Leander ISD is pushing to close schools in the South and Central parts of the district — as early as next school year (2025-26).

But here’s what they’re not telling you:

They're building new schools… while shutting down existing ones.

LISD is moving forward with an Early Childhood Center that will pull enrollment from existing campuses, and have two more planned.

At the same time, the new elementary campus planned for the Travisso neighborhood will trigger Mason, Giddens and potentially Deer Creek for repurposing conversations. 

Let’s call this what it is:
A plan to invest in one part of the district while dismantling another to make good on political promises.

You cannot say you’re solving a fiscal problem while expanding staff, facilities, and overhead in new areas. That’s not leadership. That’s a distraction.

Equity Can’t Be a Talking Point
LISD says this is about equity.

LISD says this is about equity. However, they are building a school in Travisso so those students don't have to bus, while forcing entire communities in the south and central zones to put their kids on buses and lose their neighborhood schools. 

If equity is your value — prove it.

THE SMARTER PATH FORWARD
We’re not just saying “no.” We’re showing you the path to “yes.”

According to Molly Smith, Planner and President for thinkSMART Planning Inc., the gold standard when looking at school sizes is the book called Breaking Ranks, which ultimately concluded that small schools are the best (200-250 students). (This information was presented to the Long Range Planning Committee to inform their decision for the size of a new elementary.)

Here’s what we demand:
✅ No closures for the 2025–2026 school year. Period.
✅ Community-driven development of a small school pilot model in 2025–2026, with full input from stakeholders and campus leadership.
✅ Pilot the small school model at two campuses in the Central zone and two in the South zone starting in the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 school years.
✅ Pair pilots with open enrollment, competitive programming, and local curriculum adjustments to bring students back from charters and private schools.

Smaller schools are an opportunity, NOT a weakness.

Smaller schools = better relationships, better outcomes, better retention. Give these campuses the tools and time to prove their value before shutting the doors.. And give them the autonomy and support to develop programs to enhance the community and district. 

✅ Institute a new policy on dismantling committees so that productive community-led committees cannot be dismantled when the board and admin don't agree with their findings or want different results. 

What We Expect from Leadership:

• A full, public cost analysis comparing long-term expenses for running small schools vs. staffing new construction. (And not just schools built and designed for 850 students operating with half the number, but MODELS that are designed for smaller student populations. 
• Transparent communication — no more surprises, spin, or post-vote justifications.
• Equity between all areas of the district. If you're building schools in Travisso, you must invest in innovation in Four Points, Grandview Hills, Laura Bush, Canyon Ridge, Naumann, Faubion, and more...
• If equity and innovation are off the table for the south and central portions, consider carving off a portion of the district so that they can better meet the needs of their stakeholders.

We will lead where the district refuses.

THIS IS OUR LINE IN THE SAND

• Leander ISD has not shown cost savings.
• Leander ISD has not shown us the net costs for operating 3 new campuses while closing several existing. 
• Leander ISD has not explored, let alone exhausted, its options.

We deserve better. Our children deserve better.

And we will not accept closures until this district has done the work.

Sign below if you agree.