Latest news with #LeanderISD
CBS News
2 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.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
New laws in Texas are reshaping student life: Here's how it will impact the new school year
Leander ISD outlines how HB 1481 will impact Texas students in 2025. (AI Image) As students across Texas prepare for the 2025–2026 academic year, a newly enacted state law is set to significantly change daily school routines. House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th Legislative Session, prohibits the use of personal communication devices by all students in public schools during the school day. This law affects over 5.4 million students from kindergarten through 12th grade across Texas public schools, including those in Leander Independent School District (Leander ISD). The district has confirmed that schools are now required to adopt and enforce policies that align with the law, as reported by the Leander ISD. Device ban to be enforced from first bell to last bell According to Leander ISD, students may not use personal devices—including mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, or any electronic communication device—during the school day, defined as the period from the first bell to the last bell. This includes lunch breaks and passing periods. The law mandates that all such devices must be turned off, out of sight, and stored securely, either in lockers, designated pouches, or backpacks. Leander ISD has stated that the purpose of the ban is to eliminate distractions, support student engagement, and improve the learning environment. Students will still be permitted to use devices before and after school hours, including on school buses or during extracurricular activities held after the final bell. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Exceptions permitted under specific conditions The law does provide exceptions in limited circumstances. As outlined by Leander ISD, device use will be allowed if it is part of a student's Individualised Education Programme (IEP) or Section 504 accommodation. Medical exceptions also apply if a licensed physician certifies the device is necessary for the student's health needs. Additionally, usage will be allowed if required by health or safety laws. Response to violations and disciplinary measures Leander ISD confirmed that its policy will involve progressive disciplinary steps for violations. A student found using a prohibited device will first receive a verbal or written warning. Continued violations will lead to parental notification. Repeated breaches may result in confiscation of the device, which will only be returned to a parent or guardian. Leander ISD has stated that if a device is not retrieved within 90 calendar days following notification, the school may dispose of it. Further violations could result in students losing the privilege of bringing a personal communication device to school altogether and may lead to disciplinary action under the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct. Use of personal laptops and other devices Personal laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets without SIM cards (cellular capability) are permitted if connected to the Leander ISD WiFi network. However, devices with telecommunication capabilities are banned. Device usage not permitted for specific activities Students may not use phones in the nurse's office, even to update parents about their condition. The school nurse will contact families directly, according to Leander ISD. Recording, photographing, or videoing using personal devices is also not permitted. For class projects requiring media, teachers will provide approved alternatives. Additionally, students cannot use devices to check apps such as Leander ISD Connect (ParentSquare) during the school day. Personal messaging on district devices is also disallowed. According to Leander ISD, communication with parents during school hours must be routed through school staff or the front office. Handling emergencies and unexpected situations Students may use personal communication devices only in emergencies where staff are not accessible. In such cases, Leander ISD stated that the circumstances would be evaluated with discretion. If a student forgets their phone in a pocket but it remains powered off and out of sight, it will not be treated as a violation. However, if the device is visible, used, or makes noise, it will be confiscated. Changes to extend beyond mobile phone use Leander ISD has clarified that smartwatches with communication features are also included in the ban. Only traditional time-telling watches are permitted. Phones must also remain stored during restroom breaks. Students cannot retrieve their phones to notify parents about forgotten items or early appointments. The front office will handle such communications. Broader legislative context and future updates House Bill 1481 is one of 107 new laws from the 89th Legislative Session expected to influence various aspects of Texas public education, including curriculum, safety, discipline, district finances, and daily operations. Leander ISD is prioritising communication on these changes and encourages families to stay informed by reviewing district updates, following official channels, and visiting the Leander ISD website. Further updates will be provided as additional laws take effect. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
How 'Direct Primary Care' Works For Patients, Providers, And Payers
