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Spring Klein Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 5 AUG. 15 SEPT. 16, 2024
2024 Education Edition
COURTESY SPRING ISD Spring, Klein ISDs start school year amid budget gaps Wells Middle School Principal LaQuisha Knowles (left) attended a leadership training in June hosted by Charrise Lyman, an education consultant for Untapped Genius. Spring ISD employees have been preparing for the new school year—which began Aug. 14—despite $13.4 million in budget cuts made by district leaders due an anticipated scal year 2024 25 budget shortfall.
$36 million budget shortfall. District leaders have stated they hope to see additional funding allocated to public school districts in the 89th Texas legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.
would be facing a $25 million shortfall for the scal year 2024-25 general fund budget. By May, the district was able to make $13.4 million in budget reductions, leaving a shortfall of almost $12 million. On June 18, KISD trustees adopted a $698 million budget for FY 2024-25 containing a roughly
BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE
Klein and Spring ISDs are facing the new 2024-25 school year—which began Aug. 14—with leaner resources and fewer sta members in light of general fund budget shortfalls the districts face. In February, SISD leaders estimated the district
CONTINUED ON 12
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Impacts
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3 Kafeina Kafe The business offers a variety of coffee and pastries, as well as light dishes for breakfast and lunch. • Opened July 16 • 6402 Louetta Road, Ste. 105, Spring • www.kafeinakafe.com 4 Tortilleria El Rey Owned by Efrain Agustin, this eatery features a menu of “Mexican comfort food” and specializes in freshly-made corn tortillas and house-made salsa. • Opened May 10 • 3710 FM 2920, Ste. 101, Spring • www.tortilleriaelreyllc.com 5 Buren Bakery The Puerto Rican bakery offers artisan bread and pastries including pan sabao—a soft, chewy bread— cardamom buns and tornillos, or cream horns. • Opened July 6 • 417 Gentry St., Ste. N, Spring • www.facebook.com/burenbakery 6 The Epicurean Cellar Owned by Brad and Effie Stees, this boutique offers European food items and gifts. • Opened June 1 • Envy Wine Room, 126 Midway St., Spring • www.whynotenvyme.com 7 Rally House The store sells officially licensed sports apparel and merchandise for local professional and collegiate teams. • Opened July 7 • 17355 Hwy. 249, Houston • www.rallyhouse.com 8 Louetta Orthodontics This practice specializes in braces, clear aligners, lingual braces and early orthodontic treatment. Led by Drs. Khaled Taha and Mohammed Al Azzawi, the bilingual practice offers services in both English and Spanish. • Opened June 24 • 8403 Louetta Road, Ste. 200, Spring • www.louettaorthodontics.com
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Old Town Spring
99 TOLL
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2 Thirs-Tea Boba & Coffee The business offers a selection of coffee; classic, fruit and milk teas; slushes; and smoothies. Patrons can customize their beverages by selecting ice and sweetness levels, and adding toppings. • Opened June 8 • 4751 Louetta Road, Ste. A, Spring • www.thirsteaboba.com
Now open
1 Chi’Lantro BBQ This Austin-based restaurant serves Korean barbecue and Tex-Mex fusion cuisine. • Opened in July • 10850 Louetta Road, Ste. 700, Houston • www.chilantrobbq.com
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9 The Everstead at Windrose Construction is nearing completion on this 194-unit gated single-family community, which features one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes available for rent. Leasing began in October, and a grand opening
Coming soon
In the news
14 La Dolce Nail Spa The salon will offer manicures, pedicures, various nail treatments, eyelash extensions and waxing services. • Opening this fall • 21101 Gosling Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 100, Spring • www.ladolcenailspaspring.com 15 Saxon Pond Flats Developed by Ascension Commercial Real Estate, the first units and the clubhouse of this 360-unit apartment complex are expected to be ready this summer. Construction is expected to wrap up by spring 2025.
