Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs | September 2024

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Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 6 SEPT. 27OCT. 24, 2024

2024 Voter Guide

2024 Education Edition

The math problem

Austin ISD teacher Maria Mota works with her fth grade students on a math lesson Sept. 13. District ocials said they are implementing ways to focus on the subject as statewide test scores decline.

MATTHEW BROOKSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Educators concerned as math test scores continue to decline in Austin ISD, statewide

fall amid learning loss and workforce turnover. “I really do think the pandemic brought every- body’s attention to, ‘Houston, we might have a math problem,’” said Susan Diaz, AISD’s assistant superintendent of secondary academics.

teachers and a lack of intervention for struggling students. Low math achievement rates were widely reported even before COVID-19, said Gabe Grantham, an education policy adviser for nonpar- tisan think tank Texas 2036. At Austin ISD, ocials said they saw achievement

BY HANNAH NORTON & BEN THOMPSON

In 2023, less than half of Texas students met grade level standards on the standardized math assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted previously existing issues with math education, experts say, including insucient training for

CONTINUED ON 32

Also in this issue

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INSIDE

Impacts: Check out new brick- and-mortar home of local dessert truck (Page 6)

Elections: Weigh in on a $440M Hays County bond in November (Page 21)

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Amanda Cutshall Dacia Garcia Kameryn Griesser Sarah Hernandez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Gracie Warhurst Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss

Deeda Lovett General Manager

Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia Minh Nguyen Chelsea Peters Joseph Veloz Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Publisher Travis Baker

Elle Bent Editor

Weston Warner Account Executive

Correction: Volume 17, Issue 5 The story titled “Austin ISD asks voters for tax increase to oset $78M decit” on page 24 contains an incorrect gure. Austin ISD’s Fiscal Year 202425 decit has risen to $119 million.

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Impacts

Southwest Austin

183 4 Daiso The Japanese dollar store chain opened in Southpark Meadows next to Bath & Body Works. • Opened Sept. 21 • 9600 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 96G-200, Austin • www.daisous.com 5 Young Chefs Academy The school, owned by Sarah and Jim Gagliardi, has classrooms with cooking equipment for weekly classes, workshops, camps and parties. • Opened Aug. 31 • 6705 US-290, Ste. 501, Austin • www.austinswtx.youngchefsacademy.com 2 Apollo Veterinary The Wimberley-based is operated by Robin Allen and Claire Landwehr, and offers “fear-free work” for dogs and cats including dental care, spay and neuter services and end-of-life care. • Opened Aug. 26 • 11118 S. First St., Ste. 200, Austin • www.apollovets.com 3 The Bougie Foodie Brianna Cryar has moved the business into its first brick- and-mortar location. The Bougie Foodie serves a variety of desserts. • Opened Aug. 24 • 4201 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 101, Austin • Instagram: thebougiefoodie.co 6 SquareRüt Kava Bar The kava bar opened in the historic Old Rock Store. Kava is a traditional Polynesian root beverage used for relaxation without causing drowsiness or intoxication. • Opened Sept. 6 • 6266 W. Hwy. 290, Austin • www.squarerut.com

BARTON CREEK BLVD.

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tailoring. Kam’s Clothiers & Tux Shop offers personalized tailoring services, custom and ready-made suits, and rentals. • Opened Sept. 16 • 8708 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 530A, Austin • www.kamstux.com

Now open

Coming soon

1 Kam’s Clothiers & Tux Shop The tuxedo rental service is owned and operated by Kam Dadlani, who has 30 years of experience in

7 Taste of Home Handmade Dumplings A North Austin-based restaurant will open near Jaipur

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ & ELLE BENT

Palace at Southpark Meadows, serving dumplings and a variety of rice, noodle, stir-fry and veggie dishes. • Opening in late January • 9900 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. P350, Austin • Instagram: tasteofhomedumplings 8 Global Foodland The new grocery store will offer halal products including fresh meat and bakery items. • Opening in November 9 Culture Club El Paso restaurateur Justin Knoch will open a classic- rock-themed bar and restaurant, featuring vintage pinball machines, ping pong tables and lawn games. • Opening mid-October • 12000 Menchaca Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. A, Austin 10 Casa Grande Supermercado The grocery store will have a butcher shop and restaurant inside. Casa Grande Supermercado has another location in Pflugerville. • Opening in early October • 11118 S. First St., Ste. 100, Austin • 11501 Menchaca Road, Austin • Facebook: Global Foodland 11 Lower 48 The bar and eatery will join the array of businesses opening on Menchaca Road. Locals Henry Ross, Ben Pezzi and Jordon Leger said they want Lower 48 to be a “welcoming space for all.” • Opening this fall • 10701 Menchaca Road, Austin

