Skip To Main Content

District announces amended timelines for new school construction

RSS Feeds Subscribe to Alerts
District announces amended timelines for new school construction

The following is an update regarding the construction timelines for Elementary School #8 and High School #2. These projects, approved by voters in the November 2022 bond election, are central to the district’s long-term plans to meet the needs of our community. However, changes in enrollment trends and other external factors have impacted their timelines.

Elementary School #8
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 #2
High School #2, the largest project in the bond proposal, 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 #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 #2 is as follows:

  • Construction Start: July 2025
  • Completion: March 2028
  • 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.

Furthermore, in the spring of 2026, we will begin engaging students and community members in decisions about the campus name, mascot, logo, and school colors to foster pride and ownership in the new school.

Ongoing District Projects
Meanwhile, other voter-approved projects are progressing as planned. These include improvements at Lake Travis High School such as a new parking lot, a science addition, a competition gym and fine arts addition, and an agriculture facility expansion.

Looking Ahead
LTISD remains committed to providing students with high-quality learning environments that support their success. By balancing enrollment trends, economic conditions, and responsible financial stewardship, we aim to make decisions that benefit our students and community for years to come.

A number of resources are available on the bond section of our website including a project schedule for High School #2, architects' presentations to the school board (Elementary School #8 and High School #2), enrollment projections, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pertaining to this update. For questions or concerns not addressed in our current FAQs, please email info@ltisdschools.org. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to shape the future of our district.

Sincerely,

Paul Norton
Superintendent of Schools