Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | September 2024

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Lake Travis Westlake Edition VOLUME 15, ISSUE 8 SEPT. 21OCT. 18, 2024

2024 Education Edition

Dyslexia services shift

Melanie Kate Yeager, a third, fourth and fth grade Modied Language Arts and reading intervention teacher at Barton Creek Elementary, works in small groups with students like Nathan K. and Robyn F. who are fourth grade students receiving dyslexia services.

BRITTANY ANDERSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT State changes put stress on special education sta in local schools

programs, with districts often spending more than they receive to provide services. “When special education is not funded at the level it needs to be, it impacts our other kids,” EISD Chief Financial Ocer Chris Scott said.

passed during the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023. The bill is expected to add additional costs for school districts as it requires more special educa- tion student evaluations and sta training. Eanes, Lake Travis and Leander ISD ocials said they already have underfunded special education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG

Some local school districts are anticipating increased special education program costs ahead of state-mandated changes to the way dyslexia services are provided. The changes are a result of House Bill 3928,

CONTINUED ON 38

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comprehensive evaluation, they can decide based on that information.” One unique aspect of the new center is that physicians can monitor brain activity and gain insight into the patient’s condition in the institute’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit located at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lakeway. “The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is a physical space in the hospital, but what makes the unit special is the staff,” Weston said. “The nurses and EEG technologists in the unit are trained to help us in evaluation to care for the unique needs of these patients. They are the ones who are monitoring the patients 24/7.” The team at Baylor Scott & White NeuroHealth Institute is committed to improving local epilepsy patients’ lives. You can learn more about the Baylor Scott & White NeuroHealth Institute Epilepsy Center at BSWHealth.com/NeuroHealth.

White Health recently launched the comprehensive Epilepsy Center. “We are excited about having this resource for the Greater Austin com- munity. We have a full team of experts who are passionate about providing quality care,” said Michael Weston, director for the Baylor Scott & White NeuroHealth Institute. The Baylor Scott & White Epilepsy Center at the NeuroHealth Institute helps patients live better lives by providing comprehensive treatment options in one convenient location. Its integrated care helps patients achieve quality outcomes. Epilepsy Center providers under- stand the nuances and complexities of brain health and can create custom- ized treatment options. “Each patient who experiences recurrent seizures has a condition very unique to them, like a fingerprint.” Dr. Montoya said. “The idea is for us to identify those features and adapt the treatments to them. After a

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

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ENHANCING YOUR COMMUTE Barton Skyway Ramp Relief Project is Complete The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority has invested $10M into non-tolled mobility improvements on southbound MoPac between Bee Cave Road and Loop 360. Delivered on an expedited timeline, reconfigured ramps bring easier, safer movements, reducing travel times by an average of 30%.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

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.

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 Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia

Taylor Stover General Manager tstover@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Publisher Travis Baker

Grace Dickens Editor gdickens@ communityimpact.com

Jacqueline Harris Account Executive jharris@ communityimpact.com

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907 Ranch Rd. 620 South, Ste. 101-B, Lakeway, TX 78734

LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION

Impacts

620

LAKE TRAVIS

a rotating menu of weekly flavors and a standing menu of classic flavors, for delivery, pickup and purchase in-store. • Opened Aug. 28 • 3620 RM 620, Ste. 140, Bee Cave • www.dirtydoughcookies.com 5 Spa Sway The Austin-based boutique spa offers massages, facials and a variety of medical-grade services, including injectables, laser treatment and body contouring. The 3,000-square-foot space features eight treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, locker rooms and a retail space. • Opened Sept. 12 • 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. E-500, Austin • www.spasway.com 6 Fajita Pete’s The eatery offers different types of fajitas, including chicken, carnitas, veggies, beef and shrimp. Fajita Pete’s menu also has homemade sides, tortillas, queso 7 Los Pinos The Mexican restaurant opened a to-go only counter next to the Chevron gas station. • Opened Sept. 12 • 19305 Hwy. 71, Spicewood • www.lospinosrestaurantaustin.com 8 Spa Eves The new spa is located in the Randall’s shopping center in Steiner Ranch. The facility specializes in Kungfu- Thai deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, scalp waterfall massage and Gua-sha facial treatments. • Opened July 17 • 5145 N. RM 620, Ste. G-160, Austin • www.spaeves.com and margaritas. • Opened Sept. 1 • 3736 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 2, Austin • www.fajitapetes.com

GRIERSON TRAIL

JOHN SIMPSON TRAIL

620

STEINER RANCH BLVD.

