Leander ISD outlines CFAC process and timeline ahead of possible bond vote

Trustees heard a detailed briefing on the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC) process designed to shape any future bond referendum.

Administrators said the CFAC and its steering committee together include roughly 70 community members organized across six subcommittees — technology, ancillary, safety and security, elementary, middle and high schools — and that subcommittees met from February through May to evaluate about 90 project categories and more than 100 line items. Jeremy Trimble, who led the presentation, said the process relies on layered review: administration identifies capital-forecasting needs, campuses supplement those lists, subcommittees vet and prioritize, and the steering committee synthesizes recommendations for the board.

"We had subcommittees across technology, ancillary, safety and security, elementary, middle and high schools, considering projects that fall within those categories," Trimble said, describing meetings that used an interactive prioritization tool and a three-tier (Tier 1/2/3) ranking. He told trustees the steering committee will prepare a recommendation for board consideration in late July or early August and noted the board faces an Aug. 17 deadline to call a bond election if it chooses to do so.

Trustees pressed administrators on how projects were curated and how CFAC input aligned with the district's long-range plan. Several trustees requested clearer documentation on how campus needs, site-based committee input and long-range planning were used to populate the initial project list. Trustees also asked for more public-facing communication of CFAC themes and for a clear FAQ explaining consequences of deferring maintenance or major work.

Administration said subcommittee members were supported with background data, campus visits and experts to build a common knowledge base and that steering committee sessions in June will dig into prioritization and cost implications. Trimble emphasized the committee's focus on "infrastructure stewardship," replacement cycles, safety updates and balancing academic and operational priorities.

The board did not act on any bond question at the meeting. Administration said it will return with the steering committee's recommendation and further financial detail ahead of any decision to place projects on a ballot.