Topics for Joint Meeting with LVISD Board

[Paul Roberts]

Dear Council Members,

As we prepare for the upcoming joint meeting with the Lago Vista ISD Board, I would like to suggest a few discussion topics that may be beneficial for both the city and the school district. These topics aim to address areas of mutual concern and foster collaboration moving forward. Below are the proposed items for consideration:

1. Emergency Response Coordination
   We could explore ways to enhance emergency response protocols for the school district, particularly in cases of active shooter situations or other crises. This could include discussions on joint training, communication systems, and ensuring that both the city and district are aligned in their response plans.

1. Mental Health Initiatives and Student Support
   Addressing mental health awareness and the support systems available to students could be an important topic. We could discuss how the city can assist the district in expanding mental health services and preventive measures to better support the well-being of students.

1. School Resource Officers (SROs) and Campus Security
   While the district currently utilizes SROs, it may be useful to discuss the effectiveness of this arrangement and whether there are opportunities to optimize their duties, particularly in terms of campus monitoring and parking lot security. Additionally, a discussion on the supervision and support available for these officers could be valuable to ensure they are able to focus on their primary responsibilities.

1. Community Engagement Programs
   We may want to explore opportunities for the city and schools to collaborate on community programs, such as after-school activities, internships, or events that promote engagement between the schools and the wider community.

1. Traffic Safety Around Schools
   As student populations increase, it’s important to discuss the safety of travel around school campuses. This could involve addressing traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and potential improvements to infrastructure to ensure students can safely commute to and from school.

1. Career Pathways and Workforce Development
   Discussing ways to align the city’s economic development goals with educational opportunities for students could benefit both the city and the district. This might include mentorship programs, apprenticeships, or other initiatives that prepare students for future careers.

1. Consideration of Growth and Infrastructure Limits
   It would be important for the district to understand that the city’s capacity for growth is limited by infrastructure, particularly water and wastewater systems, as well as geographic constraints—much of the city is surrounded on three sides by water. While the district’s growth needs are important due to "Robinhood" funding, both the city and the district will need to plan for sustainable development moving forward. It is crucial that we recognize these constraints on growth and work collaboratively to manage expectations.

1. Exploring Additional Grant Opportunities
   The district applies for several state and federal grants each year, but there could be room to increase the number of competitive grants pursued, particularly in STEM and educational innovation. If the city can assist in any way—whether through identifying opportunities or connecting the district with resources—we may be able to help the district access additional funding.

These topics reflect the mutual concerns and opportunities we face as a city and school district, and I believe they will provide a good foundation for our upcoming discussions. Please feel free to suggest any additions or adjustments.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to our meeting.

Paul Roberts

 

[Adam Benefield]

Excellent list.

 

[Shane Saum]

Dear Council Members,

As we prepare for the upcoming joint meeting with the Lago Vista ISD Board, I would like to suggest a few discussion topics that may be beneficial for both the city and the school district. These topics aim to address areas of mutual concern and foster collaboration moving forward. Below are the proposed items for consideration:

1. Emergency Response Coordination
   We could explore ways to enhance emergency response protocols for the school district, particularly in cases of active shooter situations or other crises. This could include discussions on joint training, communication systems, and ensuring that both the city and district are aligned in their response plans.
2. Mental Health Initiatives and Student Support
   Addressing mental health awareness and the support systems available to students could be an important topic. We could discuss how the city can assist the district in expanding mental health services and preventive measures to better support the well-being of students.
3. School Resource Officers (SROs) and Campus Security
   While the district currently utilizes SROs, it may be useful to discuss the effectiveness of this arrangement and whether there are opportunities to optimize their duties, particularly in terms of campus monitoring and parking lot security. Additionally, a discussion on the supervision and support available for these officers could be valuable to ensure they are able to focus on their primary responsibilities.
4. Community Engagement Programs
   We may want to explore opportunities for the city and schools to collaborate on community programs, such as after-school activities, internships, or events that promote engagement between the schools and the wider community.
5. Traffic Safety Around Schools
   As student populations increase, it’s important to discuss the safety of travel around school campuses. This could involve addressing traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and potential improvements to infrastructure to ensure students can safely commute to and from school.
6. Career Pathways and Workforce Development
   Discussing ways to align the city’s economic development goals with educational opportunities for students could benefit both the city and the district. This might include mentorship programs, apprenticeships, or other initiatives that prepare students for future careers.
7. Consideration of Growth and Infrastructure Limits
   It would be important for the district to understand that the city’s capacity for growth is limited by infrastructure, particularly water and wastewater systems, as well as geographic constraints—much of the city is surrounded on three sides by water. While the district’s growth needs are important due to "Robinhood" funding, both the city and the district will need to plan for sustainable development moving forward. It is crucial that we recognize these constraints on growth and work collaboratively to manage expectations.
8. Exploring Additional Grant Opportunities
   The district applies for several state and federal grants each year, but there could be room to increase the number of competitive grants pursued, particularly in STEM and educational innovation. If the city can assist in any way—whether through identifying opportunities or connecting the district with resources—we may be able to help the district access additional funding.

These topics reflect the mutual concerns and opportunities we face as a city and school district, and I believe they will provide a good foundation for our upcoming discussions. Please feel free to suggest any additions or adjustments.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to our meeting.

Paul Roberts

Thank you Councilman Roberts. My list was as follows:

- CapMetro/Transportation
- Youth sports and use of gym/fields
- School resource officers funding
- State government affairs plans
- civics opportunities for students

I also like your economic development item, apprenticeships is something I think could be greatly increased across the state. Last legislative session, there was a bill passed to encourage exposing students to careers in municipal water infrastructure jobs and public works. I think this is something the City could lean into with the ISD.

 

[Norma Owen]

Thank you, Councilmembers Roberts for providing a strong foundation of proposed topics for our upcoming joint meeting with the Lago Vista ISD Board. Councilmembers Benefield and Saum, thank you for submitting your topics as well. These topics clearly reflect shared interests and the importance of collaboration between the City and the District.

As a quick update, I attended the recent LVISD Board meeting, who confirmed that while the ISD Board is open to a joint meeting, they expressed concern about addressing sensitive school security items—such as emergency response protocols and SROs—in an open session. We may need to keep those discussions general or explore the option of a closed session if legally appropriate.

In addition to and expanding on the topics already suggested, the following items may also be worth considering:

• Joint Planning for Growth Areas
  With both the city and school district experiencing increased development pressure, there may be value in identifying priority growth corridors and aligning infrastructure and campus planning to better serve current and future residents.
• Coordinated Legislative Advocacy
  The city and district may benefit from unified messaging or coordinated efforts when engaging with state legislators—particularly on issues like school funding, infrastructure investment, and local control.
• Shared Use of Facilities
  We could explore opportunities for shared or dual-use facilities, such as recreational areas, meeting spaces, or emergency shelters that serve both municipal and school functions.
• Communication Strategies
  Strengthening our inter-agency communication—especially around major construction, events, or emergencies—could enhance both transparency and responsiveness to the community.
• CapMetro & School Transportation Coordination
  With the introduction or expansion of CapMetro services, it may be useful to discuss how transit options could supplement or impact school bus routing, student access, and overall mobility planning.