was held in May. • Opened May 18 • 7801 FM 2920, Spring • www.theeversteadwindrose.com
10 Summerton at Spring Developed by Oya Property Management, these 1,500-1,520-square-foot townhomes are available in three-bedroom floor plans with two- and 2.5-bathroom options. Each unit features an attached two-car garage
and private yard. • Opened in June • 5701 Spring Stuebner Road, Spring • www.summertonatspring.com
• Opening this summer • 2953 FM 2920, Spring • www.saxonpondflats.com
19 HTeaO This Texas-based beverage business offers 25 flavors of iced tea including sweet, unsweet and decaf options. Additional menu items include hot and iced coffee and espresso-based beverages, hot chocolates, hot teas and lemonades. According to a permit filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, construction began Dec. 1, 2023, and is expected to wrap up by Dec. 1, 2024. • 8217 Louetta Road, Spring • www.hteao.com/locations/spring-tx
16 Teaspoon Owned by Aizhan Abzalova, the business will offer a variety of iced teas, coffees, juices and energy drinks with add-ins such as chamoy, Tajin, fruit purees, fruit marmalades, jellies and flavored boba. • Opening in early October • 6710 Spring Stuebner Road, Ste. 708, Spring • www.teaspoonlife.com
11 Birchway Spring Cypress Owned by Greystar, this 420-unit apartment complex offers one- and two-bedroom options and features keyless door entry, soaking garden tubs and full-size washers and dryers. • Opened in April 12 Torrey Chase Apartments This 280-unit apartment complex offers one- and two- bedroom units for residents earning 60% or less of the area median income. • Opened in April • 14700 Torrey Chase Blvd., Houston • www.livetorreychase.com • 19101 Kuykendahl Road, Spring • www.birchwayspringcypress.com 13 Casella Designed for residents age 55 and older, this senior living apartment community offers one- and two- bedroom apartments for $1,475-$2,330 per month. The community features air-conditioned enclosed corridors, a golf putting green, a yoga studio and a dog park. • Opened Aug. 5 • 18381 Terranova W. Drive, Spring • https://liveatcasella.com
In the news
17 Northland Christian School Led by Head of School Ryan Berens, the private school will celebrate its 50th anniversary in August. The school provides a Christian college-preparatory program for students in grades pre-K-12 and offers a slate of extracurricular activities. • 4363 Sylvanfield Drive, Houston • www.northlandchristian.org 18 Big Island Little Cheese Shoppe In May, owners Tamara Arbo and Monique Vanderstroom celebrated the one-year anniversary since their business opened in Old Town Spring. The company’s farm and creamery was founded in Oahu, Hawaii, in 2009. The shop sells cheeses that are sourced from Texas and Hawaii, as well as various themed charcuterie boards,
and offers cheese-making classes. • 322 Gentry St., Spring • www.hawaiicheese.com
The Northwest Forest Republican Women The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 10. Club President Nancy Radcliffe said the organization was founded in 1974 to educate women about politics and electing Republican candidates to office. Texas Supreme Court Justice Jane Bland was the guest speaker at the anniversary luncheon, and state Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring, presented a resolution in honor of the anniversary. • www.northwestforestrepublicanwomen.org
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Education
BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE
Education Edition
2024
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! This guide features the latest updates and resources about local K-12 public school options in your community, ranging from new campuses to budget details to bond elections. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news—show them your gratitude by supporting them. In this issue, you’ll learn more about local results from the spring 2024 administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, as well as recent changes that have impacted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process. Our cover story looks at the budget challenges districts all over the state of Texas—including Spring and Klein ISDs—are facing in the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year. District officials cite a variety of issues contributing to these financial challenges, including high rates of inflation and a lack of additional funding from the state. To read additional public education coverage and keep up with news throughout the month, visit communityimpact.com/newsletter to sign up for our free daily email newsletter.