620

SANDOVAL COURT

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WILSON PARKE AVE.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY DR.

HIDDEN CREEK LN.

PEDERNALES SUMMIT PKWY.

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COMMONS FORD RANCH

Bee Cave

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HILL COUNTRY BLVD.

N. CUERNAVACA DR.

HAMILTON POOL RD.

MARKET ST.

Rollingwood

PALERMO DR.

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BARTON CREEK HABITAT PRESERVE

6 9

WILLIAM CANNON DR.

290

MAP NOT TO SCALE

MOPAC

• 12901 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. D1-120, Bee Cave • www.ecoestatejewelry.com

Now open

1 Pulse ATX The athletic apparel store carries popular brands such as Hoka, On, Brooks, Altra, Asics and more. • Opened Sept. 7 • 15500 Hwy. 71, Ste. 210, Austin • www.pulse-atx.com 2 Eco Estate Jewelry The estate jewelry store opened its second location at the HIll Country Galleria in Bee Cave. Customers can buy, consign or trade watches and fine jewelry. • Opened Sept. 13

3 Black Rock Coffee Bar The boutique coffee shop chain opened a new 2,000-square-foot store featuring space for customers to work, socialize and relax. Black Rock Coffee Bar serves roasted coffees, smoothies, teas and energy drinks. • Opened Aug. 2 • 8300 N. RM 620, Bldg. G, Ste. 300, Austin • https://br.coffee 4 Dirty Dough Bee Cave The bakery franchise specializes in stuffed cookies, with

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BY GRACE DICKENS & KAMERYN GRIESSER

Coming soon

Now open

9 The Austin Epicure Westlake Owner Marissa Mireur said the future store will have grab-and-go counter service, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner take-home meals seven days a week alongside charcuterie boards, desserts, salads, beer and wine. • Opening mid-November • 3736 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 3, West Lake Hills • www.theaustinepicure.com 10 Oz. Tap House The family-friendly beer garden and restaurant offers around 40 craft beers, ciders, cocktails and wine taps alongside burgers, charcuterie, chopped salads and more. The new spot will include indoor and outdoor seating with a playscape, game nights, live music and community events.

14 Alloy Personal Training - Bull Creek The national fitness franchise offers training in small groups with assistance tailored to each individual’s needs. The new Bull Creek location is owned by husband and wife Walter Sherwood and Raquel Hernandez. • Opened Aug. 26 • 6203 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. 850, Austin • www.alloypersonaltraining.com

17 FastFrame & The Westlake Gallery The custom picture frame shop will celebrate its 25th year in business with a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 12. • 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. D-460, Austin • www.fastframewestlake.com Hill Country Alliance The nonprofit organization based in Dripping Springs celebrated its 20-year anniversary in September. The alliance covers a 17-county region, providing resources and support to neighbors, landowners, local leaders and partners across the region grappling with the environmental effects of growth. • www.hillcountryalliance.org 16 International School of Texas - Bee Cave The private school serves students from pre-K to 10th grade and specializes in International Baccalaureate, modern language, and science, technology, engineering and math courses. To celebrate the opening, the school will host a ribbon cutting Oct. 1 at 10 a.m., and an open house on Nov. 10 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. • Grand Opening Oct. 1 • 15506 Hwy. 71, Bldg. C, Bee Cave • www.internationalschooloftexas.com

• Opening spring or summer 2025 • 12432 Bee Caves Road, Bee Cave • www.oztaphouse.com

11 Day Maker The team behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Salt Traders Coastal Cooking will open a new breakfast and brunch concept. • Opening this fall

