Old Granite School getting ADA upgrades
The Old Granite School building which houses the Falls on the Colorado Museum is getting a much-needed improvement that will not cost Marble Falls ISD or the museum any out of pocket expense.
Marble Falls ISD trustees heard a presentation during Monday’s board meeting on safety upgrades that will take place at the structure, which is located at 2001 Broadway in Marble Falls.
The front steps of the building are out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act because they are very steep, so local architect Marley Porter has donated his time to design changes to the building that will help satisfy any ADA requirements while providing an accessible front-door entrance.
The old granite slab steps from the front of the building will be salvaged and reused near the front door to allow visitors to use them for photo opportunities.
Construction of a new entrance to the museum is being funded through a donation from the Austin Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The project is expected to be completed in July.
In addition to receiving the donation to perform the upgrade, the museum will also accept a permanent standing display depicting the grist mill that Mormon pioneers to Burnet County built which became known as Mormon Mill. Porter is a member of the Marble Falls Mormon Ward.
Trustees also heard a presentation on the SMART Smiles program, which brought the Texas Dental Association. The program has been providing free dental care to school children in Burnet County since 2013 and recently held its first event in Marble Falls.
The program is comprised of in-class health education of about 15-20 minutes with a question and answer session for students and a take-home oral hygiene packet with educational materials and oral hygiene instructions. Dentists then performed limited oral evaluations with a dental report card that was sent home to parents. This was performed on all four elementary campuses (Marble Falls, Colt, Highland Lakes and Spicewood) on Friday, Nov. 13.
SMART Smiles also performed dental cleanings, sealants and fluoride varnishes as needed, setting up treatment days at Marble Falls Elementary on Jan. 22, at Colt Elementary on Jan. 29, at Highland Lakes Elementary on Feb. 19 and March 11, and at Spicewood Elementary on April 1. A total of 482 students were treated at a donated cost of $181,765. There were 480 limited evaluations, 439 cleanings, 436 fluoride varnishes and 1,297 sealants performed.
Another service performed was referrals to further dental care, including emergency referrals to dentists to perform immediate dental work at no cost for children without dental insurance.
“We were very pleased and privileged to be a part of the SMART Smiles program for the first time,” said Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen.
The school board also voted to approve teacher and personnel contracts for the 2016-17 school year during Monday’s board meeting.
