Columns

Spring Break a chance to reflect, recharge

03/13/2019

As we look ahead to Spring Break, it is my earnest hope that our teachers, staff and students can recharge and refocus for the stretch run of our school year.

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COOL Week just another way LISD stands out

03/06/2019

One of the crown jewels of the LISD College & Career Pathways program, COOL (Career Opportunities on Location) Week provides graduating seniors the opportunity to spend time on-site in the industry where they have an interest in pursuing a career.

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Leaders Inspiring Change

02/20/2019

I recently asked our students to share stories about a leader from history who has inspired them. I was fascinated and impressed by their responses.

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Goal setting for district success

02/13/2019

Setting district goals helps us do three very important things: focus on improvement, measure progress and stay motivated to remain the very best school district in Texas.

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LISD Plans, Budgets for Major Maintenance Projects

02/06/2019

Our major maintenance plans are all about keeping our facilities maintained and ready to positively impact our students’ learning. It is just one more way that Leander ISD is positioning itself to grow responsibly and efficiently.

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New Year, New Challenges

01/23/2019

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LISD Students Give Back

01/09/2019

I am working to capture the student voice this year. We recently featured our December prompt for students, asking them a simple question: “How do you give or serve others?”

Read More About Welcome Back!

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Summer Learning Helps Students Prepare for 2018–19

06/27/2018

Summer is in full swing, and our high temperatures absolutely reflect that! This break is a much-needed time to relax for our students, as well as an opportunity to explore new areas of interest and make new friends. It is also important to continue the learning process and avoid the “summer slide” that can really hamper the academic growth of a child.

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This Summer, Kids Eat Free with LISD

06/20/2018

In an effort to meet the needs of hungry children during the summer months, the federal government offers the Summer Food Service Program. This federal program ensures that all children have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session. Nationwide, an estimated 200 million free meals will be served to children by way of this program.

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LISD Supports Students After Graduation

06/13/2018

It was a joy to watch the Class of 2018 walk the stage at last week’s graduation ceremonies. An overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and hope for the future filled every seat at the HEB Center as more than 2,700 graduates tossed their hats and sang their alma maters.

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Good Luck, 2018 Graduates!

06/06/2018

Graduation time is always cause for celebration. It is the product of countless reports, exams, field days, art projects, school dances, science fairs, tournaments and performances. We, as a community, honor the hard work and accomplishments, not just of our students, but also of our families and educators.

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ACC’s New Leander Campus Offers More Opportunities for LISD Students

05/30/2018

Leander ISD is fortunate to have dedicated partners in the education of our children. Businesses, community non-profits and faith-based organizations all work with us to ensure bright futures for every student. We have had a terrific and mutually beneficial relationship with Austin Community College for many years, and this week, I was excited to join fellow educators in celebrating the opening of the ACC San Gabriel campus in Leander.

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Leander ISD takes important step to safeguard student health

05/23/2018

Following a public hearing last week, the LISD Board of Trustees approved of the use of unassigned epinephrine on district campuses in accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC). Our intention is to have this important health care tool in place during the next school year.

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Hiring season is in full swing for Leander ISD

05/16/2018

This time of year is always busy for our human resources department. Much like the real estate market and the weather in Central Texas, things heat up in the late spring and early summer as families make important decisions about where to live and work.

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Leander ISD partners with local law enforcement to keep students safe

05/09/2018

The LISD Board of Trustees recently renewed our inter-local agreements with the cities of Cedar Park and Leander to provide Student Resource Officers assigned to our schools, just as they have for the past 20 years.

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Leander ISD focused on growing leaders from within

05/02/2018

We intend to continue being a destination district, and that includes for our exceptional staff. That is why it is imperative that we develop campus leaders that exemplify the very best the district has to offer.

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Reading: The most important of “The Three Rs”

04/18/2018

Any educator – and plenty of academic studies – will tell you that reading is fundamental to a child’s success in school. Reading is the key to the kingdom, because for many kids it unlocks the possibilities of their future. We know that reading not only introduces literature and history to students, it also aids in problem solving in math and science.

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LISD working to help impoverished students

04/11/2018

Every student deserves to learn in an environment that is inclusive and responsive to their needs.

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Leander ISD jobs as diverse as the community we serve

04/04/2018

A school district, like any large organization, thrives on diversity and a shared sense of purpose. We have a wide range of professions under the LISD umbrella, each one crucial to our students’ success.