• 1101 S. MoPac, Austin • www.daymakeratx.com

construction will wrap up in March. The store carries men’s and women’s clothing, swimwear, cashmere and more, according to its website. • 12801 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. C1-110, Bee Cave • www.jcrew.com 15 NOLA Kitchen Private chef Mike Thompson will celebrate 15 years of cooking in November. The kitchen provides in-home, private chef services for birthdays, anniversaries, holiday events and vacation rental guest services, as well as private Hill Country libation tours. • 3601 Sandoval Court, Austin • www.nolakitchen.com

In the news

12 St. Andrew’s Episcopal School The private school celebrated the groundbreaking and blessing of the foundation of its new Athletic Complex and Student Center on Aug. 30, which is slated to open in fall 2025. • 5901 Southwest Parkway, Austin • www.sasaustin.org 13 JCrew The international clothing store chain is coming to the Hill Country Galleria, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Per the filing,

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Government

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Youth mental health crisis center opens Integral Care and Travis County officials celebrated Aug. 23 the opening of the county’s first youth crisis respite center in the Mueller area within the SAFE Alliance headquarters, a nonprofit that provides shelter and services for victims of abuse. The mental health program for ages 13-17 offers an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization, said Marlene Buchanan, the director of systems of care at Integral Care. She said this service helps fill the need for intermediate care. Individuals can stay up to 10 days, with an average stay of five days expected, according to Integral Care. The facility provides on-site support from professional therapists and case managers, and family therapy sessions to support recovery and family reunification. Buchanan said Integral Care hopes to serve up to 75 teens annually.

Put in perspective

Signs to watch Parents can be proactive in their child’s mental health by knowing some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for, such as:

Mental Health America data indicates Texas has consistently ranked among the worst states for mental health care. When considering both youth and adults, Texas exhibits a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rate of access to care. Texas has the fifth-lowest number of mental health treatment centers in the nation, according to a recent study by Forbes. Texas Health and Human Services lists Texas among the top four states with extensive mental health care personnel shortages. A THHS behav- ioral health task force recent report confirmed that the behavioral health landscape tracks with national trends regarding an increased need for services and a shortage of providers. More than 1.2 million, or roughly 20%, of all Texas youth under 17 have reported a mental, emotional, behavioral or developmental problem, according to advocacy group Every Texan.

Problems with concentration, memory or ability to think clearly

Changes in appetite, sleep or how they dress

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or worthless

Angry outbursts, irritability or restlessness

Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities

If a child is experiencing a mental health crisis, support can be accessed by calling Integral Care at 512-472-4357 . More information is available at www.bit.ly/3APN9eO.

SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Next steps

Integral Care received state funding from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to cover the two-year pilot program, and anticipates the mental health respite facility and program will cost just over $1 million annually to maintain and operate. The organization hopes to expand the program in future years to support services for younger age groups, Buchanan said.

The facility

Integral Care youth crisis respite center

$1M annual operating cost

beds for teens ages 13-17

CREEKWOOD RD.

24/7 supervised support and safe space

SOURCE: INTEGRAL CARE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Government

BY GRACE DICKENS & KAMERYN GRIESSER

Bee Cave voters to decide on charter changes in November Bee Cave voters will consider seven ballot measures to amend the city charter in the Nov. 5 election. Propositions A-F were created by the city with the primary goal to align the charter with state laws and the current practices of the council, according to staff. Proposition G is the result of a citizen’s petition by a group called Bee Cave Vote to Amend, which received over 320 signatures. The amendments aim to increase city transparency surrounding land transactions, said Carrell Killebrew, Bee Cave resident and petition author. If the charter amendments are passed by voters in November, City Attorney Ryan Henry said he will evaluate the legality and enforceability of the citizen petition item.

West Lake Hills to use license plate cameras Following a rash of vehicle thefts and break-ins in late 2023, the city of West Lake Hills has allocated $58,950 to install nine license plate reader cameras, or LPRs, along its main roads. The cost was added to the fiscal year 2024- 25 budget at an Aug. 28 council meeting following a presentation from security company Flock. The pole-mounted cameras will capture photos of license plates and vehicles, but not faces of drivers or passengers, Flock’s Territory Sales Manager Cameron Lewis said. The data is only shared with other law enforcement agencies and is used to identify vehicles tied to crimes. Camera locations have not been determined, but a contract officializing the deal with Flock will take place sometime in the next year.

