Eanes ISD looks to future, holds first public meeting about long-term plans
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Eanes Independent School District will present its findings from an 18-month study to the public on Tuesday.
The meeting, planned for 7 p.m. at Cedar Creek Elementary, is the first of many planned throughout the rest of the year.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Arnett said this is a long time coming, with many of the district’s buildings not being touched in more than 40 years. That’s part of the reason a long-range planning committee was formed two years ago to look at the district in the years to come.
Some of the proposed changes include:
- Smaller footprint, more green space
- Improved traffic flow for buses & cars
- Collaborative learning spaces and classrooms with natural light
- Parking garages & additions
- Expanded cafeterias, fine arts & athletics spaces
- Sufficient student & staff restrooms
- Fields & facilities for rental revenue
The committee is comprised of parents, locals, students and staff.
‘We’re different than most districts’
Arnett said the district is a unique situation given the fact its in the shadows of much larger districts, like Austin ISD. During the current 2024-2025 school year, there are a little more than 7,600 students enrolled at its 10 schools.
That’s a decrease from the 2023-2024 school year.
“We’re different than most districts,” Arnett said. “We’re not a fast growth school district. There’s not a lot of building or construction that is taking place in our community, so we’re not constructing new schools like other districts around us are.”
That’s part of the reason why the plans look at upgrading and remodeling current buildings, while also expanding some of them.
What’s next?
These meetings are just the first part of proposed improvements that could eventually lead to change by the Board of Trustees. The planning committee is asking the board to consider a Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) to look at things like what projects should be a priority, cost, bond capacity and to look at a potential bond referendum sometime in 2026.
The long-range planning committee recommends the board start looking at a BAC as early as this summer, but no later than September 2026.
If a BAC recommends, and the Board calls for a referendum, possible options for it to be on the ballot would happen either May or November 2026.
How to attend the meeting
Cedar Creek Elementary is located at 3301 Pinnacle Rd. in Austin. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. It will also be streamed live online.