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LISD students’ goals as diverse as their interests

03/28/2018

Every time I am asked about my favorite part of being a superintendent, I have a ready answer: interacting with our students. Our kids are amazing, and I am always impressed by our student body.

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Sponsor-supported video scoreboards at regional stadiums

03/21/2018

There is nothing quite like the feel of a high school stadium. So many memories are made there, both for participants and spectators, that experiences become part of the fabric of schools and their communities.

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Spring Break a chance for staff, students, families to recharge and refocus

03/07/2018

I do not know about you, but Christmas seems like a long time ago.

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Leander ISD focused on campus security, student safety

02/28/2018

There is no greater priority as a superintendent, public educator or parent than the safety of our students. We work hard every day to ensure that our young people learn in secure, welcoming environments that meet their educational needs.

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LISD grieves for Florida victims, continues to focus on security

02/21/2018

We are deeply saddened by the events that took place last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We are mourning with the nation over the tragic loss of innocent lives, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the victims, their families and friends.

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Leander ISD prepares for new school zones with Elementary 27

02/14/2018

Opening a new school excites a community. We have a naming and mascot selection, a new building and new point of pride for Leander ISD.

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Leander ISD schools, special education teachers provide care with instruction

02/07/2018

Leander ISD operates schools with a lot of care and compassion. Our charge in public schools to provide a high-quality education to every child is a point of pride, especially in LISD. Our students come to us with various learning and social needs. Today, I would like to focus on the fantastic work our district does in supporting special education students.

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Leander ISD places great value in instructional days

01/31/2018

Visiting classrooms to watch the learning process at work is what makes being Superintendent of Leander ISD the best job in the world. Our teachers lead remarkable lessons, our support teams work tirelessly to run schools smoothly and our students soak up the experiences and opportunities.

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Leander ISD Superintendent's Column by Dan Troxell, Ph.D.

Survey shows Leander ISD schools excel in supporting families

01/24/2018

Like any smart business focused on customer service and continuous improvement, Leander ISD operates using several data points to measure our success. We strive to meet the needs of students, increase academic achievement each year, provide robust enrichment opportunities, and ensure the positive social development of each child.

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Strong leaders on Leander ISD Board allow students to soar

01/17/2018

Our Leander ISD Board of Trustees serves countless hours to make public education meaningful for every child across our 200 miles, nine municipalities and 42 schools.

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Leander ISD Board takes action for key district support team

01/10/2018

Every employee in our district is a champion for children. While families associate teachers, student support staff and campus administrators as having the greatest impact on students, every member of our 5,100-strong team can make a difference in a student’s life.

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Students Experience Hands-On Learning in Leander ISD

01/03/2018

If you have been absent from public schools, you may not have seen the transformation of modern classrooms. Leander ISD learning spaces have shifted from rows of seated students to engaging layouts and floor plans.

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Share the Cheer This Holiday Season

12/27/2017

With 75 instructional days of the 2017–18 school year complete, I want to encourage our most significant supporters to take time this holiday season to recharge, and I also want to ask our community to share some holiday cheer with our educators.

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Demographer Continues Forecast for Growth in Leander ISD

12/20/2017

Families and children will continue to stream into our world-class Leander ISD schools, according to the district’s annual demographers report.

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Academic Success Continues to be at the Forefront for Leander ISD

12/13/2017

We take tremendous pride in our students’ successes in Leander ISD. This fall, LISD students claimed remarkable accomplishments in arts and athletics programs, but I would like to take a moment to also recognize our academic programs and high-achieving students for their successes in the classroom.

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LISD students, community exemplify service to others

12/06/2017

Public schools thrive in caring communities like Leander ISD. More than 12,000 parents and community members commit thousands of service hours to our schools each year.

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Leander ISD: District of Champions

11/22/2017

Leander ISD students shine on the biggest stages. Our philosophy in educating the whole child includes robust fine arts and athletics programs that excel in competitions throughout the state.

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Leander ISD partners with municipalities, agencies for infrastructure and safety

11/15/2017

Roads, public safety and infrastructure require healthy relationships among public entities to ensure our families and business communities get the best value for their tax dollars.

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Leander ISD Moves Forward After Voters Approve $454.4 Million Bond

11/08/2017

Leander ISD celebrated Veterans Day last week by welcoming America’s heroes to events, performances and learning engagements. It is important for our students to learn about the sacrifices our nation’s veterans have made to serve this country.

