Chatting with Champions: Legacy Ranch's First State ...

When Legacy Ranch High School opened its doors last year, it did so with only a freshman class. Now in its second year, with freshmen and sophomores, the school is beginning to compete at the varsity level in select sports. Last month, two underclassmen Legacy Ranch athletes stood on the podium at the University Scholastic League (UIL) state level. Principal Mark Koller said, “The beauty of high school athletics is that these two students may have podiumed, but there are countless teammates and supporters they represent that make us all feel a sense of pride.” Let’s chat with these medal-winning athletes about their sports, practice schedules and advice for future Wranglers. David McNally, UIL state wrestling medalist David McNally moved to Liberty Hill two years ago from the Boston area, bringing years of wrestling experience. Now a sophomore, he has competed at the UIL state meet both years and earned a medal each time. As a freshman, he won a bronze medal in the 120-lb weight class. This year, he took bronze in the 144-lb weight class. McNally wrestles as part of the school’s athletic program and with the 512 Outlaw Wrestling Club. He also practices at home on a mat. Some days, he trains for up to six hours, combining school and club practices with additional work at home. He hopes to win a gold medal next year in the 165-lb weight class and would like to wrestle in college. Koller praised his dedication, “David is a tremendous athlete. This is his second year on the podium, and I do not think it will be his last.” McNally’s advice to future Wranglers: “Just work hard. You can achieve what you want to achieve if you work hard.” Peyton Brown, UIL state swimming medalist As a freshman, Peyton Brown earned a spot on the podium at the UIL state swim meet last month. She placed third in the 100-meter butterfly and eighth in the 100-meter backstroke. Brown’s family moved to Liberty Hill when she was in first grade, around the time she began swimming competitively. Because Liberty Hill does not have a pool that would meet her training needs, she trains at San Gabriel Aquatics in Georgetown. She practices an average of two hours a day, five days a week. She also plays on the school’s basketball team. In her first year of high school, Brown said she is learning time management and how to balance her responsibilities in the pool, on the court, and in the classroom. She hopes to see more medals added to the school’s trophy case. “Keep working and don’t let the upperclassmen intimidate you,” she said. “Keep being confident and just do what you know you can do.” Koller is proud of both students and the example they set for the school community. He said, “They outwork, respect, empower, collaborate and stay kind. Peyton and David Wreck'd State the only way Wranglers know how.” Way to go Peyton and David! You make all of Liberty Hill proud.

