Lockhart ISD providing free school supplies to students districtwide for 2024-25

Thanks to a balanced district budget, all students in Lockhart Independent School District (LISD) will receive free school supplies for the 2024-25 academic year, regardless of need, according to a district press release.

The goal is to continue providing these supplies going forward, according to Ty Davidson, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at LISD. Davidson stated this initiative was prioritized in the budget, as it espouses the district's values: having a "LockHeart" for people, staying "Locked on Excellence," and "UnLocking Potential."

Lockhart, a town of approximately 14,000 near Austin, has seen significant growth in recent years, and the district's latest expansion projects include adding on to the high school and opening a sixth elementary campus. In anticipation of this continued growth, Davidson says students entering the district throughout the year are also expected to receive a package of supplies, as the district ordered a surplus of materials based on projections.

Davidson added that the community has been instrumental in ensuring all students start the year off on the right foot: In addition to the district ordering packaged school supplies, LISD and the Lockhart community have also coordinated multiple drives for any extras that teachers and students may need. Connie Amaya, who worked at LISD for 46 years, has held an annual event for several summers in which she distributes free backpacks before the school year begins. LISD has also held a Stuff the Bus event at the local H-E-B for the past two years that allows community members to donate funds or supplies.

In addition to approving the budget for free school supplies, the LISD Board of Trustees also approved an employee and substitute teacher/nurse pay increase; investments in district initiatives including school safety and academic intervention; and funding to expand the fine arts, special education, social work, and local Communities in Schools programs. The district is also investing in a new Early College High School program, which would provide dual credit at no cost to students.