By JOHN D. BOYLE
FOUR POINTS NEWS
A recent controversy surrounding an exclusive agreement between Leander Independent School District (LISD) and the YMCA of Central Texas has sparked debate about transparency and its impact on parent-teacher association (PTA)-led after-school programs.
According to Carly Murray, PTA president at Grandview Hills Elementary, her school’s PTA has long organized enrichment programs such as chess clubs, cooking classes, and gardening activities. These programs, coordinated with third-party vendors and volunteers, offer students unique opportunities to explore interests beyond the classroom. However, in October 2024, PTA operations were abruptly halted after district officials invoked a previously undisclosed exclusivity agreement with the YMCA.
“We received an email stating that clubs not run by the YMCA were not permitted,” Murray explained. “This was the first time we’d ever heard of such a rule. When we asked to see the request for proposal and bidding process, actual policy or contract, but we were stonewalled.”
The contract, reportedly signed in 2022, grants the YMCA rights to run after-school programs for schools in LISD with first right of refusal for elementary schools. While such agreements aim to streamline district offerings and ensure consistent programming, they can inadvertently restrict community-driven initiatives and critical parental involvement. The policy prevents elementary PTAs from contracting third-party vendors for enrichment activities involving tuition payments, even when such programs have been popular for over a decade. The policy does not, however, apply to LISD middle and high schools.
The exclusivity arrangement also states that additional third-party enrichment providers are unnecessary at the elementary level, as the YMCA’s offerings and teacher-led programs suffice. However, critics argue this “need” was determined without input from parents or PTAs and YMCA after-school programs are more geared towards day care.
One of the key concerns raised by PTA leaders is the lack of transparency. Efforts to access the contract or relevant policies through LISD’s website and open records requests have yielded little information. “We asked to see the rule and the contract multiple times, and we were ignored or given vague responses,” Murray said. “It’s hard to comply with a policy that isn’t publicly available.”
The situation escalated when the PTA was informed that continuing its programs could lead to financial repercussions, including potential refunds of tuition already paid to vendors. This threat placed significant financial strain on the PTA, which operates on limited funds.
Parents and PTA members say the exclusivity agreement restricts students’ access to diverse learning experiences. While the YMCA’s offerings—such as sports and “wacky science” clubs—may appeal to some, they don’t meet the varied interests of all students. For instance, a beloved chess program at Grandview Hills Elementary, taught by a certified chess master, has consistently garnered high enrollment and positive feedback for many years. Instead of working with the PTA, the YMCA now offers its own after-school chess offering. “The PTA driven activities have always offered more for kids than just filling time in after school care,” Murray said. “They’re about fostering skills, creativity, and passions that can shape a child’s future. Limiting those opportunities is a disservice to our kids and to parental involvement.”
Four Points News contacted an LISD school board member for comment but was informed that district officials could not respond due to the potential for the issue to enter the LISD grievance process. The grievance process includes three stages: the school principal, district executives, and, ultimately, the school board.
The lack of clarity surrounding the contract’s origins has also raised questions. Murray noted that no record of a public vote or competitive bidding process is available online, raising concerns about whether the contract aligns with LISD’s procurement guidelines. “The PTA’s programs existed for over a decade without issue,” Murray said. “It feels like this decision was made behind closed doors.”
The PTA’s next steps include refining its open records requests to obtain more specific information about the exclusivity contract and advocating for a review of the policy at upcoming school board meetings. Advocacy from parents and community members could push LISD to reassess the agreement’s impact on student enrichment and its alignment with district values and state transparency laws.
Critics of the exclusivity agreement argue that it’s time for LISD to embrace a more collaborative approach. Allowing PTAs to continue their programs alongside YMCA offerings would foster innovation and cater to a broader spectrum of student needs. “We’re not against the YMCA,” Murray clarified. “They provide important services for many families. But parents and students deserve choices, and the PTA has always stepped up to fill gaps that larger organizations can’t.”
As of now, the PTA’s beloved clubs are on hold, leaving students without access to some of their favorite activities. “The kids are the ones losing out,” Murray said. “At the end of the day, this should be about giving them choices of things to explore and the very best possible opportunities to learn and grow.”