What's inside
FAFSA changes cause delays, decrease in applications (Page 11)
Kim Giannetti General Manager kgiannetti@ communityimpact.com
Spring, Klein ISDs face budget shortfalls in fiscal year 2024-25 (Page 12)
Sponsor: Spring ISD
Local STAAR results show declining passage rates Year-over-year standardized test passage rates declined across most subjects in grades 3-8 state- wide as well as in Klein and Spring ISDs, according to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness results released June 14. grading system more efficient. A closer look
STAAR passage rate changes, 2023-24 The data shows the difference in percentage points of students who are approaching the grade level—which is considered passing—between the spring 2023 and spring 2024 administrations of the STAAR test in English. Spring ISD Klein ISD Statewide
Despite the declining passage rates for most grade levels, KISD students did show improve- ment in some areas, including: • Fourth grade reading, rising from 82% of students approaching grade level in 2023 to 86% in 2024 • Fourth grade math, rising from 79% of students approaching grade level in 2023 to 80% in 2024 “Klein ISD continued to outperform the state and the region in STAAR scores in nearly every subject and grade level,” said Stacy Kindsfather, executive director of Assessment, Accountability and Research for KISD, in a statement. SISD students also showed improvement in some areas, including: • Fourth grade reading, rising from 67% of students approaching grade level in 2023 and 71% in 2024 • Sixth grade reading, rising from 66% of students approaching grade level in 2023 to 67% in 2024 SISD officials declined to provide a comment regarding the district’s STAAR results.
-10-8-6-4 -2 0 2 4 6
3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade* 7th Grade 8th Grade
The state and districts saw little improvement in the rates of students approaching grade level— which is considered passing—in reading and math between the spring 2023 and spring 2024 adminis- trations of the STAAR in English. According to a June 14 news release from the Texas Education Agency, the decrease in math proficiency can be attributed to learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some context The STAAR was redesigned in 2023, and there were new changes implemented in how tests were graded in 2024. In 2019, House Bill 3906 mandated a redesign of the state’s standardized test, which was primarily administered online from that point forward. The updates also emphasized writing skills and included a larger variety of questions, according to the TEA’s website. According to the TEA, the 2024 tests were graded almost exclusively by computers in an effort by the state to save money and make the
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT *KLEIN ISD AND STATEWIDE AVERAGES SAW NO CHANGE FROM 2023-24 IN SIXTH GRADE READING STAAR SCORES
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SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
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Education
BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR
FAFSA changes, delays lead to decrease in application numbers
Also of note
The delayed rollout of the form in 2023 is likely to impact students from low-income families because affordability comes into question, said Carla Fletcher, a research consultant at Trellis Strategies. “I think we are going to see some impacts on who is completing the FAFSA and then who is moving on to make decisions about their education because their financial aid packages have been delayed,” Fletcher said. “And so that can really impact their decision making. They might not know which school they can truly afford because they don’t know what kind of aid they’re getting.” Students whose parents do not have a Social Security number have also been “adversely impacted” by the recent FAFSA changes, Ashton said. Texans who do not qualify for FAFSA may be eligible to apply for the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1528, which allowed students who are not U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents or eligible noncitizens, who are not eligible for federal aid, to apply for state aid at participating higher education institutions. Learn more about TASFA eligibility at www.highered.texas.gov. While this year’s financial aid application forms were delayed, the U.S. Department of Education has said next year’s FAFSA form is set to open on time on Oct. 1.
Fewer high schoolers have applied for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year than in 2023, according to data from the National College Attainment Network. The form, which usually becomes available Oct. 1, was delayed by almost three months due to changes made to the application. It was not available for students until Dec. 31. In 2022, U.S. Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act. The revamped application came with fewer questions, a new way of calculating how much aid students qualify for, and a direct exchange of data between the Internal Revenue Service and FAFSA, according to the U.S. Department of Education. However, the delayed application process likely caused a decrease in the number of FAFSA applications, and this will have lasting
FAFSA completion rates in Texas
65%
65% 60% 0% 50% 55%
54.5%
54%
SOURCE: TRELLIS STRATEGIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT *THE FAFSA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT WENT INTO EFFECT IN TEXAS.
effects on graduating seniors, said Bryan Ashton, managing director at Trellis Strategies, a research and consulting firm focused on postsecondary education.