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Serving the Whole Child

11/01/2017

Our Leander ISD team welcomes around 1,000 new students every year. While we are committed to managing this growth – most notably with our 2017 bond proposal that’s on the ballot this month – we remain focused on the individual needs of each student.

Read More About Serving the Whole Child

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Looking back at the 2007 Leander ISD Bond

10/25/2017

With early voting started for the Leander ISD bond proposition addressing growth, safety, and facility improvements, it is an excellent time to reflect on the history of the last bond program, approved by voters in 2007.

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Readying Students for the Future through Career & Technical Education

10/18/2017

“Leading to a Bright Future” is more than a tagline for us in Leander ISD; it is the underpinning of everything we are working toward. Our goal is to prepare students to graduate equipped with all the skills, tools and knowledge to succeed on whatever path they choose.

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Funding New Classroom Projects, Bringing Community Together with LEEF

10/11/2017

In September, Board members of the Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation visited several campuses throughout the district to surprise 11 teachers with classroom grants totaling more than $8,000.

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Celebrating Award-Winning Band Program with Festival of Bands

10/04/2017

Last Monday, I joined hundreds of parents, district staff and community members from across Leander ISD who gathered once again at Bible Stadium in Leander to enjoy the Festival of Bands. All six of our high school bands performed their marching shows, as well as concert performances from our middle school bands.

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Saving Taxpayer Money with Energy-Efficient Schools

09/27/2017

With temperatures still in the mid-90s and the air conditioner running all day, it hardly feels like fall. As we work to operate efficiently and maximize resources for instruction, Leander ISD proactively monitors and invests in its facilities to provide functional learning environments and responsibly manage taxpayer dollars.

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Giving Seniors an Inside Look with LISD Gold Tour

09/20/2017

We are fortunate, in Leander ISD, to live in a community where residents love where they live. Many locals have enjoyed raising children who attended LISD schools and now enjoy retired life in the same home or neighborhood where they have resided for decades.

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New Laws Impacting LISD, Texas Public Education

09/13/2017

Tracking the hustle and bustle of state legislation can be difficult for even the most involved spectators. Now that the 85th Legislative and subsequent special session concluded late last month, I would like to highlight a few of the bills passed this year that impact Leander ISD.

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Fantastic First Day of School in LISD

09/06/2017

What an exciting day for us in Leander ISD! The first day of school is one of my favorite days of the year as our schools once again fill with bright, shining faces and the hum of excitement spreads through each classroom.

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Kicking off the Year with Professional Learning Communities Summit

08/30/2017

Welcome back to what promises to be another outstanding school year in Leander ISD! While 2017-18 may be off to a soggy start, our educators are rearing to go after preparing the past several weeks and months for the year ahead.

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LISD Board Calls for November Bond Election

08/23/2017

After seven months of research, surveying and carefully considering all options to address Leander ISD’s continued student growth, our Board of Trustees last week voted unanimously to call for a bond election.

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Preparing Students, Families for Success with Backpack Attack

08/16/2017

One of my first impressions when I joined Leander ISD last fall was the level of support our students receive by our entire community. I am so proud to see how full the stands are at every game, match and event — by parents and community members alike.

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Innovative School Construction Fosters Student Learning, Teacher Collaboration

08/09/2017

Community members and parents who have not entered a school since they were students have the same reaction when visiting a Leander ISD campus: these schools look completely different than what I grew up with! Even in the past 10 years, advances in technology, educational research and behavioral science have made great strides in the way we educate today’s students.

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Bond Survey Team Reports Findings to Board

08/02/2017

Temperatures settling into the triple-digits means August has arrived and we have entered the last lap of summer. August also marks the end of our bond exploratory phase, after which the Board of Trustees may vote on whether to move forward with an election.

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Leander ISD Focused on Student Instruction, Teachers with Budget Planning

07/26/2017

The Leander ISD Business and Finance Department, in cooperation with campus and district staff, work with our locally elected Board of Trustees for several months to craft an annual budget to serve our more than 39,000 students. While the Board’s vote to approve the budget will not occur until their Aug. 17 meeting, our trustees approved a few components during the process.

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LISD Students Outpacing Peers on Academics, Extracurriculars

07/19/2017

While some school districts throughout our great state take tremendous pride in having just one state-ranked program, ranging from robotics, to baseball, band or agriculture, Leander ISD features many examples of students achieving at the highest levels.

