Liberty Hill ISD ConnectED Magazine, March 2021

A Liberty Hill ISD Publication

Vol 1, Issue 2 | Spring 2021

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LIBERTY HILL

Spring 2021 6 8 10 14 20 22 28 32 36 40

44 48 52 54 59 60

Greetings from Superintendent Steven Snell Meet the LHISD Board of Trustees Finding Their Voice Junior High girls take to the airwaves Number Sense LHISD crunches date to develop bond proposal A Long Range Look Committee sets course for growth A Legacy of Love Coach Jeff Walker built lasting relationships A Bond with the Community 2018 project to finish under budget Panthers on the Frontlines LHHS alumni are battling the pandemic Four-Legged Wonder Nosek working to keep students safe A Calling Bill Burden teacher on a mission to make a difference Essential Innovation New technology leads LHISD into the future Building a Future CTE expands into construction trades Meet Todd Washburn Education Foundation paying it forward to LHISD Board fills key positions Ready for College?

A Liberty Hill ISD Publication Vol 1, Issue 2 | Spring 2021

ON THE COVER The late Jeff Walker left a legacy of love and made a lasting impact on students and faculty, and the Liberty Hill community.

What’s in a number?

Liberty Hill is growing, and the school district has plans to match it. But what numbers mean the most when taking stock of the situation?

4 $491.7 Million

Number of new campuses planned in bond proposal

The total cost of the May 1 bond proposal

13.5% 2020 LHISD enrollment growth rate 5,538

Current LHISD enrollment

12,215

Projected enrollment in 2025 A LEGACY OF

LOVE

22,374

Projected enrollment in 2030

PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO CONNECTED MAGAZINE | A Publication of The Liberty Hill Independent Newspaper for the Liberty Hill Independent School District PUBLISHER | Shelly Wilkison MANAGING EDITOR | Mike Eddleman CONTRIBUTING EDITOR | Kristy Kercheville, LHISD Director of Communications ADVERTISING & SALES | Stacy Coale PUBLICATION DESIGN | Megan Sela WRITERS | Mike Eddleman, Scott Akanewich, Anthony Flores, Rachel Madison PHOTO CONTRIBUTIONS | Alex Rubio, Anthony Flores, Mike Eddleman, LHISD

$1.36

Current LHISD tax rate (14 cents less than 2018)

For advertising rates and information, or to obtain additional copies, call (512) 778-5577 or send email to news@LHIndependent.com.

Find more information about the Liberty Hill Independent School District at www.libertyhill.txed.net.

Copyright ©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Publisher.

The Liberty Hill Independent, PO Box 1235, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

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LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Panther Nation!

Panther Nation, Happy New Year, and welcome to 2021, a year that promises to be a great one for Liberty Hill students and staff.

The year 2020 proved to be both challenging and rewarding. Liberty Hill ISD led the way to school reopening with input from hundreds of parents, students, staff, and community health experts. The district put great plans in place and had a very successful and consistent fall semester.

Our Liberty Hill Panther Football team helped us keep our mind off of COVID with a deep playoff run in the fall. The team and coaches overcame the tragic loss of Head Coach Jeff Walker to cancer and used his teaching as inspiration as the team reached the state 5A Division II semifinals. The community rallied around our young men and coaches and made this playoff run one of the most memorable in a long time.

The COVID pandemic slowed many things down in Liberty Hill, but house building was not one of those. Liberty Hill ISD saw house builds increase by 40% and realized a 14% increase in student population. LHISD is currently at 5,700 students, 1,360 of whom are new to the district. Demographers show that the housing boom will continue, and LHISD should double in size over the next four years and then double again by the end of the decade, giving LHISD over 20,000 students.

To manage and plan for that growth, LHISD has brought in community members

to work with district staff on a Long Range Facilities Planning Committee. This committee spent over four months looking at growth trends, building capacity, and planning for the future.

With growth comes the need for school bonds. No one likes to see taxes raised, and thanks to excellent financial planning, LHISD will not have to increase the debt tax rate to pay for these new schools. In fact, this year, the LHISD Board of Trustees lowered the tax rate by 11 cents.

The rest of the spring will be very busy!

Our current construction is on schedule and under budget. We will say goodbye to the Intermediate campus and add all 5th grade students to the elementary schools.

Liberty Hill ISD will open the new Santa Rita Middle School in the fall of this year and join Liberty Hill Junior High to convert to a 6th-8th middle school. The last construction piece will be the completion of the high school addition that will add 16 classrooms to expand to a capacity of 2,100.

The Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation has finished its first year of existence, has raised close to $70,000, and just completed its first round of teacher grants awarding close to $13,000.

The LHEF partnered with various local businesses and organizations for teacher appreciation events and treats in recognition of all their hard work. Look for more exciting grants, student scholarships, and spring donor recognition and fundraisers from this

organization.

I am so thankful and excited for such a supportive and engaged community.

Panther Nation is simply the best!

With great pride,

Steven Snell Steven Snell, Superintendent

Todd Washburn

Brad Mansfield

Rosanna Guerro

Bob Mabry

Kristy Kercheville

Sharif Mezayek

Jay Olivier

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning & School Leadership

Assistant Superintendent, Student & Operational Services

Chief Financial Officer

Director of Human Resources

Director of Communications

Chief of Police

Chief Technology Officer

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Residential, Luxury, Farm & Ranch

Over 15 years serving Central Texans

TERRY A. SMITH Place 1

Terry A. Smith graduated from Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, CA in 1995. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the US ARMY and served from February 1996 – February 2016. Terry has been assigned to worldwide locations including Korea, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Colorado, Texas, and finally Hawaii.

After military service, he attended Central Texas College and Texas A&M – Central Texas to earn his degree in Business Administration. He moved to Liberty Hill in 2017 where he now lives with his wife Lauren, and two children, Taryn (10) and Spencer (7). He was elected to the Board in 2020.

8

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

KENDALL CARTER

DAVID NIX

Kendall was elected to Place 2 on the Board in November 2020. He is a native Texan who has been in Liberty Hill for the past 10 years.

Kendall is a husband, father of two LHISD students, local business owner, National Sales Manager, baseball coach, and a proud Panther. Kendall is excited to be part of such an amazing School Board team.

The opportunity to serve on the Board, to help be the voice of the community, to help shape the future of LHISD is exciting as the district is set to double its enrollment over the next 10 years.

David Nix and his family moved to Liberty Hill in 2005 because of the excellent schools. David’s two children, Allee (2016) and Noah (2018) graduated from Liberty Hill. Allee graduated from Angelo State University in 2020 and attends Texas Tech Medical School. Noah is a junior accounting major at Ole Miss.

David earned his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a law degree from the Texas Tech School of Law. He works as the Liability and Property Claims Manager for the Texas Municipal League Risk Pool. David was first elected to the Board in 2008 and has served as the secretary and vice president. David and his family attend First Baptist Church of Georgetown.

Place 2

Place 3

KATHY MAJOR Vice President Place 4

Kathy Major is Trustee Place 4. She’s been married to Estes Major for 34 years.

Both of her children, Kenda and Bradley, are graduates of Liberty Hill High School.

She is a member of Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill.

Mrs. Major retired from LHISD serving as teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Mrs. Major’s teaching passion is student literacy and writing. She was published several times and presented at various state and national conventions.

Originally from Western Michigan, Mrs. Major earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and her Master of Education degree from The University of Texas at Austin. One of her proudest professional achievements is the record breaking streak her students and staff earned as District Champions in Academic UIL. Her hobbies include reading, the beach, fishing, volunteering, but most of all cheering for the Liberty Hill Panthers. Go Panthers!

ANTHONY BUCK Secretary Place 5

Anthony Buck has been on the Board of Trustees since May 2015, during which he has seen tremendous change and growth in the District. As a result, Anthony supported two separate bond elections to prepare for anticipated growth by building Rancho Sienna Elementary School, Santa Rita Elementary School, and Santa Rita Middle School.

Anthony and his wife, Robin, have two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth.

Both attended LHISD from Kindergarten through graduation. Sarah graduated from the University of North Texas with a BBA in Business Marketing and Lizzie is in her senior year at Texas A&M University.

Anthony is the Emergency Management Coordinator for a major state agency. He brings to this position over 30 years of experience working in Disaster Response.

He is also retired from the US Military where he spent most of his service working in Homeland Security and Civil Defense.

Education: US Army Infantry School, US Coast Guard Machinery Technician School, US Army CBRN Specialist School, and US Army Battle staff NCO Academy

MEGAN PARSONS President Place 7

Megan Parsons was born in Austin in 1980. She moved to Texarkana in 3rd grade and graduated from Texas High School in 1998. From there, she returned to Austin to attend The University of Texas and graduated in 2001 with a BBA in Finance.

She has been married to her husband for 19 years and they have two children.

Abby is in 9th grade at Liberty Hill High School and Josh is in 5th grade at Liberty Hill Intermediate School. Her family has lived in Liberty Hill for over 12 years and she co-owns a small weighted blanket business with a friend called Best Friend Blankets. She volunteers within the schools, the Girl Scouts, her church, Education Connection and also with Meals on Wheels through Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties (OWBC).

She has been a board member since May 2019 and is excited about the future of Liberty Hill ISD.

Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

9

Junior High girls inspired to take to the airwaves

Kaitlynn Etheridge. Emily Sterling, Abi Himmer, Lauren Bedre put in the work during one of their All Girls Considered Meetings.

A

group of driven young girls at Liberty Hill Junior High gathered for the first time just over a year ago to form a chapter of the All Girls Considered (AGC) club — a national podcast network that provides young girls an outlet to be heard and an opportunity to connect with inspiring women.

“It was a big deal because all of these girls are getting together to create their own podcast,” said LHJH librarian and chapter

sponsor Katie Prescott. “Every single job that goes into making a podcast, these girls are doing. It’s 100 percent student-led; they choose who they want to interview.”

