Transition services center debuts
Leander ISD welcomed its first class of young adults this fall to the newly opened Denise Geiger Compass Center, a dedicated facility for students ages 18–22 who qualify for special education services. The program, which serves about 140 students each year, helps participants build independence through training in employability, daily living, and community integration skills.
Features at the new center include an outdoor walking trail, vocational workspaces, and a fully equipped apartment designed to teach cooking and home management. The facility is named for longtime LISD educator Denise Geiger, who spent more than three decades with the district and championed transition services until her retirement.
Instructional Materials Center opens next door
Adjacent to the Compass Center, the Linda Lippe Instructional Materials Center now houses production of science kits for elementary classrooms across the district. The center also creates opportunities for Compass Center students to gain work-based learning experience by assisting in kit assembly and distribution. The facility honors retired educator Linda Lippe for her contributions to LISD.
Tours available
Families interested in learning more about transition services can tour the Compass Center during scheduled open houses. Upcoming dates include Oct. 22, Feb. 5, March 31, and April 30, with tours starting at 8:45 a.m.
Funding background
Both facilities were made possible through the 2023 bond program approved by voters. District leaders say the new centers reflect a long-term commitment to equipping students with tools for independence while ensuring teachers have the instructional resources they need.
