It’ll be Bee Cave Middle School Raiders
The Bee Cave Middle School Raiders was selected by Lake Travis school board members June 19 as the district’s official name and mascot for its newest middle school campus.
The district conducted a monthlong community survey in April to gather suggestions for an official name and mascot. District policy states that “facilities shall be named for local residential or geographic areas or regional, state or national landmarks and/or historical events.”
More than 1,000 surveys were submitted. A list of the top 10 suggestions for the name and mascot based on public input were presented to the school board in May.
The board looked at several combinations for names and mascots, keeping in mind the school’s colors are red and silver.
Bee Cave got overwhelming support from the school board as an official name.
The new campus lies in the city of Bee Cave extraterritorial jurisdiction and could be annexed by the city at some point, said Superintendent Brad Lancaster.
Board member Lauren White first suggested the Bees but seemed to lack momentum on the dais. Board President Kim Flasch then voted for the Raiders, saying the Raiders were the perfect fit for the red-and-silver color combination. Board members Bob Dorsett Jr. and John Aoueille voted for the Musketeers. Raiders won with an unofficial 5-2 vote. The official vote for the name and mascot was approved unanimously.
As part of the district’s $253 million bond that was approved by voters in November, a middle school campus is being built off Texas 71 and Vail Divide Drive. The 240,000-square foot campus will accommodate 1,200 students in two-story, grade-level houses.
The $76.2 million facility will open in fall 2019.
Penalties for failing drug tests
The school district will enforce stricter consequences for students who show positive results as part of its mandatory drug testing program.
In May, the school board approved a mandatory drug testing program for students in grades 7 to 12 who participate in school-sponsored competitive extracurricular activities or students who apply for a parking permit.
If a student tests positive, the policy outlines consequences for each offense that include substance abuse counseling, suspension from activities or driving and community service. However, the policy states during the first offense the student may continue to participate and compete or perform in activities or may continue to drive.
The second and third offense allow the student to participate in practices if a doctor’s note is provided. The fourth offense suspends the student from all activities for one calendar year. The second, third and fourth offenses also require community service and counseling.
Dorsett felt consequences for a first offense weren’t strict enough if the student can continue to participate in activities or drive.
The board agreed the first offense was weak and directed staff to make the second offense consequences apply to the first offense.
Staff will bring the policy back to the board in July, as per regulation, but it does not require a vote.
Staff was also instructed to align the consequences from the extracurricular code of conduct with the drug testing policy.