Zooming in
FAFSA completion for Klein and Spring ISD seniors
Class of 2023 Class of 2024
As of the end of June, 54.5% of Texas’ class of 2024 had completed a FAFSA form, down from about 61% at the same time last year. Despite the decrease in total applications completed nationwide and statewide, Texas is ranked sixth in overall applications completed, according to the National College Attainment Network. Ashton said he believes this is in part due to a state law passed in 2019 requiring all graduating seniors to either complete a financial aid application or formally opt out.
Klein ISD
Spring ISD
2,584
1,190
-19.08%
-24.6%
2,091
902
SOURCE: NATIONAL COLLEGE ATTAINMENT NETWORK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The law went into effect for high school seniors graduating during the 2021-22 school year. After the law went into effect, about 65% of the class of 2022 in Texas filled out the FAFSA.
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SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
Spring, Klein ISDs start school year amid budget gaps From the cover
What’s happening?
Projected fiscal year 2024-25 shortfall per student
Conroe ISD Cy-Fair ISD Humble ISD Klein ISD Spring ISD Tomball ISD
$0 -$200 -$400
Of the 16 Greater Houston-area school districts covered by Community Impact , officials for 11 districts said they are expecting budget shortfalls in FY 2024-25. Comparing the anticipated shortfalls before budget cuts to the Texas Education Agency’s 2023-24 student enrollment numbers, SISD’s shortfall of $737 per student was the third-largest in the region, while KISD’s shortfall of $678 per student was the fourth-largest. Data shows Houston and Cy-Fair ISDs have the top shortfalls per student. KISD and SISD leaders have both attributed their budget shortfalls to high rates of inflation and a lack of additional funding from the state as well as other factors. KISD’s shortfall was largely a result of an approximately $4.8 million reduction in federal funding and roughly $71.3 million reduction in property tax revenue compared to last year, KISD Chief Financial Officer Daniel Schaefer said. “There’s just a mix of things that are really pressuring school districts into having to make and adopt deficit budgets or cut programs, … and that is a big problem moving into not only next school year but the school year after,” said Bob Popinski, senior director of policy at Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit education advocacy group.
-$245
-$309
-$409
-$600
-$678
-$737
-$800
-$600
NOTE: ENROLLMENTS FROM THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR AND BUDGET SHORTFALLS FOR THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR PRIOR TO ANY BUDGET CUTS WERE USED TO CALCULATE THE SHORTFALL PER STUDENT.
-$1,170
-$800
Historical district budget shortfalls and surpluses
Spring ISD Klein ISD Actual budget
Projected budget
$40M
$20M
$0
-$20M
-$40M
FY 2015-16
FY 2018-19
FY 2021-22
FY 2024-25
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY; CONROE, CY-FAIR, HUMBLE, KLEIN, SPRING AND TOMBALL ISDS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The breakdown
The impact
Spring ISD budget cuts
According to SISD’s website, the largest FY 2024-25 budget cuts include: $9.8 million in staffing and position cuts
In a split vote June 11, SISD’s board of trust- ees passed a balanced budget that includes $20.4 million in potential revenue that would be earned should a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, ballot initiative be called by Aug. 19 and passed by voters in November. A net loss—employees cut plus employees added—of 100 full-time SISD staff members equaling $9.8 million in savings, makes up the largest portion of the $13.4 million in budget cuts made to SISD’s FY 2024-25 budget. In a June 11 interview with Community Impact , SISD Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks noted the district worked to find other open positions for staff whose positions had been eliminated as part of the budget cuts. “We were still trying to take care of our Spring [ISD] family and have a place for them next year,” Westbrooks said. While KISD’s budget was unanimously adopted by board members, several trustees voiced con- cern about taking $33.8 million from the district’s fund balance for next year’s operating expenses.