Now open

In the news

13 Good Vibrations Pizza Company The family-owned pizza trailer has permanently opened at Vacancy Brewing. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Austin and Megan Smith, the pizza trailer first opened on the back patio of King Bee cocktail bar and also served pizza at pop- up events around Austin. The menu features pizzas like the “Sweet Heat,” topped with hot Italian sausage, pickled jalapenos and hot honey. • Opened Aug. 31 • 415 E. St. Elmo Road 1-D2, Austin • www.vacancybrewing.com 14 Krista Jordan, Ph.D., ABPP and Associ- ates The psychotherapy practice from Krista Jordan welcomed a new clinician to the team, Madison Clausen, MA, LPA, who began offering services to children ages 10 and up in July for anxiety, ADHD, depression and adjustment issues. • 2222 Western Trails Blvd., Ste. 103, Austin • www.kristajordan.com

16 C’est Chic! The Circle C Ranch boutique will celebrate its 15th anniversary in October. C’est Chic! is owned by Jeanne Cooper and Melissa Greenwell and sells jewelry, home decor, women’s clothing, baby items, gifts, accessories and more. • 5800 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. 330, Austin • www.cestchicaustintx.com

are searching for a new location after 25 years as a hub for socializing and live music featuring local artists. • Closed Aug. 11 • 12010 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.giddyups.com 17 St. Benedict Coffee Company The coffee shop inside Stony’s Pizza closed after opening in July. The St. Benedict Coffee Company food truck at Springdale Station in East Austin will still operate. • Closed Sept. 6 • 9521 US-290, Austin • www.stbenedictcoffee.com

In the news

12 Chick-fil-A The restaurant’s Southpark Meadows location reopened Sept. 18 after closing for renovations Aug. 16. These

Closings

included a restructure of the dining room. • 161 W. Slaughter Lane, Bldg. A, Austin • www.chick-fil-a.com

15 Giddy Ups The dive bar closed in early August, after an announcement on social media in July. The bar’s owners

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Impacts

Dripping Springs

BY ELLE BENT & SARAH HERNANDEZ

3 Texas Eye Aesthetics A new oculofacial and reconstructive surgery practice opened, helmed by board-certified surgeon David Gay. Texas Eye Aesthetics serves patients with medical, cosmetic and functional concerns. • Opened Sept. 5 • 13830 Sawyer Ranch Road, Ste. 201, Dripping Springs • www.teasurgery.com

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4 The Little Gym of Dripping Springs The gym offers gymnastics programs to children ages four months to 12 years and has another Austin location at 2716 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin. • Grand opening Sept. 14, classes start Sept. 16 • 1055 Kibo Ridge, Bldg. B2, Ste. 203, Dripping Springs • www.thelittlegym.com/texas-dripping-springs 5 Swim Studio Lessons at the swimming school in Belterra will begin in October. The studio is owned by Rob Yeager, who said the school offers a small environment for private lessons, and every coach works full-time at the school. • Opening Oct. 1 • 164 Belterra Village Way, Ste. 200, Austin • www.theswimstudios.com

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• 26650 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs • www.apogeedrippingsprings.com

Now open

1 Apogee Dripping Springs The new micro high school’s class size capacity is 14 students and grades nine-12 can enroll. Founder Sarah Pevehouse said she saw a need for more alternative schooling options for high school students in the area, with curriculum focused on life skills and character development. • Opened Aug. 15

2 Club Car Wash Founded in Missouri in 2006, the car wash offers individual and subscription-based car washes. Club Car Wash also offers free vacuums with all washes. • Opened Aug. 23 • 13026 Four Star Blvd., Austin • www.clubcarwash.com

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Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON

Austin, Travis County leaders back pretrial legal support A program providing legal representation fol- lowing arrest in Travis County is poised to expand. The big picture Local leaders and advocates aim to oer counsel at rst appearance, or CAFA, post-arrest, regard- less of ability to pay for a lawyer. Travis County commissioners are considering a scal year 2024-25 budget that could reserve millions of dollars for expanded CAFA services. At City Hall, council approved a FY 2024-25 spending plan with money reserved for an ongoing county partnership. While CAFA has yet to be fully implemented, the lack of full-time legal services led one arrestee to sue the county this spring over its “two-tiered” magistration system that he, and others, have said

Austin charter election called o

CAFA ramps up* Local ocials hope to expand CAFA services. After trial runs, daily shifts will begin in October followed by full implementation next year. 30 magistration shifts with CAFA completed so far 14 county judge shifts 16 city magistrate shifts 834 people magistrated; prosecution declined charges in 6% of cases

Thirteen proposed amendments to Aus- tin’s city charter were put on hold following

a legal challenge. What happened

District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued a temporary injunction against Aus- tin’s charter amendment election Aug. 29. Gamble sided with plaintis who claimed City Council didn’t give proper public notice and violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when calling the proposition election during their August budget adoption. The 13 items’ removal from the November election was conrmed just ahead of local deadlines to nalize ballots. A city spokes- person said sta took responsibility for the meeting posting process that prompted the lawsuit.

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT *AS OF AUG. 27

results in disparate legal outcomes for those who can and can’t aord a lawyer. What’s next Local CAFA oerings remained in a trial state as of this summer. New funding could support dozens of sta positions and more CAFA shifts. Travis County Budget Director Travis Gatlin called the current proposal “the single biggest and fastest undertaking” on the issue in more than two decades.

Barton Springs Pool reopens after weeks of repair Barton Springs Pool reopened Sept. 19 after being closed for weeks while the city worked to repair a broken pipeline deemed to be a public safety hazard. What happened

the next day after city sta found a pair of large holes in a 1940s-era pipe beneath the pool creating a safety risk, “up to and including loss of life,” according to the department. Crews plugged the holes with gravel. Down- stream, in the “Barking Springs” area, the pipeline was also lled in with concrete. Ocials said repairs were made with consideration for the endangered Barton Springs salamander.

The parks department announced the pool’s temporary closure on Aug. 29 ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend. The closure was extended

Barton Springs Pool was closed for weeks for infrastructure repairs.

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Election Voter Guide

2024

Dates to know

Where to vote

Oct. 21: First day of early voting Oct. 25: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Nov. 1: Last day of early voting Nov. 5: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 6 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election on Election Day)

Travis and Hays County residents can vote at any Travis or Hays County polling place. Visit elections.traviscountytx.gov for Travis County polling locations and www.hayscountytx.gov for Hays County. This is not an official sample ballot, which is scheduled for release after press time. Candidates are shown in alphabetical order unless ballot order has already been set.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: D Democrat G Green L Libertarian R Republican *Incumbent

Federal elections President D Kamala Harris L Chase Oliver G Jill Stein R Donald Trump U.S. Senate D Colin Allred

Texas Supreme Court Justice — Place 4 R John Devine* D Christine Vinh Weems Texas Supreme Court Justice — Place 6 R Jane Bland* D Bonnie Lee Goldstein L J. David Roberson Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — presiding judge R David J. Schenck D Holly Taylor Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — Place 7 D Nancy Mulder R Gina Parker Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — Place 8 D Chika Anyiam R Lee Finley Texas House District 19

Texas House District 45 R Tennyson Moreno D Erin Zwiener* Texas House District 47 R Scott Firsing D Vikki Goodwin* Texas House District 48 D Donna Howard* L Daniel Jerome McCarthy Texas House District 73

L Ted Brown R Ted Cruz*

D Sally Duval R Carrie Isaac* U.S. House of Representatives, District 10 D Theresa Boisseau R Michael T. McCaul* L Jeff Miller U.S. House of Representatives, District 21 D Kristin Hook

State elections Texas Railroad Commission

R Christi Craddick* D Katherine Culbert L Hawk Dunlap G Eddie Espinoza Texas Supreme Court Justice — Place 2 R Jimmy Blacklock* D DaSean Jones

D Dwain Handley R Ellen Troxclair*

L Bob King R Chip Roy*

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Austin ISD Proposition A “Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.9505 per $100 valuation in the Austin Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 8.3 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $184,628,049.”

