to The Austin Chronicle columnist Erica C. Barnett, Roper claimed that Bland had sanctioned the mural up until certain Board members voiced their disapproval of a few images depicted; and that two of the images in question were the one of two men kissing and another featuring a monster, claimed to be Satan by the Board. Roper claimed the Board would not have complained if the former depicted a straight couple. The wall where the mural had been was later painted over with the First Amendment. Ultimately, Roper was terminated from his position at KAPS, which he claimed was due to his resistance to the Board; Bland, Barnett writes, replied that the termination was because Roper did not consult the Board before sanctioning the mural. In the opinion of Elizabeth Lee, who replaced Roper following his termination, both Roper and Bland acted in the right, and that the removal of the mural and "really [bad]" handling of the situation by the Board were products of the school's placement in a conservative town. 2010 Texas Rain Catcher Award In 2010, KAPS won the Texas Rain Catcher Award. According to the Texas Water Development Board: Students at the school are very aware of environmental issues. With the help of grants from the Lower Colorado River Authority and other entities, and in partnership with local organizations such as Keep Wimberley Beautiful, Wimberley Lions Club, and the Pedernales Electric Co-op, the students installed several rainwater harvesting systems to collect and use rainwater at the school. The harvested water is being used to irrigate an organic vegetable and flower garden, and a butterfly garden; all cared for and maintained by the students. It is also used to flush toilets inside the school, wash the school’s fleet of vehicles, and as a backup water supply for the Wimberley Volunteer Fire Station located next door. As a direct result of the student’s initiative to harvest and use rainwater, the school’s water bill has been cut in half; from about $190 per month to about $90 per month. KAPS harvested 32,000 gallons of water in 2010. 2012 study In 2012, a study by Children at Risk found KAPS to be the most improved high school in the Austin area and the third most improved in Texas, reporting improvement in math, science, AP exams, and college entrance exam rates. Yana Bland reportedly attributed this primarily to the school's low