Leander Parents Protest School Closures Amid Budget Cuts

News Summary

Parents in Leander are voicing strong opposition to the Leander Independent School District’s proposal to close three elementary schools due to budget issues. A town hall was recently held where concerns were raised about the impact on education quality, student well-being, and community engagement. The district is facing a $34 million deficit for the upcoming academic year and suggests various options for cost-saving measures, including school closures or staff reductions. The final decision will be made in October, as the community calls for transparency and better communication from the district.

Leander, Texas – Parents in Leander have rallied against the Leander Independent School District’s (LISD) proposals to close three elementary schools, as concerns about budgetary issues take center stage. The proposed closures were discussed during a town hall meeting held on August 28, 2025, where parents expressed a range of worries regarding the future of their local schools.

The three elementary schools identified for potential closure are Steiner Ranch Elementary, Laura Welch Bush Elementary, and River Ridge Elementary. These schools have been operating below 60% capacity, a fact the district’s Superintendent, Bruce Gearing, cited in connection with chronic underfunding of public education in Texas. The district’s financial challenges are compounded by a projected $34 million deficit for the 2025-26 academic year, with an anticipated $16 million deficit for the following year.

In response to under-enrollment and budgetary pressures, Leander ISD has proposed three different approaches, each aimed at consolidating resources and improving financial stability. The most significant proposal suggests closing Steiner Ranch, Faubion, and Cypress Elementary, which could save approximately $4.1 million. Alternatively, the district could retain all three schools but reduce staffing levels, resulting in potential savings of $1.7 million. There is also a mixed approach in which Steiner Ranch and Faubion would close, while Cypress and Naumann Elementaries would maintain reduced staffing—this could save around $3.5 million.

Parents attending the town hall expressed concern that the closures are being rushed and seem reactionary to the district’s budgetary problems. Many pointed out that the schools in question hold A ratings from the Texas Education Agency, making the justification for closure questionable. Parents like Kaycee Parker, a PTA president, urged for a more measured assessment of the situation rather than hasty decisions that would disrupt the local educational landscape.

Additional concerns were raised about the impending effect on teacher-student ratios, traffic congestion in the community, and the overall emotional well-being of students. Children like Ella and Connor Parker shared their sadness about the potential closure of their beloved schools, highlighting the significant emotional toll the decision might have on young students.

As voiced by Board member Paul Gauthier, inquiries were directed towards the district’s current financial management, prompting further skepticism regarding whether the proposed measures would effectively contribute to financial recovery. Gearing emphasized the strong relationships that the community has built with the targeted schools, underscoring the emotional difficulty of potentially closing long-standing educational institutions.

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees is expected to convene multiple times to deliberate on the proposals, with a final decision scheduled for October 9, 2025. Parents have called for increased transparency and robust data to accompany the decision-making process, expressing frustrations about previously insufficient communications from the district. The school district has been considering consolidation efforts since 2021 but has yet to undertake requested studies related to the impact of closures on student safety and other community factors.

As the timeline progresses, a specific proposal will be presented to the school board on September 18 before the anticipated vote the following month. The outcome of these meetings may determine not only the fate of the schools in question but also the long-term financial strategy for the Leander Independent School District.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• KXAN: Concerns Erupt in Town Hall Meeting over Potential Leander ISD School Closures
• Statesman: Parents Protest Possible Leander School Closures
• CBS Austin: Leander ISD Considers School Consolidations Amid Budget Deficit
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School
• KVUE: Leander ISD School Closures and Budget Deficit