Students Stand outside of Austin Community College at Early College High School. "Helping ECHS provide the best educational experience possible, encouraging family and community involvement, and enabling our scholars to learn and grow to their full potential."

Encouraging family and community involvement, investing in and uplifting staff, enriching student experiences, and helping all scholars reach their full potential.

LISD Early College High School PTSA

PTSA is Advocacy

As your PTSA, advocacy for our students and their education is at the heart of what we do. We are committed to serving as a clear channel of communication between the district and our families.

ECHS Community Advocacy & Timeline Hub

The ECHS PTSA is actively advocating for our school community with LISD district leaders and the Board of Trustees to support our school community in their advocacy efforts regarding relocating ECHS to the old Faubion Elementary School site. This page serves as a critical information hub for our community, offering access to important timelines, community meetings, upcoming school board agendas, ECHS information, and direct toolkits on how to write letters or speak during Citizens’ Comments. Together, we can ensure our student, parent, and staff voices remain heard and our school remains focused on student experience and outcomes.

Use these tags to jump to the information you’re looking for:

Timeline | October 1, 2026 LISD Board Meeting | September 24, 2026 ECHS Community Meeting | June 4, 2026 LISD Board Meeting | May 21, 2026 LISD Board Meeting | May 20, 2026 PTSA Advocacy Meeting | May 12, 2026 District Meeting | Research Information | Ways to Advocate | Learn more about LISD

Timeline

  • On May 12, following requests from Early College High School (ECHS) stakeholders and campus administration, Leander ISD leadership—including Assistant Superintendent of Advanced Academics & Pathways Dustin Binnicker, Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble, and Area Superintendent Angela Hodges—met with the school community. District representatives outlined the rationale for the proposed relocation, while parents presented questions and voiced dissatisfaction regarding the management of the decision-making process.For more info, please read the District’s Community Meeting Notes. | Read more about this meeting.
  • On May 20, 2026, the ECHS PTSA held a special meeting to share information about advocacy, focusing on how to speak at board meetings and effectively communicate with district leaders and board members. Additional information regarding the school and district planning was also shared with attendees. | Read more.
  • On May 21, 2026, the Board of Trustees met at the Lippe Instructional Materials Center on New Hope Drive. During the meeting, an ECHS parent spoke during Citizen Comments, with other parents attending in support. While ECHS wasn’t explicitly named during the proceedings, the board discussed the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC), which drafts facility recommendations for the district’s evolving needs. Our school is featured on the CFAC website for facility consideration, and we have ECHS community members & staff on the High School Subcommittee. | Read more.
  • On Jun 4, 2026, the Board of Trustees met at the Lippe Instructional Materials Center on New Hope Drive. During the meeting, an ECHS parent & your PTSA president, Darcy Hamilton, spoke during Citizen Comments. While ECHS was not present at the meeting, there was discussion about long range planning. | Read More
  • There was a Community Meeting called by LISD on September 24, 2026 at 6:30p at the ECHS Campus. Dr Dustin Binnicker stated in his letter to families that “district leaders will update the community on the long-term planning underway for ECHS, discuss the factors influencing this work, and share an overview of what the community can expect in the coming months.” This meeting confirmed that the district plans to relocate the Leander ISD Early College High School to the Faubion Elementary campus site. Read more
  • On October 1, 2026, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees met. During this meeting Jeremy Trimble, COO of LISD, presented a slideshow with information similar to what was shown at the Community Meeting on Sept. 24. The board of Trustees had several questions and gave specific direction for moving forward with the plans and community. Read more

Oct 1, 2026- LISD Board of Trustees Meeting

During its October 1, 2026 meeting, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees heard input from an Early College High School (ECHS) parent and student during Citizens’ Comments. Following public remarks, LISD Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble delivered a presentation outlining updates consistent with the information shared at the September 24 community meeting. Trustees subsequently asked clarifying questions and provided direction to staff regarding project planning and community engagement. Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/live/XrSYVFNUFiw?si=XD98oHDU60Sy7hfn&t=4283

From the LISD Board Briefs:

7.C.2. Discussion of Early College High School (ECHS) Location (link to meeting documents)

Administration confirmed that planning is now focused on co-locating Early College High School and New Hope at the former Faubion site, a shift from an earlier concept of building a standalone ECHS facility at Austin Community College’s San Gabriel campus. While co-located, both programs will retain individual identities and academic program spaces. The project is entering the design and feasibility stage, but administration clarified during the meeting that the former Faubion site represents the most practical and sustainable path available to explore for the program.

The next phase will include a campus design committee and continued work with ACC to preserve the experiences students have identified as most important; including a small-school environment, a distinct ECHS identity and access to college courses, faculty and resources. The former Faubion site’s proximity to ACC’s Cypress Creek campus also creates opportunities for continued collaboration, shared resources and college-campus experiences.

If the project advances on the current timeline, ECHS could open at the site in August 2029. The design process is being kept separate from New Hope’s initial renovation so the ECHS work does not delay the progress of New Hope’s project.

Sept 24, 2026- ECHS Community Meeting

There was a Community Meeting called by LISD on September 24, 2026 at 6:30p at the ECHS Campus.

Dr Dustin Binnicker stated in his letter to families that “district leaders will update the community on the long-term planning underway for ECHS, discuss the factors influencing this work, and share an overview of what the community can expect in the coming months.”