U.S. House of Representatives, District 37 L Girish Altekar D Lloyd Doggett*

Polling locations

All locations can be found on county websites. Early voting times vary, but election day voting hours are from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. statewide. This is noncomprehensive.

R Jenny Garcia Sharon State Senate District 25 R Donna Campbell* D Merrie Fox Local Austin Mayor Carmen D. Llanes Pulido Jeffery L. Bowen Doug Greco Kirk Watson* Kathie Tovo Austin City Council District 2

Early voting Austin Oaks Church 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd., Austin Dripping Springs Ranch Park 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs Jovie Belterra 167 Hargraves Drive, Austin Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs 231 Patriots’ Hall Blvd., Dripping Springs Pleasant Hill Branch Library 211 E. William Cannon Drive, Austin Randalls Brodie Café 9911 Brodie Lane, Austin South Austin Recreation Center 1100 Cumberland Road, Austin Southpark Meadows 9300 S. IH-35 Frontage Road, Austin

Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Tanisa Jeffers* Sherri Lynn Taylor Travis County Proposition A

“Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $ 0.344445 per $100 valuation in County of Travis for the current year, a rate that is $0.025 higher per $100 valuation than the voter-approval tax rate of County of Travis, for the purpose of increasing access to affordable and high-quality child care and afterschool/summer programming and related services for low-income families and developing and administering related workforce and economic development programs. Last year, the ad valorem tax rate in County of Travis was $0.304655 per $100 valuation.”

Vanessa Fuentes* Robert Reynolds City of Austin Proposition P: “Shall an untaxed area in the City of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, containing 35 lots on approximately 96.9 acres of land on Menchaca Road south of Slaughter Lane, be released from the City of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and into unincorporated Travis County, with the result that the Area will no longer be governed by the City’s environmental and development regulations?” Austin ISD Board of Trustees, District 2 LaRessa Quintana Sarah Ivory Austin ISD Board of Trustees, At-Large Position 8 Amy Moore Dylan “Sky” MacAdams Fernando Lucas de Urioste Lindsey Stringer Nathaniel Hellman Nick Franke

Hays County Hays County District Clerk Phillip Muzzy Amanda K. Calvert Hays County Judge, County Court of Law No. 3 Elaine S. Brown

Election day Akins High School 10701 S. 1st St., Austin Bowie High School 4103 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin Boone Elementary School 8101 Croftwood Drive, Austin Circle C Community Center 7817 La Crosse Ave., Austin Community Center at Oak Hill

Robert E. Updegrove Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito Jr. Alex Villalobos Hays County Proposition A

8656 State Hwy. 71, Austin Dittmar Recreation Center 1009 W. Dittmar Road, Austin Menchaca Road Branch Public Library 5500 Menchaca Rd., Austin Hays County Precinct 4 Office 195 Roger Hanks Parkway, Dripping Springs

“The issuance of $439,634,000 of bonds for the construction, maintenance and operation of macadamized, graveled or paved roads or turnpikes, or in aid thereof; and the levying of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interested on the bonds.”

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Election

BY BEN THOMPSON

*INCUMBENT

Austin mayor

Why are you running for this oce and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?

Following years of increased property taxes and costs for city services, how would you aim to keep Austin aordable for residents? I’d aim to budget more responsibly and transparently, looking for eciencies in outsourced contracting. I’d aim to stabilize home prices by preserving and producing deeply aordable housing, scaling community land trusts while incentivizing privately-owned, subsidized aordable housing. And I’d protect tenants and homeowners’ ability to negotiate redevelopment for maximum benet.

I am running to improve Austin’s quality of life with new, accountable and community-driven leadership, placing public interests over special interests. Austin is at a crossroads facing stark income inequality, strained infrastructure and frequent extreme weather. With transparency, inclusivity and creativity, we can create a thriving future for all Austinites.

