School Matters
November 2021
Voters approve tax rate election
Roughly 59% of Lake Travis ISD voters approved a proposition on November 2 ratifying the district’s 2021-2022 total tax rate of $1.2301 per $100 of assessed property value which will yield approximately $3 million annually in local revenue not subject to state recapture. The school board officially canvassed election results during a special called meeting held November 11.
In August, our Lake Travis school board set the district’s total tax rate at $1.2301—$0.8826 to support maintenance and operations and $0.3475 to fulfill the debt service on prior bonds. Trustees then called a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, asking voters to consider reducing the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate by two cents and increasing the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate by two cents. The result of this voter-approved “penny exchange” allows Lake Travis ISD to retain a larger portion of its local operating budget which would otherwise be sent to the state under current school finance laws commonly known as “Robin Hood.” Approval of the VATRE will have no impact on the district’s total tax rate.
"We are fortunate to live in a community where residents are passionate about supporting its local school district," said LTISD Superintendent Paul Norton. "I am grateful to our voters for expressing their confidence in our school board’s decision to call an election."
With voter ratification, the school board—by resolution—will reduce the I&S tax rate from $0.3475 to $0.3275 and increase the M&O tax rate from $0.8826 to $0.9026 per $100 of assessed property value. Funds from the VATRE will be used to sustain additional instructional support positions for students and staff as well as tutorial services for accelerated learning once federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) are depleted.
For more information, visit www.ltisdschools.org/VATRE or contact the Lake Travis ISD Office of Communications & Community Relations at 512-533-6046.
District recognizes members of the LT Family for military service
"Veterans Day is a time to pause and recognize all who served, and who currently serve, in our country’s armed forces," said LTISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton on November 11. "In particular, we want to take a moment to thank those members of our LT family for their military service. These men and women are real-life superheroes walking among us each day. They serve as role models for our students, inspiring honor, respect and patriotism for the greatest country in the world."
See the list of our dedicated LT staff honored for their service to our country.
District closed Nov. 22-26 for Thanksgiving break
As a reminder, November 22-26 will be observed as student and staff holidays. All LTISD campuses and district facilities will be closed. Classes will resume Monday, November 29.
Be sure to stay up to date with major districtwide events listed in our LTISD 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar.
LTEF to host 5th Annual Hill Country Turkey Trot
The Hill Country Turkey Trot is family-friendly and includes a one-mile walk, along with a turkey costume contest. The event is stroller-friendly and welcomes dogs on leashes. The festivities on Thanksgiving morning will also include plenty of free food and drinks, entertainment, and medals. Register at www.LTEducationFoundation.org.
LTHS tennis, band conclude seasons at state; volleyball finishes at regional quarterfinal
Additionally, the Lake Travis High School Cavalier Band competed at the 2021 UIL State Marching Band Contest at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Cavalier Band performed in the 6A preliminary round on Monday, November 8. For state marching band results, visit https://smbc.uiltexas.org.
The Lake Travis High School Volleyball team concluded its season with an impressive playoff run. The Lady Cavs defeated Cedar Ridge on November 2 and San Antonio Reagan on November 5 before falling short to Vandegrift in the regional quarterfinals. Complete tournament results will be posted at https://www.uiltexas.org/volleyball/state/brackets.
Congratulations to our student-athletes and student-musicians for their performance at state.
LTHS student-athletes sign letters of intent
Baseball
Charlie Bower - Baylor University
Ethan Calder - Baylor University
Kaeden Kent - Texas A&M University
Luke Jackson - Texas A&M University
Pierce George - University of Texas
Cole Carroll - University of Rhode Island
Volleyball
Kiana Reed - Texas Women's University
Cross Country and Track & Field
Evan Parkerson - High Point University
Kadē Joslin - University of Kansas
Softball
Toni Williams - Franklin & Marshall College
District highlights work of specialists in school psychology
With the theme “Let’s Get in GEAR,” the Lake Travis Independent School District proudly joins the National Association of School Psychologists to celebrate November 8-12 as National School Psychology Week.
The theme’s acronym provides a challenge to grow both personally and professionally. It encourages us to engage in best practices and advocate for children's access to mental health and learning supports. To rise implies resilience and renewal despite the challenges of the past.
Our Licensed Specialists in School Psychology—or LSSPs—are highly-qualified and uniquely-trained professionals who directly support our students and their ability to learn. Our LSSPs also collaborate with teachers and families to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for our students.