Tuesday, Mar 03 2026

Chatting with Champions: Liberty Hill Lacrosse Club

On any given day over the next few months, Liberty Hill ISD students can be found playing lacrosse on city and school fields around town. While the program is relatively new to Liberty Hill, it has already found success, even making the playoffs last season. Let’s chat with members of the lacrosse club and learn more about this growing sport in Liberty Hill. Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport played with a stick, called a crosse, that has a small netted basket and a rubber ball about the size of a tennis ball. Players pass the ball using the net on their crosse with the intent of getting it past the goalie to score when the ball enters the net. A team is made up of 10 players, and watching a game feels a little like soccer and a little like football. Because of that, lacrosse is great for multisport athletes. According to Kevin Jones, father of two lacrosse players, “Lacrosse has the running of plays like basketball, requires the hand-eye coordination of baseball, and offers the physicality of football.” Liberty Hill High School senior Luke Benson loves the sport and how easy it is for anyone to pick up and play. “The game is very fluid,” he said. “You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable because you are always reacting.” Because lacrosse is not a University Interscholastic League sport, it is played outside of school in a community-based club. It operates independently through the Texas High School Lacrosse League and is self-funded rather than funded by the school district. The Liberty Hill lacrosse program includes more than 130 Liberty Hill ISD male and female students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The largest team in Liberty Hill is the fifth- and sixth-grade boys team, whose players hope lacrosse becomes a UIL sport by the time they reach high school. They are coached by four players’ fathers and have been playing together since third grade. That team includes Kade Jones, who attends Bar W Elementary School. He started playing lacrosse after breaking his arm playing football. He plays goalie for his team — his favorite position because he does not have to run. He has proven to be tough, taking hits from the hard lacrosse ball and continuing to play. His team recently recorded a shutout and made the playoffs in the UT Longhorn Shootout tournament. For a goalie, a 30% save rate is strong, and Kade has reached that mark numerous times. In November, the city of Liberty Hill erected a lacrosse wall at City Park to help players practice passing and catching. Lacrosse parents Lockie Ealy and Jones went to the City Council requesting dedicated lacrosse space at City Park. The wall resulted from that conversation, with lacrosse board members helping select the mural painted on it. “I had no idea until I arrived at the unveiling that they had put the number four on the wall in honor of our family's contribution to the sport,” Ealy said. She said she was touched by the gesture and is excited about the future of lacrosse in Liberty Hill. A large part of that excitement is for Luke, who has signed to play lacrosse at Arizona Christian University next fall. Originally, Luke planned to play at Northwood University in Michigan, but he said, “I felt a big pull on my heart from God to go all in with my faith.” He took time to step back from activities and focus on his faith. He decided to attend Arizona Christian University with the hope of doing mission work after graduation. The university’s applications counselor shared Luke’s name with the lacrosse coach, who reached out. “Their lacrosse coach reached out to me to join their team and be a spiritual leader,” Luke said. Luke officially committed and is ready to grow in his faith and lacrosse skills while in Arizona. Liberty Hill lacrosse program director and varsity boys head coach Adam Bokmeyer said, “Luke is not only an incredibly technical player from a skills perspective, but he is positive and has been a key component in building a positive culture for Liberty Hill lacrosse.” For the latest schedule, visit the team’s Facebook page at facebook.com/libertyhilllax. Home games are played at Liberty Hill Middle School and behind Liberty Hill Elementary School, at Old Panther Stadium. Good luck to all Liberty Hill lacrosse teams this season!

Wednesday, Feb 25 2026

Chatting with Champions: LHHS Student Advances on Am...

When Megan Pearson was just a toddler, her parents saw she had an interest in music. By age four she had written her first song, and now a junior in high school, Megan is auditioning for this season of “American Idol.” Let’s chat with her and her father about her musical talent and the road to “American Idol.” Megan grew up in a musical home. She remembers sitting around with family playing music like others remember playing card games or watching sports. She has an uncle and cousins that play musical instruments and her great-grandfather led worship at the church where he preached. She remembers thinking singing was embarrassing. She said, “When I was in fourth  or fifth grade I started to enjoy singing and that’s when I started practicing every single day, because I wanted to be the best at it.” Her home always had instruments around and Megan wasn’t afraid to play with them as a toddler. She laughs that while she wrote her first song at age four and was excited to play it for her parents, she is pretty sure it wasn’t any good! She began playing the piano at the age of six. “Piano is my favorite because it comes naturally to me now,” she said. Megan’s father Marc taught her how to play the guitar sporadically when she was younger and then more seriously over the last few years.  Her family moved to Liberty Hill when she was in fourth grade, seven years ago. She joined choir in seventh grade at Liberty Hill Middle School and remembers her director, Clark Stanley, fondly. “Mr. Stanley made a big impact on me. I didn’t really want to be in choir, but he made me fall in love with it,” said Megan.  Now in high school, she is in her third year under Davina Hendrix, whom she also loves. Hendrix said, “ Megan is a naturally talented musician. She works hard in choir rehearsals and is a leader in her section.  It is not surprising that she was chosen for ‘American Idol.’  Megan sings from her heart and that comes across clearly in her musical performances.” Megan shares snippets of her singing, often accompanied by piano or guitar, on her social media. That social media led to a call from an “American Idol” staff member encouraging her to audition for the show. Her first call was to her grandma. She said, “I immediately picked up the phone and called my grandma. I told her you will not believe this, but I’m trying out for “American Idol.” Megan auditioned in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Ritchie and Luke Bryan in Nashville this past November. She auditioned with “Use Me” by Zach Top. She recalls feeling equal parts nervous and really excited. Although Megan wasn’t shown on television during the audition rounds, she did receive a golden ticket to the next round  —  Hollywood Week in Nashville! Watch Megan when “ American Idol” airs this Mondays at 7 p.m. CST and streams the next day on Hulu. Megan, Liberty Hill is proud of you and is cheering you on!

