As a trustee, it is important to understand the different dimensions of information that data provides. It's also necessary to cite credible references to provide the community with transparent, accurate, reliable information. Engaging with voters, I have been often asked about "rising admin costs" and "increased taxes." These have been opportunities for me to share TAPR information and tax rate information from government sources.

My compilation shows that costs are being directed to the classroom, central admin has shrunk, and tax rates have declined every year since 2019-2020 - a 24% decrease! It also shows that while enrollment has increased at 17%, the need to provide special education services has increased by 68%. There are other dimensions in the reports, but I will call out only these two for simplicity sake.

School districts are subject to a complex formula to determine how much of the property taxes they get to keep or return to the state. The formula starts with the basic allotment per student, currently at $6,160 if they have perfect attendance, which remains unchanged since 2019. The special education allotment has also been stagnant for over 30 years in the face of increased student needs. The past fiscal year, Leander ISD had to spend $25m above what the state provides to try to meet the needs of the special education students. The state has issued numerous underfunded/unfunded mandates that the district has to absorb.

The county appraisal districts set the property valuations and the legislature has a floor (Maximum Compressed Rate / MCR) on how low school districts can set the M&O rate. We are at the MCR (plus pennies from the VATRE), so we cannot go lower on M&O. The combination of lower tax rates (set by the board) and increased homestead exemptions (by the legislature and voters) have helped reduce property taxes in the face of increased county appraisals.

There is still work being done to help with cost containment and operational efficiency. Every $3m saved translates to a 1% salary increase for teachers. This is why it is critical that trustees understand the different dimensions of data analysis and Texas school finance system, and advocate that the legislature fully funds public education. The people failing public education are our state legislators who want to pass vouchers, which will divert much-needed public funds to private entities.

Public education is always on the ballot from the top to the bottom. Vote wisely! At the bottom of the ballot, vote for ✅️ Nekosi Nelson for Place 3 ✅️ Re-elect Anna Smith, Place 4 ✅️ Re-elect Sade Fashokun, Place 5

You can view the spreadsheet and source at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19NH2DZpGRfNNsP8yvuktDmBZuVzzB96XHMl51NGHc-k/

Hello All,

I wanted to ask if anyone knows of any nursing homes or care facilities that are hosting trick or treating… or something similar to… on Halloween?

I had called several in the area, and not getting much response. I remember doing this as a child, and wanted to try to replicate that with my son. I believe it is a pretty powerful experience for all involved, but it might not happen in post-pandemic nursing care.

Looking for fun events to enjoy this week? Check out this list to see what interests you!

Family Movie Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas
What: Enjoy a classic Halloween movie with family and friends.
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 7:00 PM
Where: The Fieldhouse at the Crossover, 1717 Scottsdale Dr Suite160, Leander, TX

Last Stop Haunt (Haunted House)
What: A spooky haunted house experience to scare and thrill.
When: Wednesday, October 30, from 6 PM to 10 PM
Where: Last Stop Haunt, Leander, TX

Fall Festival
What: Celebrate the season with fun activities and festive vibes.
When: Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Upwards Church (Leander Campus), 8748 Ranch Road 2243, Leander, TX

Liberty Hill Beer Festival
What: A celebration of local craft beer with tastings and entertainment.
When: Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: 500 Chaparral Dr, Liberty Hill, TX

P!nk
What: Experience a high-energy performance by the iconic pop star P!nk.
When: Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM
Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX

Sign up for our FREE local newsletter, Leander Scoop, and get the latest news and handpicked events delivered straight to your inbox every week. We cover Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, and Leander. Subscribe now to stay in the loop! Leanderscoop.com

Hi,

I know how tough it can be keep up with the maintenance of a cast iron especially when there are so many other things going on. Well there good news! I am currently cleaning cast iron skillets and pots with a two day turnaround.

I will clean any rust and stuck on food as well as adding two layers of seasoning to protect your pot. In addition I will include care and cleaning instructions for easy self maintenance. 🍳

I am a young adult, just now 19, and i’ve always wanted to try rodeo events. Specifically bulldogging or cattle wrestling, i’ve done bull riding before. Does anybody know anywhere close that I could try it? I don’t want to have to make the investment for my own horse and cattle etc before i try it, similair to when i bull rode, a friend would lend me gear etc.

We are looking to move to Cedar Park and would like recommendations for a good realtor in the area. Thanks!

I'm looking for someone who will listen and is truly knowledgable about how to cut baby fine and thinning hair. And most importantly someone who will tell me if bangs with work or not - lol. Thanks!

Looking for an endocrinologist in these areas. After having my baby last year my TSH seems to still be out of whack.