On June 11, Briantè Jackson-Gibson—a choir student at Spring High School—spoke to trustees about her choir director, who she said was laid off due to budget cuts. “This woman is somebody that I consider a role model in my life, and it saddens me to think that future students won’t have someone like her. ... SHS needs teachers like this—the teachers who see the good in us when nobody else does, the teachers who have faith in us when everyone else has lost it,” Jackson-Gibson said. Sarah Welsh, a mother of two band students at Springwoods Village Middle School and Spring High School, expressed concern about band assistant director positions being cut at both campuses. “This will put strain on our directors [and] even more countless hours than they already put into our programs,” Welsh said. “The [assistant director] who was cut is a very important part of the band [and] ... helps make our band successful.”
$2.4 million from the central office budget $685,000 from closing the dual language program at the School for International Studies at Bammel $550,000 in savings from reducing the English as a Second Language allotment from $1,100 to $1,000 per student
Klein ISD budget cuts
According to KISD budget documents, the main FY 2024-25 budget cuts include: $1.4 million reduction in school leadership costs—costs incurred by
campus administrators supervising the school and evaluating staff members $1.7 million reduction to the facilities maintenance and operation budget $795,000 reduction in data processing services
SOURCES: SPRING AND KLEIN ISDS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY WESLEY GARDNER & EMILY LINCKE CONTRIBUTIONS BY DANICA LLOYD & HANNAH NORTON
Stay tuned
Diving in deeper
If a board of trustees approves a tax rate above the voter-approval tax rate, voters then must con- sider the tax rate in an election. SISD’s FY 2023-24 maintenance and operations tax rate is $0.6692 per $100 valuation, but the proposed VATRE would put SISD’s FY 2024-25 M&O rate at $0.7192
A bill was proposed during the 88th legislative session that would have provided $8 billion in funding for public education and teacher stipends, state Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring, said. The bill included funding for private school vouchers and eventually died. He said public education funding will likely be proposed in the 89th legislative session. If legislators do not provide more funding in the upcoming session, SISD will likely need to make more staff cuts, reduce programs and services, and increase class sizes, Westbrooks said in a July 30 email. “Our ability to maintain the quality of education and support services for our students will be compromised, affecting their academic performance and overall well-being,” Westbrooks said.
and generate an additional $20.4 million annually for the district, Westbrooks said. A possible November VATRE included in SISD’s budget would potentially cover the district’s remaining anticipated budget gap and pay for 2% raises for staff.
March
June
Sept.
Dec.
Feb.
2024
2025
April: District officials collect community feedback on a potential SISD VATRE
June 11: SISD trustees pass a
Aug. 8: Last day
Aug. 19: Deadline for trustees to call a VATRE for the Nov. 5 election
Nov. 5: If called, the VATRE would go before voters for consideration
February: If the VATRE is not approved, SISD leaders would remove VATRE revenue from the FY 2024-25 budget and present adjustments to trustees
balanced FY 2024-25 general fund budget that includes $20.4M in potential VATRE revenue
for trustees to approve SISD’s annual tax rate
SOURCE: SPRING ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn More
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SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE
$1.27M approved in public safety projects Harris County commissioners approved allocating $1.27 million in public safety bond funding June 25 for seven projects within the county sheri and re marshal o ces. Tommy Diaz, law enforcement command assistant chief, said further planning meet- ings with county engineering o cials will take place by June 2025 for these “long-term investments.” The details Projects being funded include: • Active shooter training facility: $110,000 • Swift-water rescue operations training facility: $100,000 • Academy rearms complex: $30,000 • Training academy expansion project: $280,000
Texas Supreme Court halts income program Harris County o cials were ordered by the Supreme Court of Texas on June 14 to prohibit payments for Uplift Harris, the county’s rst guaranteed income program. Breaking it down Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led the original lawsuit against Uplift Harris on April 9, seeking a temporary injunction. A state district judge ruled against Paxton April 18, prompting him to le an emergency order with the Supreme Court of Texas. The state’s appeal of the denial of a temporary injunction remains pending in the court of appeals. More than 1,900 quali ed families living below 200% of the poverty line will not be given $500 per month for 18 consecutive months as part of the program, pending the outcome of the appeals court lawsuit.