Wednesday, Feb 18 2026

Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees Names Peter Bonga...

LIBERTY HILL, Texas  — The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees is excited to announce that they have named Peter Bongard as the founding principal of Legacy Ranch Middle School, which will open in August 2026. Principal Bongard brings 16 years of experience in Central Texas schools and currently serves as an assistant principal at Liberty Hill High School. Since joining the district in 2022, he has supported campus safety and response protocols, strengthened operational systems, coordinated student discipline, and built strong partnerships with families and community stakeholders. Previously, Mr. Bongard helped open Belton Middle School in Belton Independent School District, where he assisted in developing campus systems, building the master schedule, supervising teachers through T-TESS, and fostering a positive school culture. Mr. Bongard also served as a social studies teacher and department head at Vista Ridge High School in Leander ISD before moving into campus leadership. Bongard holds a Master of Education in Administration and Instructional Leadership from Concordia University Texas and began his career in education through the Alliance for Catholic Education program at the University of Notre Dame. “As both an educator and a Liberty Hill ISD parent, I believe every student deserves a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment,” Principal Peter Bonguard said. “Opening Legacy Ranch Middle School is an incredible opportunity to build a strong foundation from day one, and I look forward to partnering with our families and staff to create a campus culture rooted in high expectations and meaningful relationships.” Interim Superintendent Travis Motal added, “Peter’s experience opening a middle school, combined with his leadership at both the middle and high school levels, makes him the right leader to launch Legacy Ranch Middle School. He understands our community, our students, and our commitment to building champions.” Mr. Bongard’s wife, Samantha, and their four children – Benjamin and William (fourth grade), along with Hannah and Zachary, future Wranglers – are already a valued part of the Liberty Hill ISD family. Outside of school, Mr. Bongard enjoys golfing, cooking, and spending time with his family. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate their family as he begins this exciting new chapter at Legacy Ranch Middle School. Legacy Ranch Middle School will open for the 2026–27 school year to serve the district’s growing student population.

Tuesday, Feb 17 2026

Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees Names Joyce Milam...

LIBERTY HILL, Texas  — The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees is pleased to name Joyce Milam as the new principal of Bill Burden Elementary. Mrs. Milam has been the assistant principal at the campus for the past four years. She will continue to work in tandem with Christina Gamez for a smooth transition into the new role.  “It is an honor to serve Bill Burden Elementary as its next principal,” Principal Milam said. “I am committed to maintaining the strong foundation already in place while working collaboratively with our staff, students and families to continue moving the campus forward.” Mrs. Milam grew up as a student in Liberty Hill ISD. She has since dedicated the past 23 years with Liberty Hill ISD as an elementary teacher, behavior interventionist, and assistant principal. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Tarleton State University and her Master of Education in Educational Administration from Lamar University.  Throughout her career, she has built strong instructional foundations and relationships with her students and families. She has worked closely with teachers and administrators to support behavior planning, strengthen instructional practices, and enhance campus, operations and student support systems. Liberty Hill ISD Interim Superintendent Travis Motal shared his enthusiasm about the new role. “Joyce has been part of the Liberty Hill community for generations and part of Bill Burden Elementary for more than 20 years,” he said. “Her deep roots, unwavering dedication, and commitment to building future ready graduates make her the right leader for this campus. I know our families will appreciate the continuity and care she brings to this role.” Milam and her husband, Zack, live in Liberty Hill with their two children. Their son, Blaze, is a 2024 graduate of Liberty Hill High School and plays baseball at Galveston College. Their daughter is a junior at Liberty Hill High School and a member of the varsity girls’ basketball team. Their family also includes three dogs – Annie, Baylee, and Bentley – who keep life busy and fun. Outside of school, Milam enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and relaxing at the lake – their happy place.