With several members moving on to high school, AGC welcomed a new crop of students and retained a few from their first year. Seventh-grader Lauren Bedre is one of the club’s new members.

“I joined All Girls Considered because you get to meet such amazing and inspirational people. You get to be a part of something that makes you feel included and happy,”

said Bedre. “I really want to interview a veterinarian because they are so amazing.

They care so much for animals, so I would love to find out more about their journey to get there.”

The efforts to organize their podcast from a technical and interview standpoint builds a maturity that Prescott can see growing in her students.

“I think that they feel very grown-up,” said Prescott. “Even though they are seventh and eighth graders, they are having very mature conversations, and they’re engaging

“Even though they are seventh and eighth graders, they are having very mature conversations, and they’re engaging in something that is beyond their years.”

-Katie Prescott, AGC Club Sponsor 10

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

in something that is beyond their years. I feel like they’re gaining wisdom from their experiences.”

In her second year with AGC, Monique Achumuma has broken out of her shell, finding new confidence. Achumuma was part of AGC’s first podcast episode last spring, an experience that she hasn’t forgotten.

“This year, I feel more confident in AGC than I was compared to last year, and I think the interview process had a lot to do with that,” said Achumuma. “So far, I’ve only interviewed one person, but there are ways that I know that I can improve the next time. Interviewing Mrs. Shantelle Brannon was a really amazing experience.

She gave us a lot of great advice, and she seems like a genuinely interesting person. I came back to AGC for a second year because I want to learn from more successful women.”

Beyond the confidence that comes from their interviews, the girls learn other life skills that they can carry forward.

“There are so many things that go into it,”

how important it is for the girls to develop their communication skills.

“These girls are so young, and it is scary for them in this tech age we live in where a text message is so much easier than a phone call,” she said. “They’re used to doing those, but I feel like these are the skills we’re developing to where they are going to be successful and learn how to navigate life.”

Aside from the communication, technical, and networking skills members are developing, AGC gives the girls a safe space where they are free to discuss and share ideas with one another.

“You get to meet a lot more friends, and you can know that they won’t judge you,” said Bedre. “They will just accept you for who you are. Then you get to learn about possible career choices and how women just like you have gone on to do such amazing things together.”

Meetings over the last semester were impacted by COVID-19, but moving forward, the goal for AGC is to continue to build on the strong foundation established. With a

said Prescott. “From creating the questions to troubleshooting, finding someone that’s available for an interview, answering the phone, and being able to interview someone over the phone. There are things that we probably never would have imagined that we would have had to teach them. They’re learning things that are going to affect them positively.”

Living in the age of text messaging, with a plethora of non-face-to-face communication options, Prescott stresses

long list of guests the girls want to speak to, the lessons to be learned are vast.

“Other girls should join the club because it’s fun,” said Abigail Himmer. “You can fantasize about people you want to meet, and you might end up getting to interview them. At AGC, nobody is left out, and we all view each other as equals and can be confident in who we are around each other.

It is also a way to make a difference in your school and community.” ~ Story and Photos by Anthony Flores Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

11

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Number sense LHISD crunches data to develop bond proposal

I

t didn’t take long for Liberty Hill ISD planners to find themselves swallowed up in a sea of numbers, all of which pointing to one conclusion – district growth is inevitable.

The real question to answer became how to manage that growth in a way that addressed the needs of students in a fiscally responsible approach.

The district’s Long Range Planning Committee, along with staff and the School Board set about determining the need based on a long list of conditions and circumstances, settling on a $491.7 million bond package to present to voters in four propositions.

New schools

The first proposition totals $457.7 million, and makes up most of the total bond package. It includes funds for new schools, campus renovations and expansions, planning funds for additional new campuses, land purchases and a variety of other infrastructure projects.

The bulk of this proposition, though, is made up of new campuses. There is $86 million planned for two new elementary schools – $42 million for the first and $44 million for the second due to anticipated increases in construction costs. A third middle school is planned at $70 million, and then a second high school at $145 million.

The ever-increasing price tag for new school buildings raises eyebrows in all communities when considering a bond election, but Casey Sledge, the district’s engineer managing the projects said there are multiple reasons the cost is so high.

“The first issue, easily, is regulatory requirements,” he said. “There are many laws we have to comply with. It ranges from Texas Education Agency on classroom sizing, which calls for minimum standards for spacing, to building codes and fire codes. They drive many of the materials and sprinkler requirements and things like that.”

A second reason for higher costs of construction is the need to build efficient structures in terms of durability and efficiency.

“The better job we do building the facility up front, the lower the long-term maintenance and operations (M&O) cost can be if we do it correctly,” Sledge said. “This is particularly important in today’s school finance. The way the state funds school districts in Texas, most districts are very limited in the M&O funds they have. We have to be efficient with our future M&O.” To determine a dollar amount for a bond the school district needs reliable estimates for future construction and renovations.

Engineers, architects and contractors look at many factors in determining those estimates.

“When you’re trying to put an estimate to a building that has not

“The better job we do building the facility up front, the lower the long-term maintenance and operations cost can be if we do it correctly” -Casey Sledge

Taxing Questions Bond passage won’t change tax rate

As residents cast their vote on the LHISD bond propositions May 1, there will be an eye-catching phrase repeated through the four propositions – “this is a property tax increase”.

“In the last legislative session as part of House Bill 3, there was a new law that requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase ‘this is a property tax increase’ on all ballot language,” said LHISD Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero.

“Due to this requirement, all voters will see this statement on the official ballot language, even when there is no tax rate increase as a result of the bond.”

That statement is not as simple and straightforward as it sounds on a ballot.

In the case of Liberty Hill ISD, and the proposed $491 million bond package, the tax rate itself can’t be increased due to the cap on the Interest and Sinking (I&S) – or debt fund.

“We have proof and evidence the tax rate will not increase,” Guerrero said.

“We have the 50 cent test which by law says we cannot exceed 50 cents on the I&S tax rate. We are already at 50 cents, so we don’t have the ability to even increase that. Second, because of our debt capacity and property value growth we do not need to raise the tax rate because of that.”

While the debt service rate has remained at 50 cents, the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate – or the portion that covers day-to-day operating expenses, has decreased in back-to-back years.

The current LHISD combined tax rate is $1.3647 per $100 valuation, with the M&O portion being $0.8647.

In the 2018-2019 budget year, the combined tax rate was $1.54 with 50 cents of that rate being for debt service, and the 2019-2020 rate was $1.47 with the same portion being for debt service.

The M&O reductions were mandated by the Legislature, but the I&S cap has remained the same.

The reason the district has increased debt capacity is the growth in the community, both in housing and business development. The current rate of growth is 19 percent.

With the tax rate unmoved, even if the bond passes, it does not mean homeowners will not pay more in property taxes, but that is dependent on property values established by the Williamson County Appraisal District, not bond approval.

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

been designed or barely planned, it is very difficult,” Sledge said. “We have to have assumptions about what we want the facility to do. That’s the hardest part. After that it gets down to experience. There’s not a simple formula, but we rely on many sources, the design team, contractors, the price of inflation, and think logistically through each project.”

The first proposition includes funds for land acquisition, maintenance and repair needs across the district, as well as security, technology infrastructure, and expansion of the transportation facility and purchase of additional buses.

Expansions

An additional $54 million is included in the first proposition for renovations and expansions at five of the district’s campuses.

Both Liberty Hill Elementary and Louine Noble Elementary – currently Liberty Hill Intermediate – will be expanded with some renovations to make them equal in student capacity to the district’s other elementary campuses at 800. The funds will pay for a new classroom wing, expanded library, gym and traffic management, as well as additional furniture needed and fine arts improvements.

“I know people love Liberty Hill Elementary the way it is, but if we can get Liberty Hill Elementary and Noble Elementary to 800 (student capacity) then over the course of time we could save one elementary school as well,” Snell said. “Not that we look at it as savings because it is still a lot of money and a lot of schools being built, but we don’t have to spend an additional $100 million when we add to the schools we have.

And that was important to me, it was important to our Board and to the Committee.”

That expanded capacity is also the reason there are funds planned to expand Santa Rita Middle School, which is still under construction and set to open next Fall. The available funding for the last bond, and projections at the time limited the district to a smaller capacity than the expanded capacity planned today.

“The demographics they had at the time just warranted another middle school for 900 students,” Snell said of the plan.

“That’s what they budgeted for and that’s what the current debt capacity then could afford as well.”

Ultimately increasing capacity at both middle schools will help limit the number of schools that will be needed in the future.

“It wasn’t until very recently that the population exploded to the point where we looked at whether we wanted to keep 900-student middle schools – at which point we would have to build six middle schools – versus a 1,200-student middle school of which we would have to build five. That’s a $60 million savings to the taxpayer by choosing to build them at 1,200,” he said.

The funds for Santa Rita Middle School will be for a new classroom wing, while those for Liberty Hill Middle School – the current junior high – will be for expansion as well as upgrades to the common areas, new roofing, traffic management and additional furniture needs.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Proposition A, $457.7 million:

• Construction of two new elementary schools – Elementary School #6 and #7 • Construction of a new middle school – Middle School #3 • Construction of a new high school – High School #2 • Expansion and renovations at Liberty Hill Elementary and Louine Noble EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS • Expansion and renovations of Liberty Hill Middle School – increase to 1,200 student capacity, CTE, Fine Arts, new roof, HVAC, and traffic flow • Expansion of Santa Rita Middle School to 1,200 student capacity • Liberty Hill High School expansion to 2,400 student capacity, CTE, Fine OTHER ITEMS • Maintenance and Repair– HVAC, roofing and other maintenance repair needs • District-wide campus security – security cameras, access control, front entry vestibules • Technology infrastructure • Expansion of transportation facility and purchase of new buses • Land acquisition and design for future schools

Proposition B, $8 million: • Technology Devices for students and staff

Proposition C, $6 million:

• Liberty Hill High School Stadium expansion – additional 5,000 seat capacity and additional restrooms that are ADA compliant

Proposition D, $20 million:

• Stadium for New High School #2 – competition field, seating capacity for 10,000, press box, locker rooms, concession stand and restrooms, 8-lane track

Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

The middle school and new elementary campuses were all designed with potential future expansion in mind.

