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Leander ISD board approves New Hope High School’s optional flexible school day application to TEA
Summary
Trustees approved the district’s application to the Texas Education Agency to operate an Optional Flexible School Day Program at New Hope High School, a campus-specific plan intended to support 20–30 students with major nonacademic barriers by offering flexible schedules while maintaining minimum attendance and instructional expectations.
The Leander ISD Board on July 8 voted to approve submission of an Optional Flexible School Day Program (OFSDP) application for New Hope High School, sending the campus-level plan to the Texas Education Agency for review.
Principal Christina Lane described the campus program as targeted to students with substantial outside responsibilities or needs—parenting, full-time work, or significant mental-health challenges—where a rigid daily schedule can prevent continued enrollment. She said the campus intends to limit initial participation to roughly 20–30 students and to use a case-by-case identification process with counselor and family meetings.
"Our goal is to provide attendance flexibility while keeping students engaged in their learning and connected to much needed support systems," Christina Lane said during the presentation. She emphasized that TEA rules require a minimum of 1,200 minutes on campus weekly for full funding and cautioned the program is not intended for students who are unwilling to attend school.
Administrators told trustees they revised the application after a previous denial in 2022–23 and that the campus will manually track attendance for compliance during the initial pilot; the district flagged the potential future need for biometric technology or additional staff if the program expands (administration estimated a one-time technology cost of about $20,000 plus subscription fees).
Trustees approved the motion to submit the OFSDP application; the meeting record shows the motion carried with seven ayes. Staff said TEA typically responds within about 30 days on whether it will approve the application.
Next steps: if TEA approves, the campus will implement the program under the stated participation agreement and tracking procedures; staff said they will monitor outcomes and return to the board for any decision to expand the program beyond the pilot.