Tuesday, Feb 17 2026

Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees Approves 2026–27 ...

LIBERTY HILL, Texas  — Following months of planning, community engagement, and collaboration with campus leaders, the Liberty Hill Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the 2026–27 attendance boundary recommendations during the regular board meeting on Monday night. Interim Superintendent Travis Motal developed the recommendations after working closely with the attendance boundary advisory committee consisting of parents and campus administrators, and hosting town hall meetings to gather community feedback. The need for updated attendance boundaries comes as the district prepares to open three new schools over the next two years: Lariat Trails Elementary and Legacy Ranch Middle School in 2026, followed by Saddleback Elementary in 2027. “The growth we are experiencing in Liberty Hill is exciting, but it also requires thoughtful planning,” said Motal. “We are grateful to our attendance boundary committee and to the families who participated in town halls and shared feedback. Their input helped us refine the final plan to better serve students, balance enrollment, and position our district for continued success.” High School Boundaries Highway 183 will continue to separate students attending Liberty Hill High School (LHHS) and Legacy Ranch High School (LRHS). Students living on the west side of Highway 183 will attend LHHS, while students on the east side will attend LRHS. Middle School Boundaries With the opening of Legacy Ranch Middle School, LHISD will have three middle schools in the 2026–27 school year. Students living on the west side of Highway 183 will continue to attend Liberty Hill Middle School which will then feed into Liberty Hill HS. Under the new plan, with a few exceptions as noted on the approved map, students living east of Highway 183 and west of Ronald Reagan Boulevard will attend Legacy Ranch Middle School. All other students east of Ronald Reagan Boulevard will attend Santa Rita Middle School. Both of these campuses will feed into Legacy Ranch HS. Elementary School Boundaries The opening of Lariat Trails Elementary in 2026 and Saddleback Elementary in 2027 brings the most significant adjustments at the elementary level. We have drawn the new boundaries for Lariat Trails and the projection for Saddleback Elementary. The neighborhoods that will be attending: Liberty Hill ES are: CR 201 including Mesa Vista and south of CR 201/200 Stage coach Rio Ancho & Butler Farms City of Liberty Hill area Rural neighborhoods, homes and roads to the west of CR 279 and around 1869 Lariat Trails ES are: CR 214 Sundance Estates, North Gate and Lariat CR 200 including Clearwater and Sundance Ranch Bill Burden ES  Stonewall Ranch & Liberty Parke North 183 - Saratoga Springs CR 207 - Northhaven, Cascade and other developments on CR 207 Wildleaf and Grand Oaks Rancho Sienna ES  Same boundary as before, no change Bar W ES  Same boundary as before, no change Santa Rita ES  Current boundary of Santa Rita and adding El Dorado Tierra Rosa ES  Maintain current boundary of Tierra Rosa Revaluate next spring based on opening of Saddleback ES and growth Once campus is full, will transfer new enrollees to SRES similar to this year Students who were transferred to SRES for the 2025-26 school year will be given the option to stay at SRES or to attend TRES. The principals will be in touch with those specific families.  Saddleback ES Will be housed Louine Noble ES for the 2026-27 year, then move to their new school in August 2027 Saddleback  Hwy 183 east including Rancho Santa Fe CR 258 and 3405 homes and neighborhoods Louine Noble ES 2026-27 - Will house Saddleback ES Proposed to convert to district PreK center Currently reviewing this proposal May start August 2026 or August 2027 Will make final recommendation to board on March 9, 2026 Why LHISD is considering a PreK center: Allows for more specialized and targeted instruction for our youngest learners Doesn't force families to move campuses once PreK gets full at their nearby campus Lots of success with our PreK program when we clustered two years ago Frees up classroom space at our current campuses to allow for growth Very similar model most districts are moving towards because of the needs our our youngest learners Plan to expand to add a staff daycare in the future Board President Megan Parsons said the process reflects the district’s commitment to transparency and long-range planning. “Our Board takes seriously the responsibility of planning for growth while protecting the strong school communities our families value,” she said. “These updated boundaries are the result of careful study, public input, and a shared commitment to doing what is best for students today and in the future.” Attendance boundaries are set based on the information we have at the time. LHISD makes the best recommendations based on current information and future projections. The economy, housing market, water availability, home interest rates, cost of living, inflation, school funding, and staffing can impact changes in student enrollment which can cause boundary changes. Due to continued growth, the district will reevaluate boundaries in Spring 2027 and will communicate any updates for the 2027-28 school year with families and staff. The updated interactive map, where you can look up the campuses your address will be zoned for the 2026-27 school year, will be available on our  attendance zone website  on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.    