Carmen Llanes Pulido Experience: Lifelong Austinite, 20-year community organizer, City commissioner (Planning, Quality of Life, Redistricting), Land use scholar www.carmen4mayor.com

Getting back to the basics of running a city. Provide clarity to the citizens regarding the out of control spending and the city budget.

Since taxes never go down, the city needs to operate with a budget that does not further burden the taxpayers.

Jeery L. Bowen Experience: 68 years of life experience are my best qualications and working with various personalities www.jeowenforaustinmayor.com

As a former Austin ISD teacher and community organizer, I am running to ght for working families, build a strong middle class in Austin, and to stand up to Greg Abbott and state leaders against their attacks on local decisions, school funding and our civil rights.

Investing in education, workforce, and living wage jobs and implementing the unspent $1.8 billion in voter-approved bond measures will give us our best return-on-investment and an economic stimulus to bring in increased tax revenues. Ending “sweetheart rates” for large industrial utility users will lighten the burden on residential ratepayers.

Doug Greco Experience: Over 25 years

experience as an organizer, non- prot leader, LGBTQ advocate and public school teacher www.grecoforaustin.com

I’m running for reelection because there’s more to do to make Austin aordable and address needs such as homelessness, public safety and trac. In just two years, we’ve passed the most ambitious land-use reforms in decades, made the Austin Infrastructure Academy to create more jobs and improved City Hall performance.

We need to build more housing, dierent types of housing, and housing around transit lines. We were hamstrung by segregation-era zoning restrictions and an outdated land development code, which is why we made reforms to make it easier to match the demand in housing from new and longtime residents alike.

Kirk Watson* Experience: Mayor, 1997-2001, 2023-present; State Senator (2007- 2020) www.kirkwatson.com

Austin needs an experienced leader committed to transparent government, with a track record of putting people rst; one who is a climate champion; and one committed to work with the community on Austin’s biggest challenges, from addressing issues of aordability to becoming more resilient in the face of climate change.

As your Mayor, I will approach this issue as I did on Council: requiring developers to pay the full costs of infrastructure and development; collaborating with partners to leverage city resources; trimming unnecessary expenses from the budget; analyzing utility rates and other fees to avoid increases that impact family budgets.

Kathie Tovo Experience: Mayor Pro Tem, 2015–2019; City Council Member 2011–2023; UT adjunct professor, 2023–24 www.kathieforaustin.com

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

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Election

BY BEN THOMPSON

*INCUMBENT

Austin City Council District 2

Why are you running for this office and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address? I am seeking reelection to build on our progress over my first term in enhancing quality of life for District 2. Given the pivotal moment we are experiencing in Austin, it is crucial to have experienced and dedicated leaders guiding our city in providing quality, reliable city services.

Following years of increased property taxes and costs for city services, how would you aim to keep Austin affordable for residents? Addressing affordability is a top priority for our council. I’m proud to have launched the Displacement Prevention Community Navigator Program, linking vulnerable Austinites to vital services and resources. Additionally, I’ve spearheaded initiatives to make child care more affordable and accessible for everyone.

Vanessa Fuentes* Experience: Proven leader with record of service, providing excellent constituent services and delivering for District 2 www.vanessaforaustin.com 512-790-4318

Robert Reynolds did not respond to questionnaire as of press time.

Robert Reynolds Experience: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire as of press time.

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Election

Austin ISD board of trustees District 2

Why are you running for the Austin ISD board of trustees?

What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?

As a Title I student who graduated from AISD schools, I know what it looks like when AISD puts their best foot forward. I would like to be a true voice for our often overlooked communities, because I know firsthand how it feels to be left out.

The district is looking at a large budget deficit. The state continues to put AISD between a rock and a hard place by underfunding our schools and creating costly mandates. I have state appropriations experience and I’m excited to bring my skill set and legislative relationships to the board.

LaRessa Quintana Experience: Former AISD student and graduate, Policy advocate, Community advocate, Former governmental affairs consultant www.laressaforaisd.com

I want to bring my education experience to the dais to advocate for equity-based solutions and be part of student-centered growth. As a parent of biracial children, I know students who share in a marginalized experience in underfunded schools are chronically underserved. I am committed to changing that history.