The funds for expansion at the High School will be for added student capacity, Career and Technical Education additions and fine arts upgrades.

Not only were the expansions included as a way to cut new campus costs in the future, they were added to help ensure equity across the district in terms of student activities and opportunities.

“That’s what this bond is about is making facilities, classrooms, technology, access, everything equitable,” said Trustee Kathy Major.

Fresh Faces everywhere There are new faces in Liberty Hill ISD everywhere you look because of the double-digit growth the district sees each year. That growth has been to the tune of 1,400 students this year from last year alone, and demographers have projected the Fall 2021 enrollment for the district at 6,566, from the current number just over 5,700. That number is expected to double by 2025 to 12,215. Beyond the five years the current bond is intended to address, enrollment is projected to nearly double again by 2030 to over 22,000.

LHISD PROJECTIONS • 1,400 NEW STUDENTS THIS YEAR

Stadium discussion When the final version of the bond package was settled on by the Board of Trustees, the single proposition intended to address athletic stadium needs was divided into two separate propositions to give voters more flexibility.

There was debate over whether a second full-sized stadium like Panther Stadium was the right decision for a second high school. But the Board recognized the deliberation and research put into the proposal by the Committee and wanted to see voters consider all options proposed.

But to ensure the option to approve expansion of the existing stadium was an option even if voters were not ready for a second stadium, the two items were

• 6,566 STUDENTS IN FALL 2021 • 12,215 STUDENTS BY 2025 • 22,000 STUDENTS BY 2030

proposed separately.

“Athletic facilities always seem to be a sticking point when it comes to bond elections,” Snell said. “Having modest facilities that give our kids everything they need is important.”

The $6 million proposed for Panther Stadium expansion would add 5,000 seats and make necessary upgrades for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance

No matter what numbers you choose, or how they are analyzed, all signs point to continued explosive growth within Liberty Hill ISD. The demographers that compile projections for LHISD show enrollment rates increasing dramatically each year over the next decade do to the number of new housing occupancies anticipated between now and 2030.

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

and add restrooms and concession space needed to accommodate the increased number of people.

The $20 million in the final proposition is to build the second stadium – likely at the new high school – with 10,000 seats, a track, stands, concessions, bathrooms and press box to be equal to Panther Stadium. ~ Story by Mike Eddleman

Moderate Growth Scenario

Projected Enrollment at PEIMS Snapshot Date 2021 Enrollment

6,566

% Growth

18.57%

Growth

1,028

2026

2022

2023

2024

2025

7,796

9,143

10,596

12,215

18.74%

17.27%

15.89%

15.28%

1,230

1,347

1,463

1,619

2027

2028

2029

2030

14,082

15,986

18,086

20,183

22,374

% Growth

15.28%

13.52%

13.14%

11.59%

10.86%

Growth

1,867

1,904

2,100

2,097

2,191

Enrollment

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A LONG-RANGE LOOK Committee sets course for LHISD growth

I

Members of the Long Range Planning Committee study the demographics as they determine facilities needs for the future.

"There is a true desire for community input and there is a true lens toward transparency" -Aurora Trahan

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

n five meetings over four months, 65 members of the Liberty Hill community gathered to chart a course, intent on developing a plan that would address the facilities needs for a district bursting at the seams.

Committee member Kenneth Huff, a sixth-grade teacher at Liberty Hill Intermediate School, has been in education a long time, but had not been involved previously in issues like the ones facing the committee.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” he said. “This is my twenty-third year in education, and in those 23 years I’ve only had the opportunity to work in a brand new building one time. I was not part of the similar process for that new building.”

The task proved to be large, with many questions and a lot of data, but Committee member Aurora Trahan, the mother of a first grader at Santa Rita Elementary, said it was presented and covered in a way that it wasn’t too overwhelming.

“I would say they did a really good job from the outset setting the tone to let us know this was a big job,” she said. “It was a lot to consider and was a big decision.

What I appreciated about the committee is it really was a nice cross section of the people in Liberty Hill that were new, that were here a long time, business owners, folks that had gone through the school system themselves, to say we are all coming at it with our own perceptions and reactions to it.”

There was one aspect of the process that did seem overwhelming for some, though.

“It is overwhelming in that if the district doesn’t do something to try and stay ahead of the data they are showing, we’re left with what do we do if we can’t stay in front of this growt,” Huff said.

Beyond projected enrollment numbers, the committee worked through a long list of other considerations to try and leave no stone unturned when looking at the expense, efficiency and culture of the district.

With older campuses that have less capacity than newer ones, a point of focus was trying to establish equity across all campuses.

“We wanted to make sure this is a district where there is equity across the district,” Trahan said. “We want folks to feel like whatever school they’re at is representative of the great pride in education in the school system that we know is Liberty Hill. That’s why you see in the proposal things like adding to and updating some of the older campuses.”

The ideal size of a Liberty Hill ISD campus on the elementary, middle and high school levels, was also thoroughly vetted by the committee.

“As part of our discussion in small groups and the whole group when we gathered, there was discussion

on how big do we want these schools if we build them?” Huff said. “What is that magic number or the tipping point of how many is too many students? Or how much is too much building?

You have to find the middle ground of where is it cost effective as far as how big we build.”

That evaluation went beyond what committee members or even district staff envisioned as the ideal number.

“We looked at other districts around us,” Huff said. “How big is a typical elementary school in Leander? How big is an elementary school in Bertram? We want to compare apples to apples.

Do they feel like their size is too big and on the other side of that did they build it too small and now they have to come up with another building?”

In the end, as the plan came into focus, Huff was pleased with how the large group with varying perspectives came together.

“I was able to voice my opinion coming from a classroom, as well as hear opinions coming from parents or other community members,” Huff said. “All of those conversations happened, but at the end of the day we all kind of came to agreement. I was very

surprised at how much consensus we had in the group. There wasn’t a split.”

Both Huff and Trahan hope that voters dig into the information and details the same way the committee did before coming to a conclusion.

“The more people know the better their decision will be,” Huff said. “Dig into the information, find something you think is a selling point or huge detractor and let somebody know. If you’re not going to support it, give us a reason why so we can adjust it and move forward as a community.

This was not something thrown together. We put some time in and I’m proud of the work we did and I can support it.”

Trahan agreed, emphasizing the effort she has seen toward gathering and sharing information through the process.

“There is a true desire for community input and there is a true lens toward transparency,” she said. “I’d encourage folks to become educated on the topic. It was a large committee, so network with folks that you know to talk through the information or read it yourself on the website and ask questions.” ~ Story by Mike Eddleman | Courtesy Photos

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

A LEGACY OF LOVE Late Panther football coach built lasting relationships

Jeff Walker was more than just a head football coach and athletic director. The late Liberty Hill sideline boss was a man who firmly believed in building relationships with everyone he came into contact with – from his own players to fellow coaches, parents and administrators.

But, most of all, Walker genuinely cared.

Not just about football, but all things Liberty Hill sports, along with a burning desire to help produce not only the best athletes – but the best young people he possibly could.

According to Liberty Hill High School Principal Jonathan Bever, Walker’s concern for student-athletes was evident whenever he would pay him a visit.

“I regularly walked to the fieldhouse to check on Coach Walker. Our conversations always started with him asking how I was doing and what he could do to help me,” said Bever. “He would also ask me about his athletes and their academic standing, so he could support his athletes and make sure they were taking care of all of their responsibilities at LHHS. As the principal, I expect my coaches to ask about their athletes’ eligibility, but it was more than that when Coach Walker asked. He genuinely cared about the lives of his players and was invested in their ‘big-picture’ success. He gave everything he had to his athletes and in return, they gave everything they had

to him and the team. Coach Walker’s goal was to do more than win – he mentored his athletes to become successful young adults in all aspects of life – during and after high school.”

Burning desire

Walker was never satisfied and always sought to be better, which was what fueled a man who had already had much success in his career, including being on the coaching staff of the Panthers’ back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007, as well as building a successful athletic program at Rogers before returning to Liberty Hill to become head coach and athletic director in 2017.

Liberty Hill ISD Superintendent Steve Snell said Walker’s mild-mannered nature concealed a tempest of passion in his constant quest for excellence.

“Coach Walker defined the term quiet strength,” he said. “Although he could be as animated and as loud as any coach, most of the time he set his expectations and spent his energy in the constant quiet pursuit of perfection. Each position, each assignment was practiced over and over again until it was perfect. He was always focused on getting everyone ready for the next game CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Summer 2020 | LHISD ConnectED

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Coach Walker congratulates the Panthers after a playoff-clinching road victory against Canyon Lake in the last game of the 2019 regular season.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

and this year he was determined to get the team ready for Class 5A football.”

Mutual respect

Liberty Hill head boys’ basketball coach Barry Boren said Walker was much more to him than simply a superior – he was the kind of individual who despite being in a position of authority, would always make one feel as if they were comrades-in-arms.

“In these last four years, I knew Jeff as my boss certainly. More, I came to know him as an authentic working peer. I think that is the kind of relationship every employee desires – that is to not feel like you are working for someone, but alongside or with someone,” he said. “Wow – what a great experience it was. We have had many conversations about many topics. Of course, we discussed our relative sports – however, we talked about many, many other things as well. I would ask him his opinion, or advice, on many matters.

He would do the same. I never failed to show him his due respect. At the same time, he was very respectful toward me. In these last couple of years, my wife has contracted cancer, as well, which was certainly another topic which Jeff and I shared in conversation.

He was not just my boss – he was my friend. I miss him now and will for a long, long time. ”

Caring taskmaster

Of course, the ones he built the strongest bonds with were his players.