Tuesday, Feb 17 2026

Chatting with Champions: LHMS Artist Recognized by T...

Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has declared March to be Youth Art Month and this year’s celebration includes the art of Liberty Hill Middle School (LHMS) student Elena Barreras on display at the Bob Bullock Museum. Let’s chat with Elena and her art teacher Marie Layne about this awesome accomplishment.  Elena is an eighth grader at LHMS and loves art because of the creative freedom it gives her. That creative freedom led to her drawing a deer in the woods with moss and mushrooms growing on his back. “I wanted the deer to be snow themed but then added the moss and mushrooms from the spring to create a clash of seasons,” she said. Drawing is her favorite form of art and this award-winning piece is actually the first time she painted her art. Elena is grateful for Mrs. Layne’s encouragement. “She supports me in everything that I want to do and if it doesn’t work out, she helps me,” said Elena. Layne has been teaching art for 19 years, the last eight at LHMS. She currently teaches Art I and for beginners and Art I for high school credit. Elena’s art was part of a lesson on proportion. Students pick a photograph, overlay it with a grid, and then enlarge that grid to draw the photograph with the new proportions in pencil. After it is drawn in pencil, students added layers of acrylic paints and blended the colors to achieve their desired look.  Layne chose to submit Elena’s art for the contest because she appreciated the extra details she added to her drawing. “Elena had a reference drawing of a deer,” Layne said. “Then she added all of the details; the background was different, she added mushrooms and moss, and made the deer a beautiful blue color.”  Art teachers from around the state submitted art to be judged by TAEA and Elena’s art was selected to be exhibited next month at the Bob Bullock State History Museum. Elena and her family will be able to celebrate her accomplishment at a reception that will kick off the exhibit. Just spending time in Layne’s classroom, you can see the value of creativity in her class. This fall, students used clay to make whistles. They painted them, glazed them, and then used the whistles to play Christmas carols around campus before winter break. She has an elephant and puffer fish whistle on display. Above her storage cabinets are  piñata  students make each spring. There are minions, doughnuts, super heroes and even a Humpty Dumpty who actually fell off his display in the library and was recovered during renovations a few years ago. This month, her kids are making 3-D shadow boxes. She loves that she gets to learn alongside her students. “My students will ask why I’m teaching something that I’ve never made and I remind them that we are all always learning,” she explained.  Layne is just one of many exceptional art teachers in LHISD. When asked what makes him most proud of the LHISD art program, Director of Fine Arts Chico Portillo said, “the teachers and their passion for art. It shows in the quality of the art from our students.”  Layne feels very lucky to teach at LHMS. She said, “I will work here until I retire. I really love it. It’s different every day.” Thank you Mrs. Layne for investing in our students and giving them a fun space to learn, play and grow as artists. LHISD is proud of you Elena and excited to see your beautiful artwork on display next month.

