By KIM ESTES
Four Points News

A competitive bond sale was scheduled on April 18, as Travis County put plans into action for the issuance of $48.5 million in certificates of obligation to fund a variety of projects, including an emergency evacuation route for Steiner Ranch.

On Feb. 28, county commissioners unanimously approved funding for the flight path as part of a list of priority safety projects to be paid for through COs, a debt funding mechanism that does not require voter approval.

Currently, only $2.7 million of the total issuance is for the Steiner evacuation route as initially drafted and estimated. Commissioners have said that specific details of the road are incomplete. “At this point, Travis County is in the planning and feasibility phase and will be evaluating how best to provide an emergency access,” said David Greear, Transportation and Natural Resources engineering division manager with Travis County.

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By KIM ESTES
Four Points News

Leander ISD has registered support for state House Bill 21, a school finance reform bill, which if passed would add a total of $6.5 million to district coffers in the next two fiscal years, said Terry Abbott, LISD chief communications officer.

Abbott attended a March 14 legislative hearing on the bill. “The bill takes a strong step toward creating a better school finance system in Texas and would increase our funding for the education of students,” he said.

Specifically, LISD would see an increase of $4.3 million in the first year and a $2.2 million increase in the second year.

House public education committee chairman, Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Kingwood), authored HB 21, which would provide more than 95 percent of Texas school districts additional per-student funding compared to what they are scheduled to receive under current law, Abbott said.

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The Lady Vipers celebrate a win in the regional final, advancing to the state tournament for the third time in four years after beating Cibolo Steele 2-0 at the Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio, Texas, on April 8, 2017.

3rd time in four years

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN
Four Points News

Vandegrift’s girls soccer team took out a prolific offense in McAllen and the stalwart defense of Cibolo Steele in last weekend’s regional tournament, earning a third bid to the UIL state soccer tournament in Georgetown in a span of just four years.

“I’m extremely proud of Coach Hardy and her staff,” said VHS athletic coordinator Drew Sanders. “To reach the state tournament three times is an extraordinary feat and says a lot about the competitive spirit and talent of our coaches and players.”

In Friday’s semifinal game against McAllen, the Lady Vipers became the aggressor, taking 17 shots on goal in the first half alone, and winning 3-0. That aggressive approach nullified the Lady Bulldogs’ usually dominant offense — one that scored six or more points in a dozen different games this season.

Senior forward Sarah Mahosky, the team’s second-leading scorer, notched her tenth goal of the season just three minutes into Friday’s regional semifinal. Mahosky recorded an assist on a goal by Gabie Jones just five minutes later as the Lady Vipers went on to dominate possession while using their bench to continue putting pressure on McAllen.

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Luminarias ran the full length of the VHS football field in memory of those lost and to encourage those still fighting.

Band students formed Team Howard to raise money on behalf of the VHS band director, Mike Howard, a cancer survivor. Back row, from left: Aleksandra Krychniak, Kayla Downing, Cameron Moerbe, Elyse Geurra, Isa Cinclair. Front row Madi Howard and Coral Spicer.

By SARAH DOOLITTLE
Four Points News

Vandegrift hosted its 7th Relay For Life April 7 with over 750 participants raising $33,000 for the American Cancer Society. Over the last seven years combined, the Viper community has raised over $200,000 at Relay in the fight against cancer.

For the first time in three years, the event was held outdoors under clear skies. Students, teachers and survivors walked the track in groups, while in the center field others threw frisbees and footballs, rolled on giant inflatable balls, or listed to music from the Bethany Becker Band.

At 9 p.m., as is tradition, the lights were turned off and the luminaria ceremony began. Students whose lives had been affected by cancer spoke, then invited attendees to light their luminarias.

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