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LISD Busy Preparing for 2017-18 School Year

07/12/2017

Summertime for school districts often reminds me of an ant hill. From the outside, everything appears calm with empty parking lots, still playgrounds and quiet fields. However, behind the scenes, there is a scurry of activity. June, July and August in Leander ISD provide our administrators, teachers and staff with a critical time to prepare for the coming school year.

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Bond Committee Presentation to Board of Trustees

07/05/2017

During the June 15 Board meeting, the co-chairs of the Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) presented its recommendations to the Leander ISD Board of Trustees.

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Staying Safe, Productive this Summer

06/28/2017

With a few weeks of summer already checked off the calendar, I wanted to take a moment to discuss a few items that will help our students and families stay safe and productive this summer.

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Innovating LISD’s PreK Program

06/21/2017

In Leander ISD, our priority is to provide the highest quality education to every student — from our

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Summer Meal Program Feeds Local Students

06/14/2017

Childhood hunger is a critically important issue for communities throughout the country. While most Americans cannot imagine living regularly without three

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Navigating the Path to Graduation

06/07/2017

Last week, I wrote about several of the different graduation celebrations in Leander ISD — from our youngest learners graduating into kindergarten through Parents as Teacher

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Congratulations, Class of 2017

05/31/2017

It is the culmination of years of hard work. It is the product of countless reports, exams, track and field days, art projects, school dances

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Curriculum Management Audit to Improve Student Learning

05/24/2017

Curriculum Management Audit to Improve Student Learning May 24 2017 - 11:34:00 am At the center of our district’s Learning Model, one of our Guiding Documents that directs all we do in LISD, is

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Financial Leadership LISD

05/17/2017

I would also like to thank our business partners who have made the program

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Bond Advisory Committee Update, Community Input

05/10/2017

We are now entering the final weeks of school and, as they do every year, calendars

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Maintaining Careful Financial Stewardship

04/26/2017

With tax season still in the rearview mirror for most of us, and

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Growing a Love of Reading, Preventing Summer Slide

04/19/2017

A few years ago, researchers completed a study analyzing 20 years of data from 27 nations, looking for a common thread among students

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Next Steps in Exploring a Bond Election

04/12/2017

In Leander ISD, we work hard to keep transparency and open communication with our community. In like manner, I want to do

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Building Communities through Two-Way Dual Language

04/05/2017

Three years ago, when LISD opened Reed Elementary, we were excited to adopt a new bilingual program called two-way Dual Language

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Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration Welcomes our Littlest Learners

03/29/2017

While some of our students have begun counting the days until the end of the school year, our youngest learners and their parents

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Considering a Bond Election

03/22/2017

In January, the LISD Board of Trustees formed the 2017 Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) to study the district’s present and future facility, technology

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Balancing Class Size Ratios

03/15/2017

It is an exciting prospect, as a destination district, to watch our schools and communities fill with outstanding new young people.

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The State of Leander ISD

03/08/2017

On Feb. 17, I had the privilege of meeting with more than 200 of our local business and community leaders, elected officials, parents, principals

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Growing Pains, Traffic Challenges

03/05/2017

We are a fortunate community to enjoy such strong economic conditions, a thriving

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A Closer Look at “Districts of Innovation”

03/01/2017

Last week, I wrote about the process and considerations we undertake when setting our annual district calendar. Our Board of Trustees and administration faced a number of obstacles in setting the 2017-18 calendar, including the mandated start of school date, which proved a major road block.

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A Closer Look at the 2017-18 Calendar

02/21/2017

Developing the district calendar each year may seem like a formulaic procedure that only requires shifting school days around standing holidays. However, in practice, it is a lengthy and involved process. Our goal is to create a calendar that prioritizes student learning and success, while also

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Giving Back to Those Who Give Back

02/15/2017

Visit any of our campuses on any given day, and you will find a team of dedicated volunteers—parents, grandparents, retired teachers and community members — working on a variety of tasks throughout the school. You will find them helping in the front office, the classroom and the teacher workroom;

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Continuous Improvement Together

02/08/2017

Last week, I wrote about many of our seniors spending their first days in February participating in COOL (Career Opportunities on Location) Week, partnering with area businesses, government agencies and organizations to do a mini-internship. This week, I would like to share what our nearly 5,000 employees will be doing during that time.

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Getting Career-Ready with COOL Week

02/01/2017

Next Monday, while most LISD students are sleeping in and enjoying a school holiday, hundreds of our 12th-graders will be punching the clock at their new workplace for the week.

