By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Leander ISD spent more than $7,000 per student last year, a number that fluctuates each year in the fast-growth district.

With more than 1,000 new students per year enrolling in the LISD, budget planning can often be a challenge.

“It’s always challenging when you’re budget planning in a fast-growth district because you know families are coming in and the need for additional resources such as teachers are going to impact your expenses,” said LISD spokesperson Veronica Sopher.

She said 86 percent of the district’s annual budget goes toward personnel costs.

The district currently spends $7,081 per student, according to LISD Superintendent Bret Champion. Enrollment in the 2013-2014 school year topped 35,000.

Source: Leander ISD

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Jollyville Plateau Salamander    Credit: City of Austin

The Four Points Traffic Committee’s Road to Vandegrift campaign has hit a roadblock as it awaits access to do studies of the Jollyville Plateau salamander, which was recently placed on the extinction list.

Representatives from Leander ISD and Four Points Traffic Committee met with officials from the Texas Department of Transportation on June 24 to discuss plans for the proposed new road to Vandegrift High School.

Pam Waggoner, LISD School Board President and Four Points Traffic Committee founder, said the proposed improvements would make a big difference for those traveling in Four Points but there is still plenty of opposition for the new road.

“We suspect that opposition will come from a variety of people involved in different ways with the Balcones Plan,” Waggoner said. “We believe that their main concern is to avoid creating a precedent for future uses within infrastructure corridors. There will also be concern given the proximity to the recently listed Jollyville Plateau salamander.”

She said LISD officials still need permission from Travis County to access the property to do studies on the Jollyville salamander since it was put on the extinction list after the Four Points Traffic Committee began their campaign.

The red line represents the proposed Road to Vandegrift on this Texas Department of Transportation map.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Jeremy Spicer

Jeremy Spicer resigned as director of bands at Vandegrift High School, which he took to its highest level last fall when the band was named the 2013 University Interscholastic League 4A State Marching Band Champion.

Mike Howard

In the interim, current assistant band director, Mike Howard, will assume all head director responsibilities, according to Charlie Little, VHS principal, who sent out an email to Viper parents on Monday.

“The process to find the highest quality replacement for Mr. Spicer will begin immediately,” Little said.

Since VHS opened in August 2010, Spicer has the led the largest organization on campus, which had more than 225 members last school year,

He has resigned for several reasons including to attend graduate school.

“I am planning to attend graduate school to pursue a Masters and eventually a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting so that I may eventually reach a lifelong dream of teaching at the collegiate level,” Spicer said.

He also will continue to grow his student leadership training business called Solutions and Specialized Innovations or SASI.

“I will have the opportunity to grow SASI and positively impact the lives of students through leadership development and empowerment,” Spicer said.

Last year SASI delivered seminars at four universities and 28 high schools. The curriculum reached over 2,000 students last year. The company also offers athletic and staff leadership programs, among others.

Ultimately Spicer’s decision to move on was to spend more time with his family. Continue reading →

Cups & Cones and the Hill Country Education Foundation are partnering on a summer Four PointsBook Swap focused on encouraging kids of all ages to engage in a summer reading challenge.

The Four Points Book Swap is kicking off this week at Cups & Cones at 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd Suite 290. To participate, students should bring a gently used book to the designated Book Swap area and swap the book for another one.

The Four Points Book Swap kicked off last Monday at Cups & Cones at 2900 N. Quinlan Park Rd Suite 290.

The challenge is for each student to read at least six books. After the student successfully completes the challenge, he or she will receive an ice cream sundae, or non-dairy substitute, at Cups & Cones and be eligible to enter a drawing towin an iPad Mini. One winner will be announced on Saturday, August 16 at the annual Steiner Ranch Concert in the Park.

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Steiner Ranch resident, Tara Nash, recently participated in the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Over the Edge fundraiser in Austin.

“I raised a total of $2,155 for this amazing event and was one of 200 people to rappel 38 stories off the top of the W Austin Hotel,” Nash said.

Nash doesn’t have a personal connection with Make-A-Wish but deeply appreciates the work they do for children with life threatening medical conditions, and giving them the chance to experience joy and happiness.

“I’m always up for an adventure, and the opportunity to rappel 38 stories seemed like a pretty exciting way to get involved and raise money,” she said.

Tara Nash rappelled 38 stories during the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Over the Edge fundraiser recently.

She said her greatest reward —​ aside from landing safely on the ground —​ was meeting Wish Kids and seeing their faces light up talking about going to Disney World or getting to swim with dolphins in Hawaii.

Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas raised over $454,000 total, which will make 90 local kids’ wishes become a reality, Nash said.

“It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to do it again next year,” she added.

L – R: Ethan, Ellen, Tara, Thomas and Russell Nash