Thursday, Feb 12 2026

District Expectations Regarding Student Walkouts

Dear Liberty Hill ISD families and staff,  We have received reports, including information shared on social media, indicating the possibility of student walkouts or demonstrations at one or more campuses. We respect students’ right to express their views while maintaining our responsibility to ensure student safety and continuity of learning. Student expression may not substantially disrupt instruction, school activities, or the rights and safety of others. Students may not leave class or campus during the instructional day without permission and must follow established campus procedures. Leaving class or campus creates safety concerns and disrupts learning. As with any school day, students who miss class will receive an unexcused absence, be required to make up missed work, and any disruptions will be addressed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and district policy. District staff cannot physically prevent students from leaving campus, and family guidance plays an important role in helping students make safe choices. We encourage families to talk with their students about responsible ways to share their perspectives, including meeting with campus administrators, organizing approved before- or after-school activities, or participating in civic engagement. We understand that immigration-related topics may raise concerns for families. Liberty Hill ISD follows all applicable state and federal laws, and immigration enforcement actions have not occurred on district property. Clear procedures, guided by Board policy GRA (LEGAL and LOCAL), are in place for any interaction with law enforcement, with student and staff safety as the top priority. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we support our students together. If you have any questions, please contact your campus administration. Sincerely, Travis Motal Interim Superintendent Liberty Hill Independent School District

Monday, Feb 09 2026

Chatting with Champions: What is CTE?

February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month across the country. Liberty Hill ISD (LHISD) offers a variety of CTE classes at all of our secondary campuses. Let’s chat with some of our CTE staff to learn more about their classes. CTE courses are designed to provide authentic learning experiences through an academically rigorous and industry-aligned curriculum. These courses are often hands-on and focused on the career that follows graduation. LHISD offers 20 CTE programs of study in areas like animation, construction, entrepreneurship, HVAC, animal and plant science, real estate and more. In these CTE classes, students have the opportunity to earn industry certifications, credit toward a post-secondary degree, and connections with future employers.  “Liberty Hill ISD continually strives to provide the best Career and Technical Education program in the state,“ said Misty Taylor, CTE coordinator for LHISD. “We want our students to graduate ready for what comes next. The best way to do this is to stay on top of what our community workforce needs and equip our students with the necessary tools to succeed.” We sat down with three CTE teachers to learn more about the classes they teach.  Jeff Arnold- Liberty Hill High School (LHHS) Jeff Arnold is the Forensic Science and Forensic Psychology teacher in the law enforcement track at LHHS. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps before going to UT Austin to study anthropology. He started teaching at LHHS six years ago and believes “this is the building I will retire from.” Like many CTE teachers, he brings a wealth of knowledge from the industry he teaches in and obtained his alternative teaching certification after time in the workforce.  He currently teaches five Forensic Science courses that study the crime scene and everything from fingerprints on broken glass to evidence location. Additionally, he teaches two classes of Forensic Psychology that focuses on the mind and areas like criminal personalities, interrogation methods, cults and the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Over the years, Arnold has seen a growing interest in forensics among female students. Arnold believes that the classes he teaches are more than just a fun elective. He is equipping students with a skill set before they make career investments in college. For Arnold, his students are “resupplying the work force in careers that serve our community.” LHHS offers two certifications inside the Law Enforcement track – Courtroom Testimony and Death Investigation. This year they have nine female students working toward these certifications. He is also the Panther CSI club sponsor and will have teams representing LHISD in the state-wide competition this semester. Preston Cummings- Legacy Ranch High School (LRHS) Preston Cummings is a first-year teacher of agriculture & plant science at LRHS. He grew up on a cattle ranch and participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a child. After college, he went to work at an accounting firm as part of their onboarding team. In that role, he found he enjoyed leadership development. He realized his impact could be greater if he went back into the classroom working with the next generation of job candidates. Cummings said, “I want to give my students employability skills that are real world – things like communication, being adaptable, problem solving and showing respect when someone knows more than you.”  Cummings is a teacher by day and student at night as he works to complete his teacher certification training. He currently teaches small animal management, equine science, livestock and poultry production, welding, agricultural mechanics, agricultural structures and floral design. His classes have hands-on components from hatching eggs to propagating houseplants. Cummings believes that CTE classes enhance the student’s experience. He said, “I’m trying to help students gain experience with their known and potential interests. Those interests can then be explored within the CTE classroom and connected to real world opportunities.” He has students exploring lawnmower repair business models, researching the feasibility of stocking the pond at the new LRHS campus next year, and writing a business plan with milk and soap from their small herd of goats. CTE classes can also enforce the lessons taught in core classes. For example, Cummings has a student who struggled in math. When asked to apply those math skills to his welding project and create a bill of materials, the desire to understand the math concept became relevant and important to the student. “No matter what you choose to do after high school, you have to apply for your next step. That's applying for a job, for a trade school, or for college,” he said. “You're not the only one who wants that spot. What are you doing right now, in high school, should prepare you to be the best candidate.” Melissa Bodine- Liberty Hill Middle School (LHMS) Melissa Bodine followed the traditional route of a teacher and has been in the classroom for 26 years, 11 of those at LHISD. She spent her early career teaching math and slowly transitioned over to Computer Science. Today, she teaches Introduction to Computer Science and Fundamentals of Computer Science at LHMS.  Her computer science classes include units on coding, programming, building a website, robotics, gaming, graphic design and more recently, artificial intelligence (AI). “I think CTE classes are important because they reinforce the core subjects in a different way,” Bodine said. For example, robotics will lean on their geometry knowledge when programming them using X and Y coordinates. When building a website, writing is needed. Bodine believes the “skills that are being taught in my classes students will use in real life.”  When working with her middle school students, she enjoys hearing what interests them and helping them look at that path in their future. They research areas like if they need a degree and what kind, what is the job market for this job and what is the pay. She is especially proud of one of her students that she remembers being brilliant in middle school who started working for Google right out of high school. Bodine recognizes that her class isn’t easy. Every year she has students that tell her that they took computer science thinking that we were going to play games. Instead, they end up making games and then playing them to test their programming skills.  LHISD is grateful to our CTE teachers and the work they put in to making their students ready for what comes next. To learn more about the CTE offerings in Liberty Hill, visit  https://sites.google.com/libertyhill.txed.net/cte .

