Education
BY EMILY LINCKE & LIZZY SPANGLER
Lone Star College adds new bachelor’s degree program Lone Star College System will be opening applications later this spring for a new bachelor’s degree in education, according to a Feb. 12 news release from the college system. The big picture The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Child- hood Education and Teaching will be available this fall at the LSC-Atascocita Center in northeast Houston and the LSC-Creekside Center in Tomball, according to the release. “LSCS is thrilled to welcome students into our fifth bachelor’s degree program this fall, offering a more affordable pathway for students who aspire to teach,” said Megan Mariveles, LSCS interim executive dean of Baccalaureate Pro- grams. Students can graduate from the two-year
SHSU expands Bearkat Promise program Families making up to $100,000 are now eligible for Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Promise program, after the univer- sity announced Feb. 24 that it was raising the family income eligibility threshold from $40,000. More details The Bearkat Promise program provides eligible students with the mandatory tuition and fees they need for up to 15 credit hours per semester, according to its website. The increased income threshold starts in fall 2026. The program is renewable for up to three consecutive years and does not include cov- erage of nonmandatory fees such as housing or meal plans, according to the news release.
Up to 50 students can enroll in the program at each center this fall. Students can enroll if they have earned an:
• Associate of Arts in Teaching • Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education • Another associate degree with directed electives
The new bachelor’s degree will be the fifth LSCS offers. The college system also offers bachelor’s degrees in:
• Cybersecurity • Nursing • Emergency management • Energy, manufacturing and trades management
SOURCE: LONE STAR COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
program as teachers certified in either early childhood education-3rd grade or early childhood education-6th grade. In their words “By strengthening the pipeline of qualified teach- ers, LSCS is strengthening the future of the com- munities we serve,” Rebecca Saiz, LSCS executive director of the Educator Preparation Program, said.
Klein ISD expected to shrink FY 2025-26 budget gap
According to the review, major changes to the general fund include: $24.2M in additional projected state revenue $4.3M in increased payroll expenditures (employee retention bonuses) $1.5M less in local revenue earned from interest due to expected lower interest rates $1.2M less than expected in local taxes due to new higher homestead exemptions
general fund shortfall to decrease by about $16.2 million, according to the budget review. Quote of note “The most recent budget amendment reduced the general fund deficit ... allowing us to protect our award-winning programs as we prioritize student success in KISD,” Chelsea Ceballos, KISD’s director of communications, said.
Klein ISD’s projected funding gap for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget has been lowered from $21.1 million to $4.8 million, district leaders say. In a nutshell During the KISD board of trustees’ Feb. 2 meeting, trustees approved the district’s first budget review for the FY 2025-26 budget. Various budget cuts and additional funding allowed the budget’s projected
SOURCE: KLEIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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