Funds help boost local education

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

More than 375 guests attended the 7th annual Viper Nation Gala on Saturday night and raised more than $140,000 (before deducting expenses) for the Viper Nation Education Foundation, which supports the eight public schools in Four Points.

“The Viper Nation Education Foundation wishes to thank all sponsors, donors and guests for making the 2017 gala a fantastic evening,” said Courtney Johnson, VNEF executive director.

Dan Troxell, Leander ISD superintendent, spoke at the March 4 event at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Austin. He has toured high school and college campuses that have upgraded their libraries to scholar lab expectations so that students can study with the use of technology. After voicing his support for VNEF’s initiative to create a Scholar Lab at Vandegrift, guests responded with a record-breaking $44,200 for the VNEF Gala fund-a-need.

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Funding was approved last week by the Travis County Commissioners for the construction of a proposed route from Flat Top Ranch Road to Fritz Hughes Park Road. The $2.7 million project could take this path lined out or something similar. Construction could start in early 2019 and the project would include raising the low water crossing on Fritz Hughes Park Road to reduce the frequency of overtopping during storms and flooding events.
Source: Travis County – Transportation and Natural Resources.

Dec. 2019 expected completion

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Funding for the Steiner Ranch emergency evacuation route was unanimously approved by the Travis County Commissioners last week.

“Yes, funds ($2.7 million) for the Steiner Ranch evacuation route were approved,” said David Greear, Transportation and Natural Resources engineering division manager.

This project will provide additional options for surrounding residents responding to emergencies in the area. One anticipated use for the connection would be to provide an emergency evacuation route for Steiner residents in case the front of Steiner Ranch is cut off from RM 620. Another anticipated function would be to help spread the traffic load of a large scale evacuation event by adding an additional access point onto RM 620.

“We have to repeat… this access if for emergency events only, and will be closed and/or gated at all other times,” Greear said. “Furthermore, this will also allow the residents in Montview Acres an evacuation option over to Steiner Ranch in case the low water crossing on Fritz Hughes Park Drive is ever blocked, damaged, or washed out.”

Funds for this project include improving the existing low water crossing by raising and widening the bridge so that it does not overtop as frequently, Greear added.

“We have not determined exactly how we will connect Flat Top Ranch Road over to Montview at this time,” Greear said. The map that has been published is conceptual at this point.

Greear said this Steiner evacuation route project is one of Travis County’s highest priorities and they did not want to wait on the 2017 bond referendum. Travis County commissioners voted to use Certificates of Obligation as a new funding mechanism for priority safety projects.

There will be opportunity to voice concerns and give input on this project in the coming months, he added.

Concerned Travis County residents Deb Groom and Patrick Lublin spoke at the County Commissioners meeting last week. Both live in small neighborhoods adjacent to Steiner where the proposed road would connect.

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Construction of Cardinal Points, off of Four Points Drive near River Place Boulevard, is underway and will have 120 units. Construction workers were busy at the site on Monday.

By CASSIE MCKEE
Four Points News

With Leander ISD adding approximately 1,000 new students per year, making it one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state, school board trustees may have to start taking a closer look at the impact subsidized apartment developments could have on existing schools.

Two new subsidized developments are planned to be completed in the next two years within Leander ISD. In Four Points, Cardinal Point is currently under construction and will have 120 units. The Tuckaway Apartments is another 250-unit development expected to open this year in Cedar Park. There are six subsidized developments already located throughout the district.

“When one comes in, others tend to follow because it sets a precedent,” LISD Superintendent Dan Troxell said during an October meeting of the school board.

Troxell said some school districts in the state have made the decision to oppose subsidized developments because they tend to have higher percentages of students per unit, which can force school districts to have to pass bonds to build additional schools. He said that Katy ISD is one such district that now opposes all subsidized housing after having to build two new elementary schools to accommodate two subsidized developments a number of years ago.

Dr. Stacey Tepera, data manager for Population and Survey Analytics, the firm which compiles annual demographic data for LISD, said it’s not uncommon for school districts to have to build additional schools to accommodate new subsidized developments.

“Many districts are concerned when these complexes are built because it puts a strain on one specific school,” Tepera said.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

The Vandegrift wrestling team places 9th at the state competition this past weekend, following their success as the regional and district champions.

“I’m proud of our accomplishments this year, the first year in 6A the boys represented well as district champions, regional champions, and placing in the top 10 in the state,” said Paul Muck, head wrestling coach.

The state meet is Feb. 24 – 25 in the Houston area at the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center.

“This is a big step for our program to show that we can compete with the best in the state 5a or 6a,” Muck said.

State individual results:
Adam Wachnin 160 lbs    2nd place
Riley Jacops 152 lbs      4th place
Luke Sloan 113 lbs     2-2 Top 8
Aaron Peterson 182 lbs   2-2 Top 8
James Clarkson 106 lbs 1-2 Top 12

Vandegrift senior Adam Wachnin placed 2nd at the state competition at the state meet this past weekend at the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center