EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON The three Highland Lakes public school districts scored B’s for overall performance in the latest Texas Education Agency accountability ratings.  Ratings are based on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams, college/career/military readiness, and graduation rates from the 2018-19 school year. Districts and campuses earn letter grades from A […]

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You’re in a hurry when you see the flashing red lights and stop sign on the school bus facing you. The kids are all headed away from the road. What could it hurt to drive past? A lot — especially if a child dashes out across the road at the last minute. The best advice […]

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Three Marble Falls Independent School District fourth-graders took a step in developing their leadership skills this summer after their teachers recommended them for the 2019 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. Madden Hernandez of Highland Lakes Elementary School and Spicewood Elementary’s Madison Hardaway and Peyton Tomison attended the weeklong, overnight camps in the Dallas/Fort Worth area […]

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According to the state of Texas, the three Highland Lakes school districts are doing a “superior” job at managing taxpayers’ money. The Texas Education Agency released the the preliminary school Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas ratings August 9, and the three area public school districts — Burnet, Llano, and Marble Falls — each earned […]

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The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District is eyeing major upgrades and improvements across the district to the tune of about $33 million. On August 12, district trustees voted unanimously to call for a November 5 bond election. And the district won’t have to raise its tax rate this year to support the bond. The bond […]

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Back-to-school shopping is usually a highlight when getting ready for the first day of class — until parents look at the receipts and add up the costs. Then, it adds to the stress. However, the state of Texas offers a little relief with its annual sales tax holiday, also known as Tax-Free Weekend, which is […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON A Burnet Consolidated Independent School District tenet is to always look for ways to improve what it does, even something as mundane as after-school student pickup. After years of relying on placards on which students’ names were written, BCISD is switching to the safer and more efficient CarRider Pro system at its […]

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It feels like summer break just started, but school supplies are out at local stores and the first day of class is quickly approaching. Highland Lakes school districts are preparing much like parents and students. Time is ticking away, but you still have a little more than a week to almost two weeks to get […]

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO When Faith Academy of Marble Falls officials began their search for the school’s next athletic director, they quickly realized they had the perfect candidate on staff. In fact, he’s been with the athletics department for 17 years: cross-country and track-and-field coach Steve McCannon. In announcing the new athletic director, the school […]

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The Hill Country Community Theatre has awarded the $1,000 Phyl Holbert Scholarship to Charles McLean for his outstanding contributions to the Cottonwood Shores nonprofit arts venue. In addition to performing on the local stage in “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Rabbit Hole,” and in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” McLean has volunteered his time and was the stage […]

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All nine of the Highland Lakes Association of Realtors scholarship recipients expressed gratitude after each received $1,000 for post-secondary school expenses. It came at just the right time for the students, who all have completed at least 12 college or trade school credit hours. The association awarded the scholarships to Anna Herrington, John Gabriel Smith, […]

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Education has changed, and not solely due to technology. Today’s schools are taking a more holistic approach, focusing on all aspects of a student’s growth, not just academics. In the Marble Falls Independent School District, officials are proactive in addressing the social-emotional learning component. MFISD has brought on a total of […]

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Falling through the gap in school terms often refers to students falling behind in class and never catching up. But another gap worried Marble Falls school officials: not having someone to help students, particularly ones considered at-risk, find their paths after graduation. Gibson Holmes has been tasked with filling that gap. […]

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Two weeks ago, Back to School Blast organizers in Marble Falls were short on needed funds to ensure 1,500 students had supplies for the 2019-20 school year. Two weeks later, organizers are feeling very optimistic thanks to the generosity of the Highland Lakes community. “We got our money in two weeks,” […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON The countdown is on to the first day of school, so don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your elementary-age children for classes. “Though we’re still several weeks, even a month, out, the most important thing (parents can do) is get their kids in a routine,” said Leslie Baty, executive director […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON Nick Stephenson fell in love with band the moment he stepped into his middle school band hall when he was learning the trumpet in the seventh grade. In fact, it was there, at that young age, that he made a decision. “I knew, since seventh grade, that I’d be a band director,” […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON Falls Career High School English teacher Mike Saenz admitted he bounced around in college before deciding education was the path for him. All that bouncing taught him not everyone travels at the same rate to get where they’re going, and it’s a lesson that has helped him as an educator. In June, […]

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EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON All dedicated actors hope to get a callback, a chance to perform one more time. And four Marble Falls High School theater arts students, duos Abigail Collard and Charles “C.W.” Hellen and Charles McLean and Gillian Goff, earned that coveted callback at the International Thespian Festival with Collard and Hellen picked to […]

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After extensive training, a yearlong research project, and final presentations, Burnet Consolidated Independent School District board member Earl Foster earned his Master Trustee designation. Foster, who’s been on the BCISD board since 2016, was a member of the 2018-19 Leadership TASB program that helps trustees become better leaders and more knowledgable about issues facing Texas […]

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO The Back to School Blast may be over two weeks away, but board members are hard at work preparing for the more than 2,000 backpacks that will be handed out to students at Marble Falls and Llano Independent School Districts. (more…)

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FROM STAFF REPORTS Burnet school district officials found an experienced principal to take over the reins at Burnet Middle School with the selection of Jeremy LeJeune. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes is offering a new Professional Master of Business Administration degree beginning this fall. The program is designed for managers and professionals who wish to remain fully employed as they pursue a graduate degree. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Spend a few minutes talking to new Falls Career High School Principal Allie Hampton, and you’ll quickly understand why Marble Falls Independent School District Superintendent Chris Allen recommended her for the job. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Anticipating continued growth in the Marble Falls Independent School District, board trustees adopted amendments to the long-range facilities plan at their regular meeting June 17. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Burnet High School and Burnet Middle School each have new band directors. Hired to lead the high school was Nick Stephenson. The new middle school director is Allen Andrus. The hirings and several other band-related changes were made at the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District board meeting June 17. (more…)

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STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO Teachers and staff in the Burnet and Marble Falls school districts are getting pay raises now that House Bill 3 has been signed into law. The boards of trustees for both districts voted in the pay increases at their meetings June 17. The increases — but not the amounts — were […]

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