Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & RYAN REYNOLDS
Tomball ISD approves new bus-routing technology The Tomball ISD board of trustees voted unani- mously to purchase new bus-routing hardware and software from Transfinder during a Jan. 14 meeting. Trustees agreed the new technology will provide greater security, parental controls and customization than Smart Tag. The details According to the workshop presentation, the platforms will provide these enhanced features: Live time updates for parents and staff Improved communication by eliminating third-party vendors Customizable communication
CISD virtual school future uncertain Conroe ISD officials said the district’s virtual school has an uncertain future as its funding expires this year following a waiver signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023. What to know The virtual school was among the CISD campuses Deputy Superintendent Bethany Medford discussed Feb. 5 when she pre- sented A-F accountability ratings for 2024. The unofficial ratings were locally calculated and then verified by the Texas Education Agency, officials said. In the presentation, the virtual school received a D as it was considered under the high school label for the first time. Medford said the district is waiting to see if the school gets authorization from the state for future funding.
Transfinder, TISD’s active bus-routing software, will no longer support third-party systems after June 30, according to the district. Therefore, the school district had to develop a new solution and contract. TISD will pay $1.2 million to enter a five-year agreement with Transfinder for its Stopfinder and Wayfinder platforms, two additions that TISD Chief Operating Officer Steven Gutierrez said could further streamline communication. Zooming in TISD will purchase the hardware, software and
Increased parental controls for notifications
Geofencing capabilities Turn-by-turn directions accounting for traffic patterns and road conditions
SOURCE: TOMBALL ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
annual site licenses using Strategic Plan 2030 and local funds. What’s next TISD planned to install the new hardware over spring break and perform a pilot test, Gutierrez said.
2025
Fun for the Entire Family Entire Family CELEBRATING OUR 25 TH YEAR! HERITAGE FESTIVAL
German Food · Carnival · Kids Area Street Performers · 200 Street Vendors and 4 Music Stages
March 28th-30th Fri: 6 pm -10 pm · Sat: 10 am -10 pm · Sun: 10 am -6 pm FREE ADMISSION, PARKING & SHUTTLE Shuttle parking is in the East lot of HCA Houston Healthcare - Tomball with shuttle running continuously on Saturday & Sunday.
Our water is continually monitored and recorded to ensure we meet the highest standards All MUD’s we serve are rated as “Superior Water Systems” by the state
2025
F e s t . o
Fun for the Entire Family Entire Family CELEBRATING OUR 25 TH YEAR! HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Quality water Quality of life
German Food · Carnival · Kids Area Street Performers · 200 Street Vendors and 4 Music Stages
March 28th-30th Fri: 6 pm -10 pm · Sat: 10 am -10 pm · Sun: 10 am -6 pm FREE ADMISSION, PARKING & SHUTTLE Shuttle parking is in the East lot of HCA Houston Healthcare - Tomball with shuttle running continuously on Saturday & Sunday.
Water Quality Reports
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION
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