Liberty Hill ISD board adopts ‘Choosing the Best’ sex‑ed curriculum, approves roofing and portable work amid public complaints on transportation and athletics

Liberty Hill Independent School District trustees on Tuesday approved multiple policy and capital items after public commenters urged the board to address staff working conditions and cuts to athletics.

Several residents and employees addressed the board during the public‑comment period. "Our transportation department is one of the most critical departments in our district," said Wesley Sandlin, identified during remarks as the district’s safety and training supervisor for transportation, who described inadequate facilities after a March fire, including "2 toilets for 70 employees," nonfunctioning sinks and tight, unsafe bus‑yard parking that he said creates safety and efficiency risks. He asked trustees and central administration to tour the facility and take concrete steps to improve conditions.

Parents also urged action on athletics. Shelly Harrison, who identified herself as a parent and former district teacher, said athletics budgets have been cut disproportionately and told trustees coaches are being asked to teach additional classes: "Athletics ... has been cut by 43%," she said, adding that the cuts hurt students and are inequitable. Other parents, including Katie Hargrove and TJ Garza, urged stability for student‑athletes and asked the board to prioritize continuity for coaches while district leaders said budget constraints — including uncertain state funding — complicate decisions.

On SHAC and curriculum

The board heard the School Health Advisory Council’s annual report and approved its recommendation to adopt the 'Choosing the Best' human sexuality curriculum for the 2025–28 cycle. SHAC presenter Sam Russo told trustees the program is abstinence‑based, "medically accurate" and covers state‑required topics, including dating‑violence prevention required by Senate Bill 9. Trustees were told the program offers six 45‑minute sessions in middle school, an electronic student workbook for at‑home parent engagement, and options such as withholding certain imagery at the high‑school level. The presentation emphasized that participation is opt‑in; parents must elect for their child to participate. Trustee Neighbors moved to adopt the SHAC recommendation and the board approved the motion.

Accountability options

Administration compared two accountability frameworks: a TEA‑approved local accountability system (which can count up to 50% toward official A–F ratings but requires a published baseline) and community‑based accountability (CBAS/TPAC), which is community‑driven, focuses on broader indicators such as student well‑being and extracurricular engagement, and would not be integrated into the state’s official rating. Presenters said local accountability can help some campuses but may be neutral or detrimental for high‑performing districts because of baseline effects; community‑based models require more stakeholder engagement. Trustees directed staff to continue researching community‑based options.

Construction, bonds and facilities

Facilities staff updated the board on bond projects and capital work. Highlights included completion and occupancy of a CTE building at Liberty Hill Middle School, progress on High School No. 2 (reported at ~71% complete as of April), and JOC‑managed work with reported procurement savings. Finance reported on the 2021 bond (voter‑approved $491.7M; 98.5% spent/encumbered; ~$7.1M unallocated) and the 2023 bond sales (three sales totaling roughly $317M; ~$192.0M cash received; ~73.2% spent/encumbered).

Trustees discussed generator options for campuses and were presented three levels of backup: MDF‑only (protect IT infrastructure), MDF+freezer+kitchen (~$600,000 ROM) and a full shelter area including gyms and restrooms (~$1.2M ROM). Presenters recommended at least transfer‑switch readiness on new campuses and sought board direction on how much to serve with permanent generators versus a mobile generator plant.

Reroof approval

After a wind event accelerated roof concerns at Liberty Hill Middle School, trustees approved a reroof using a monolithic system (insulation infill and an 80‑mil TPO cap sheet) to address condensation/thermal bridging and achieve insurance‑preferred ratings. The board approved Dean Contracting to perform the work at a cost presented as $1,959,209.50 to be funded from the 2021 bond program; the contract includes a 20‑year manufacturer warranty and standard contractor warranties.

Portables and other capital actions

Trustees authorized reconnecting three portables relocated to Santa Rita Middle School to manage short‑term growth. The motion covered reconnection of utilities and communications (including a listed $55,000 for AV/communications), site concrete work for a planned court area, and a contingency; total presented cost was $395,912 funded from the 2021 bond program. Staff said the work is intended to be temporary until new campuses come online and attendance boundaries are redrawn.

Budget and legislative context

Interim Superintendent Travis Motel briefed the board on fast‑moving legislative developments. He described recent substitute language to the school funding bill that cut the basic allotment increase to $55 per student in the substitute, with most proposed funding dedicated to later‑year teacher raises; leadership warned that many districts would see less funding in year two. Motel and staff framed local budget choices (including athletics staffing and block‑schedule impacts) within uncertain state funding outcomes.

Other actions

The board approved several other items on the agenda: renewal of the food‑service contract line items in the consent agenda, award of the bank depository contract to Prosperity Bank (a two‑year term with fee waivers), and adoption of an optional flexible school‑day plan that allows the district to capture partial ADA credit for qualifying Success Academy students. The board also completed routine personnel items, approved an interlocal agreement with Williamson County (terms discussed in closed session), reorganized board officers and adjourned.

What’s next

Trustees set a special called meeting for June 2 and a regular meeting for June 16. Several projects discussed (generator sizing, transportation‑facility follow‑up, and roof installation timing) require follow‑up and more detailed pricing or engineering work.

Sources: Liberty Hill ISD board meeting transcript (public comment, SHAC report, accountability presentation, construction/bond update, superintendent updates, action items and votes).