School Matters
April 2026
"National Assistant Principals Week" is April 6-10
From managing car lines and monitoring traffic to serving as the administrator on-call during evening and weekend events, assistant principals play an essential role in the daily success of our campuses. They support instruction, help maintain safe and positive learning environments, and work closely with students, staff, and families to address a wide range of needs.
In recognition of their dedication and impact, Lake Travis ISD proudly joins the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals in celebrating April 6-10, 2026, as “National Assistant Principals Week.”
The following men and women serve students and staff across our district as assistant principals:
- Bee Cave Elementary School - Ashley Nauta and Rida Ortego
- Lake Pointe Elementary School - Julianne Munster
- Lake Travis Elementary School - Lauren Bryan and Ofelia Valente
- Lakeway Elementary School - Kara Reeh
- Rough Hollow Elementary School - Nicole Taylor
- Serene Hills Elementary School - Stacey Brown and Lorraine LeBlanc
- West Cypress Hills Elementary School - Chareese Hatfield
- Bee Cave Middle School - Clark Frederickson, Chad Ouellette, and Brandace Sandoval
- Hudson Bend Middle School - Tatiana Chavez, Brian Gill, and Donald Roeder
- Lake Travis Middle School - Cristina Rizzoli Kierdorf, Cody Redfern, and Keitha St. Clair
- Lake Travis High School - Sheri Remore (associate principal), Mason Whitfield (associate principal), Tony Dominguez, Stuart Foreman, Jeff Fuller (interim), Julie Haney, Sandra Surdy, and Lori Tanner (interim)
Our APs truly go above and beyond each day to help foster strong campus cultures. No two days are ever the same, yet they consistently lead with professionalism, care, and a commitment to excellence.
We encourage you to follow along on our social media channels this week as we highlight and celebrate our outstanding assistant principals. Additionally, on behalf of our campus principals, we invite you to join us in recognizing and thanking these dedicated school leaders for the important work they do across our district!
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Save the Date: YouTube Live with Dr. Null
You’re invited to another YouTube Live Community Update with Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, May 6.
Tune in here or find the link on the LTISD Facebook page.
Have a question for Dr. Null? Submit it here: bit.ly/ltisd-questions
Can’t join us live? The update will be recorded and shared via email.
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Early Voting in Local Elections begins April 20
Early voting in the May 2, 2026 Local Elections begins Monday, April 20. Candidates for the Lake Travis ISD School Board are as follows:
- Robert Aird (incumbent) – Place 6
- Tiffany Bennett – Place 6
- Natalie Nugent – Place 7
- Keely Cano (incumbent) – Place 7
Polling dates and locations within Lake Travis ISD are listed below.
Early voting:
- Monday, April 20, 7 am to 7 pm
- No early voting due to state holiday on Tuesday, April 21
- Wednesday, April 22 - Saturday, April 25, 7 am to 7 pm
- Sunday, April 26, 12 pm to 6 pm
- Monday, April 27 - Tuesday, April 28, 7 am to 7 pm
- Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway
- Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek
- LTISD Educational Development Center, 607 RR 620 North
Election Day - Saturday, May 2, 7 am to 7 pm:
- Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway
- Briarcliff POA Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Drive
- Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek
- LTISD Educational Development Center, 607 RR 620 North
- LTISD Transportation Center, 16101 State Hwy. 71, Bldg. A
Visit the Lake Travis ISD website for more information about this election.
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Lakeway Elementary’s “Fire Five” Sparks First-Place Finish, Advances to State Competition
Lake Travis ISD is thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary group of innovators from Lakeway Elementary School. Five fourth-grade students—Mary Beck, Andrew Emelianov, Conor O’Dea, Sophie Powell, and Eleanor Reisig—have teamed up as the “Fire Five,” and their creativity, teamwork, and determination are lighting the way to an exciting next step.
The Fire Five recently competed in the Destination Imagination Regional Tournament, held February 20-21, where they showcased the results of six months of hard work and imagination. Notably, they were the only team representing Lake Travis ISD, competing against students from surrounding districts.
