By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Amid a 43-percent increase in the number of ACT exams given, the Leander ISD’s composite scores on the ACT continue to be higher than state and national averages. Vandegrift scores are several points higher than the already high LISD scores.

“VHS has significantly increased our volume of ACT testers by 65 percent in just two years which is exciting,” said Christa Martin VHS dean of instruction. Vandegrift tested 312 class of 2016 seniors through ACT and the majority of those students tested in April.

For 2016, the average ACT composite score (scale of 1 – 36) for a VHS graduate was 25.4. The average across all of LISD was 23.3, while the state composite score was 20.6 and the national average was 20.8

“LISD is proud to report that our students are continuing to outscore the state and national averages on the ACT,” said Karie Lynn McSpadden, LISD interim superintendent.

ACT tests are administered for a number of subject areas, including English, math, reading, science and writing (optional).

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

An analysis of each zip code in the city of Austin shows that the 78732 zip code, which includes Steiner Ranch, has the highest average income in the city.

The average household in 78732 earns $10,644 monthly, according to the data analysis, which was done by the Austin American-Statesman.

The analysis also examined housing and transportation costs and compared them to city-wide averages.

Continue reading →

Concerned residents living in or nearby City Park Road neighborhoods say they object to the conceptual site plan of Champion tract 3 which includes a 325-unit apartment complex. They say the added traffic will create issues especially with no stop lights at the apartment’s entrances and exits at RM 2222 and City Park Road.

Change would allow for 325-unit apartment
complex near 2222/City Park Drive

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A controversial zoning request for the Champions tract at the corner of RM 2222 and City Park Road will go before the Austin City Council on Sept. 22 for second and third readings.

Residents in the nearby Glenlake neighborhood say they plan to attend the meeting to protest the zoning change, which would allow for a 325-unit apartment complex to be built.

“This is a big issue for City Park Road neighbors and anyone driving RM 2222/ Loop 360 and Courtyard/360 because of the increased traffic with no light at the exit (or) entrance to the apartments, and potentially no real left turn prevention from the driveway onto RM 2222,” said longtime Glenlake resident Linda Bailey.

Those living nearby Champion tract 3 say they object to the development’s conceptual site plan, which shows one of the apartment’s main entryways on City Park Road. She said the road has a dangerous curve and she’s personally witnessed three rollovers in the area.

“We are opposed to that driveway going onto City Park Road,” Bailey said. “It’s not right to put up an apartment house and then put the driveway in the worst possible, unsafe place and hurt everyone driving up and down City Park Road.”

The other exit drive would be a right-out only onto RM 2222, Bailey said. She said those in her neighborhood have met with a city of Austin traffic engineer and a representative from the Texas Department of Transportation who both said it would be impossible to put a traffic light at either of the two driveways.

The zoning request was recommended by the Zoning and Platting Commission at its May 17 meeting. City planner Victoria Haase told Four Points News in May that staff recommended the zoning request because it allows uses that are supported under the city’s Imagine Austin comprehensive plan, which encourages higher density development at the intersection of arterial roads and major highways.

Continue reading →

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN
Four Points News

Vandegrift at Harker Heights
Leo Buckley Stadium
Thursday, Sept. 15 – 7 p.m.

Practice is about getting better each day. It’s what the Vipers focused heavily on last week, and it paid off with a victory over Killeen last Friday night.

Still, Vandegrift coach Drew Sanders saw a number of things that need more improvement, and you can bet the Vipers will be focused in on those areas this week.

The Vipers have a short week of practice ahead of a road trip to Killeen to face Harker Heights on Thursday. But, that also provides an extra day on the other side of the final non-district game to help prepare for a Westlake team that is near the top of most polls.

For now, Sanders and the Vipers will be focused on getting another win, this time over the 2-1 Knights, who beat Elgin and McNeil before falling on the road at Waco last week.

The Knights rely heavily on their rushing attack, led by Jameel Hodges, who ran for 181 yards against McNeil. Much of that success is the result of an offensive line that prepared to lead the way for a ground-heavy game plan this season.

“This offensive line of ours is very aggressive, they have a lot of experience and they worked so hard in the offseason,” Knights coach Jerry Edwards told the Killeen Daily Herald last week.

However, the Knights were held to just 77 total rushing yards on 30 carries in last Friday’s 28-12 loss at Waco.

Vandegrift’s defense has been tough against the run in its first three games, especially so against teams that try to run between the tackles, and controlling the line of scrimmage and getting off the field on third down will be key points of focus for the Viper defense again this week.