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LISD PALS Students Help Promote Culture of Kindness, Inclusiveness

01/25/2017

Here in LISD, we have a clearly defined set of Guiding Documents that form the foundation of our goals and our purpose as a district. Among these documents are principles, behaviors and traits that form a visible trend.

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Naming our Newest Elementary School

01/18/2017

Our 26th and newest elementary school, located in the northeast portion of our district between Parkside and Reagan Elementary Schools, is slated to open in the fall of this year. One of the most exciting tasks we are given in building a new school is to select its name.

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Recognizing our ‘All-Star’ School Board

01/11/2017

Each January, we join communities across the state of Texas to thank those who have volunteered to serve as advocates for our children and public schools.

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Ethical Student Behaviors in Action

01/04/2017

The tangible culture felt in every school throughout Leander ISD is largely a result of our Guiding Documents, several documents developed through much research and stakeholder input that help steer our district and give us goals to achieve.

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4 Ways to Make the Most of Winter Break

12/28/2016

While the winter break provides a much-needed rest for students, an opportunity to spend time with family and celebrate the holidays, it can also cause the undoing of many good habits our students have built up over the school year.

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Reflecting on an Outstanding Semester

12/21/2016

We, in Leander ISD, are extremely fortunate to be considered a “district of choice” for many of our parents and local business leaders, meaning they sought out a home within our boundaries because they want to be a part of our community.

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Partnering with School Resource Officers to Keep our Schools Safe

12/14/2016

Our belief in Leander ISD is that every student should be encouraged, supported and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills and character.

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Finding New Strengths with Career and Technical Education

12/07/2016

In our most recent issue of The Compass, our co-publication with Hill Country News, you may have read about recent Cedar Park High School graduate Charlie Hoppe, who won first place in the state Future Farmers of America (FFA) competition in extemporaneous speaking last year.

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LISD’s Priorities for 85th Legislative Session

12/01/2016

While many of us have been focused on the recent national election, our attention will soon turn back to Austin as our state legislature prepares once again to reconvene this January.

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Creating Opportunity in a Digital World Through mLISD

11/23/2016

Part of our vision for students in the LISD Graduate Profile is that they are “well-prepared to enrich our world and excel in a global society” and that “each student is challenged, encouraged and supported to achieve the highest level of knowledge, skills and character” in a digital world.

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Opening the Doors to our Schools, Culture

11/16/2016

One of the first things I noticed when I came to Leander ISD is the same thing many students, parents, educators and community members comment on about our district:

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Demographic Report Provides Glimpse into District, Community Growth

11/09/2016

Spending my first two months in LISD visiting campuses, attending community events and meeting with staff, parents and business leaders has been invaluable in helping me to learn about our community.

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LISD Schools Embrace Red Ribbon Week, Supporting Healthy Lives

11/02/2016

Visitors to our district last week may have noticed that the students, staff and schools took on a much more festive look than usual.

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Students Reminded to Plan for the Future

10/26/2016

During my first weeks in Leander ISD, I have seen numerous examples of the district’s commitment to see that all students are ready for the challenges of post-secondary education or the workforce after graduation.

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District’s Cost-Saving Construction Decisions Pay Off

10/19/2016

I have devoted a number of columns to Leander ISD’s campuses, amenities and stadiums in recent weeks because I want the community to understand that our students are able to learn and to grow in enriching environments.

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LISD Stadiums Provide Students with Level Playing Fields

10/13/2016

During my first few weeks on the job, one question that has been posed to me a number of times is regarding the district’s stadiums.

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School Facilities Reflect Curriculum Approach

10/06/2016

Last week, my column focused on how Leander ISD is in the enviable position to be able to offer students the high-quality learning environments that our community has come to expect.

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LISD Facilities are Second to None

09/29/2016

Prior to coming to Leander ISD, I served in an urban district, large suburban districts and in a smaller, more rural district.

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Great People Shape Leander ISD

09/22/2016

It has been a pleasure for me to have met so many incredible people during my first few weeks in Leander ISD.

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Everyone Has a Place to Belong in LISD

09/15/2016

One of my key priorities during my first weeks as superintendent of schools is to visit every campus in the district.

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LISD Community Makes Lasting Impression

09/07/2016

During my first few days as superintendent, I have been impressed by the Leander ISD community. Stakeholders within the district really know how to pour their support into our students and our schools.

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Hello, Leander ISD!

09/02/2016

It is with great pleasure and sincere humility that I offer warm greetings to the students, parents, teachers and staff, and community members of Leander ISD!

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