The number of Direct Primary Care practices has grown from about 500 in 2015 to more than 1,400 today. getty In my endless quest for delivery models that provide patients with easy access to high-quality and affordable primary care, I am driving through the Austin, TX suburb of Leander looking for a clinic operated by Frontier Direct Care. The first thing I notice is that it's very hard to find. Waze directs me to its address in a small strip center, but my destination appears to be occupied by a bar & grill. I nervously call Frontier's founder and CEO, Bibb Beale, who has agreed to meet me there and show me around. Fortunately, he picks up and assures me that the clinic is there, just behind the bar & grill. Checking again, I find the inconspicuous clinic, which has no external signage. It says 'Frontier Direct Care' in small letters on one of the double-entry doors and 'Leander ISD' on the other. The second remarkable thing I notice, walking in, is that there is no receptionist and no patients in the attractive but very quiet waiting room. Bibb explains that the reason for this is that the clinic is entirely dedicated to Leander Independent School District (ISD) employees (thus there is no need for it to be in a more visible retail location), and that approximately 13% of the 6,400 employees covered by their health plans have opted for this health benefit thus far—even though the clinic only opened a few months ago. Beale says that the clinic has eight physicians and advanced practice providers, so each provider would have a maximum of 800 patients in their panel (about 100 today) if all of Leander ISD's covered employees enrolled. Compare this to 1,500-2,500 patients in most traditional primary care practice panels. Frontier patients make in-person appointments online (they also initiate virtual appointments), and their dedicated provider meets them when they arrive, so no receptionist is required. 'How is it possible to provide this level of white glove care?' I ask. He tells me that it is because they don't take insurance or the related cost of processing claims, which are estimated to consume 10-15% of all healthcare-related expenses. Instead, they contract directly with Leander ISD (and other employers, and in other markets), which pays them a monthly per-employee fee to provide essentially unlimited primary care services to their employees who don't have to worry about deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs. The result is that patient satisfaction is very high (94 Net Promoter Score); providers like it because they have small patient panels, can spend more time with their patients, and don't have to spend any time on insurance-related administrative tasks (making it easy to recruit and retain, which is a huge benefit given widespread healthcare staffing challenges); and Leander ISD likes it because they have satisfied employees who are getting better and less expensive healthcare. This is the still-young but rapidly growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. It is different from also fast-growing 'Concierge' practices, in which providers shrink their patient panels and charge annual fees for preferential access but still largely depend on insurance reimbursements. The number of DPC practices has grown from about 500 in 2015 to more than 1,400 today, and annual membership growth—including both individual and employer-sponsored memberships—is estimated to be 30-40%. According to a 2024 study by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), about 9% of their members are practicing in a DPC today. 84 percent of DPC practices don't accept any form of insurance; monthly membership fees average $50-$100 for individuals and $100 or more for families; and two-thirds of DPC practices participate in employer-based contracts (while Frontier's Leander clinic is dedicated to a single client, they and other DPC providers frequently have multiple clients' employees sharing a clinic). 98 percent of the AAFP study physician respondents said they felt that the quality of care provided to patients was better in a DPC clinic than in conventional practices, and overwhelming numbers of the respondents felt that practicing in a DPC clinic improved professional and personal satisfaction (97%), their ability to practice medicine (94%), and their patient relationships (94%). The value proposition for employees, patients, and providers is not hard to understand, but how does DPC save money for employers in an era when employee benefit costs have been rising at a 5-6% rate and frequently are the fastest-growing line items in employer budgets? First, because DPC provides comprehensive primary care (the absence of which has been shown to be a key driver of healthcare costs) with a focus on preventive care, which frequently is not a priority for providers who accept insurance because insurance generally does not reimburse adequately for it. In any case, many providers don't have time to deliver preventive care because they are running so hard with large patient panels to maximize visit volume in order to be financially viable. In addition, since patients being treated in DPC practices don't have to worry about deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance, they are less likely to delay or skip important visits related to chronic conditions and other health issues that can turn into serious and expensive medical problems if not caught early and managed effectively. Research also shows that DPC patients are less likely to use more expensive forms of care, including ERs and specialists. Furthermore, the healthier employees that DPC enables through regular care from a dedicated and unhurried provider are more likely to be productive (increased presenteeism) and less likely to skip work (reduced absenteeism). Their ability to make appointments with little or no waiting increases productivity by reducing time away from worksites. Finally, offering DPC can be a differentiator in a tight labor market, and satisfied employees are less likely to leave their employers, reducing costly turnover. Employees who elect DPC for their primary care frequently couple it with High-Deductible Health Plans and other forms of insurance, so they are covered in case they need more complex care and/or high-cost drugs. However, some DPC providers—including Frontier—also help patients and their employers in these areas . Many DPC providers