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CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Leander ISD bus rolls over on 1st day of school, injuring multiple students
A school bus carrying 42 students on Wednesday rolled over after veering off a rural road in Travis County, Texas on the first day of class, injuring multiple students, authorities said. It happened around 3:15 the 22300 block of Nameless Road, according to the Texas Highway Patrol. The bus for Leander Independent School District was carrying primarily elementary school students, Superintendent Bruce Gearing said. The crash happened shortly after school let out, and no students had been dropped off yet. At least one person had life-threatening injuries, while two others had "potentially life-threatening injuries," Assistant Chief Kevin Parker, with Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, said during a news conference. The bus was traveling on a rural stretch of two-lane road when it veered off the right side "for an unknown reason" and rolled over, according to Department of Public Safety Sgt. Billy Ray. He later said in a statement Wednesday night that it was raining when the crash happened and "it is unclear if weather had a factor." The crash is being investigated. Video footage of the scene showed the yellow school bus lying on its side next to the road with its roof damaged and several windows broken. School and emergency officials said the bus had 42 children, and the driver, along with 15 students, were transported to hospitals. Officials did not say if the person with life-threatening injuries was a student or the driver. The bus is a 2024 model and is equipped with state-mandated seat belts that the children are required to wear, Gearing said. "We want each of those students and their families to know that our prayers are with them, our thoughts are with them and we will do everything that we can in our power to support them," he said.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leander ISD students upset with leadership for cutting programs due to budget deficit
The Brief Leander ISD held a special board meeting to give updates on impacts due to budget cuts Several students spoke on their frustrations with leaderships due to cutting programs The district announced it would cut more than 200 positions in an effort to overcome a $34M budget deficit LEANDER, Texas - In Thursday's special board meeting, Leander ISD gave updates on the potential impacts of budget cuts on the district's operations. This comes two weeks after the district announced cutting more than 200 positions district-wide in efforts to overcome a $34-million budget deficit. Lack of funding has put school districts like Leander ISD in a difficult position where they have to cut hundreds of positions and programs. RELATED COVERAGE: Concern grows after Leander ISD announces job cuts and school vouchers move past Senate Leander ISD looking to cut teacher, admin positions to make up budget deficit Local perspective The Leander ISD Board of Trustees reviewed its teacher salaries, made recommendations, and discussed budget projections for the year. "We really want to have as much open conversation as we can tonight about the situation we find ourselves in and how we're going to progress through the rest of this budget process," said Superintendent Bruce Gearing. Twenty public speakers attended the meeting, and a majority of them were students in the district. Every single speaker expressed their anger and emotion at the district's decision to cut the International Baccalaureate, or IB program, like Vandegrift sophomore, Sasha Peeters. Some even threatened to leave the district as a result. "Students needs must be your top priority and if that cannot be offered your claims of intention are distorted, IB may be the first, but I don't believe it'll be the last fight for us the students, our voices, thoughts and opportunities," said Peeters. The backstory This all comes as Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing says the state has not increased the basic allotment per student since 2019, despite inflation. "I just think it's wrong that they are withholding the money from the public schools, and I believe that they should give the money that is owed to the public schools from the governor," said Leander ISD parent, Saba Hernandez. The district has seen a reduced enrollment projection, which will ultimately bring the district less revenue than previously anticipated and will also result in a reduction in staffing positions. The next school year, the district will cut more than 200 positions. "We get funded by average daily attendance, so any student that chooses not to attend school in Leander ISD means that we get less state funding," said Gearing. Leander ISD'S decision to cut teachers, counselors and administrative roles comes as it tries to overcome a $34 million budget deficit. "All the teachers and people who have to lose their jobs, it's really unfortunate because they are here for the kids," said Hernandez. Leander ISD has its final budget approval in June. What we know On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 26, aimed at improving teacher pay and retention. The bill would grant teachers in districts like Leander a pay raise that would start at $2,500 and increase to $5,500 for teachers with experience. "This is a permanent commitment in the state budget to elevate the teaching profession in Texas and to raise their salaries," said Senator Creighton. The Source Information from Leander ISD school board meeting, Texas Legislative Session, and previous coverage
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vandegrift High School students stage walkout after Leander ISD budget cuts eliminate IB program