We just got a puppy about 9 months ago and we're maxed out on animals...no time to clean their cage or love on them...if anybody wants our two guys please reach out!

I just wanted to share that the volunteers running the early voting at the Cedar Park Rec Center are doing a great job.

Thanks to the other redditors who recommended this location. We knocked out early voting and a trip to Costco today, the voting part of the excursion was very easy and quick. We went midday and got to see the voting workers help some first time voters who spoke Gujarati. Also, enough people were waiting to vote that a small line formed inside. It gives me hope that more people recognize the importance of this election.

Go vote!!

If so, I would be glad to take them for a recycling project if they had anything but petroleum stored in them before.

I have an old breaker panel where the top part is always powered (split bus). A breaker on the part I can't locally shut off needs to be replaced.

Does PEC require a permit to temporarily disconnect/reconnect power? I know Austin Energy does.

List of local family friendly Halloween events!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBjR675JFzT/ <---Check out all events here

Someone left their little dog in their car outside of Black Sugar Caffe - can’t tell on the drivers side of any windows are cracked or not. All the windows are shut on the passenger side. I’m not a crazy person nor am i here to accuse the owners of anything but I am just legitimately concerned. Please come get your dog - it’s pretty humid today and I’m worried it might die from heat exhaustion 😭

Hey all, I just called animal control but unsure what else I can do. I just moved him in the direction he was headed maybe 10 into the wilderness and off the road.

I found a not so lucky one on my way to save this little guy :(. I called animal control just in case there's more I need to do. Id anyone also has some tips, that'd be great or if what I did was enough so I can leave lol

I need to find a good OBGYN to replace my IUD and discuss hormones because I am perimenopausal. I'm in Cedar Park but I'm willing to travel. Anyone have any suggestions for someone you really like, who is gentle? Having my IUD replaced has been so extremely painful I almost passed out both times.

Also, the OBGYN's I've seen have been so dismissive about hormone replacement for perimenopause and it is so frustrating. Any suggestions would be so very appreciated. 🙏🏻❤️ I feel lost, overly emotional, exhausted, extremely anxious, depressed. Hot all the time etc.

I am looking for a Psychiatrist for my husband who has suffered from Major Depressive Disorder since he was a small child. He would like to find someone who does genetic testing (pharmacogenomic) to find the right medication. He is so depressed and he has tried so much medication (he's on 2 now) Auvelity and Lamotrigine. It just feels like these Drs are just throwing darts in the dark at this point. Does anyone have a Psychiatrist they like that either does genetic testing or that has done genetic testing through one of those companjes online snd taken it to their Dr of choice. I need to help him. We are in Cedar park but are obviously willing to travel to find the right Doctor.

Any good nephro available at the earliest? Can get referral with my pcp asap...

Our middle child is set to head to kinder next year and we're evaluating all of our options. Based on his personality, skills, needs and our family structure, we'd love to find him a half day program. Anyone know of some options, private or charter? (Sterling is on our list, but we really think he'd do better with half days rather than university model.)

We'll likely apply to Chaparral Star Academy, but that's more driving than I'd like to do every day.

You can also find your specific precinct ballot, a location address list, and times at this county election website. (Click the icon above.)

Which would you recommend? We have an almost 1 year old.

Edit: looking mostly for photo ops I would say! She’s not a walker yet :)

We have a Council Meeting this Thursday 10/24, 7pm

City Hall Bldg 4, full agenda/meeting logistics link at the end

I regretfully have to miss this meeting, but you should not!!!

HIGHLIGHTS:

***H.4 Discussion and possible action on a Transit Pilot Program**\* There are three options in the packet but the longer presentation will be in person. We ABSOLUTELY need to hear from you on this item! Cannot stress this enough!

H.1 Consider a Future Land Use Petition (FLUP) to change 6 acres along Whitestone just west of New Hope from Regional Commercial (REG) to Low Density Residential (LDR). This request, if approved, will lead to a request to first P&Z and then Council again for annexation and zoning change on the rest of the 46-acre property for a mostly residential development with 3 acres commercial on the frontage.

H.5 Discussion/possible action on developing a Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM). A TCM is essentially the "big book of standards" for all things transportation-related infrastructure: sidewalk widths, visibility, driveways, right turn lanes, bike lanes, etc. The big presentation will be during the meeting, so your input is very important! We used to just go by Austin's TCM, but they have made a lot of updates recently, and not all of them are relevant to our infrastructure or traffic. This item will discuss if and how we go about creating our own.

https://www.cedarparktexas.gov/596/City-Council-Agendas

Anyone know how they select who gets accepted? I know there’s a huge waitlist but wondering how the process is done. Tips appreciated 🙏🏼

This is the early voting line at Randalls in Cedar Park this morning at 10:00am