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 →

By CARISSA MALLORY, Viper Contributor

Last summer, my friend Sara and I traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to explore opportunities to help increase graduation rates. I learned about the Tanzanian education crisis a few years ago when my aunt Theo, a native of Tanzania informed me that schools in Africa are very different from the ones here in the United States. I was surprised and shocked to learn about the high dropout rate for students in Tanzania. Their approach to education seemed dysfunctional, flawed and tragic.

Vandegrift High School students Carissa Mallory (right) and Sara Campbell (left) sit in the new library they helped create last summer at the Gerezani Primary School in Tanzania. They are challenging students to help them fill the library with more books with the Reading Around the World’s Spring Break challenge.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Hill Country Education Foundation’s 5th annual Giddy Up Gala raised a record-breaking $140,000 and posted a record attendance on Feb. 28 as more than 475 guests made a difference for local Four Points students, schools and teachers.

“Our ability to boost academics with additional programs and tools is highly dependent on the funds raised at this gala,” said Kai Lamb, president.

“Each year the community comes out in larger and larger numbers, willing to step up their financial contributions. Because of their continued support and even stronger dedication to our cause, HCEF can intensify its efforts in making a difference for our students and their teachers who are passionate about enhancing education,” Lamb added.

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