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of students walked out of Vandegrift High School on Thursday morning holding signs that read things like, 'empower students, empower the future,' and 'our education is our future, not a budget line,' while chanting messages they want school district leaders to hear. Earlier this month, Leander Independent School District Superintendent Bruce Gearing announced budget cuts equating to nearly $17 million as the district faces a higher-than-approved deficit in its budget this school year. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Facing deficit, Leander ISD announces teacher cuts The cuts included eliminating the district's use of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students at Vandegrift held the walkout to express their frustration with the decision to end the program, saying Leander ISD is prioritizing buying property and building new schools over investing in the students already within the district, and that the district did not speak with anyone who's part of the program before making the decision. Voters in May of 2023 passed an almost $763 million bond package aimed at upgrades to campus security measures, renovations to school facilities and technology improvements. KXAN has reached out to Leander ISD to ask for a response to Thursday morning's walkout at Vandegrift. We will update this story if we receive a response. Gearing said in an early-February press release the reason for the cuts boiled down to a lack of increased school funding from the state since 2019, despite rising operational costs and high inflation rates. The state also cut Leander ISD's funding for instructional material, limiting resources for textbooks and classroom materials, per the release. The change led the district to use a 'reduced growth' enrollment projection, leading to less revenue than anticipated and a reduction in staffing positions, according to the district. Gearing said in the release that leaders 'solicited feedback for insight and ideas to reduce expenditures and increase revenue,' during meetings with district and campus leadership teams. You can read more about the budget cuts in KXAN's previous coverage. Many of the students who participated in the walkout were sophomores who were set to begin the IB program next school year. They said around 100 students — including those from other programs, like football, robotics and theatre — participated in the demonstration to show support. The students said the argument the district provided for deciding to cut IB was that Advanced Placement, or AP, classes offer the same opportunities, but students disagree. 'IB allows us to truly push past what we already know and think not only on a local scale but a global level,' sophomore Sasha told KXAN Thursday morning. IB is a prestigious, internationally recognized program. Leander ISD's website said that students in both IB and AP classes are exposed to college-level curriculum and may earn college credits through the classes. However, the programs differ. 'The IB DP and AP are different in that IB is a whole-curricular program that encompasses six different subject areas as well as a theory of knowledge course, an extended essay, and a creativity, activity, service component. AP is course-specific, each course is independent of any other AP course offered, and AP courses are offered at all LISD high schools,' the LISD website states. Vandegrift and Leander High School were the only high schools in the district to offer the IB programs. Sophomore Kevin told KXAN he transferred from Cedar Park High School to be part of the program, leaving behind peers he's come to know over the last 10 years of his education. He said the program is 'awesome' and it's beneficial not only for the students involved in it, but also the whole school as well as the district, because it improves overall education and boosts enrollment rates. 'When it was removed, I couldn't believe it, I was in shock. We created a group chat to fight for what was right,' Kevin said. 'It is unfair that they can decide in a split second that they can remove what we've worked so hard to fight for.' Serena, a sophomore who moved to Texas from Canada last year, said she's been planning to participate in IB for six years now. She said she aspires to be a genetic engineer, and the program would have helped her get ahead before getting to college, now she's rethinking her plans. 'We got five days to redo our four-year plans, which was upsetting because we've been planning for so long,' Serena said. 'The day the message came out, I was furious,' Sasha told KXAN. 'I didn't understand why, there was no compromise.' Students plan to attend the board meeting Thursday evening and are posting on social media about the program. The message Sasha wants Leander ISD leaders to hear: 'Believe that we are enough and that we deserve the opportunities we get. Removing programs, specifically IB, isn't removing just money, it's removing students' opportunities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leander ISD looking to cut teacher, admin positions to make up budget deficit
The Brief Leander ISD is looking to cut staff, including about 150 teachers, in an effort to address a budget deficit. LISD says it is facing a projected $34.4 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year. LISD attributes the deficit to inflation, loss of federal and state funding, and slowed growth. LEANDER, Texas - Leander ISD has announced plans to cut staff, including teachers, in an effort to address its 2025-26 budget deficit. Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing announced the changes in a letter to staff released on Wednesday. By the numbers Leander ISD says that the district is facing a projected $34.4 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year –a $21-million deficit above the board-approved deficit parameter. The district says that it is experiencing a 22% rise in inflation like many other school districts and Texas families, as well as seeing funding cut for instructional materials, limiting resources for textbooks and classroom materials. The district is also expecting to lose $1.5 million in Title I funds, which support academic resources for low-income students, and $1.5 million from the Medicaid reimbursement program called SHARS (Student Health and Related Services), which covers costs related to therapy support for students with disabilities. Leander ISD also says that the district's growth has slowed, which has prompted it to use a "reduced growth" enrollment projection. The district believes that with the announced cuts, it will be able to cut the budget gap to around $17 million, just $4 million above the board-approved deficit parameter. The district announced on Wednesday that it is planning for a reduction of approximately $3 million (6%) at the central office level and approximately $12.8 million (5.8%) at the campus level. Leander