Submitted by Kate Raidt

Renee Sendelbach, 33, of Wells Branch has recently won the title “Mom of the Month” by the national parenting website SWparents.com. Sendelbach is fighting stage 4 breast cancer for the second time in her young life but has managed to keep her family, especially her 4-year old son Ian, her top priority during her fight with cancer.

“My boys, as I like to call my husband and my son, keep me grounded and remind me what I have to live for” says Sendelbach. It’s no surprise why she won the votes of over 50,000 subscribers from SWparents.com.

Sendelbach also adds, “Even on days I don’t feel good it is easy to keep going by seeing Ian’s love for me, for life, for everything – it reminds me of my number one priority – to see him grow up into a caring, respectful man.”

SWparents.com is owned by The Southwestern Company – an 150-year old publishing company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Their sister company is FatNoggin.com – one of the world’s largest online bookstores for discounted books. Winners of “Mom of the Month” receive a free book of their choice from FatNoggin.com.

Single Stream Recycling begins the first FULL week in June (6-10) for Wells Branch residents who pay their water bill to the MUD.

While we’ve all received our shiny new recylcing carts, we can’t actually put them out before June 6.  Watch this site and the Wells Branch MUD site for upcoming notices.   Check out the links below for a “print & save” sheet detailing what can and can not be recycled along with exciting news about an oil recycling drop and a calendar so that you’ll always know whether to put your recycling cart out.

Wells Branch Single Stream Recycling Guidelines

2011-2012 Wells Branch Single Stream Recycling Schedule

Questions? Email IESI directly at Ask-IESI@wbna.us

Remember:  Recycling as much as we possibly can will directly benefit our park system.  All proceeds from the recycling program will go to plant trees!!!

If you’ve ever felt this way, this article is for you.  Most of us in Wells Branch (except Brattonwood & Bratton Glen) are a part of the Wells Branch MUD (also referred to as being In-District).  If you live in Wells Branch, and pay your water bill to Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD), you’re in a MUD.  You may also be in an HOA or POA.  And, in addition to these, we’d really like to have you in the WBNA.

Are you confused yet? Continue reading MUD, HOA, POA, WBNA – WTH? →

In order to help pay for MS4 compliance and other drainage maintenance, a new storm water drainage fee of $1.75 per month will be billed through the WB MUD water bills for residential households.

As a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), Wells Branch is required to follow and implement certain measures to adhere to new Federal and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) regulations.  MS4 is an “unfunded mandate”; the MUD is required by law to meet these directives, without any federal or state compensation. Continue reading Storm water drainage fee to be added to water bill →

Any parent with a child in public school is aware of the bad news flowing through the hallways about the state budget deficit and budget reductions that will impact every school district in Texas. Both Pflugerville and Round Rock ISD (where Wells Branch students attend) will be affected.  Under current school finance law, Texas owes its public schools $10 billion more than the amount proposed in the current budget. However this money may not make it to the schools if the Legislature keeps it to help balance an expected $27 billion shortfall. Schools in Texas are financed primarily from property taxes and state funding.  Districts won’t know for sure how big their shortfalls will be until the state budget passes.

So what is on the chopping block? Athletic, art, music and academic programs. Librarians may be replaced by library aides. Registered nurses (RN’s) may be replaced by LVN’s (Licensed Vocational Nurses). School counselor and gifted/talented programs may be cut. Student to teacher ratios will likely increase. Many staff positions may be eliminated.

The proposed legislative cuts to public education funding are unacceptable. We deserve a better public education system for our children and their future.  So what can a concerned parent do? Continue reading SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS PLANNED: 5 things concerned parents can do →