The following Licensed Specialists in School Psychology proudly serve students across LTISD:
- Siiri Marquardt, Lead LSSP
- Jessicca Allen, HBMS
- Joanna Belz, LPE and BCE
- Patty Chen-Dailey, LTHS
- Jenn Harris, LTE
- Abi Harrison, BCE and LPE
- Ashlyn Koenning (LSSP intern), LTHS
- Kelley Lauer, LWE and SHE
- Jami Perez, WCHE and RHE
- Ashley Rew-Hunter, LTHS
- Nancy Schill, BCMS
- Jessica Solberg, LTMS
- Kelsey Theis, LTHS
The Lake Travis School Health Advisory Council presents "Wellness Watch - Fall 2021"
The LTISD SHAC has published its first newsletter of the 2021-2022 school year, "Wellness Watch - Fall 2021."
LTEF delivers big districtwide November 5
On November 5, the Lake Travis Education Foundation (LTEF) Board of Directors and district administrators delivered $276,000 in funding for innovative educator grants during the foundation's “Big Check Day." LTEF distributes funds equally across the district based on student enrollment.
Campus-specific amounts are as follows:
- Bee Cave Elementary School - $19,452
- Rough Hollow Elementary School - $19,255
- Lake Pointe Elementary School - $18,614
- Lake Travis Elementary School - $19,822
- Lakeway Elementary School - $14,127
- Serene Hills Elementary School - $15,606
- West Cypress Hills Elementary School - $14,176
- Bee Cave Middle School - $20,857
- Hudson Bend Middle School - $24,654
- Lake Travis Middle School - $21,843
- Lake Travis High School - $86,585
- Hill Country Turkey Trot Gobble Grant - $1,000
LTEF is dedicated to supporting LTISD School's pursuit of educational excellence through empowering teachers in the Innovative Educator Grant process and funding scholarships for graduating LTISD students in their post-secondary journey. Founded in 1985, LTEF has provided over $4.3 million in funding to support Lake Travis ISD.
Learn more about the Lake Travis Education Foundation at www.LTeducationfoundation.org.
Lake Travis ISD
Bee Cave Elementary School
Rough Hollow Elementary School
Lake Pointe Elementary School
Lake Travis Elementary School
Lakeway Elementary School
Serene Hills Elementary School
West Cypress Hills Elementary School
Bee Cave Middle School
Hudson Bend Middle School
Lake Travis Middle School
Lake Travis High School
White participates is school board leadership program
Lake Travis ISD trustee Lauren White joined 35 other school board members from across Texas September 24-26 at the kickoff session of the Leadership TASB Class of 2022.
Selected by the Texas Association of School Boards, the group is participating in a year-long education leadership study program. These trustees represent school districts of all sizes, with student populations ranging from 254 to 227,904. Participants who complete all required elements of the study will graduate next year by earning Master Trustee status. This is the highest designation recognized by TASB.
Meeting in conjunction with the Texas Association of School Administrators|TASB Convention in Dallas, the trustees heard featured speaker Peter DeLisle. A recognized authority on leadership training, DeLisle focused on characteristics of effective leadership and team building. Board members also received training at Convention sessions and attended the TASB Delegate Assembly, the Association’s annual business meeting. Other Leadership TASB sessions are scheduled for Austin, November 11-13; Corpus Christi, February 10-12; Longview, April 28-30; and Fort Worth, June 30-July 1. Each session has a unique theme that builds on the previous session and features nationally-recognized experts in the fields of leadership development and education. Teams also work throughout the year on extended learning assignments between meetings.
TASB is a voluntary, nonprofit association established in 1949 to serve local Texas school boards. School board members are the largest group of publicly elected officials in the state. The districts they represent serve more than 5.4 million public school students.
A+ FCU presents 2021 third-quarter check for cash back program
Representatives from A+ Federal Credit Union recently hand-delivered a ceremonial check in the amount of $5,887.10 to Katie Kauffman, LTISD Director of Development and Corporate Relations, as part of the Lake Travis ISD Visa Debit Card Cash Back Program. This was the third-quarter cash back reward of 2021.
This is the fifth year of the partnership. In August 2016, A+FCU and LTISD launched a student-designed card that rewards the district when A+FCU customers make purchases using the LT debit card. Donations are made each quarter, and the amount varies based on customer use of the card. The custom card is available through the Cash-Back Checking program at the A+FCU branch in Bee Cave.
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