Thursday, Feb 05 2026

Important Update to the 2025–26 Academic Calendar

Updated 2025–26 Academic Calendar Information As of Feb. 2, 2026, Liberty Hill ISD has approved an updated version of the 2025–26 academic calendar. This update reflects instructional time lost due to inclement weather in late January and the steps required to ensure the district meets Texas Education Agency instructional minute requirements. Families can view the updated academic calendar here: LHISD 2026-26 School Calendar - Updated 2/2/26 To help answer questions and provide additional context, families are encouraged to review the following resources: Academic Calendar Changes FAQs: LHISD 2025-26 School Calendar Changes FAQ Board discussion from last night’s (Feb. 2) meeting: Liberty Hill ISD Special Called Board Meeting - February 2, 2026 Why the Calendar Was Updated Due to inclement weather in late January and the denial of the staff's professional development waiver, the Liberty Hill ISD calendar is short of the required operational minutes. Because the approved calendar does not include enough built-in minutes to absorb this time, the district is required to make up the minutes, which equals 6 total school days. As reflected on the approved calendar, the following days have been added for students: Friday, January 30, 2026 Friday, February 6, 2026 Friday, March 6, 2026 Friday, March 27, 2026 Friday, May 8, 2026 Friday, May 15, 2026 Please note that if additional instructional time is missed due to future inclement weather or emergencies, it may be necessary to add further student attendance days later in the school year to remain in compliance with state requirements. Any additional changes will be communicated as early and clearly as possible. Calendar Advisory Committee Based on feedback collected during the fall semester, the majority of respondents supported continuing the innovative calendar model in future school years. With new information now available regarding calendar requirements, the district is forming a  Calendar Advisory Committee  made up of parents and staff from across campuses and grade levels. This committee will review calendar requirements, examine models used by other districts across Texas, and provide input to help guide future academic calendar development. Thank you for your continued flexibility and partnership as Liberty Hill ISD works to meet instructional requirements while planning responsibly for the future. Respectfully, Liberty Hill ISD Communications

Tuesday, Feb 03 2026