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2021
Volume 34, Issue 38
STAAR scores drop due to pandemic
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer A dip in scores across the state for the 2021 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) came directly as a result of students and teachers weathering the coronavirus pandemic through situations like virtual learning, quarantine and mask wearing. In the Liberty Hill Independent School District, scores also fell but remained higher than the state’s overall averages in most categories. “As you look at the scores overall, Liberty Hill did outperform the state in most areas by double digits,” said Todd Washburn, assistant superintendent of schools. “However, we did see a dip in our scores. Those are reflective of what you saw across the state.” STAAR exams are given
See STAAR, Page 9
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August 12, 2021 | 50 Cents
LHISD welcomes 164 new staff
By CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT Staff Writer The cafeteria at Liberty Hill High School was packed Monday morning as 164 newly-hired educators met for the first time in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year. “These are all brand-new staff to Liberty Hill ISD,” said Superintendent Steve Snell. “It’s important to bring them in and explain the culture. The processes. We’re making sure they have the resources they need for a successful school year.” The new educators were welcomed by Snell, who shared his expectations with the group about the upcoming school year. “We want our students to be good at a lot of things,” he said. “We want our kids to know that they’re a part of something that is bigger than themselves. We will emphasize three things all
CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT PHOTO
Superintendent Steve Snell (standing) addressed teachers new to the school district this week. He See NEW, Page 4 encouraged staff to be mindful
Attendance zones set for Liberty Hill schools
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer When school starts on Aug. 19, many students in the Liberty Hill Independent School District will be attending a new-to-them campus due to attendance zones changing across the district and two new schools opening. The new schools, Louine Noble Elementary School (formerly Liberty Hill Intermediate School) and Santa Rita Middle School, will provide relief for growing pains the district is seeing across the board. This change also complements the district’s decision to shift from using the intermediate school model to the middle school model. Todd Washburn, assistant superintendent of schools for LHISD, said this change will minimize the amount of times families will have to be shifted around. Previously, LHISD had one intermediate campus where all fifth and sixth grad-
News@LHIndependent.com
ers attended school, and one junior high campus for seventh and eighth graders. This year, fifth graders will go to their designated elementary school campus, and sixth, seventh and eighth graders will attend either Liberty Hill Middle School—the former junior high—or Santa Rita Middle School—a new campus opening next week. The divider for attendance at the middle schools is US Highway 183. Students living west of Hwy 183 will attend LHMS, with a population of about 836 students; and students living east of Hwy 183 will attend SRMS, with a population of about 725 students. “First and foremost, we focus our attention on what’s best for students,” Washburn said. “Anytime we have to shift attendance boundaries it can be challenging for families to make that change, but
See ZONES, Page 5
District considers COVID guidelines
By CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT Staff Writer One week away from the first class day, Superintendent Steve Snell is encouraging staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and wear masks. COVID protocols have become the top subject of discussion this week as new teachers and staff participate in orientation and school board members learn what to expect as school begins Aug. 19. Snell approaches the escalating pandemic with caution and urged staff to do all they can to keep themselves and students safe. “Now we live in the (COVID-19) era,” said Snell to incoming staff during new
See COVID, Page 8
Community rallies to support local woman recovering from burns
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer On June 26, Dani Luckey’s life was forever changed in just a split second. As she loaded her trunk after an afternoon of swimming with her three kids, a can of dry shampoo fell out of a bag from the back of her car, hit the ground, started spraying everywhere and in an instant, burst into a flame that started at her feet and then went up her legs. “I kicked my shoes off and started running,” she said. “I screamed my son’s name, and he took off running, but I was so scared because we were in a parking lot and he’s only three. By the time I got to the grass to stop, drop and roll, the flames were pretty much out, but then it was extremely difficult to keep it together.” Luckey and her kids, Joslyn, 12; Norah, 5; and Cohen, 3, were at Luckey’s cousin’s apartment complex in South Austin. Her cousin had already left after their afternoon of swimming, so Luckey was forced to call 9-1-1 on her own, explain what happened, and wait with her kids until help arrived. Luckey’s oldest daughter, who has cerebral palsy, did her best to keep her younger siblings safe in the car while they waited, because Luckey was in immense pain. “I had to go through my texts and get my cousin’s address because she had left and I had no idea where we were,” she said. “Thankfully, there was a guy in the parking lot who asked if I needed help. He ran inside and came out with two jugs of Dani Luckey poses with her water bottle sporting a sticker that water. He poured the water over my legs and his girlfriend or reads “I can and I will.” The stickers were sold by Pep & Punch See LUCKEY, Page 4 as a way to raise funds for Luckey’s medical bills and living expenses while she recovers from a severe burn. (Courtesy Photo)
City Council votes to resolve issues with TCEQ
By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer The City finally resolved its years-long issues with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) at a council meeting Aug. 4. Natasha Martin of Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody law firm, has represented the City of Liberty Hill on its TCEQ matters. She presented the settlement agreement from TCEQ that will resolve all alleged allegations of exceedances to wastewater effluent limitations. “This result has been in the works since the spring and it’s actually a really positive outcome for the City,” Martin said. ©2021 The Liberty Hill Independent
“This settlement requires the City to install two devices at the wastewater plant that will measure your nutrient concentrations.” According to the agreement, the analyzers will detect phosphorous and ammonia concentrations in the effluent during the treatment process, and notices can be set to detect levels below the permitted limits. Detection will occur early enough in the treatment process to allow operators to adjust treatment protocols consistent with allowable methods in the permit (such as adding alum or other chemicals) to lower concentration levels prior to any discharge of the treated effluent. The nutrient analyzers will ensure that the facility is able to operate under its permitted limits. “These devices are not currently required in the stan-
dard permit, so it would be an add on for the City,” Martin added. “The City will have to follow a schedule to get the devices implemented by Nov. 30 of this year. I’ve already consulted with [your wastewater staff] and city staff, and they are all on board and recommend this is the way we go.” Martin added that TCEQ had already provisionally approved the agreement, and that counter approval was needed from the Council, which voted unanimously Aug. 4 to approve it. The cost to install both devices is $45,666, and City Administrator Lacie Hale said there is money in the budget to pay for these devices. Also at the meeting, Mayor Liz Branigan requested representatives from the Texas
See COUNCIL, Page 9
CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT PHOTO
LHISD Trustees toured newly-completed construction at Liberty Hill High School Monday. Trustee Anthony Buck views a special containment area inside a chemistry lab.
LHISD Board approves $7.6 million in school design fees
By CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT Staff Writer The Liberty Hill Independent School District Board of Trust-
ees during a special called meeting on Monday approved $7.6 million in design fees for three firms and the ability to negotiate with a fourth on var-
ious school projects. Santa Rita Middle School, which opens to students for the
See LHISD, Page 5