Walker believed in order to get young athletes to buy into the program and give it all they had, he needed to reach them on a personal level and prove to them he really did care about them as people and not just football players.

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

“Coach Walker selflessly and truly cared for others,” said junior linebacker Andon Thomas. “He was a remarkable man who always carried himself in a way others would notice and was someone you wanted to be around.”

Thomas added the gruff – sometimes grouchy – persona that he and his teammates would experience on the practice field would always be countered by the fatherly figure he cast off the field.

“All of us know when he yelled at us, it was only because he cared about every single person,” he said.

“He never wanted us to play for him – he wanted us to play for ourselves.”

Senior quarterback Charlie Calabretta said Walker provided one thing above all.

“Coach Walker trained us to be winners and gave us our desire to succeed,” he said. “He was a great guy and was an example of what you want to be as a person.”

But, it wasn’t only about his football players – any and all Panther athletes found themselves under Walker’s umbrella of care.

“It didn’t matter if you didn’t play football,” said Calabretta. “He was always up and around the school and everyone knew who he was.”

A wry sense of humor was one of Walker’s favorite weapons in dealing with his players, he said.

“I’ll miss his jokes,” said Calabretta. “He always knew exactly when to crack one and put a smile on our faces.”

Just don’t be a straggler on the way to practice, said senior running back Blake Simpson.

“Coach would always get on me and (senior running back) Trey (Seward) because we were always the last ones out of the locker room and onto the field,” he said. “I had a love-hate relationship with him because he was always hard on me and we always fought and had arguments – but usually it was about me being dumb.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Walker made it a point to make sure each and every player on his roster would never leave at the end of the day with a bad taste in their mouth due to something that may have happened on the practice field that day.

Hence, he would have the players line up and shake hands with one of the coaches before leaving the locker room – a simple gesture, perhaps, but one designed to let them know they were always loved and cared about regardless of any gridiron transgressions.

“Hug Day” was another Walker tradition born out of his neverending desire to constantly convey to his players a message of cohesion and would also deliver motivational messages to them through stories, poems and other literary means.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

Greatest fear

Walker’s wife, Miranda, said the one thing he was always scared to death of was shortchanging his athletes with his own effort.

“Sometimes, he would come home and was bothered because he would be wondering if he had somehow let the kids down,” said Miranda. “He never wanted to miss a chance to help them succeed – that was always his biggest stress and worry – asking himself if he had done everything he possibly could – it was his biggest fear in life.”

All that being said, Walker was obsessed with determining how to get the very most out of each individual and knew it would require putting in the time to get to know what each player would react best to for the desired results, said Miranda.

“Jeff tried very hard to understand what each kid’s breaking point was,” she said. “Especially in the offseason – he needed to know what buttons to push to get them to go further than they thought they could. But, the whole process of being able to push people hard goes hand-in-hand with building those relationships and earning respect.”

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Walker truly had a passion for the place he called home – which in turn drove him even more to put the Panthers on the map of the Texas high school sports landscape, said brother and fellow Liberty Hill coach Kent Walker.

“Jeff really had a love for Liberty Hill,” he said. “This is where he wanted to raise his girls (twin daughters Regan and Madison) and he constantly bragged to anyone who would listen how wonderful the community here was, what an amazing and awesome place it was and how fortunate and blessed he was to be the head football coach and athletic director at Liberty Hill.”

But, of all the character traits Walker possessed, there is one he will most be remembered – as well as admired for.

“His toughness,” said Kent. “How he was able to carry that over to his players – you could see how resilient he always was – he instilled that in all of the athletes. Life gets tough and it’s not going to be easy – they might not have always realized it at the time, but he was always preparing them for life.”

Bever said Walker will continue to be the epitome of what Panther athletics will always stand for.

“When I think about Liberty Hill High School football, I think about Coach Jeff Walker,” he said. “He was more than a coach – he was the heart of the program and his players’ biggest champion. Coach Walker lived his belief that it was important to fight hard and be tough when facing any challenge. He knew life would challenge each of us and we couldn’t let those challenges define us. It’s how we handle those challenges that tell people who we are – that’s one reason #WalkerTough has been, and continues to be, such an inspirational and empowering message.” ~ Story by Scott Akanewich | Photos by Alex Rubio

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A BOND WITH THE COMMUNITY 2018 projects on pace to finish under budget

I

n November 2018, the voters in Liberty Hill wrote a check to build two new schools, add on to another and renovate one more.

At that time, taxpayers were promised a transparent, efficient and on-budget process, and with the end of that $98.6 million bond program in sight, that promise remains intact.

The first of these projects to welcome 28

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

students was Santa Rita Elementary, which opened in August.

“It will finish under budget, even after the things we had to add,” said project engineer Casey Sledge.

Among the additions was a two-lane road on the east side of the campus mandated by Williamson County after the original budget was set.

The estimated total price of Santa Rita

Elementary, which can currently house 800 students, is $32.2 million that includes all soft costs as well as construction. The guaranteed maximum construction cost was $27.2 million, and Sledge said they expect to come in more than $100,000 under that number when the project is completely closed out. The school opened in August 2020.

Through February, the district had spent

$63.8 million of the bond funds, with 34.7 remaining.

The estimated costs of the other projects in the bond proposal are $50.5 million for the new middle school with a 900 capacity; $1.2 million to renovate the Intermediate campus to an elementary school; and $14.7 million to add classroom space onto the High School.

Each of these three projects are on pace for completion before school starts next fall, and Sledge contends they are all also on track to be completed under budget as well.

The project engineer, along with architects Huckabee and Associates and the contractor Bartlett Cocke, now have one project under their belts as a team, and Sledge believes that will pay big dividends going forward.

“We’re really happy with the relationships with everybody, from Huckabee to Bartlett Cocke,” Sledge said. “It is strong, with a lot of dedication to the project from everyone.”

Each project has a contingency fund attached to it to allow for additional expenditures as needed and approved by the school district, and how those funds are being used on current projects is a sign to Sledge at just how well the team is working together now.

On the Santa Rita Elementary project, there were 55 change orders that spent a

large amount of the contingency – all but $32,000 by the end of February with close-out pending – but halfway through the Santa Rita Middle School project there have only been six change orders. Those change orders have spent only $48,000 of the $1.07 million contingency.

“Having 10 or 20 makes me feel a lot better, so this shows we are becoming much more efficient,” Sledge said. “As we work with these teams and get together up front as we’ve been able to do on the middle school and high school we will find more and more efficiencies.

“After Santa Rita Elementary we’re having much fewer surprise items on the middle school and high school. That’s not to say there aren’t some issues, every project is unique and there are always some type of issue, but there aren’t many surprises,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

The Santa Rita Middle School campus is set to have an initial student capacity of 900 and has a budget of $50.5 million. The final price for the land was $2,138,063.25.

The two-building campus will be about 150,000 square feet, compared to the 105,000 square feet in the new Santa Rita Elementary.

Sledge doesn’t anticipate any hiccups in completing the new middle school on time, even with COVID-19 and February’s winter storm creating some complications.

“We’re definitely on track and will have a very busy summer,” he said. “We knew that from the day we started. We got a later start than we wanted due to changes and working with the developer on the land. We are still slated to open in August and I feel confident that is still going to happen.”

A drive by the new campus, located on the east side of US Hwy 183 across from Santa Rita Boulevard, is beginning to show how the campus will look.

“Most all of the building is completely dried in,” Sledge said. “We’ve actually got drywall and paint in about half the building. We’ve already started working on flooring and windows are in.”

There are a number of cost-saving measures in the new projects, some that save funds down the road like the geothermal HVAC system, and others that will save on the front end, such as a deeper

dive into the question of how big the kitchen needs to be. Sledge said the deeper analysis of needs and usage help determine what facilities are truly needed.

“We really focused on how many kids are actually eating cafeteria-prepared food,” he said. “It is typical to count the number of kids and do historical projections based on industry standards. Every kid needs to fit in the cafeteria, but if not every kid is going through the kitchen line we get a little breathing room. We didn’t have to make the cafeteria twice as big and have it be oversized forever.”

The addition of a wing at the High School will expand classroom space as well as help other programs expand.

The guaranteed maximum price for the construction portion of the high school expansion project is $12,490,132. The original estimate of the high school renovations when the bond was proposed was $14.7 million, which included both hard and soft costs.

Through February, Sledge said only $32,000 has been spent of the $750,000 in contingency funds for that project.

- Story by Mike Eddleman | Courtesy Photos

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Panthers on the

Frontlines Liberty Hill alumni are battling the pandemic

W

hen Julia Case and Hannah Maedgen were students at Liberty Hill High School and had aspirations of a career in healthcare, neither could have imagined the conditions years later in the midst of a pandemic, which has put both of them to the test.

Case was Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, while Maedgen was Salutatorian the same year. Both have been on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19 and have witnessed its devastation -- Case as a physician’s assistant and Maedgen as a pediatric flight nurse.

“As a primary care physician assistant, I have experienced firsthand the detrimental effects the pandemic has had on the world,” said Case. “I’ve lost patients to COVID, sent countless patients to the ER fearful of the outcome and even contracted COVID. Unlike so many others, I was fortunate enough to recover, although it was truly the sickest I’ve ever been. Being on the frontlines has been inconceivably difficult, but the vaccine has brought hope and serves as a light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.”

For Maedgen, it’s made many things, which were second nature, things she must now carefully consider, she said.

“It’s been humbling. Before this virus, I

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Julia Case, (left) and Hannah Maedgen were classmates during their time at Liberty Hill High School.

never hesitated to run into a patient’s room and render aid. I never stopped to think about not having gloves or eye shields on. I never thought I would have to dig my mask out of the trash out of fear I wouldn’t be able to receive another one. I never had to tell parents they couldn’t ride with their child in the ambulance. I never worried that the patient’s germs would aerosolize inside the helicopter and potentially compromise our pilot’s health,” she said. “Now don’t get me wrong, I haven’t had the same experience many health care professionals have experienced in major metropolitan areas.

