School board awards construction contract for ES #8, approves sale of bonds
During its regular meeting held December 14, 2022, the Lake Travis school board awarded a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract to Bartlett Cocke General Contractors for Elementary #8—one of three new schools approved by voters in November 2022. CMAR is a project delivery method in which the owner hires a construction manager to oversee the project from design to completion and deliver it with a guaranteed maximum price.
Elementary School #8 will be built on property already owned by the District on Bee Creek Road. A groundbreaking ceremony to officially commemorate the start of construction is anticipated later this spring and completion is expected in August 2024.
Also in December, trustees adopted an order authorizing the issuance of Lake Travis Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds in one or more series by delegated sale. The approval provides LTISD with an opportunity to efficiently manage the November 8, 2022 bond authorization by structuring its bond capacity into multiple issuances. The amount will not exceed $315 million of fixed rate, unlimited tax school building bonds. The bond proceeds will be used to pay for the construction of two elementary schools, the design of high school #2, district safety and security upgrades, transportation vehicles, technology upgrades, and replacement projects. Additional details regarding the sale of these bonds is available in our official advertisement posted on the LTISD website.
School board approves 2023-2024 Instructional Calendar
According to the board-approved instructional calendar for the 2023-2024 academic year, the first day of school will be Wednesday, August 16, 2023 and the last day of instruction will be Friday, May 24, 2024. Ending the year in May allows staff and students to meet commitments related to summer school, post-secondary summer studies, and other summer programs which begin in early June.
Please note, TEA will release its application for Professional Development waivers this spring. Lake Travis ISD will request January 5, February 15, and February 16, 2024 to be used as Professional Development for staff (no school for students). The District will also seek Professional Development for staff (early release for students) on September 27 and November 8, 2023, as well as on February 28 and March 15, 2024. Additionally, bad weather minutes have been "banked" and are included in the board-approved calendar.
Extension of Vail Divide nears completion, road remains closed to the public
District officials are excited to share that the Vail Divide Extension Project in western Travis County is near completion. The roadway, which will connect Hamilton Pool Road with State Highway 71, was striped on January 17. Construction continues with the installation of guardrails, and a traffic signal will be placed at Vail Divide and Hamilton Pool Road near Bee Cave Elementary School. While it may appear to be finished, the road remains under construction and is currently closed to traffic until all work is complete.
Notification will be provided upon projection completion. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and urge all motorists to drive with caution in and around the construction zone.
Lake Travis Library secures second location, seeks community feedback
The Lake Travis Community Library District has purchased a 5,000 square foot building in western Travis County that will serve as a second library location and will be known as Lake Travis Community Library West. The building is located at 21209 State Hwy 71 in Spicewood.
Planning to open within the year, the West location will provide essential library access for the ever-growing population of Bee Creek, Briarcliff, Rough Hollow, Spicewood, and Travis Settlement, as well as the Sweetwater and West Cypress Hills developments.
The library district is seeking community feedback through a short online survey to help guide and focus the services of the West location. The survey is available online.
For more information, please visit laketravislibrary.org, call (512) 263-2885, or email librarian@laketravislibrary.org.
Bee Cave, Lakeway to host 2023 Special Olympics Texas Winter Games
The Special Olympics Texas Winter Games are returning to Bee Cave and Lakeway February 17-19.
Specifically, the Lake Travis Special Olympics Delegation will compete in cycling on Saturday, February 18 at Bee Cave Middle School. Other events scheduled at BCMS include floorball, powerlifting, and FUNdamental Sports. Opening ceremonies and the Victory Dance will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm, Saturday, February 18 at Star Hill Ranch. The complete schedule of events and volunteer opportunities are available on the Special Olympics Texas website.
A press conference announcing the return of the Winter Games to Bee Cave and Lakeway was held December 13 at the Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hotel. Pictured (left to right) are Glen Koen, City of Lakeway Chief of Police; Mark Calaway, also known as WWE wrestler "The Undertaker"; Matthew Wells, Texas Special Olympics athlete of the Hill Country Stars; and Michelle McCool.
Board approves priorities for 88th Texas Legislative Session
During its meeting on January 18, the Lake Travis school board approved a set of legislative priorities for the 88th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. The document is designed to be the basis for the District’s legislative work during the regular session between January 10 and May 29, 2023.
Lake Travis ISD supports legislation that seeks to improve public school education in an impactful and innovative way. For a complete listing of the District's Legislative Priorities, click the image, or visit www.ltisdschools.org/legislativepriorities.
LTISD SHAC presents "Wellness Watch" Winter edition
The Lake Travis ISD SHAC has published its latest newsletter, "Wellness Watch - Winter 2023."
