By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Place 6 City Council member Don Zimmerman says he is developing a roadway concept that would provide an evacuation route for Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School, reduce the wildfire threat in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and also help alleviate traffic congestion in Four Points.

Don Zimmerman
Place 6 City Council member

“We do have a conceptual plan to connect RM 2222 and US 183 via McNeil and Spicewood Springs,” Zimmerman said. “A primary purpose is fire safety and emergency evacuation – hence our nickname of ‘Fire Break Parkway.’”

Zimmerman said he has discussed the proposal with multiple groups including the Austin Fire Department and officials with Leander ISD and Travis County, with the hope of it becoming a joint project. He said decades of unmanaged growth and vegetation accumulation in the BCP poses a serious wildfire threat.

“It is a tinder box which, if started, would destroy all the wildlife in addition to destroying property and possibly costing human lives,” he said.

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Leander ISD Superintendent Bret Champion has named Cathie Robinson the new principal for Steiner Ranch Elementary.

Cathie Robinson

“I am pleased to announce Cathie Robinson as the new principal for Steiner Ranch Elementary,” said Champion. “With her wealth of knowledge and her passion for learning, Ms. Robinson will build upon the culture of collaboration and excellence that has been established at Steiner Ranch Elementary.”

Ms. Robinson joins LISD from Spring Branch ISD where she has served in various leadership positions, including campus principal, Director of Accountability, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning and most recently as the Executive Director of To & Through Post-Secondary.

Ms. Robinson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

One man is dead after a head-on crash involved three vehicles on Monday night just before 9 p.m. on RM 2222 near McNeil Drive, according to the Austin Police Department.

When Austin-Travis County EMS arrived, a man in his 30s was unconscious and later pronounced dead at the scene in the 9200 block of RM 2222 on March 23, said Rick Rutledge, EMS captain.

Three others involved in the crash were transported to local hospitals including a female in her 50s. One of the crash victims was transported with serious injuries to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and two others had minor injuries and were transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge.

In the span of 10 hours, RM 2222 was the scene of multiple accidents this week — one fatality on Monday night and two others Tuesday morning causing lane closures and significant delays.
Photo by Alicia Donoghue

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By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

The Four Points Traffic Committee continues to work toward building a “Road to Vandegrift” and negotiations continue on the matter between Leander ISD and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services regarding mitigation for endangered species.

Pam Waggoner, Four Points Traffic Committee founder and LISD board of trustee president, said LISD will notify community residents when the public comment period opens regarding construction of a second road to Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School.

As for a timetable, “the best I got was this year,” Waggoner said. “Public interest will be absolutely necessary to progress the plan.”

The traffic committee and LISD are working together to seek an additional roadway to VHS and FPMS, as there is now only one access road to and from the campuses. The proposed road would be built along an existing infrastructure corridor that borders the Canyonlands and it would sit on a portion of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan.

USFWS is involved because the vicinity is occupied by certain species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, according to Alan Glen, an environmental law attorney retained by LISD.

This photo shows the road Four Points Traffic Committee wants to improve and open to Leander ISD staff and students. This is the same road that runs along the edge of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan. “If you look to the left, you will see a new housing development adjacent to this road. This is land if developed, we are told, will harm some endangered species. Does this make sense to anyone,” asked Pam Waggoner, founder of FPTC and LISD board president.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Two incumbent Leander ISD Board of Trustee members are being challenged for their seats in the upcoming election scheduled for Saturday, May 9. Early voting will begin April 27.

Voters will decide on the Place 1 seat, currently held by Lisa Mallory, and the Place 2 seat, held by Don Hisle. All school board positions are three-year terms and represent the entire school district.

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees is elected to govern and set policy for the district. One of the board’s responsibilities is to select the superintendent, who serves as the district’s chief executive officer. Together, the Board of Trustees and superintendent form Leander ISD’s “Governance Team.” Continue reading →