School Matters
September 2021
September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, students across the district will participate in a variety of activities to learn more about the culture.
District to observe staff development days, staff/student holiday
Professional Development Day/Student Holiday
- Friday, September 24
Classes will resume Monday, September 27 - Friday, October 8
Classes will resume Tuesday, October 12
Student and Staff Holiday
- Monday, October 11
Classes will resume Tuesday, October 12
Be sure to stay up to date with major districtwide events listed in our 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar.
District to offer free voluntary antigen testing for asymptomatic students in grades K-12
Lake Travis ISD will offer free voluntary antigen testing for asymptomatic students in grades K-12 between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 25 at Hudson Bend Middle School. Parents should use this link to review our testing process and to make an appointment for their child.
Please note, the testing site is for asymptomatic students only. Anyone who is currently experiencing COVID-like symptoms must stay home and should contact their primary healthcare provider or utilize a testing location that offers molecular (PCR or NAAT) testing. For your convenience, there is a Curative testing kiosk located in the parking lot of Hudson Bend Middle School, 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, 78734. Appointments with Curative are required separately and must be made online.
“Screening tests are beneficial because early detection allows infected people to isolate sooner and minimize their exposure to others prior to becoming symptomatic,” said Becca Harkleroad, RN, Lead Nurse for Lake Travis ISD. "However, a negative antigen test does not mean you do not have the COVID-19 virus. This test identifies COVID-19 once the body reaches a threshold of detectable viral load. For example, if you are exposed to COVID-19 the day before or the day of a COVID-19 test, you may not have enough of the virus to be detectable. You should still maintain viral safety precautions including wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance even if your result is negative, especially if you have a known exposure to a person who has COVID-19. If there is still a concern that a person has a COVID-19 infection after a negative antigen test, that person should be tested again with a molecular test."
For more information, contact Becca Harkleroad, RN, at harkleroadb@ltisdschools.org or at 512-533-6015.
District updates response to COVID protocols
Updates have been recently made to the District’s “Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Instruction Plan.” The updated document is posted on our LTISD Response to COVID-19 webpage.
Originally released on August 6, the updated document reflects changes prompted by recent guidance from the Texas Education Agency. Some key updated content includes:
- Protocols for close contact in accordance with rules recently published by TEA (pages 9-10):
- For students, beginning Monday, September 20, any student living in the same household as a COVID-19 positive person will be required to quarantine and may not reenter school until 10 days have passed after the date of the last exposure.
- For staff, any staff member who is deemed a close contact will be allowed to remain on campus only if the individual is asymptomatic and participates in a periodic rapid testing program conducted by the district. If a staff member develops symptoms or tests positive, he/she will be required to remain off campus until the applicable reentry criteria is met.
- A flowchart for a positive, symptomatic, or household close contact student’s return to school (page 11)
- A reminder that visitors and volunteers will continue to not be allowed on campus during the school day (page 15-16)
Additionally, there are a number of Frequently Asked Questions which continue to be updated as needed. If you have not yet reviewed our FAQs, visit our LTISD Response to COVID-19 webpage.
The conditions surrounding the pandemic are continually evolving. Our plans will be evaluated and updated as needed.
District partners with Curative healthcare for on-the-go COVID testing
LTISD has partnered with Curative, Inc. to provide mobile COVID testing. The mobile kiosk is located along Ranch Road 620 North on the Hudson Bend Middle School parking lot. The testing center is open and will be available to all employees, students, and the general public. Appointments with Curative are required separately and must be made online.
We hope this partnership will provide a valuable, local resource for individuals who need to obtain a COVID-19 test.
School board approves pay rate increase for many substitute positions
Our school board approved a recommendation to increase the pay rates for many of our sub positions at their regular board meeting September 15. As a result, effective September 16, compensation for the following substitute positions has been increased to the rates listed below:
General and Special Education Substitute Teachers
Auxiliary, Clerical and Paraprofessional Substitutes
HR-approved substitutes will be paid at the minimum hourly rate for the pay grade of the position requiring a substitute. In other words, approved substitutes will now receive the same minimum pay for the position which they are filling. Please see the example below:
Current Clerical Substitute Rate = $13.00
New Structure Rates:
In addition, this will increase the rate for our non-administrative professionals (such as teachers, librarians, counselors and special ed specialists) who instruct a class when a sub has not been secured. At the elementary level, the new pay of $130.00 will be divided among staff who cover unfilled classes for the day. For secondary staff, the new pay rate will be $21.00 per unfilled section.
We believe these new rates will help us to continue competitively recruit and retain substitutes. We also hope the new rates express our support for and heartfelt appreciation of our substitutes as well as our staff who fill these positions when needed.
What is a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election or VATRE?
State law requires that school districts seek voter approval to raise their tax rate above a prescribed amount. The election is referred to as a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).
Why call a VATRE?