Propositions overview The exact language and charter amendment text of each proposition as it will appear on the ballot can be found at www.bit.ly/4cRNoU9. Proposition A: Consolidates provisions related to the process of changing the city’s boundaries Proposition B: Changes process to adjust council member and mayor compensation Proposition C: Clarifies and establishes duties of mayor, city manager and other city officers; establishes election of mayor by plurality Proposition D: Adjusts city budget adoption compliance rules Proposition E: Adds other forms of media for official notices and clarifies liability limits for claims against the city Proposition F: Adjusts the standards and certification time for citizen petitions Proposition G: Requires voter approval and public meetings for all city discussion concerning changes to city-owned real property

SOURCE: CITY OF BEE CAVE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Lakeway approves $300K grant for Special Olympics Lakeway City Council unanimously approved $300,000 in hotel occupancy tax funding for its fourth year of hosting the Special Olympics Texas Winter Games at an Aug. 19 meeting.

Local revenues Over the past four years, the Special Olympics has been a revenue generator for both cities. Here’s a breakdown:

will go toward event promotion and covering attendee costs, according to a staff report. Council member Kelly Brynteson clarified that HOT tax revenue primarily comes from taxing visitors from outside the community, so local residents are not footing the $300,000 bill. Last year, the event saw about 2,500 attendees, with 1,300 participants hailing from outside Lakeway, according to city documents.

2022 $240,967

On Feb. 14-16, hundreds of athletes from across the state will flock to the Lakeway and Bee Cave area to participate in the multiday sporting event for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The hotel occupancy tax, or HOT tax, funding

$515,987 2023

$614,581 2024

SOURCE: SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION

Development

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

Mere days after community members raised concerns about a new distribution center rising o of Hwy. 71 and Serene Hills Drive, the city of Bee Cave led a lawsuit against the developers to halt construction. The 269,959-square-foot logistics center, called West Austin Business Park, began construction last December. Bee Cave and Lakeway city ocials said current leaders were not notied of the industrial nature of the facility and believe it is inappropriate for its location near the Sweetwater neighborhood. On Aug. 14, Bee Cave led a lawsuit against the developers, and on Aug. 19, Lakeway announced they would support the litigation. How we got here Per city documents, the site was rst added into the city of Bee Cave’s extrajudicial territory in 2015 as a part of a development agreement with WSCOS development partners, also referred to as Wheelock. The agreement includes a master development plan, which sets the land parcel for “commercial and oce” use. For this reason, the city said the nature of the current project violates the 2015 agreement and “several regulations,” citing the possible noise, light and trac concerns of the project. Due to its location within the ETJ, permitting authority fell on Travis County, but according to a statement from Judge Andy Brown, the county has limited authority to enforce land use restrictions Bee Cave sues distribution center developers

West Austin Business Park 1 Building 1: 77,760 sq. ft. 2 Building 2: 91,800 sq. ft 3 Building 3: 95,040 sq. ft P Parking spaces: 298 Truck docking locations: 82 total West Austin Business Park Oce spaces

The 270,000-square-foot warehouse facility is next to the Sweetwater neighborhood o of Hwy. 71.

KAMERYN GRIESSERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

What developers are saying In response to the lawsuit, Velocis issued a statement saying the company “has proposed that both parties participate in a collaborative mediation as the preferred path forward.” Additionally, Velocis said the company “strongly believes it will prevail if forced to litigate the [city of Bee Cave’s] claims.” As evidence, Velocis led an exhibit of a Nov. 29 post-closing agreement which was emailed to former City Manager Clint Garza and former Director of Planning & Development Megan Will following Velocis’ purchase of the land. The agreement states within 36 months after the closing, “the purchaser shall construct a distribu- tion center, fulllment center, or light-industrial warehouse facility.” Additionally, Velocis claims the city’s current zoning regulations would allow the warehouse to be classied as “commercial.” The city of Bee Cave declined to comment about these claims due to ongoing litigation. What’s next Construction on the facility is permitted to con- tinue after a judge rejected Bee Cave’s temporary restraining order request in August. As of press time Sept. 13, an injunction hearing is postponed to allow more parties to join the litigation eorts, according to a statement from Bee Cave Mayor Kara King. In the meantime, Grant Ames, a builder for the neighboring subdivision and president of Ames Design Build, told Community Impact that “aected neighborhoods know there’s much more to the story than the response that was given by Velocis.”