Our budget shortfall and the distribution of special education services are our two biggest challenges. In D2, we should be leveraging community support to equitable distribute resources, staff all positions, and partner with community organizations to better address dual language needs. We must have more transparent disclosures of our budget.

Sarah Ivory Experience: Public school teacher, coach, behavior specialist, administrator and mentor; AISD parent, THRIVE Teacher Mentor www.ivoryforaisd.com

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Austin ISD board of trustees at-large Position 8

Why are you running for the Austin ISD board of trustees?

What is the biggest challenge facing the district and how would you address it?

I would like to bring my skills as an educator, collaborator, and problem-solver to guide AISD decisions and policies that extend equity to all parts of the school district. I am passionate about involving all voices as AISD tackles tough issues in the next few years.

The biggest challenge facing the district is balancing our budget. Our budget needs deep community engagement to ensure we are providing the programs and services our community expects our school district to offer. This deep community engagement will also help us remedy the decrease in enrollment over the past decade.

Amy Moore Experience Parent volunteer, AISD non-profit partner, Mom of 3 AISD graduates, former 7th grade math teacher, Former APIE Program Manager 512-949-9438

It is our civic duty to get involved when we believe there are problems to be fixed. I want to be a voice for the voiceless and create positive change in our community, and I believe I can be someone that students look up to, and see themselves reflected in.

The biggest problems our district is facing are declining enrollment and increased attacks on educational institutions by the right. I believe to counter both these issues we must boost services for students while launching media campaigns to boost the perception of our schools so that they are immune to attack.

Dylan “Sky” MacAdams Experience Chairman of The Coalition Austin, Organized in support of reproductive rights across district schools, Community Organizer www.skyforaisd.com

I believe that public education has the power to better the lives of students and I’ve spent over two decades fighting to help teachers and schools deliver that power to every student. I’m running to bring that fight as a Trustee to empower AISD to support students and staff holistically.

The biggest challenge is addressing the State’s unwillingness to appropriately and equitably fund schools. I will help AISD navigate budget impacts and appropriately utilize available resources with transparency in a manner that gives agency to the families, staff, and community stakeholders, creating consensus and allowing students and staff to thrive.

Fernando Lucas de Urioste Experience Nine years teaching in AISD, 10 years in Education Advocacy, Education Advocate & Director of Advocate Services at the Cirkiel Law Group www.fernandoforaisd.com

I’m running to ensure that Austin ISD actually lives out its mission to prepare every student with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college, career, and life; that we are improving our financial stability; and that our teachers are paid competitively for the amazing work they do.

We aren’t solving our biggest challenges in a systematic way and the district needs to operate more strategically. We are facing significant financial problems driven in part by inadequate state funding, but there are many actions we can take now to address declining enrollment, disparate student achievement, and low salaries.

Lindsey Stringer Experience 19 years public

education; 7 years leadership; Vice President of Technology & Business Operations for the National Math & Science Initiative www.lindseyforaisd.com

We need to provide basic needs to AISD students and staff such as access to showers and food for those who are homeless. We need to creatively utilize or rent AISD land, buildings, and technology. We need to develop student leaders by inspiring, educating, loving, empowering and meeting their needs.

Challenges face AISD [including] securing long- term future funding, access to resources, access to advanced technology, developing student leaders, and meeting the basic needs of students and AISD Teachers/Staff. A task force should be created to solve each specific AISD issue. If AISD serves the community, AISD will never fail.

Nathaniel Hellman Experience: Austin Community College District Police Officer & Texas Real Estate Agent, ACC Police Officer, American Federation Teachers www.hellmanvote.com

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Election

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

12 Hays County voters to consider $440M transportation bond highway from FM 1626 to I-35 in Travis County, and the Dripping Springs Southwest Connection project will align a new four-lane roadway. The impact Hays County’s tax rate for fiscal year 2024-25 was approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court at $0.35 per $100 valuation in property valuation on Sept. 17. If voters approve the bond, Hays County resi- Hays County residents can weigh in on the 2024 Hays County Transportation Program—a $440 million transportation bond—this November. As the county grows, Marti Reich, Hays County’s assistant director of transportation, said it will be “imperative” for drivers to get to their destinations safely. Ongoing road work Extensions The following includes Dripping Springs area projects that would be funded by the bond.