The Central Texas pediatric population has fortunately not been affected as strongly as other areas and demographic groups. Not yet anyway, thankfully. However, the shock wave has been felt across the board. I don’t think patient care will ever be the same because of it. In saying that, I have hope for the future. I just received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, PPE supply has improved and we’re learning more and more about this virus every day. Also, you can believe this doesn’t keep me from snuggling

a newborn baby, hugging a sick child during a difficult procedure, or fist bumping a teenager that was able to make strides towards healing. If they can’t see my smile, they will at least be able to feel it through my gloved hands and cloth isolation gown.”

According to Maedgen, growing up in Liberty Hill and growing up in the school system helped shape her into the person – and professional – she is today.

“There are countless lessons I learned in my eight years at Liberty Hill ISD. The more time that passes since graduating, the more I realize how much I owe to this amazing school system,” said Maedgen. “Whether it was trying to apply the quadratic formula with Mrs. Karr, dissect a pig with Mrs. Cobb, use AV equipment at a basketball game for Coach Boren, or file paperwork in the counselors office with Mrs. Kercheville and Ms. Gay, there were so many amazing opportunities for learning and growth.

The National Honor Society also provided me the wonderful opportunity of volunteering at Dell Children’s Medical Center, which coincidentally is where my nursing career

Julia Case, valedictorian of Liberty Hill High School’s Class of 2011, is a primary care physician assistant.

began. I also owe a great deal of my school career to the 4-H and FFA programs. Ag not only taught me about leadership and personal growth, but how to reach up and achieve my goals whether it was raising a grand champion animal or placing at state public speaking competitions. I know I wouldn’t be the person I am without being a Liberty Hill Panther.”

For Case, much of her inspiration came from closer to home, she said.

“Growing up I witnessed my mom battle young onset Parkinson’s Disease – she was diagnosed at age 29, two years before I was born – which undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today and played a vital role in my career choice,” said Case. “Her continued unwavering strength and courage serve as a source of inspiration for me during the most trying times.”

Case added that despite the trials and tribulations she has experienced during the pandemic, she believes it’s only in moments such as these when one’s true talents and abilities are fully realized, along with an opportunity to grow and become better.

“I think in some ways you can’t really realize your true potential as a healthcare professional until you’re thrown into lifethreatening circumstances,” she said.

“Such conditions activate an area of your brain that would virtually remain untapped otherwise. This pandemic has certainly challenged me in every sense of the word.

As a primary care provider, my focus has historically been preventative care and wellness, so diagnosing and treating COVID-19 -- a novel virus we still don’t know much about -- has changed my way of thinking and expanded my healthcare capabilities.”

Maedgen said she has also grown as a result of the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic.

“As a neonatal and pediatric transport nurse, no two work days are alike.

There will be some nights with zero calls and others with three to four,” she said. “When the pandemic started, I worked in the pediatric emergency room in between calls. With varying modes of transportation, locations and patients, I’m constantly having to adapt to different situations. While I wish we never would have had to experience this tumultuous time, I think my training has definitely prepared me for working during COVID-19.”

Maedgen said she’s had to rethink almost everything she does as a result of various protocols and additional safety measures that are now in place.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Hannah Maedgen was Liberty Hill High School’s Class of 2011 salutatorian and is now a pediatric flight nurse.

“I think perseverance and problem-solving have been two of the biggest themes for anyone trying to work during this pandemic.

This virus has made everything harder – plain and simple,” she said. “Problem solving has really had to kick into overdrive just to get everyday tasks done. Since I work as a transport nurse, I’m fairly used to having to work in different environments and adapt to changing conditions when moving patients from facility to facility. However, all normal processes and procedures have had to be altered. Also, I really have had to go back to the drawing board in terms of how to connect with my patients. I usually am already working at a disadvantage when it comes to building rapport with my patients due to understandable fear, unfamiliar faces and development levels. Therefore, having a scary mask on my face doesn’t make my patients any more excited to see me. I’ve definitely had to rely more on ‘Mickey Mouse Club House’ and ‘Frozen’ to appease my patients.”

Case said the current environment she finds herself in has certainly sharpened her sense of improvisation.

“Needless to say, I’ve become mentally stronger as both an individual and a healthcare professional,” she said. “I have learned to adapt to the daily uncertainties that have stemmed from the pandemic and I’ve honed my critical thinking skills more in the last 10 months than I have in the previous several years.”

Maedgen added the pandemic has caused her to see things from a different perspective.

“Never take anything for granted,” she said. “I think this pandemic has helped readjust the lens on what’s important in life and how precious it is. Never take your health, family, friends, career, coworkers, or just everyday life for granted.”

Case certainly agreed.

“My experience during the pandemic has altered my perspective and I can’t help but see life through a different lens,” she said.

“The fragility of life resonates with me now more than ever before – I truly feel lucky to be alive knowing how many others have lost their lives.” ~ Story by Scott Akanewich Courtesy Photos

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T

hrough the hustle and bustle of the busy hallways of Liberty Hill High School as students navigate their way to class, they are greeted with a now familiar fourlegged friend.

Nosek is the drug-detecting K9 donated to the LHISD Police Department just before the school year began. Alongside his partner, Officer Jason Wolf, the tail-wagging boy in blue works to keep schools in the district safe and drug-free.

“He does great. He usually is just sleeping when we’re doing office work. Going through the schools, he does a great job. We couldn’t have found a better dog for the school,” said Wolf. “He’s good with his detection work, but also his demeanor with being around students is perfect. He’s great with the kids at the elementary school and can tolerate having a bunch of little ones on him.”

While he’s not on the clock, Nosek is just like any other dog. At the end of his work day, Nosek gets to head home with Wolf and spend time with a few other animal friends.

“He’s a big goofball. I have a little bit of acreage and some farm animals, and he loves running out there with them,” said Wolf.

“When he catches them, or they stop, he’ll stop and wait for them to keep running. That’s what he loves to do with them. Go running. I can’t let him loose in the house because he can get a little destructive. If he starts getting bored, he does some chewing and pulling stuff apart.”

Nosek was donated to the district by Pacesetter K9, a veteran-owned and operated K9 training business in Liberty Hill. But he made a much longer journey in getting here.

“His passport says Poland. He’s a Belgian Malinois, so technically, his breed is from Belgium,” Wolf said. “There’s a big difference between European bred dogs and American bred dogs. American bred dogs tend to be bred more for the show ring. Like German Shepards, for example, they’re a lot prettier and have flashier colored coats. In Europe, they’re more working dogs. They’re darker colors. It’s like comparing a lineman to a wide

36

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

receiver. It’s the same person but two different functions.”

Nosek’s full name is Nosek Hak, which roughly translates to strong nose. Because of his Polish training, he responds to commands in Polish. Nosek’s European background is one of the reasons he was chosen. European breeding differs from American breeding in its focus on work.

“With the breeding, here in America, both parents have to be registered with the American Kennel Club before you can register

a puppy. In Europe, both parents have to be registered, and they also have to have some type of title in their working program.

Even with that, you only have the potential to register the puppy. You can’t register the puppy until it gets a working title. The breeding over there maintains more of the working lines than we do here in America.”

A self-described animal lover, Wolf enjoys the work with his partner. He takes joy in Nosek’s ability to break the monotony of work.

“It’s been great because it’s fun to be able to bring the dog to school. I’ll take Nosek out and play with him, and it’s a great break from doing office work all day,” he said. “It’s something else I get to do. I’m very much an animal person. My wife and I moved out here to Liberty Hill, and we have five and a half acres with other dogs, and he gets along with them great.”

With his past experience in the Austin Police

Department K9 Unit and his love of animals, Wolf is the perfect fit for Nosek.

“I kind of volunteered to do it, and because of my experience, I was kind of chosen as well,” he said. “Part of having him is not only being able to work with him. It’s also providing a place for him to stay. I live on five and a half acres, so I have plenty of room for him.”

Wolf wants to share the warmth and companionship he gets from Nosek with the rest of Liberty Hill and ensure parents that their kids are in safe hands, or paws in this case.

“I want people to know that he’s a great dog,” Wolf said. “If you see us out in the community, don’t hesitate to say hi. We try to get him to socialize as much as possible with people and kids since he’s not a patrol dog, and we want him to be friendly.”

- Story and Photos by Anthony Flores

A NOSE FOR WORK Nosek’s job on the force is being a scent-only dog.

To show the strength of Nosek’s sense of smell, Officer Jason Wolf uses the example of soup, explaining that while a human smells soup, the dog can smell each ingredient.

“The most interesting thing is how the whole scent detection works,” said Wolf. “It’s amazing how accurate their sense is. The dogs have been introduced to various scents in training, so they know what to do.”

The most important aspect of bringing Nosek onto the force boils down to one thing. Safety.

While Nosek is well-loved by students of all ages, he and his parnter, Officer Jason Wolf, are especially popular on the elementary campuses

“The whole purpose is to help the schools be safer,” said Wolf. “We know there are drugs in the area, there are vaping and tobacco products among teenagers, and alcohol. Nosek is going to be certified on narcotics, but eventually, we’re going to introduce it to nicotine and alcohol.”

Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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A CALLING Bill Burden teacher on a mission to make a difference

W

hen Ellie Anderson was still a student herself, she experienced an epiphany – one that would set her on a path and guide her on a journey that has ultimately led her to her current position as a first-grade teacher at Bill Burden Elementary School in Liberty Hill.

“While I was in middle school and high school, I started volunteering with children at Special Olympics and with mothers and children at homeless shelters,” said Anderson. “Based on those experiences, I knew I wanted some kind of career that would allow me to help others. I also felt the Lord’s blessing in shaping my heart to serve others.”

However, the question remained as far as exactly how she would fulfill her destiny.

