oakhillgazette.com
December 6, 2012 Volume 17, No. 50 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
AISD: south high school should be magnet school by Ann Fowler
Gszette: Will Atkins
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Sunset Valley Mayor Rose Cardona and State Rep. Paul Workman, along with other officials, cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the MoPac/US. 290 Interchange.
Final flyover opens at MoPac and Hwy. 290 AUSTIN - As part of a regional partnership, the City of Austin together with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and State officials announced Wednesday the completion of the final flyover bridge at MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) and U.S. 290. Texas Department of Transportation Austin District Engineer Greg Malatek joined Mayor Lee Leffingwell, and other officials in the grand opening ceremony. “Starting today, travelers through this corridor using the new
flyovers will shave off nearly 8 minutes a day from their commute through this intersection,� said Mayor Leffingwell. The flyover bridges now connect northbound MoPac to eastbound 290, and westbound 290 to southbound MoPac. “The completion of this project is a testament to our partners working together with a regional vision to achieve much needed mobility improvements,� said State Senator Kirk Watson, who See FINAL on page 26
AUSTIN - AISD officials say any new south Austin high school should be a specialized magnet school, but many area residents say the priority should be a southwest Austin high school to relieve overcrowded conditions at Bowie High School. Nearly 100 people showed up at Bowie High School on November 29 to voice opinions on a new high school in south Austin. Dr. Pauline Dow, Austin Independent School District (AISD) Chief Academic Officer, told the group that currently no academic magnet high school programs exist in South Austin. A goal of the district’s strategic plan is to provide advanced academic courses at every school, providing more opportunities for students to participate in programs such as technology, athletics and languages. One attendee said, “Scratch the whole fancy school thing. Let’s just get another high school in South Austin.� AISD Administrative Supervisor Rhonda Boyer explained the choices attendees at a new South Austin high school would have: t 4DFOBSJP *OUFSOBUJPOBM #BDDBSee AISD on page 26
Residents voice opinions on a new high school in south Austin
Gazette: Ann Fowler
Dr. Pauline Dow, AISD Chief Academic Officer, said that currently no academic magnet high school programs exist in South Austin.
Oak Hill Fire Dept. gets top honor by Ann Fowler OAK HILL - On Monday, December 3, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts recognized Travis County Emergency Services District #3/Oak Hill Fire Department for its online financial transparency. It is the first ESD in Texas to be so recognized. The Comptroller’s office established a Leadership Circle program spotlighting local governments that:
t PQFO UIFJS CPPLT UP UIF QVCMJD t QSPWJEF DMFBS TQFOEJOH QJDUVSFT t TIBSF JOGPSNBUJPO XJUI UBYQBZFST using a user-friendly format Leadership Circle designees are awarded certificates reflecting their Circle Award level: Gold, Silver or Bronze. Travis County ESD #3 met the recognition standards for the Gold level, which highlights entities that are setting the bar with their transparency efforts. It is the highest
level awarded by the Comptroller’s Office. ESD #3 President Edd New said, “Making financial information openly available to our taxpayers in easily accessed form via the internet we feel is a natural extension of our fiduciary responsibility as a Board of Commissioners. We are pleased the Comptroller of Public Accounts’ new Transparency in Government See OAK HILL on page 26