There are several reasons Lake Travis ISD has called for a VATRE:
- Total tax rate stays the same so taxpayers get the advantage of the Maintenance & Operations tax rate compression
- Increase of local revenue generated by additional two pennies is allowed to remain in the operating budget
- $3 million will stay local annually
- Interest & Sinking tax rate decrease has minimal impact on future bond capacity due to continued property value growth
Superintendent delivers State of the District Address to Lake Travis Chamber
District stresses awareness, consequences regarding latest TikTok challenge
TikTok is a popular app with our students. When used responsibly, it can be a fun, creative outlet for users. However, TikTok is also a source of viral "challenges" in which users record and share videos of themselves performing pranks or stunts. A trending nationwide TikTok challenge called “Devious Lick” encourages students to share videos of damage to school property. Regrettably, the challenge has impacted our Lake Travis schools.
In particular, student vandalism of school bathrooms has occurred in our three middle schools and Lake Travis High School. Needless to say, vandalism of school property will not be tolerated. To date, our school administrators have investigated all incidents, and those involved have been disciplined. While the TikTok challenge may seem like a fun and innocent prank to students, it has serious consequences. In addition to suspensions from school and extracurricular programs, such infractions may be processed criminally and receive sentencing under Texas Penal Code 28.03 - Criminal Mischief.
We encourage parents to speak with their children about respecting school property and the serious repercussions of these pranks. Parents may direct any questions or concerns to their respective school administrator or counselor. We appreciate the support of our parents and families.
District remembers Patriot Day 2021
In Erin Tristan's 5th grade class at Rough Hollow Elementary School, students read stories, talked about patriots, and completed an activity highlighting what heroes mean to them.
District continues to work through driver shortage, provides update on Transportation services
Due to continued challenges impacting our Transportation Department, our current bus driver shortage is approximately 30 vacancies. Since the first day of school on August 18, we have successfully placed 5,000 students on our routes and are steadily increasing the number of riders each day utilizing all current drivers, office staff and shop personnel as drivers. While we are presently hiring four drivers and interviewing two additional individuals, we want to advise parents that some routes could be affected in the near future.
As you may already know, we are working tirelessly to advertise and recruit drivers. However, continued shortages, personal illness among current drivers or other circumstances may result in later pickup from home and later drop off from school for some of our student riders. While it would be ideal to contact parents in advance, we may not be made aware of unforeseen staffing challenges until the morning of the route. If a particular route is affected, we will notify parents as soon as possible.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding and support as we continue to do everything possible to safely and efficiently meet our increase in student ridership while addressing our driver shortage. If your child presently needs transportation to and/or from school, please contact our Transportation Department at 512-533-6070.
LTISD Community Programs Fall 2021 After School Enrichment enrollment open
Course offerings will be in person this fall. Students in grades K-8 may choose from art, STEM, sports, cooking, and other exciting offerings.
Enroll at www.ltisdschools.org/enrichment.
LTISD Food and Nutrition Services recognized for 2021 Farm Fresh Challenge
This summer, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Lake Travis Independent School District has successfully completed the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) 2021 Spring Farm Fresh Challenge.
LTISD joined schools and childcare providers across Texas to "Eat Local, Teach Local and Be Social" from April 12 through May 14, 2021. Students at Lake Travis ISD ate local foods, learned about Texas agriculture, and the staff shared their success on social media. The challenge is part of Commissioner Miller’s Farm Fresh Initiative created to connect farmers and ranchers with operators of nutrition programs administered by TDA. "The Farm Fresh Challenge plays a critical role in connecting Texas farmers and ranchers directly with school children, child care providers and local communities," said Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner. "Texas agriculture has a real impact on students and their daily lives. I want to challenge our kids to make healthy lifestyle choices for every meal they eat by filling their plates with locally sourced produce from right here in the Lone Star State.”
Last year’s special Spring Farm Fresh Challenge reflected TDA and its partners’ commitment to introducing Texans to local foods and supporting Texas farmers and ranchers. TDA delayed the start of the challenge to allow agricultural producers a chance to assess product availability after winter storms. Schools and childcare centers were encouraged to use these current events in their lessons about the hard work and dedication required to bring food to the table. Prioritizing agricultural education and Texas foods during the challenge is a great way for partners to strengthen local economies and recognize the efforts of Texas farmers and ranchers.
For more information about Lake Travis ISD Food and Nutrition Services, visit their website at www.ltisdschools.org/FANS or follow @LTCafes on Twitter and Instagram.
Keeping Connected
Download the LTISD Keeping Connected PDF to learn about the various ways to receive District and campus-level news, emergency notification, and other information.
Stay in the know on the go with our District mobile app for iOS and Android. Follow LTISD on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Learn about Peachjar, the innovative flyer management system that sends District- and school-approved digital flyers directly to parents via email.
Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools/
Twitter: @ltisdschools