due to current state laws. What residents are saying

Dozens of residents packed into Lakeway and Bee Cave city hall to express support for the ongoing litigation at August and September public meetings. “[Hwy. 71] is already so dangerous, and my son, he’s a teenage driver. He drives through that area to get to school every day, so that’s one of my concerns. We don’t need more semi-trucks on the roads,” West Cypress Hills resident Elise McCorkle said. Sweetwater resident Nagesh Kollu echoed the trac concerns, adding that he was not made aware of plans for the business park when he purchased his home in March 2020. Now, he said he fears property values in the area could suer.

“The recent proposal at [Hwy.] 71 and Serene Hills Drive is an aront to Western Travis County’s values and goals. ... Not one commissioner reached out to the city of Lakeway or the city of Bee Cave before moving forward with this project. Why is that? Where is the transparency?” GRETCHEN VANCE, LAKEWAY MAYOR PROTEM

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

Lakeway OKs medium-density housing project along RM 620

What’s next?

City spokesperson Jarrod Wise said the development will have to go through preliminary plan approval and plat approval by the Zoning and Planning Commission and council. A timeline for these approvals has not been conrmed as of press time. "I don’t want to give up commercial [land], but I don’t see something retail going here. The fact that the housing is below the median cost; it’s pretty important that we nally start getting something out there that’s not just million dollar homes."

While the land was originally zoned for commercial use, its odd lot shape and distance from the highway has made it less than ideal for retail developers, according to a sta report. Still, the development plans faced several rounds of revision since 2021 per the recommendation of sta to ensure they would comply with the city’s comprehensive plan. Ultimately, the city determined a residential use of the land would be “consistent with other approved medium-density residential developments in the immediate area, such as the residential developments at Jovie, The Oaks Phase 2 and The Square at Lohmans,” per the sta report.

More aordable housing could be headed to Lakeway along RM 620 after city council approved zoning changes for a residential development at an Aug. 19 meeting. The 5-acre site, located at 300 Birrell St., Austin, was rezoned from commercial to residential to accommodate a planned unit development with 42 single-family homes. The patio-style homes will range from 2,000- 2,500 square feet and sell for $600,000- $800,000, which is below the median home cost for Lakeway, according to applicants with the Drenner Group real estate rm. The property is adjacent to the parking lot of the Baylor Scott & White Clinic, with entrances planned on Birrell Street and Medical Drive.

THOMAS KILGORE, LAKEWAY MAYOR

300 Birrell Street site

620

The housing project will include patio-style homes with varying facades located o of Birrell Street.

RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF LAKEWAY

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LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION

Real estate

Median home prices were up nearly 36% for the Westlake area in July compared to the previous year, according to Austin Board of Realtors data. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

