Construction to begin on Leander (Texas) district's 29th elementary school

The Leander (Texas) school board has decided to go forward with plans to build its 29th elementary school.

The school board has approved a $10.15 million contract for the project, reports the Community Impact Newspaper. Funding for the new school comes from a $454 million bond issue that voters approved in 2017.

Elementary School No. 29, which has not been named, will be in the Bryson community of Leander. The new school will relieve crowding Larkspur and Plain elementary schools. It is expected to open in 2022-23.

Earlier this year, board members discussed the possibility of delaying the opening of Elementary 29 because of enrollment declines in the district during the pandemic.

Before Covid-19 forces schools to close, Leander's enrollment surpassed 40,000 and had been growing by about 1,200 students a year.

Officials expect enrollment to rebound as the pandemic subsides and more families are comfortable having their children return to classrooms.

Delaying construction of Elementary 29  would cost the Leander district between $3.12 million and $3.55 million because of inflation and the acquisition of portables at Larkspur and Plain.

Leander's 28th elementary, Tarvin Elementary, is scheduled to open later this year.