“I selected teaching so I could not only help 40

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

children accelerate academically, but it would also give me the opportunity to make them feel accepted, loved, safe and welcome – all of which allow students to realize their full potential,” she said. “I chose first grade because I enjoy teaching children the beginning basics of writing, reading, math and science. I also want to excite them for school at an early

age and try to bring their learning to life.

With that goal in mind, I try to provide an engaging, supportive and fun classroom environment where my students feel loved and are encouraged to take risks and ask questions.”

Anderson graduated from Texas State in 2017 and began her teaching career in Richardson, but soon felt the pull of the place where she currently finds herself – for reasons of family and faith, she said.

“Since most of my family lives in the Austin area, I decided to seek a teaching position closer to them,” said Anderson. “I prayed a lot about this move and the Lord opened doors for me. I heard wonderful things about the principal at Bill Burden Elementary, Tanya Lambert.

I learned she was a Christian with strong faith, good morals and had created an amazing school environment, so I knew I wanted to work there.”

But, Anderson’s kindness and generosity doesn’t end in her classroom and was recently recognized with

the Cindy Loo Who award for her work at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin.

“During the holiday season, I felt the Lord wanted me to help my students understand the gift of giving by spreading cheer to the children who need it most,” she said. “It was an amazing experience for all involved. Children in my class and others wrote supportive letters, and my students’ parents and my principal donated coloring books. As a result, 77 children at the hospital received a very special gift from a new friend, and my students and I experienced the happiness of giving to others.”

Concerning the award, Anderson is humble.

“As far as being recognized for my efforts, it’s definitely not necessary,” she said. “But, it does make me feel like I’m making a difference.”

According to Anderson, the way to reach young students in order to lay a foundation on which to build a future of inquisitiveness is through their hearts.

“I believe creating relationships is critical to how well students learn and grow,” said Anderson.

“When you get to know children’s hearts, it makes all the difference when teaching them and learning from them.”

In addition, the atmosphere in which both teaching and learning are done must be one in which sunny skies are always prevalent, she said.

“Another teaching method I believe in is setting a positive classroom environment,” said Anderson.

“It’s important as a teacher to talk with students instead of talking down to them.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

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I’m big on encouraging them and, in return, they are now constantly encouraging each other, which is a beautiful thing to witness. Children learn on a whole different level when they know they’re loved and aren’t afraid to try new things by having the teacher and their classmates’ support.”

After the mental and psychological stages are set, the physical nature of the classroom is the final piece to the learning puzzle, she said.

“Last but not least, I think it’s important to bring learning to life,” said Anderson. “A way this can be done is with project-based learning and/ or classroom transformations. Children will learn more when they feel as if they’re an integral part of creating and engaging in the process.”

At day’s end, Anderson wants above all to ensure her students walk out of her classroom empowered.

“I want my students to know I love them, believe in them and encourage them to dream big,” she said. “Why? Because I want them to pursue what’s most important to them in life, knowing they’re incredibly bright, have beautiful hearts and can do amazing things in this world.” ~ Story by Scott Akanewich Courtesy Photos

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Evolution of technology leads LHISD into future

T

echnology has been a part of the Liberty Hill Independent School District’s classrooms for years, but when COVID-19 arrived in March 2020, that technology became an essential tool for teachers, and students overnight.

Jay Olivier, chief technology officer for LHISD, said this quick transition did not come without its challenges, but overall, the district has been able to pivot and utilize its resources to bring technology to the forefront.

“Prior to COVID, we had decided to start moving in the direction of providing devices to all students,” he said. “We had a pilot program going at the high school where we provided Chromebooks for students to take back and forth to school. When COVID came, we went from having a pilot program to needing to get technology in the hands of every student we could within a matter of weeks.”

The district worked to gather all of the resources it had, like shared use computers and devices in computer labs, and began checking these devices out to students who didn’t have access to a device at home.

“That worked well considering the speed of that shift, but as school ended and the summer began, I worked with my technology steering committee on what we wanted things to look like when school started again,” Olivier said. “We had overwhelming recommendations from parents, staff, students and the community to move to a situation where every student received a device. We were moving in that direction, but COVID forced us to hit the accelerator.”

The district worked with various vendors to procure enough devices so that every student, from kindergarten to 12th grade, could have their own device for use in and out of the classroom.

“That was quite the undertaking, getting everything in place ready to be checked out, and reconfiguring, repairing and cleaning the devices we already had,” Olivier said. “The task of handing out devices to over 5,000 students to make sure they all had one was a big one. There were struggles that happened, but at the end of the day, technology became an integral part of the

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

everyday lesson plans within the district. We needed to make that shift to the one-to-one platform.”

With the shift to every student having access to a device all the time, shifts in the demand of the district’s infrastructure also happened. Wireless internet was already available at all the campuses, but over the summer, the technology department worked to make sure it was robust enough to handle the coming load.

“Since we made those upgrades, we have only had to add a couple of extra places that were weak in signal, so we did a

The district has provided a computer to every student.

good job with that, but the amount of internet usage did catch us off guard,” Olivier said. “We went from using maybe 60 to 70 percent of our access on a heavy day to almost maxing out what we had access to on a light use day.”

With every student using a device, and teachers relying heavily on video, audio and other multimedia tools to teach, Olivier said the district had to perform upgrades quickly and now monitors data usage on a daily basis to make sure it doesn’t get ahead of the needs a second time.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

CAMPUS SNAPSHOT LIBERTY HILL INTERMEDIATE

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CAMPUS SNAPSHOT KRISTINE KLINE

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Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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4,800 student Chromebooks (1,055 deployed this year)

1,300 active Google Classrooms

1,200 student iPads (463 deployed this year)

2,440,761 files created in Google Drive this school year

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

Programs the district’s users are utilizing more than ever include video conferencing platforms, like Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

“Those platforms were used some in the past, but for the most part, they weren’t in the tool kit for teachers,” Olivier said. “Now we have 100 percent remote classes that are done totally through Zoom.”

LHISD was already using Google’s suite of products for collaboration between teachers and students, but the use of those programs has increased as well.

Google Classroom has become the core place students go to for reference in many cases, Olivier said, adding that the younger students from pre-kindergarten to first grade are using a similar platform called Seesaw.

“Leveraging those tools has been really helpful,” he said. “A year ago, a teacher would probably say they use a handful of technology tools, but now they are using dozens of tools depending on what’s appropriate for that specific lesson.”

With the increasing use of these programs, training has also had to shift to accommodate teachers and students alike.

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Professional development used to occur in person but is now done online. At the beginning of the school year, teachers received a lot of training in technology and the programs associated, which Olivier admits was a hard balance to strike.

“We had to strike a balance between providing too much training and overwhelming the staff even more than they already were, and not providing enough training for them to do their jobs,” he said. “There are changes we could have made looking back, but I think we were able to provide the resources needed and the teachers have shown they were able to step up and take on those new challenges and teach students regardless of the circumstance.”

Olivier added that while students may inherently know how to use technology, they’ve had to receive some training, too.

“They don’t always know how to use the tools appropriate for the classroom,” he said.

“Maybe they can use Snapchat, but can they use a Google Doc collaboratively? Being at home sitting at a computer requires a different skill set. We’ll continue to emphasize more of that digital citizenship skillset as part of what is taught in class. It was already there, but now it’s emphasized even more.”

Now that LHISD has moved into the one-to-one environment with devices, Olivier said there will be no going back.

“It’s the right choice for students and teachers, and now that we’ve provided that, we will ensure we have the funding available to continually provide that environment,” he said. “Given the rate that the district is growing, we will have to make sure we stay ahead of that growth and don’t find ourselves in a situation where we don’t have enough devices or enough access for students.”

Olivier said the biggest change he’s seen when it comes to technology within LHISD is that before it was important and valued, but now it’s an essential service within education.

“We couldn’t have done what we did instructionally this last year without technology,” he said. “When all is said and done and we are past this crisis, my real hope is we haven’t forgotten all the positive things we were able to do with technology, and we can take those things and pair them with the things we can do offline, and realize the world needs a blend of both.” ~ Story By Rachel Madison Courtesy Photo

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Building a Future CTE expands into construction trades

"I want them to have the opportunity to go into the workforce after high school and make good money. " - Ricky Prescott LHHS Agriculture Science instructor

48

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Grady Neal checks his notes and blueprints as he prepares to start wood work.

T

he world is full of options for today’s graduates, and as the need for trade workers grows, so does the opportunity for high-paying careers right out of highschool.

Agriculture Science instructor Ricky Prescott is working to help students take advantage of those opportunities through Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the construction trades — a program recently launched at Liberty Hill High School.

“I have a kid now that’s working. He’s in the electrical apprenticeship. He’s making good money working 35 to 40 hours a week,” said Prescott. “He tells me it’s every day they have work. He can make twice the money of the kid that went to college and got a college education. I want that for my kids. I want them to have the opportunity to go into the workforce after high school and make good money.”

Starting last fall, LHHS began offering students the opportunity to learn skills for a trade career through the CTE program, preparing students to enter the workforce upon graduation.

The CTE course is broken down into four phases and includes construction, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. The

program crescendos with students entering the workforce ready to earn a solid wage. The first year focuses on helping students become familiar with the tools of the trade. Through these safety lessons, students can earn their Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification.

“We’ll build about four or five small projects, and it’s for them to learn how to use the hand tools and power tools and be able to manipulate those,” said Prescott. “The thing we want to do is be safe. So, I’ve spent a lot of time on safety this first year. I give them scenarios to think about and tell them here’s a job you’ll have to do. Now, what are some of the things that can hurt you here? We do a lot of that right now.”

Once students are familiar with their tools, the next two phases become more demanding. During phase two, students move on to applying the lessons from the first phase.

“The second-year kids will be framing a house, putting in sheetrock, finishing a room. They’ll have to follow a set of blueprints and learn all the aspects involved,” said Prescott. “They need to know how to put things together.”

Prescott hasn’t lined out what the third phase of the program will look like yet because the planned workshop for

the program is on hold for now.

