childhood Center or career/alternative programs) to identify which buildings most closely match project needs. Presenters emphasized the demonstration used prior (2023–24) enrollment and PASA demographic data, and that no decisions had been made.

Why it matters: trustees and several residents said district neighborhoods in the north are already overcrowded and urged the board to move faster on elementary schools 31 and 32. Multiple speakers in public comment said committee scenarios delayed building the two north elementary schools or pushed construction beyond dates voters expected after the 2023 bond.

What the committee presented and how it works Committee members described a multi‑step process: collect detailed campus data (grade‑level enrollment, staffing, facility condition, program hosts), score factors in a color‑coded matrix, and then test candidate projects against ranked campuses. The subcommittee said it used a 60 percent utilization threshold as a practical marker because teacher collaboration and student program availability began to degrade below that level.

Brandon Evans, identified in the presentation as Senior Executive Director, Facilities and Operations, and other attendees said the tool was meant to be reusable: administrators could load new data and run alternative project specifications through the rubric to generate ranked, data‑informed options for the board.

Community reaction and board questions Several residents who spoke during the citizen‑comment period urged the board to build elementary 31 and 32 earlier than some committee scenarios showed and criticized the Long‑Range Planning Committee as unrepresentative or too slow. One resident who said they served on the committee asked trustees not to “abdicate” decision authority to an appointed group.

Trustees and staff repeatedly clarified that the matrix presentation was a demonstration of a decision tool rather than a final recommendation. Trustee Francesca Romans and others said they want administration to run fresh, current data through the tool and return to the board with firm recommendations and timelines so the board can direct community engagement and, where appropriate, zoning or repurposing steps.

Board and administration next steps Trustees asked administration to take the committee’s tool and apply current enrollment and program data, produce specific project specifications where needed (for example: Early Childhood Center, New Hope High School facility, LEO/alternative program needs), and return recommended scenarios and timelines. Several trustees said they expect administration to bring proposal(s) the board can discuss publicly and then take to community meetings.

Quotes “We love the work the committee has done to produce a tool administrators can use — now we need that tool run with this year’s numbers and a clear schedule,” Trustee Trish Bode said during discussion.

Ending Trustees asked administration to prepare recommendations that combine the committee’s tool with updated data, transportation and equity impacts, and calendar‑sensitive construction timelines so the board can schedule community engagement and any formal decisions. The committee’s presenters said the tool will be available for those next steps.