Roundabout

“The current infrastructure that we have does not support all the traffic that you’re [going to] be putting on a roadway with all these develop- ments,” Reich said. The big picture The bond will fund the construction, design and right of way needed for 35 projects across the county. The plan focuses on projects that will enhance safety, mobility and regional connectivity in Hays County, officials said. Bond projects in precincts 3 and 4 will give driv- ers an alternative route to I-35. The SH 45 South- west Extension project will extend the four-lane

dents would see a tax rate increase of $.02 per $100 valuation. This would result in an annual increase of about $80 for a $400,000 home—equating to a $7 monthly increase. Put in perspective The last road bond voters passed was in 2016 when the county population was 204,581. The population has increased to 280,486—or by about 37%—from 2016 to 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Election

BY BEN THOMPSON

South Menchaca entertainment district awaits decision from Austin voters

Given development standards outside Austin, mobility upgrades like sidewalk additions in front of new buildings and other accessibility features likely won’t happen without private support. Stinson said a separated trail is the safest option for visitors given Menchaca’s 50 mph speed limit coupled with lighting and access gaps. Some trail segments could be open by next spring, Stinson said. He’s also working with the city on connections within Austin’s jurisdiction. What’s next Regardless of this fall’s election outcome, the South Austin district will expand with hundreds of new apartments now in development and several new business launches in the works. Overall, Stinson said there’s room for more than a dozen additions in the coming years. At the north end of the district, a city zoning case concerning land along Allred Drive just south of Slaughter Lane could clear the way for at least seven planned restaurant and bar pad sites just o Slaughter Lane. Looking ahead, Stinson also said visitors can

With that in mind, Stinson petitioned this spring to remove almost 100 acres of land in the ETJ along Menchaca from Austin’s oversight. The process is allowed under a new state law that went into eect last year. ETJ releases that cover multiple properties must be approved by a majority of those land- owners in an election. The relevant South Austin voters will decide the issue with Proposition P on this November’s local ballots. Property removed from a city’s ETJ becomes unincorporated county land. It’s a process that’s already been used by scores of landowners around Austin’s edges in the past year. Put in perspective Stinson said he petitioned for the South Austin land release largely because Travis County’s less intensive permitting reviews could streamline the pedestrian pathway’s completion. The project was also inspired by public safety concerns by Stinson and others, including several pedestrian injuries and at least one death the area has seen in recent years.

Shifting jurisdiction A city proposition, if approved, would lead to removal of about 100 acres of land from Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

“As a development, it’s a variety of opportunities here along the trail for an experience for the day. ... We’re still a hodgepodge of dierent landowners and business owners, and they’re all locally owned too. All of

these businesses have local business owners, and we’re not talking any chains.” JAMES STINSON, DEVELOPER AND LANDOWNER

An election this fall could pave the way for the completion of a new pedestrian trail along the South Austin Entertainment District, linking current establishments with new bars, venues and other development coming along a 1-mile stretch of Menchaca Road. The big picture The Menchaca bar scene has recently taken o with a series of locally owned arrivals. Growth in the district isn’t stopping anytime soon with plans for more new restaurants and other projects in the works. Developer James Stinson of Austin NNN, who said his family ties to the area stretch back to mid-1800s settlement, now owns more than two dozen parcels of land throughout the district through his rm. He’s leading an eort to connect

the sites along the busy Menchaca corridor with a private pathway running from Slaughter Lane to Slaughter Creek as more new visitors are anticipated. “One of the goals of this is to become a regional attraction,” Stinson said. “Not just be neighbor- hood trac, but also to have other Austinites from other parts of town come down for the experience of walking on the pedestrian trail and trying the dierent restaurants and the dierent venues.” Zooming in Much of the bar district is situated within a pocket of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ—unincorporated land outside city limits, but where some city development and environmental rules still apply.

Proposed pedestrian trail

Property up for release

expect the district’s “next generation” of estab- lishments on 14 open pad sites to be restaurants with indoor service and a full kitchen, rather than bars with outdoor food trucks. He also said stake- holders hope to draw local ownership, and avoid large-scale redevelopment that’s transformed other Austin destinations like Rainey Street. Other new arrivals in the district could include mini golf and a farmers market.

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