By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

In the age of smart phones, social media and quickly-evolving technology, parents have a difficult job of allowing their children the freedom to use technology for school and learning while at the same time establishing healthy boundaries and ensuring their safety.

A Leander ISD Wellness Forum earlier this year in February addressed many parents’ concerns related to Internet security such as helping children make wise decisions on the Internet, cyber security and protecting children’s privacy, criminal behavior on the Internet and the legal implications of social media.

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By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Texas PTA hosted a webinar for parents called “Understanding the New Math Standards” earlier this year to explain recent changes to the Texas Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or TEKS, the first major revisions since 1998. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association Chairman Brian Thompto is urging the Steiner Ranch community to make its voice heard regarding the future of an 84-acre property known as MU-14 that Thompto describes as the “front door” of Steiner Ranch.

An online survey has been launched at http://steinerranchna.org/mu14/ to get community feedback about this land.

Currently, the tract located off of RM 620 and Quinlan Park Road is privately owned by a number of landowners. Taylor Morrison was one of the owners but recently sold its share to the other owners, Thompto said. Under the current plan, Taylor Morrison would still be contracted to build 150 two- to three-bedroom duplexes on the tract. Thompto said many Steiner Ranch residents oppose that plan.

The future of an 84-acre property off of RM 620 known as MU-14 is at stake. It is shown in this map in the tan color. Currently duplexes are proposed for the site but the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association would like to see if the community is interested in purchasing it and asks that residents to go to www.steinerranchna.org/mu14 to voice their support or opposition regarding the land.

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By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Vandegrift PTA ladder hosted a Meet the Candidates forum last week to find out where candidates stand on issues as two incumbent Leander ISD Board of Trustee members are being challenged for their seats in the May 9 election.

Voters will decide on the Place 1 seat, currently held by Lisa Mallory and being challenged by Trish Bode, both who live in Four Points, and the Place 2 seat, held by Don Hisle and being challenged by Cobby Caputo, both of Cedar Park.

Questions covered a range of topics from district debt, to Common Core curriculum, to the use of portable classrooms, to sex education materials, to whether or not teachers and administrators should be allowed to carry guns on campus.

LISD Board of trustees candidates at the Vandegrift PTA Ladder Meet the Candidates forum at Grandview Hills Elementary on April 29. (L-R) Trish Bode, Lisa Mallory, Don Hisle and Cobby Caputo.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Place 6 City Council member Don Zimmerman says that while he opposes subsidized housing projects such as the proposed Cardinal Point apartment complex on Four Points Drive, the state’s current scoring system does not take his views into consideration. Zimmerman worked with State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) to file legislation that would change that.

Don Zimmerman
Place 6 City Council member

“I investigated the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affair’s scoring process, I personally met with TDHCA staff, and arrived at the conclusion that the scoring process is rigged in favor of approving these tax credits” Zimmerman said.

Under current state law, only members of the Texas House of Representatives have the ability to impact—either positively or negatively—the scoring process for such projects.

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