July 2023

July 2024

+10.5%

-31%

-12%

+140%

-31.25%

+1.64% -18.52%

LAKE TRAVIS

78669

78730

78732

78733

78734

78735

78738

78746

78669

78734

78730

Median home sales price

78732

78733

620

July

2023

2024

78746

$800,470 $1,170,000 $922,500 $1,675,000 $835,000 $995,000 $850,000 $1,475,000

$555,000

78669 78730 78732 78733 78734 78735 78738 78746

78738

360

$1,060,000 $835,000 $1,170,000 $766,650 $915,000 $855,000 $2,017,500

78735

MOPAC

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Average days on market

Lake Travis-Westlake

July 2023

July 2024

+45.7%

-22%

+24.24%

-12.33%

+59.09%

-5.45%

+17.24% +24.53%

July

2023

2024

269 273

New listings

179

173

Closed sales

78669

78730

78732

78733

78734

78735

78738

78746

Homes under contract

179 163

Homes sold by price point in July

Months of inventory

6.2

7.8

78669 78730 78732 78733 78734 78735 78738 78746

6 30 22

$900,000+

$700,000-$899,999

Price per square foot

$369 $373

20 -

$500,000-$699,999

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

939 1,194

<$299,999

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Transportation

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

West Lake Hills approves $1.3 million bid for paving projects

Over $1.3 million in road improvements are planned for West Lake Hills this fall. At an Aug. 14 meeting, the city approved a con- tract with Alpha Paving to complete over a dozen paving and drainage projects as part of the 2023-24 street maintenance plan. The details The projects span throughout the city, with a focus on residential areas with substandard roads. While most projects address roads, a handful of projects also involve the improvement of storm- water drainage systems to prevent large puddles and pooling water, said Jennifer Bills, the director of building and development services. The street maintenance plan is funded through the city’s street maintenance sales tax, a 0.5% tax applied to all taxable purchases made in the city, according to the city’s website. The tax was approved by voters in 2021 and will need to be reapproved in 2025 to stay in effect. Before the tax, the city had no dedicated revenue system to fund routine road maintenance, accord- ing to previous Community Impact reporting. The street maintenance plan is separate from the $11.8 million bond package approved in 2021, which includes larger road projects within the city. The 2023 Pavement Evaluation Report com- pleted by Road Asset Services for West Lake Hills outlines the condition of roads in the city. While the city overall scored a 72 out of 100 on the health of its roads, categorized as “satisfactory,” the report stresses the financial importance of preventative maintenance rather than reactive

Mill and overlay: grinds up existing asphalt and replaces it with new pavement • Old Stonehedge

TERRACE MOUNTAIN DR.

• Bent Tree Court • North Peak Rd. • Rocky River Rd. • Allegro Ln.

• Butler Cove • Canyon View • Basin Ledge E. • Cedar Park Dr.

REDBUD TRAIL

Drainage project: improvement of stormwater drainage systems Surface preservation: treatment applied to the road to prevent or slow further deterioration • Harbor View Dr. • Hull Circle • Westlake Dr. • Rocky River Cove • Parkwood Court • Madrone Rd. • Live Oak Ridge Rd. Crack seal: fills up cracks in the road’s surface • Circle Ridge Dr. • Canyon Creek • Skyline Dr. • McConnel Dr. • West Spring Dr. • Cortona Cove • Cortona Dr. • Little Bend Rd.

LIVE OAK RIDGE RD.

WESTLAKE DR.

YAUPON VALLEY RD.

FOREST VIEW DR.

HILLCREST COURT

WESTLAKE DR.

N. PEAK RD.

2244

360

• Las Lomas Dr. • North Peak Rd. • Bent Tree Court

ROLLINGWOOD DR.

SOURCE: CITY OF WEST LAKE HILLS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

developing an ideal option for high friction surface treatments for pavement, according to the agenda documents. High friction pavement is a type of pavement overlay that increases safety on the road by maintaining friction during wet conditions or in areas that experience many car crashes, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The city will work with the road bond program engineer to make one standard for high friction treatments to be used for all projects, Bills said.

What’s next? Bills said the road work is likely to begin by October and wrap up by late November. None of the projects will require full road closures, and most will take about a week to complete. Drainage improvements along North Peak Road are likely to be slated last among the projects due to ongoing collaboration with nearby residents, Bills said.

maintenance when it comes to roadways. About $52,000 of the bid is dedicated to

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Education

BY HANNAH NORTON

Education Guide

2024

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! This guide features the latest updates and resources about local K-12 public school options in your community, ranging from new campuses to budget details to bond elections. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news— show them your gratitude by supporting them.