This meeting confirmed that the district plans to relocate the Leander ISD Early College High School to the Faubion Elementary campus site. They are currently planning to renovate the current Faubion Elementary building for New Hope Early College High School and will build an additional, adjacent building for ECHS.

Students, parents, and community members raised concerns about potential impacts on educational outcomes, reduced direct access to Austin Community College support and resources, transportation challenges, and disruptions to the school’s established educational and social culture. Conversely, one teacher spoke in favor of the move, noting that it would provide specialized science resources currently unavailable in portable classrooms.

June 4, 2026 – LISD Board Meeting

On Jun 4, 2026, the Board of Trustees met at the Lippe Instructional Materials Center on New Hope Drive. Watch Video

During the meeting, an ECHS parent and PTSA president, Darcy Hamilton, spoke during Citizen Comments. While ECHS was not discussed at the meeting, there was presentation and discussion about long range planning for the district.

Next Steps: The next LISD Board meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2026. We hope to see a strong turnout of ECHS parents, students, and community members joining us to voice our concerns during Citizens’ Comments. The evening’s agenda also includeed discussion about the district’s 2026-27 budget.

May 21, 2026 – LISD Board Meeting

On May 21, 2026, there was a Board Meeting at 6:00 pm at the Lippe Instructional Materials Center on New Hope Drive. Full Video.

During the meeting, ECHS parent, Andrea Burden spoke during Citizen Comments, with other parents attending in support. Thank you so much for representing ECHS!

While ECHS wasn’t explicitly named during the proceedings, the board discussed with Jeremy Trimble the process of the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC), which drafts facility recommendations for the district’s evolving needs. Our school is featured on the CFAC website for facility consideration, and we have ECHS community members & staff on the High School Subcommittee.

May 20, 2026 – Called Meeting for ECHS Advocacy

We had a called Special PTSA meeting on May 20, 2026 to present advocacy information, information about presenting at a LISD Board Meeting, and general ongoing updates for the school. Read more about this meeting below.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Special Advocacy meeting! We hope you received the information you need to be successful in your advocacy efforts and will plan to speak at one of the upcoming board meetings.

Here is the slideshow and information that was presented: SLIDESHOW

We have also provided you with access to our Google Drive folder that contains all of our Advocacy information, a sample advocacy letter, Early College High School TAPR Reports, ECHS Building Design Report, LISD Long Range Strategic Initiatives Report, slogan & yard sign ideas, and much more!

If you would like to read an overview of the issues and concerns raised by our ECHS community in regards to the moving of ECHS to the old Faubion Elementary School, please read our Talking Points for ECHS Relocation document.

KNOW that you can make a difference. It’s been said that 10 letters to a public official or decision-maker will put issues on their radar, 25 letters will make them explore the issue, and 50 letters can change a vote. Understand and use this knowledge to your benefit.

May 12, 2026 Meeting with District Leaders

We had a meeting with District Leaders and ECHS families on May 12, 2026. Updates and follow up information will be posted here.

Read the District’s Community Meeting Notes sent to parents on May 20, 2026.

Join us for an important discussion regarding the future of our school and the proposed relocation of Early College High School to the Faubion Elementary School site, alongside New Hope High School. District leaders will be present to share information and hear from parents, students, and community members. This is a critical opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and advocate for the continued success of our students. Tuesday May 12 2026, 6:00pm, MPR 7

May 12, 2026 meeting information:

During our May 12 meeting, we had an important discussion regarding the future of our school and the proposed relocation of Early College High School to the Faubion Elementary School site, alongside New Hope High School. District leaders were present to share information and hear from parents, students, and community members. This gave a critical opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and advocate for the continued success of our students.

Why Your Presence Matters 

Recent discussions at the Board and District level have indicated a potential move for ECHS starting in the 2027-28 school year. There are significant concerns regarding:

  • The impact of relocating away from an Austin Community College (ACC) campus.
  • The logistics and resource availability at the proposed new site.
  • The level of parent and community involvement in these long-term decisions.

Research Information for Families and Staff

More information can be found in the ECHS PTSA Advocacy, Campus, ECHS, and District Information Google Folder.

Ways to advocate for ECHS

You may write emails to the School Board & District leadership. You may send your email to everyone by sending one email to governance.team@leanderisd.org

You may also email separate district leaders, including

Please feel free to contact the ECHS Principal, Dr. Cruz erika.cruz@leanderisd.org or PTSA President, Darcy Hamilton lisdechsptsa@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

Parents are also welcome to join the virtual conversation on our ECHS Leander Parents Facebook Group. (This is an open group to any parent or guardian of ECHS Scholars, not a PTSA group.)

ECHS PTSA is currently looking for and Advocacy Chair to help with organizing efforts to continue to support our school. Please email Darcy Hamilton lisdechsptsa@gmail.com to submit your name for the position.

Learn more about ECHS & LISD

Leander ISD Early College High School and Early College High School Model Guidelines:

Meeting Clear Bag Policy & Info on How to Communicate with LISD Board

Board of Trustees

LISD Principles

Strategic Plan
Office of DEI Changes Name to Office of Educational Access
Guiding Documents

Free 90 minute video training on advocacy

Advocacy Academy

Learn more about Advocacy with Texas PTA.

Visit the Texas PTA website to learn more about advocacy efforts in Texas, both state-wide and locally.

Use these tags to jump to the information you’re looking for:

Timeline | May 21, 2026 LISD Board Meeting | May 20, 2026 PTSA Advocacy Meeting | May 12, 2026 District Meeting | Research Information | Ways to Advocate | Learn more about LISD