In the spring of 2021, Lake Travis ISD's School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) decided to create a quarterly newsletter to share information that will help families and the community support student health in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, social and emotional wellness, and health education.
SHAC members come from different areas of the community, as well as from within the school district. The majority of members must be parents who are not employed by the district. SHACs assist school districts in ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Additionally, SHACs play an important role in strengthening the connection between health and learning. They can help parents and community stakeholders reinforce the knowledge and skills children need to stay healthy for a lifetime.
Third episode of "Lake Travis ISD Matters" podcast focuses on mental health awareness
In this episode, we discuss mental health awareness with guests Jennifer Lyon, LTISD Director of Health & Social Emotional Learning; Lacey Branker and Rachael Macomber, Licensed Clinical Social Workers at Lake Travis High School; and two students from the Breathe Initiative club at LTHS.
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LTHS theater arts to takeover LTISD social media Jan. 25
Lake Travis High School Theater Arts students Caroline Baker and Lance Najera will “take over” the District’s social media channels on Wednesday, January 25. Caroline and Lance will share fun and exclusive behind-the-scenes content during their production of "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and the Theater Arts program at LTHS.
Follow @ltisdschools on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the LTHS Theater Arts takeover.
Lake Travis signs agreement with Tarleton State University
The Lake Travis Independent School District and Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX) have entered into an agreement that will grant automatic admission to all LTISD students who graduate within the top 50% of their respective classes, officials from both institutions announced recently.
Under the new partnership, Tarleton will also waive the requirement that students submit scores from the ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) to be considered for admission. The school will also waive the admissions application fee for all LTISD students who meet Tarleton's criteria to receive an application fee waiver.
"This agreement creates wonderful opportunities for both institutions," Paul Norton said, LTISD Superintendent of Schools. "For us, it ensures higher educational opportunities for students following high school graduation from LTISD. We are grateful to Tarleton State University for its partnership and shared vision for increased access to post-secondary studies."
Lake Travis ISD graduates who qualify for Tarleton's Guaranteed Scholarship Program (GSP) and attend Tarleton will receive an award guarantee $1,000 above the GSP level for which they qualify if the student is ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class, or $500 above the GSP level for which they qualify if the student is ranked in the top 50% (but not top 10%) of their graduating class. GSP eligibility criteria and award levels can be found on the Tarleton State University website.
Additionally, Tarleton will notify school counselors of scholarships available to LTISD graduates as opportunities become available and will also provide ongoing support such as financial aid, admissions, and degree counseling; work study mentorships; and peer mentoring.
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LTHS DECA recognized for THRIVE level chapter campaigns
Lake Travis High School's DECA program was among 525 chapters that achieved THRIVE level recognition this year and will be commended at DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) to be held April 22-25 in Orlando, Florida.
Each fall, DECA offers four campaigns for chapters to complete as part of their program of leadership for the year. These campaigns are designed to grow membership engagement and build lasting partnerships within the school and local community. The chapters also have an opportunity to participate in ICDC.
In order to receive THRIVE level recognition, the chapter completed two of three campaigns: community service, ethical leadership, and promotional. Lake Travis High School DECA members who contributed to the THRIVE recognition were Presidents Tihar Islam and Robert Paine, along with Vice Presidents Roshan Ahmed, Michelle Antony, Nausheen Hossain, Jason Li, Aman Reddy, Zara Sellick, Meghana Singireddy, Rachel Yang, and Andrew Yun. These students received assistance from their program advisors, Tracey Griffith and Jill Oates.
Additionally, more than 100 Lake Travis DECA members will participate in district competition on January 28 at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock. Those advancing from the event will qualify for state competition scheduled for March 9-11 in Dallas. The following students have previously advanced to compete at ICDC in April:
- Hanna Ngo and Hanny Ngo - Virtual Business Challenge Fashion
- Roshan Ahmed, Jason Li, and Carson Luton - Stock Market Challenge
DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs who are interested in careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business, and promote competition.
For more information, visit http://www.deca.org or texasdeca.org
FANS completes Farm Fresh Food Challenge
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Lake Travis Independent School District has successfully completed the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) 2022 Fall Farm Fresh Challenge. The Farm Fresh Challenge reflects TDA and its partners’ commitment to introducing Texans to local foods and supporting Texas farmers and ranchers.
LTISD brought local foods and garden-based learning activities to its campuses in October 2022. Students learned about Texas agriculture, and the staff shared their success on social media.
"Challenge participation also contributes to the economic vitality of Texas communities," Commissioner Miller stated in a letter to Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Paul Norton. "Programs like yours collectively invest millions on Texas products during the Challenge, supporting local people and industries while serving the highest quality products to students.”
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