Their challenge? Design and produce an original game show—complete with an 8-minute scripted performance, a custom-built set, and multiple engineering components. The team created a dynamic production that featured three unique engineering elements, including a spring-loaded punching glove mechanism, a ball-and-ramp system, and a circuit they built from scratch.
Competing against 13 teams in their challenge category, the Fire Five earned First Place, securing their spot at the 2026 Lone Star Finals, which will be held April 10-11 at The University of Texas at Arlington.
The team is guided by dedicated parent coaches Stephen and Melissa O’Dea, whose leadership and support have helped bring the students’ vision to life.
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April is "National Occupational Therapy Month"
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are licensed professionals who help improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages and stages. With the theme “Enriching Lives Through Meaningful Engagement,” Lake Travis ISD joins the American Occupational Therapy Association to celebrate April 2026 as "National Occupational Therapy Month" in recognition of the critical role OTs play in both school and clinical settings.
School-based OTs support academic achievement and social participation by promoting occupation within school routines including recess, classroom, and cafeteria time. They utilize strategies for the health and wellbeing of students and prepare them for college, career, and community integration.
The following Occupational Therapists serve students across our district:
- Wendy Johnson - Bee Cave Middle School, Bee Cave Elementary, West Cypress Hills Elementary
- Jessica Leung - Lake Travis High School, Lake Travis Elementary, 18+
- Jenna Olney - Lakeway Elementary, Play-Based Assessment
- Vivian Pongratz - Rough Hollow Elementary, Lake Travis Middle School, Lake Pointe Elementary
- Jessica Smilovitz - Serene Hills Elementary, Hudson Bend Middle School
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District Welcomes New Director of Technology and Information Systems
Lake Travis ISD is pleased to announce the selection of Jordan Waller as the district’s new Director of Technology and Information Systems.
Mr. Waller brings more than 12 years of experience in K–12 educational technology leadership, with a strong background in strategic planning, cybersecurity, and innovation. Mr. Waller most recently served as Chief Technology Officer at Idalou ISD, where he led districtwide technology initiatives, managed budgets and long-term planning, and supported the implementation of systems designed to enhance both classroom instruction and operational efficiency.
Throughout his career, Mr. Waller has demonstrated a commitment to building reliable, secure, and forward-thinking technology systems. During his time at Lubbock ISD, Mr. Waller established the district’s first dedicated cybersecurity leadership role, developing protocols aligned with state and national standards to better protect student and staff data. His work has focused on ensuring continuity of services, minimizing disruptions, and maintaining safe digital environments for learning.
Mr. Waller also brings experience supporting 1:1 student device programs, infrastructure upgrades, and the integration of emerging tools—including artificial intelligence—to enhance teaching and learning. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, working closely with educators, administrators, and technical teams to design solutions that meet the evolving needs of students and staff.
In his new role, Mr. Waller will oversee the district’s technology systems and services, with a focus on strengthening cybersecurity, supporting instructional innovation, and ensuring efficient, high-quality technology operations across all campuses.
Lake Travis ISD looks forward to the leadership and expertise Mr. Waller will bring as the district continues its commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and student success.
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Returning Student Verification for 2026-2027 School Year Now Available in Skyward Family Access
We are pleased to announce the opening of Returning Student Verification for the 2026-2027 school year. This process is required to be completed for all students who will be returning for the 2026-2027 school year. If your child will not be returning to Lake Travis ISD for the 2026-2027 school year, please contact your campus registrar and submit the appropriate withdrawal form.
To complete the Returning Student Verification process, log into Skyward Family Access and click on the “Returning Student Verification 2026-2027” tile (refer to image below).
Please note, you will be required to verify and update information on your student, family, and residency. Current proof of residency documentation (fully executed lease agreement, signed closing documents, most recent property tax statement, mortgage statement, or property deed in parent/guardian’s name), AND a current utility bill (water, electricity, or gas with parent/guardian’s name) are a required portion of the online form.
