By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Leander ISD is facing a projected $34.4 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year and some are concerned that this could mean school closures, like was considered two years ago in April 2023.

On April 14, a petition was created by Leander ISD Parents on Change.org entitled “Build the Future Without Destroying the Present”. As of April 24, the petition gathered more than 1,100 verified signatures. Organizers did not return our request for comment by press deadline.

The petition states: “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.”

But Crestina Hardie, LISD chief communications officer, clarified some details that are incorrect.

“We understand there may be some confusion about what was suggested during the March 13 board meeting. However, by the end of that meeting, the board provided clear direction on how to address the budget deficit. That guidance allowed district administration to identify specific reductions. At the subsequent meeting on March 27, the board approved budget parameters that did not include closing any schools for 25-26 school year. No schools will be repurposed for the 2025-26 school year.”

When asked which schools are being looked at and considered for possible closure after next school year, Hardie said no decisions have been made yet.  “During the January 9, 2025 board meeting, District administration and members of the Long-Range Planning Committee provided an update, including work on facility optimization. They outlined a process for exploring ideas about how to best utilize space in some under-enrolled schools and demonstrated a tool designed to support that analysis. While a variety of scenarios were presented for illustrative purposes, no schools have been formally evaluated, and no decisions have been made.”