“Their apprenticeship year is the biggest. Potentially we’ll have a big shop, and half will be welding, and half will be construction. That’s where there’s going to be all kinds of mock-up situations,” he said. “They’ll have a plumbing platform where they have to put things together and understand the different parts. It’ll be electrical, HVAC, and plumbing doing that. The construction guys will still be working on getting into the finer parts of construction, not just framing something out and putting in sheetrock. They’ll be doing trim work and stuff like that.”

It’s in the fourth year that students will take all they have learned and bring it together. With some students unable to experience the whole program as they get ready to graduate, Prescott is working to ensure their success.

“When they get to that fourth year, they’ll be in a practicum situation. Those kids will be on the job training. In between their junior and senior year, I’m working on an internship program,” said Prescott.

“I have four kids right now, and my goal is

15 this year. I’ve got two kids in electrical and one in plumbing. We’re ahead of the game because of the kids that came into my class with some skills. When they graduate, they can go to work full-time.”

Senior Luke O’Brien is an example of what this program is ultimately trying to produce.

“I’ve been a plumber for three years now for my uncle’s company. There are three main stages of plumbing, rough-in, top out, and the set-out. I got started doing top out,” said O’Brien. “I work through this, and it is a great opportunity.

I get hours for the Texas Board of Plumbing Apprenticeship card. It’s great to do this while I’m in school. I’ll for sure have a head start over someone that would have to go to school and learn it in a classroom. I have more of a hands-on experience.”

The goal of this program is to serve as a crossroad between academia and industry. It’s to keep vital careers alive and full of new workers needed to step into much-needed roles.

"It's great to do this while I'm in school. I have more of a handson experience."

- Luke O'Brien

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

Neiry Samaniego and Dillon Sprinkle work on their surveying skills, one of the many skills taught in the CTE program.

Zach Aiken works with the Miter saw, one of the many tools the CTE program is teaching safety guidelines to use.

Summer 2020 | LHISD ConnectED

49

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49

“What I’m trying to do is merge education and industry. The industry is saying we need these kids to know certain things,” said Prescott. “It’s a long hard battle, but it’s one I think we can win. We’re working with ACC (Austin Community College) to allow people that have gone off to college and can’t find their place to come back and learn a trade and go back into the workforce.

There’s such a demand for that, and we need these kinds of people. It’s a vacuum, and as these people retire, there’s nobody to replace them.”

With the strong support from the school and the community, Prescott has high hopes for the program’s future moving forward.

“The school support has been amazing. The school is totally behind us, and the community support has been great,” said Prescott. “When I’ve talked to people in Austin and Texas Education Agency, everybody is excited about it. It’s going to be a good thing. It takes a little while to get started. It has taken a little bit to come together, but we’re getting the kids ready to go into it.”

Garret Catillo and Rowdy Starks, go over notes as they prepare to put their welding skills to use.

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Love of education fuels Washburn T

odd Washburn has been the places Liberty Hill is going.

He understands where Liberty Hill has come from, and more importantly, has experienced the changes happening fast in his new school district.

"I have a passion for education and I really want to provide the support and resources for our students and staff to be successful."

- Todd Washburn

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

That makes him feel right at home.

“I’ve been very excited in the time I’ve been here,” Washburn said. “I’ve been on our campuses and made myself available to get to know some of the teachers and it has been very positive and a very inviting and welcoming place.”

Washburn joined Liberty Hill ISD before Christmas as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and School Leadership, and is thrilled by the opportunity he sees ahead.

“Liberty Hill really excited me because it really reminded me of Leander about 25 years ago,” he said. “I had a great experience there, spending 20 years of my 30-year career there. I grew as an educator and administrator in a fast-growth district and was really drawn to that in Liberty Hill. This is a great school district with really strong administration. I felt like my experience was just a great match for Liberty Hill.”

Originally from the Midwest, Washburn eventually made his way to Texas, spending the last 25 years in Central Texas and 20 of those years in Leander ISD. That gave him a hand in helping the district grow from 10,000 to 36,000 students.

“I’ve been a part of that fastgrowth district where we’re opening a new campus almost every school year,” he said.

In his career, Washburn has had a hand in it all, from opening a middle school as a principal, being involved in many bond committees and attendance

boundary committees. He’s been a classroom teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, district administrator and most recently he served one year as Superintendent of Dripping Springs ISD. No matter the position, it all points back to that beginning in a classroom, and Washburn knows no matter what the role, it’s all about the education provided to students.

“Being able to work very closely with campus administrators, mentor them and support them is very appealing to me,” he said.

“Teaching today is vastly different than when I started 30 years ago.

I go back to even thinking when I started teaching we didn’t even have phones in our classrooms, let alone computers and e-mail and things.”

His wife Beth is also an educator, and they have two grown sons, TJ and Zac. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University, a master’s degree in educational administration, and his superintendent’s certification from Southwest Texas State University.

Washburn is always working on relationships, something he sees as the key to his success in helping LHISD. “I love kids. I love working with teachers,” he said. “I have a passion for education and I really want to provide the support and resources for our students and staff to be successful.” ~ Story by Mike Eddleman

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Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation Servant leaders use platform to pay it forward to Liberty Hill ISD

A

little over a year ago, a group of committed citizens across Liberty Hill came together to form the Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation—a nonprofit organization that would provide enhanced educational opportunities and promote student success within the school district.

Since then, the Foundation has already made an impact, from providing grant monies to building a fund for student scholarships on behalf of the late Panthers football Coach Jeff Walker. The Foundation plans on doing even more in the future, like providing scholarships to students and perpetually increasing the amount of support it can give to teachers, staff and students alike.

Kristy Kercheville, Executive Director of the Foundation, said the idea for starting the organization came from Superintendent Steve Snell, who had worked in districts with foundations in the past.

Because of that, he knew the value it could bring to LHISD. The Foundation was formed in November 2019. After all the paperwork was completed and the Foundation was set up as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Kercheville began searching the community for like-minded individuals who had a passion for children 54

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

and education, and who would work to help bring in funding for various projects that go outside of the district’s regular budget.

Kercheville’s role is to serve as a liaison between the Foundation and the school district, to make sure both entities are on the same page. While the two organizations work directly and closely together, the Foundation is a separate legal entity from the district.

“Part of the mission was to look for businesses and private donations that could help sustain us, and from there, we found John Newburg, and we recruited him to be president in January 2020,” Kercheville said.

Newburg is no stranger to working with students in school districts. His career with A-Plus Federal Credit Union, a credit union for educators, has allowed him to teach financial education to high school students over the years and participate in other education foundation programs.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to be involved with the school district, so of course I jumped at the chance,” he said. “We had our first real meeting in February and had a lot of great people from the community join us, but then suddenly we were in the middle of COVID after our first meeting. We were meeting virtually and trying to

The LHISD Education Foundation joined the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce, which celebrated with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

learn how to do this and figure out the next step.”

The LHISD Education Foundation was able to get the ball rolling through the summer, Newburg said, with its first real campaign being The Liberty Hill Day of Giving, an annual 24-hour fundraising event held in June and organized by The Liberty Hill Independent. The foundation raised $8,900 in that campaign.

“That campaign provided us the start we needed and helped us get things rolling,” Newburg said. “We were able to hire Foundation Innovation, which is an organization that taught us how to hone in on what we needed to do. We also got some other generous donations from the community over the months, and when we got to December, we were able to roll out our grant application program for teachers.”

Kercheville said the first cycle of grants given out will be a great way to show the district what the Foundation can really do.

“When people actually see where these grants are going and the stories behind them, that will paint the picture that they need to participate in the next cycle of grants,” she said.

In March, the Foundation surprised the teachers who applied for the grants with checks, allowing them to use the money for their various

In March, the Foundation surprised the teachers who applied for the grants with checks, allowing them to use the money for their various innovations and projects. The LHEF approved 15 grant applications and awarded $12,891.21 to teachers in this first grant cycle.

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Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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In December, local business owners donated a portion of their proceeds from Holiday Around the Hill to the Education Foundation.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

projects. The executive committee voted to approve all 15 grant applications that were received, which totaled $12,891.21.

The Foundation has also been able to do morale-boosting events for teachers and staff, such as bringing in a coffee truck to each campus for teachers to get a mid-day pick-me-up, Kercheville added.

“There is a need for those little things, and the general operating fund can’t provide that, but we can,” she said. “The Education Foundation can do those little morale builders that teachers and staff need.”

Newburg said the Foundation’s future goals include increasing the number of grants given out each year, both in volume and dollar amount. He also hopes to set up long-term funding for bigger projects, especially ones that are successful after being implemented through the first round of grants. Another goal is to provide scholarships to students. The first round will be this spring for graduating 2021seniors. The specifics of what type of scholarships 56

LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

they will be or the amount will be announced in April, but Newberg plans on making that a big part of the Foundation’s focus.

Kercheville added that as a new foundation “we’re also wanting to build our donor base so we can create possible endowments that will be able to fund student scholarships for years to come.”

“We will also make sure we are continuing to recruit those private business and community members that we can count on as regular donors, so that we can get regular income to help continue the programs that most of the grants will support, because the grants are a one-time thing,” Kercheville added. “But if they’re successful and the teachers come back and say, ‘This is a great program—we want to do this district wide,’ then that is something the foundation would like to continue with and help do if approved.”

The Education Foundation will also continue to have an annual campaign, like The Day of Giving, but Kercheville said the hope in future years is to host an in-person event, such as a gala.

Newburg said eventually the Foundation’s board will be full, but they are still looking for a few more community members to join the ranks. The community is also always welcome to volunteer or attend the monthly virtual meetings, he added.

“Right now we’re operating under ‘the more the merrier’ concept,” he said. “We want the community to come and participate and be on committees. We need lots of help planning our future events and sorting through grant and scholarship applications in the future.”

