The opening of Elementary School #8 is being delayed from its original opening date of August 2026 due to enrollment not reaching the projected levels needed to justify a new campus. According to our latest demographic study, this trend is influenced by several factors:

• Rising Housing Costs: Since 2020, home prices in our district have increased significantly, impacting families' ability to move into the area.
• Interest Rates: Higher interest rates have slowed home turnover, further reducing the influx of new families. 
• Kindergarten Class Size: The kindergarten class size has steadily decreased for the past four years which will have a cumulative impact on future enrollment as students move through the upper grades.

While these factors have led to slower enrollment growth, we will continue to closely monitor student population trends to determine the best time to proceed with the campus. Elementary School #8, located adjacent to the Provence community on Hamilton Pool Road, is designed to serve grades K-5 with a capacity for 850 students, including a Child Development Center. The district will need approximately 16-18 months to construct the school. If enrollment growth indicates a need to open Elementary School #8 by August 2027, a decision to start construction will be made by January 2026.

High School No. 2, to be located off Reimers-Peacock Road near State Highway 71 in Western Travis County, was originally planned to address overcrowding at Lake Travis High School and projected enrollment growth of up to 5,500 high school-aged students within LTISD boundaries at full build-out. However, Travis County’s purchase of 2,133 acres for conservation purposes has reduced the number of new homes that can be developed, lowering the projected high school population to 5,000 students.

In response, the scope of HS No. 2 was revised to accommodate 1,500 students with a design that allows for future expansion to 2,000 students, if needed. This adjustment reflects our commitment to efficient use of taxpayer dollars while ensuring flexibility for future growth.

The updated timeline for HS No. 2 is as follows:

• Construction Start: July 2025
• Construction Completion: March 2028
• School Opening: August 2028

While this represents a delay from the original opening date of August 2027, this timeline allows for thoughtful planning and a durable design that will serve students for many decades. The school will open with ninth and tenth graders, with the Class of 2031 becoming the first graduating class. We understand this change impacts the Class of 2030, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to create a school that meets the needs of future students.

Additionally, in March 2025, the Lake Travis school board approved the selection of American Constructors as the construction manager for High School No. 2. While this marks an important step in the planning process, the district will not move forward with construction until the board considers and approves a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) at a future meeting. Trustees also approved an $11.88 million contract with Liberty Civil Construction to begin roadway improvements along Reimers-Peacock Road in preparation for the new campus.

In the spring of 2026, the district will begin engaging students and community members in decisions about the campus name, school colors, mascot, and logo—an important step in fostering pride, connection, and ownership in the new school.

These actions reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful growth, responsible fiscal stewardship, and inclusive community involvement.