ISD says that 87% of its budget is dedicated to "human capacity", making changes without impacting staffing difficult. Principals across the district received modifications to their staffing allocations for 2025-26. By the numbers Leander ISD broke down the staffing modifications for elementary, middle and high schools. Leander ISD currently has 30 elementary schools, nine middle schools, six high schools and three alternative campuses. The modifications listed below are districtwide, not by campus. At the elementary school level, Leander ISD says it plans to cut: 13.5 library instructional aides 31 teachers 1 Dual Language teacher 8 instructional aides 1 Dual Language instructional aide 3 assistant principals 1 intervention teacher 1 media/innovation specialist 4 counselors 1 PE instructional aide 2 International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinators 2 Spanish teachers These cuts are expected to save the district $3,784,409. The district will also add five Dual Language teacher positions and one instructional coach. The district also plans to eliminate the IB primary years program. At the middle school level, Leander ISD plans to cut: 6 student success facilitators (repurposing three of them) 6 assistant principals 46.5 teacher positions These cuts are expected to save the district $4,017,562. At the middle school level, Leander ISD plans to cut: 6 administrators 71.5 teacher positions 1 curriculum specialist 1 dean of innovation 1 administrative intern 1 counselor 2 IB coordinators These cuts are expected to save the district $5,698,209. The district plans to add one media specialist, one attendance clerk and one administrative assistant/registrar and eliminate the IB program. Central office positions will also be cut and there will be a reduction in the operating budgets to the tune of $3 million. However, the exact nature of those cuts was not outlined as of Wednesday. Leander ISD says in addition to reducing staff, it will also be eliminating its Empowerment Fund, a $2 million grant program available to staff to drive initiatives that support deeper learning. What's next The district says that principals and campus leaders are working with area superintendents and human resources personnel to implement these adjustments "thoughtfully and supportively". What you can do The district says it will be hosting webinars for families to gain that clarity, ask questions, and express concerns. District families are invited to attend the following virtual listening sessions: Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. Superintendent Gearing also encouraged families to contact their state senators and representatives. "As a final thought, I would like to express that we did not get into this position overnight. There has been a systematic and prolonged effort by some to undermine public education in Texas. The State Legislature left $4.5 billion that was appropriated for public education unused last session. They are meeting again right now to decide how to spend the appropriations they have available to them in the current session. Draft House and Senate base budgets show revenue flowing to only some educators," said Gearing at the end of the announcement. The backstory In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed HB 3 and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law. HB 3 was expected to pump billions of new dollars into schools, expanding pre-K and special needs programs, beefing up retirement plans and scaling back the controversial Robin Hood formula. Leander ISD says the state has not increased school funding since then, despite rising operational costs. Also, the district says the Legislature left $4.5 billion that was appropriated for public education unused last session. The Legislature also passed another HB 3 in 2023, which required school districts to have an armed security guard, armed police officer, or armed employee on every public school campus in Texas. This one was put forth in response to the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Local perspective Leander ISD is also not the only Texas school district feeling the budget crunch. Districts all across the state say they are dealing with different versions of the same problem: a lack of funding from the state, says 7 On Your Side reporter John Krinjak. Neighboring district Austin ISD is currently operating with a $92 million deficit. The school board is finalizing plans to make that much in cuts over three years. Districts in the Dallas area and Houston are also facing tough decisions and large budget deficits. Dallas ISD is currently dealing with a $152 million deficit. That's about $35 million less than the original $186 million shortfall for this year. But painful cuts were made. Among them, the elimination of hundreds of positions—including cutting 55 assistant principal jobs. Nearby, in Coppell ISD, the board of trustees recently voted to close Pinkerton Elementary. Houston ISD is facing the largest deficit of all this year, about $250 million. That's double the original projected shortfall, after Superintendent Mike Miles said the district would dip into savings to cover things like building maintenance and classroom instruction. All this comes after Houston ISD made major cuts last year. Big picture view Gov. Abbott outlined three education-related emergency items in his State of the State address: increasing teacher pay, expanding career training, and school choice. One of those items, school choice, is being debated by the Texas Senate in the form of SB 2, which would create "education savings accounts" that incentivize pulling students from public school to attend private schools. The bill would create education savings accounts from taxpayer money for families who are interested in private education over public with up to $10,000 per year per student. Students with disabilities could get up to $11,500. The bill would have a lottery system where 80 percent of the funds would be allocated to students who have special needs or are in low-income households. The remaining 20 percent would be open to any student based on lottery selection. The funds could be used to pay for private school tuition, public school costs, tutors and books. The Source Information in this report comes from Leander ISD and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin.