“Local governments exist in part to help the less fortunate among us, and the Supreme Court’s ruling e ectively ends
a program that has proven to be highly successful at allowing lower-income folks to lift themselves out of poverty.” CHRISTIAN MENEFEE, HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY
“[Texas Supreme Court] has stepped in and put a stop to this abuse of power and unlawful use of taxpayer money while the case continues.” KEN PAXTON, TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Environment
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Hurricane Beryl’s impact left around half a million CenterPoint customers without power for at least five days after the hurricane landed on July 8. Eight Harris County fatalities were attributed to heat exposure due to power outages, according to July 24 data from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. From July until December, investigations and formal hearings are ongoing into CenterPoint Energy and other Greater Houston-area utility providers’ emergency response and preparedness efforts for the storm. Meanwhile, a new 13-member Texas Senate Special Committee was formed July 17 and tasked with studying power companies’ hurricane and storm preparedness. The committee first met July 29, asking why more than 2 million Houston-area residents lost power and why it took weeks to restore it. The hearing was held as Texas policymakers continued investigations into how various utility companies performed not only in the wake of Beryl, but also the derecho wind storm that hit Houston in May, knocking out power for nearly 1 million CenterPoint customers. While appearing in front of Texas public utility commissioners on July 25, CenterPoint Energy executives laid out a three-phase resiliency plan with details and deadlines as early as Aug. 1. CenterPoint’s plan focuses on three priorities: • Customer communications • Resiliency investments • Strengthened partnerships CenterPoint releases resiliency plan after Beryl
The action taken
In what may be the first staff action related to Beryl, Lynnae Wilson, CenterPoint’s senior vice president of electric business, is no longer with the company as of July 29, according to an email from CenterPoint media officials. In a July 28 publicly advertised letter, CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells apologized for falling short of customer expectations during times of emergency. Wells also outlined immediate actions to improve not only future response and restoration efforts, but
also customer and public-facing communications. CenterPoint Energy’s resiliency plan includes prioritizing power restoration and temporary generator deployment for critical facilities. The top five general priority levels for mobile generator deployment include: • Hospitals • Emergency services & Houston airports • Cooling centers • Senior/assisted living facilities • Small emergency rooms
CenterPoint Energy's 3-phase timeline to implement resiliency improvements*
Completed
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Immediately
By Aug. 15
By Dec. 31
Prioritize restoration and temporary generation deployment for critical facilities, including critical care facilities, water utilities
Harden nearly 350 distribution line miles to the latest extreme wind standard; CenterPoint is replacing wooden towers with steel and concrete towers
Complete all aerial imagery and visual inspections on all over- head distribution circuits affected by Beryl to identify equipment or vegetation-related issues that could impact future outages Informed by the Texas governor’s office, CenterPoint will execute identified repairs based on risk Increase call center capacity by 165% for storm events with a standard average answer speed of 5 minutes or less
Launch initial public communi- cations earlier in the storm cycle
Hire two new senior leaders: one for emergency preparedness and response and one for communications
By Aug. 1
By Aug. 31
By June 1, 2025
Launch a new cloud-based
Leverage AI and implement changes to accelerate dispatch of vegetation crews to immediately address higher-risk vegetation issues through Dec. 31 Remove 100% of vegetation from the 2,000 incremental distribution lines considered to be at a higher-risk due to vegetation Deploy 300 automated devices to reduce sustained interruptions and reduce restoration time By Sept. 30 Select sites for up to 10 donated backup generator facilities
Install donated backup generator facilities
storm outage tracker
Increase mobile generators
from four to 13 units
Adopt a daily press briefing policy before and during a named storm, and daily restoration updates, during the press briefing
By Aug. 9
Coordinate more closely with local, county and state officials as well as emergency management personnel to align response efforts
*LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE SOURCES: CENTERPOINT ENERGY, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SMART GRID CENTER/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Number of customers without power 2.5M CenterPoint Energy Hurricane Beryl outages
What to expect
Impact , CenterPoint did not provide information on how much the new plan will cost the company and its customers. The state could take action on energy legislation next legislative session as Senate committee members on July 29 looked into what new regulations or legislation they can enact to keep similar circumstances from happening again. While no further Senate committee meetings on hurricane preparedness are scheduled for this year, the PUC’s final investigation report will be delivered to the governor and Legislature for review by Dec. 1.