While returning students are automatically enrolled for the coming school year, student information must be verified and/or updated annually. Therefore, the primary parent/guardian must complete the verification process for each child before August 1, 2026.
Once you have submitted the online form, the tile will no longer be available in Skyward Family Access on the dashboard of the student. One form must be completed for each student. You can view the online forms that have been submitted by navigating to 1. Main Menu > 2. Online Forms > 3. My Online Forms History (refer to image below).
The completion of this form assists your campus with planning for the 2026-2027 school year. We appreciate your participation!
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Now Enrolling Students New to the District for 2026-2027 School Year
Parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 new to Lake Travis ISD for the 2026-2027 school year may now enroll their child online online.
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Registration for Summer Enrichment Camps Opens April 13
Registration for LTISD 2026 Summer Enrichment Camps opens April 13.
Explore a wide array of camp offerings designed to cater to various interests, spanning from pre-kindergarten through high school. Our summer camps feature dedicated instruction from LTISD staff members and meticulously selected contractors to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Regular registration is open through Monday, May 4. Late registration runs from Tuesday, May 5 to Friday, May 8 and incurs a $35 fee. No refunds will be offered after Friday, May 8. To prioritize the safety of our campers, all rosters must be finalized in advance, enabling Community Programs to plan staffing, allocate space, and procure supplies accordingly. Discover the diverse range of camps available and register your child.
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Summer Squires Registration Now Open
Registration for the LTISD all-day summer camp program, Summer Squires, is open now!
Summer Squires is an all-day childcare summer camp for students currently enrolled in LTISD.
Weekly activities include water slides/water play, STEM, and art. There is a different field trip each week. In addition, they bring in various enrichment contractors to enhance the curriculum and add to the fun. To end the week, every Friday morning students and staff bus to the Lakeway Swim Center for safe and closely-monitored swimming.
- Location: Bee Cave Elementary School
- Grades: Kindergarten (completed) - 5th Grade (completed)
- Hours: 7 am - 6 pm, Monday - Friday
- Dates:
- Week 1: June 1-5
- Week 2: June 8-12
- Week 3: June 15-19
- Week 4: June 22-26
- Week 5: June 29-July 1 (No camp July 2 or 3 due to district holidays)
- Week 6: July 6-10
- Week 7: July 13-17
Campers must be signed up for each week separately. For more information, please visit the Community Programs website.
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HBMS Principal to Lead West Cypress Hills Elementary this Fall
Laura Keogh will transition from the principal of Hudson Bend Middle School to the West Cypress Hills Elementary principal beginning July 1, 2026.
Ms. Keogh has been in education for 12 years and has proudly served in a variety of roles within Lake Travis ISD since 2014, including Language Arts teacher and cheer coach, Assistant Principal, and most recently, Principal of Hudson Bend Middle School. She is a graduate of Baylor University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education and Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.
She is truly honored to have had the opportunity to serve the students, families, and staff of Hudson Bend Middle School, and looks forward to doing the same at West Cypress Hills Elementary. She is excited to get to know each of them, building meaningful connections, and partner together to create a welcoming, inspiring, and engaging environment where every student can thrive.
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Elevate Your Style at LTEF Butterfly Brunch May 8
Join the Lake Travis Education Foundation for an unforgettable morning of style, community, and purpose at their annual Butterfly Brunch from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on Friday, May 8 at the beautiful Star Hill Ranch.
This year’s theme, “The Western Edit: Refined Western Style. Elevated Purpose.,” brings a fresh perspective to classic western charm. Set against the backdrop of an old Texas main street, the event reimagines western style through a modern, fashion-forward lens - drawing inspiration from the pages of Vogue and the energy of runway season.
Enjoy a thoughtfully curated experience featuring a runway fashion show spotlighting local boutiques, a vibrant vendor village, and live and silent auctions.
Purchase your tickets today to attend this celebration that brings together fashion and philanthropy to support our LTISD schools.