Marble Falls ISD

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Marble Falls ISD voters overwhelmingly approved a $55 million bond issue Tuesday night in final but unofficial returns.

From Staff Reports •

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer •

In spring 2017, Virginia Baskin embarked on an effort to improve the lives of children by offering volunteer help after school at the Boys and Girls Club of the Highland Lakes in Marble Falls.

“When I first started, I was just simply helping out kids with homework, being there if they needed someone to watch the kids while they were outside,” said Baskin, who is a Marble Falls High School senior and president of the Interact Club. “I was just an extra person . . . If you have one more person, they can help out.”

Now, during the fall 2018 semester, she has expanded her vision to include her classmates and fellow Interact Club members.

Interact is a Rotary International service club for young people ages 12 to 18, sponsored by the non-profit organization and aimed at inspiring self-governance and civic involvement.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor •

 The Texas Education Agency's accountability ratings are in for Burnet County's two school districts and the results are a mixed bag for local educators.

Anthony Leflet

During the District’s May 21 meeting, the Marble Falls Indepentent School District trustees approved Supt. Dr. Chris Allen’s recommendation to name Anthony Leflet as the new head band director for Marble Falls High School.

Leflet replaces retiring band director, Brad Behrens, who served MFISD for 20 years.A band director hiring committee comprised of Fine Arts stakeholders, MFHS staff, and MFISD administrators helped sort and interview finalists for the Band Director position. The top candidates were then forwarded to the superintendent prior to final selection and presentation to the Board.

Leftlet has served Hays High School as the Head Band Director for the last 20 years. In addition to his duties as the head band director for Hays, a 6A program, Leflet was responsible for the Hays High school band feeder program.

Yarda Leflet

During the Marble Falls Independent School District’s board meeting May 21, the trustees approved superintendent Dr. Chris Allen’s recommendation to name Yarda Leflet as the new Principal for Falls Career High School.

A principal hiring committee, comprised of Falls Staff and MFISD administrators, included representation from curriculum and instruction and special services helped sort and interview finalists for the Falls principal position.

The top candidates were forwarded to the superintendent for further interviews and recommendation to the MFISD board.

Leftlet has served Hays CISD as the executive director of learning and teaching since 2010.

Prior to that, she served Hays as the acting chief academic officer, director of secondary services, academic dean, and as an English teacher.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor
The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District trustees approved a $41.8 million balanced general fund budget for fiscal year 2017-18 during their regular board meeting Monday night after holding a public hearing.

The new budget includes a three percent payroll increase for all staff with additional market adjustments plus an additional $25 per month in health insurance premium benefit for all employees.

The budget assumes a total tax rate of $1.2786, which includes $1.0533 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operations and 22.53 cents for interest and sinking.

Marble Falls High School has a new interim head football coach and athletic director.

Mustang Football co-offensive coordinator Michael Birdwell was named to the athletic director and head coach position Thursday, succeeding Matt Green, who will lead to take similar duties at Llano ISD this month.

“Coach Birdwell has been an integral part in the successes experienced by the Mustangs over the past three seasons,” said MFISD superintendent Dr. Chris Allen. “With 76 days until the Mustangs’ first scrimmage, Coach Birdwell’s leadership and familiarity with the staff and the skills of our players will provide a smooth transition into the fall seasons for all of our athletic programs.”

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Marble Falls Independent School District will give all staff a three-percent midpoint general pay increase (MGPI) beginning in 2017-18 after the Board of Trustees voted to do so Monday night.

During a special called meeting, Marble Falls ISD trustees approved a plan to include the salary increase for teachers, nurses, librarians, administrative, administrative/professional, clerical/paraprofessional and auxiliary staff.

Also included was a $25 per month additional contribution to employees' health insurance benefits, which gives employees an extra $300 per year in their paychecks to cover the cost of their health insurance premiums.