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TEA once again blocked from issuing AF ratings for Texas public schools

The AF accountability system The TEA’s accountability system was established by the 2017 Texas Legislature based on a variety of factors, including:

The annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

For the second year in a row, a Travis County judge blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its AF accountability ratings for Texas school districts and campuses Aug. 12. The case echoes a 2023 lawsuit from over 100 school districts, which alleged the TEA’s revamped accountability system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts. The agency was set to release ratings for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 15. In a lawsuit led Aug. 12, ve public school dis- tricts said the TEA has not been transparent about changes to its accountability system and failed to x “mistakes” made last year. The TEA said it was reviewing the ling to determine next steps. “It is disappointing that a small group of school boards and superintendents opposed to fair

accountability and transparency have once again led a lawsuit aimed at preventing AF ratings from being issued and keeping families in the dark about how their schools are doing,” a TEA spokes- person said in a statement. More details Texas’ AF system, designed in 2017, gives parents insight about the quality of their children’s school. If a campus or district receives a failing grade for several years in a row, the state can intervene. Districts have not received complete AF ratings since 2019. In 2022, schools that received a C or lower were deemed “not rated” as they recovered from signicant learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. Accountability ratings were not issued at all in 2020 or 2021.

Academic growth

High school graduation rates

Student preparedness for college, a career or the military

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Travis County District Judge Karin Crump sided with the school districts in an Aug. 12 order, temporarily blocking the TEA from issuing new accountability ratings while litigation continues. A full hearing was scheduled for Aug. 26, but it has since been delayed until Sept. 16, after press time.

LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG

School districts across Texas are continuing to face funding challenges due to stagnant state funding, resulting in million-dollar shortfalls. Eanes ISD adopted a fiscal year 2024-25 budget in June with a $1.2 million shortfall. Part of the district’s expenditures include personnel expenses, which included a 2% pay increase for staff and anticipated increases in employee health care costs, and $94.7 million in recapture payments to the state. Lake Travis ISD initially planned to adopt its largest budget shortfall in recent years at $6.68 million. In August, LTISD adopted its FY 2024-25 budget with a $4 million shortfall after making nearly $2.85 million in cuts to vacant positions and contracted services— around 42% of which were related to special education, district officials said. Districts battle budget problems

A closer look

In EISD, the middle school Latin course is being phased out and the part-time fine arts director position was not renewed for this school year. Superintendent Jeff Arnett said the decision to phase the course out wasn’t entirely in response to budget cuts, but declining enrollment. This year, there weren’t enough students to justify offering it at the seventh grade level, he said. While the course is still available to eighth grad- ers this school year, it is set to be phased out by next year. The high school will keep its program. Similarly, Arnett said the fine arts director posi- tion was not a direct response to budget cuts, but of restructuring. After the former director retired in May and a high school assistant principal left, the district was able to create the Dean of Arts and Student Life position at the high school, and also hired a new director of bands. In LTISD, the district cut 68 positions that

We will hurt with our infrastructure. We won’t be able to keep up with those other positions that support the classroom and support our student programs, because there is just no room in the budget for that. PAM SANCHEZ, LTISD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS SERVICES were unfilled or no longer needed, including 15 monitors, 13 special services positions, 11 annual substitutes and 11 special education aides. Contracted services were also cut while some have been replaced by district employees at a lower cost to LTISD, said Pam Sanchez, assistant superinten- dent for business services.

LTISD budget cuts overview The district made the following reductions to its budget projections for fiscal year 2024-25.

Going forward

“Inflation since that time has made things, including our biggest expense, which is labor, [go] up significantly,” Scott said. LTISD changed its fiscal year from Sept. 1 to July 1, which will provide the district a one- time payment of about $10 million and help relieve future budget deficits, Sanchez said. LTISD officials will continue to monitor and may amend the FY 2024-25 budget depending on where student needs arise, she said.

Arnett said there are many programs that Eanes has traditionally offered that the community has come to expect. However, the district is having to balance those expectations with increasing financial constraints and is on the brink of having to “make some difficult decisions.” EISD CFO Chris Scott said the formula for the district’s primary funding source, the basic allotment, has not been updated since 2019.

Vacant positions: $2,145,000 Special education contracted services: $580,000 Grounds, electricity and custodial services: $120,000

Total $2.85M

SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Full-day Pre-K Needs Full-Day Funding

DID YOU KNOW?

The state requires full-day pre-K but only funds half the day.

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