Much like Crosby ISD’s Education Foundation, which donated $4,100 to LHISD’s Education Foundation when their school played the Panthers in the state semi-final football game, Kercheville said she wants the LHISD Education Foundation members to be servant leaders—and to pay it forward.

“We want our education foundation to model after Crosby, and pay it forward, because that’s really what it’s all about,” she said.

“I am so proud of what we’ve done in this last year. We are still molding it into what it will be, but we’ve done a lot as a board so far.”

“This isn’t something that’s going to end,” Newburg added.

“The need to support and empower our teachers to educate our kids doesn’t stop. It’s the future and we’ve got to keep it going on perpetually.”

The Education Foundation also accepts donations online at https://www.libertyhill.txed.net/domain/366.

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Hudson picked to lead new Louine Noble Elementary

L

iberty Hill school Trustees approved Dawn Hudson as the principal of the new Louine Noble Elementary. The milestone is a pivotal step in getting the school ready for the coming school year.

“It feels great. I am very humbled. There are a lot of great educators in this district, and I’m excited to keep working with our students and our families,” said Hudson.

Hudson is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education. She has a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler. She has over 20 years of experience with children at different grade levels and has worked in five school districts. For the past four years, she has served as assistant principal at Liberty Hill Intermediate School.

In her time at the Intermediate, the school earned a designation of globally recognized PCL Campus, one of 172 schools across the nation. With her

efforts, the campus was one of 45 schools in Texas named to the National To-Watch list.

Excited to work with elementary-level children again, Hudson has a simple but challenging goal for Louine Noble Elementary -- continue the level of excellence expected in Liberty Hill.

“Our whole vision here is to build champions in academics, character, and community. That’s what I want to see on our campus,” said Hudson. “I want to see a sense of community while doing those things. Those kids bring a huge level of excitement and joy to me. I’m so excited because this age group is so much fun.”

As a part of the Planning and Design Team, Hudson is hands-on with the development of Noble Elementary. She begins the process of building her staff as the school’s opening gets closer.

“I’m going to be looking for people who love children,” said Hudson. “Content and skills can be taught, but you can’t teach someone to love kids. I’m looking for that, and I’m looking for attitude.”

With her new role cultivating the future of Liberty Hill ISD, Hudson has a clear message for the parents in the community.

“Thank you for trusting us with your children,” she said. “I believe in partnerships with parents, and I believe in collaborative efforts. We’re all in this together, and it’s all about the kids.” ~ Story by Anthony Flores Courtesy Photo

Kent Walker named Athletic Director

K

ent Walker always wanted to be the athletic director and head football coach at Liberty Hill High School.

However, after being named to the dual position to succeed his late brother, Jeff Walker, he had mixed emotions.

“This is special and at the same time difficult to follow in my brother’s footsteps.

I know I have a huge fan watching over me and smiling down on me. I’m looking forward to the challenge of continuing to build a championship culture here in Liberty Hill,” he said.

According to Walker, having the opportunity to take on his new role in Purple-and-Gold is simply the icing on a cake that was already plenty fulfilling due to its location.

“This is a dream job because of the kids, coaches and community. There’s not another place I would rather be than Liberty Hill – it’s a perfect place to raise a family. The quality of education here in Liberty Hill for my son has been amazing.

I can’t say enough about his teachers over the past four years.”

Walker added he will definitely be his own man in running the Panthers’ program, while at the same time rely upon all he learned from watching his brother handle the job with such grace.

“Being the athletic director and head football coach of Liberty Hill ISD is a completely different role than classroom teacher and defensive coordinator. I really enjoy watching all of our sports compete and I look forward to supporting all of our athletic programs. Jeff and I are very similar and I have learned more about life and coaching through him than anyone else. I will keep the same coaching motto, ‘Put the kids first in everything you do.’

But, I’m not going to try and be Jeff Walker – Jeff wouldn’t want me to try and be him, either. I’m just going to put our kids first in everything I do.”

Walker led the Panthers to four wins in five playoff games after taking over on an interim basis, guiding Liberty Hill to the Class 5A state semifinals in the program’s

first season in the higher classification under the most adverse of conditions and was named Class 5A Coach of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

“Liberty Hill is a place where expectations to be successful are the norm. We will continue to build champions for the future through hard work and toughness.”

- Story by Scott Akanewich Spring 2021 | LHISD ConnectED

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Ready for college?

LHHS staff helping students prepare financially for next step

A

t Liberty Hill High School, College Career and Military Readiness advisor Deah Twine and the counseling staff are working to make applying for college and scholarships a smooth process for students and parents.

“My experience is that a lot of parents don’t know the process,” said Twine. “It’s been a while since they applied. So, it comes down to getting information out to them. Kids are going to go to their parents first for help, and a lot of parents feel uninformed and lost.”

To make the process easier, Twine created the College Career and Readiness page on the LHHS website. The page includes a variety of information for both parents and students, including information for applying to colleges; financial aid and scholarships; scholarship search engines; preparation for the ACT, SAT, and TSI testing; and virtual college tours.

Students and parents can also find specific college plan checklists for each grade level. Twine hopes these plans can help prepare students for the college application process.

A tool Twine is hopeful can make a difference is a spreadsheet with a list of national scholarships, with tabs for every month that they are due.

“I have been working on this list with tabs arranged based on due dates,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve done this, and I just published it. I’m going to arrange it so when one month is complete they can move to the next.

This tool is so they can see what is coming their way.”

Perhaps the most challenging part of applying for colleges and scholarships is filling out the FAFSA application.

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LHISD ConnectED | Spring 2021

Twine stresses the importance of filling out the document as soon as possible.

Instructions on how to fill out the FAFSA are on the website as well.

“The quicker they do the FAFSA, the quicker they get that information to the colleges,” said Twine. “If you wait, it’s to your detriment. This year, the state will require seniors to fill out a FAFSA form to graduate. If they don’t want to fill one out, then they need to sign a waiver.”

Like FAFSA, applying for scholarships immediately is critical. Twine says that the earlier students start, the better chance they will have.

One of the most vital things Twine feels parents and students need to know about scholarships is that they should be wary of places that ask them for payment. To make it easier, she has compiled a list of scholarship search engines.

“Use the scholarship search engines I have on my website. Never pay for scholarship searches. Don’t pay a person. That negates the whole point of a scholarship,” said Twine. “I’ve talked to students, and I’ve told them not to pay because that’s usually just a money grabber. These are reputable. We’ve researched them.”

Last year, local students were awarded a total of $2,722,190 in scholarships.

With all the tools compiled, Twine feels she has created a place where students can get the information and help they need.

“We’re developing a plan where we’re going to start dumping the scholarships into PantherNet,” she said. “Hopefully, it becomes a one-stop-shop, other than my website, for students to find a college and scholarships, and FAFSA. It’s a work in progress, but by next year it’ll be going strong.” ~ Story by Anthony Flores

$2.7 million scholarship funds earned by LHHS seniors in 2020

63 2020 Seniors that received scholarship funds

GRANTS A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. A variety of federal grants are available, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. Grants will only have to be repaid if a student withdraws from school.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. Scholarships can be based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study. Colleges offer a variety of scholarships. Students should reach out to college financial aid offices for information on eligibility.

LOANS When you receive a student loan you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan. Of the three options, loans should be a last resort and relied on if a student isn’t able to pay their tuition out of pocket or isn’t eligible for a grant or scholarship.

$556,320 Highest scholarship award in 2020, presented to Shane Smith

GOING MERRY www.goingmerry.com Founded by Carnegie Mellon and Stanford graduates, who all relied on scholarships and other financial aid to pay for college, the mission of Going Merry is to give every student equal access to life-changing education.

FASTWEB www.fastweb.com Fastweb stands for Financial Aid Search Through the Web. Fastweb has a database of 1.5 million college scholarships worth over $3.4 billion that our members have access to by creating a free profile. Students can fill out a quick questionnaire that covers things like their contact information, schools of interest and potential majors.

We use this information to match them to college scholarships for which they qualify.

SCHOLARSHIPS.COM www.scholarships.com Scholarships.com offers a simple and accessible approach to finding and applying for scholarships for students of all ages. Scholarships.com updates data daily and has helped match students for two decades.

CAPPEX www.cappex.com/scholarships Cappex is a team of 60+ college graduates, with diverse backgrounds and educational experiences. Cappex helps create the best college list for each student. Cappex helps dig into the details and provides students with tools to determine their major, calculate admissions chances, fine-tune applications, and arrange college visits.

RAISEME www.raise.me RaiseMe is a social enterprise focused on expanding access to higher education, especially among low income and first generation students. RaiseMe enables students to earn scholarships throughout high school, starting as early as 9th grade.

COLLEGE BOARD BRIGHT FUTURE www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ scholarship-search Students can enter their information and be paired with over 2,200 programs throughout the nation. Scholarship information is based on the College Board’s Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.

COLLEGE GREENLIGHT www.collegegreenlight.com College Greenlight is a free resource for any traditionally under-represented students. Students discover, research, and build relationships with the colleges and universities that will allow them to succeed. College Greenlight provides an easily searchable database filled with thousands of scholarships, grants, and merit-aid opportunities.

RED KITE www.myredkite.com Red Kite provides different options for college financial aid in one place. Red Kite shows financial aid matches that reflect college preferences, background and interests. Red Kite guides applicants to apply for scholarships and grants first, then government aid, followed by education loans. Red Kite helps keep track of financial aid applications CHEGG SCHOLARSHIP www.chegg.com/scholarships Chegg allows students to search over 25,000 scholarships. Students can fill out their information and Chegg matches students with scholarships they’re compatible with.

UNIGO www.unigo.com/scholarships/high-school-students Unigo provides cutting-edge tools, compelling content, and essential information, empowering students to make the best decisions about their college experience.

Unigo awards $610,000 in scholarships.

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Where Growth Happens, Every Kid, Every Day, Every Way” Liberty Hill Elementary School 1400 Loop 332| (512) 379-3260

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