negotiate directly with prescription drug manufacturers and wholesalers, or work with Amazon Pharmacy, Good Rx, and other third parties to give their patients access to generic and other common medications at prices that are significantly less than what they would pay at retail pharmacies. Generic antibiotics and steroids, for example, sometimes cost DPC patients $5.00, or even less, and are dispensed at their clinics or shipped directly to their homes. DPC providers also negotiate discounted rates with local pharmacies, labs, and imaging centers as part of bundled service agreements. In addition, Frontier and other DPC providers also negotiate cash discounts for high-cost specialty drugs, specialist care, and hospital-based acute care. If these prices are less than what their employer clients would otherwise expect to pay through a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) or insurance company-operated Third-Party Administrator (TPA), clients reimburse their DPC partners outside of monthly fee arrangements, including small mark-ups. This is yet another way DPC providers help employers save money while providing access to high-quality care for their employees. It was hard to find Frontier's Direct Primary Care clinic, but I'm glad I did. No single healthcare delivery model works for everyone, but increasing access to primary care is critical to improving population health and reducing costs, and it's hard to find models that work for patients, providers, and payers. Direct Primary Care qualifies in this regard, and it deserves an increasingly prominent role in our nation's healthcare delivery system.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vandegrift student recognized by the governor for her volunteer work
The Brief Vandegrift High School junior recognized by Governor Greg Abbott for volunteer work Shreya Poladia turned her passion for art into an opportunity to help support people with special needs LEANDER, Texas - A Leander ISD student is being recognized by Governor Greg Abbott for her many years of volunteer work. The backstory Vandegrift High School junior Shreya Poladia decided to turn her passion for art into an opportunity to raise funds that will support people with special needs. "Each painting takes around two to three hours. So, I make around 80 to 90 paintings for each art show," says Poladia. The Poladia siblings share a special bond through art. While many siblings tend to have a bickering type of relationship, the Poladia's enjoy painting together. At a young age, Shreya knew she wanted to make a difference and make a social impact. She started an art for a cause non-profit called Shreya's Atelier Art for a Cause where she raises funds to donate back to organizations that support people with special needs "My brother has down syndrome and autism. He's had this since he was like a little kid," says Poladia. "It's inspired by my brother, Raj. I started it back in 2020 because he was having some medical issues along with the pandemic. He was struggling with that a little bit. And as a way to help deal with the stress, I started painting and doing art," says Poladia. Shreya hosts art shows in the spring inviting people to buy her artwork. In the past year she was able to raise over $5,000 towards the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas. "I think it opened a dialog more for like there's like a lot of ignorance about disability and so I think it really helped people understand what Down Syndrome is or what is Autism. And I think she tried her best way to talk to people about it," says Deepali Poladia, Shreya's mother. For Shreya, autism awareness isn't just something she focuses on for one month. It's year round. "The fight for autism goes far beyond legislation. It calls for social acceptance, compassion, and proactive responsibility in removing variables to create spaces where people feel safe and comfortable to talk, in general," says Poladia. Her work hasn't gone unnoticed. Shreya was recognized as a recipient of the 41st Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards. The awards celebrate the service and dedication of exceptional individuals, groups and organizations that have significantly impacted Texas communities through volunteering over the past year. "I'm really happy and I'm really proud of myself for getting the award. And I'd love to continue raising awareness for people with disabilities," says Poladia. What you can do To learn more about Shreya's non-profit you can click here. The Source Information from interview with Shreya Poladia.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Leander PD working ‘possible attempted child abduction', suspect at large
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Leander Police Department said it was working a 'possible attempted child abduction' Wednesday. The suspect is still at large, a post from the police department said. The incident happened at 3000 N. Lakeline Blvd. at an apartment complex, the police department said in a post. There may be police presence in the area. Police are looking for a white male, roughly 5'9″, thin build, short curly hair or bald. Police say he was described as wearing light colored shorts, a black shirt and no shoes. The man reportedly fled on foot from the apartment complex heading southbound. Police say that suspect is still at large as of their post this morning. 'No weapons were involved. The 4-year old child is safe and was not injured during this incident. Police are still actively looking for this suspect and we have a large police presence in the area, including drones and K-9. We are working closely with Leander ISD to ensure the safety of all students and staff in the area,' the police department posted. The Leander Police Department is asking you to call 512-528-2800 if you see someone matching the description of the suspect. You are asked not to approach or confront the suspect. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