CenterPoint originally filed a $2.2 billion-$2.7 billion resiliency plan with the PUC for its long- term sustainability efforts on April 29, prior to the derecho and Beryl outages. Internal July 24 communication between Wells and Gov. Greg Abbott indicated Wells enacted stricter deadlines to CenterPoint’s original resiliency plan, which required refiling with the PUC in order to meet the new strategies, Wells said. By Aug. 1, the company withdrew its PUC filing and announced it needs to complete a broader assessment of additional resiliency opportunities. In an email with Community
2.2M
2M 1.5M 1M 500K 0
4,713
Hurricane Beryl lands
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SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
SPRINGWOODS VILLAGE PKWY.
Transportation
Real estate
BY HANNAH BROL
City Place
Fewer homes sold in July 2024 than July 2023 across a majority of ZIP codes that make up Community Impact’s Spring and Klein coverage area. Residential market data
Number of homes sold
2 Old Town Spring asphalt reconstruction Project: Roadways will be reconstructed throughout Old Town Spring to improve tra c ow and safety. Jeannie Peng, communications manager for Precinct 3, said roadways impacted will include Caroline, Magnolia, Oak, Border, Prairie, Keith, Noble, Gentry and Midway streets; Spring Cypress, Spring School and West Hardy roads; and Preston Avenue. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: estimatedcompletion by the third quarter of 2025 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3
July 2023
July 2024
2
-62.5%
-33.33%
-37.78%
+7.95%
-20%
-25.93%
2920
Old Town Spring
99 TOLL
BOUDREAUX RD.
BORDER ST.
OAK ST.
MAGNOLIA ST.
BUR OAK DR.
WINDING RIDGE DR.
A
77068
77069
77070
77379
77388
77389
77389
PRAIRIE ST.
3
KEITH ST.
MIDWAY ST.
99 TOLL
Recently completed
77388
SPRING CYPRESS RD.
Median home sales price
77379
3 TC Jester Boulevard sidewalk installation Project: Flashing lights and sidewalks were installed along TC Jester Boulevard between Winding Ridge Drive and Bur Oak Drive. Update: Peng con rmed in early August this project has been completed. • Timeline: completedin May • Cost: $120,000 • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3
249
1960
July
2023
2024
45
1
77068
CUTTEN RD. BAVARIA DR.
249
77070
$322,250 $367,500 $300,000 $367,500 $321,250 $510,500
$355,500 $459,500 $333,200 $380,000 $304,500 $596,250
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
77068
77069
77069
45
from south of Bavaria Drive to Cossey Road. Update: This project is in the design phase. • Timeline: estimatedcompletion by the fourth quarter of 2025 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: Harris County Precinct 3
77070
N
Upcoming projects
77379
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY JENNY HILL, A REALTOR WITH COLDWELL BANKER REALTY • 713 805 0947 WWW.JENNYHILLREALESTATE.COM
1 Cutten Road extension Project: This project will extend Cutten Road by constructing a four-lane boulevard with bridge culverts 1960
77388
77389
BAMMEL NORTH HOUSTON RD.
SP E AR S R D.
RIDGE HOLLOW DR.
WILLOWBROOK MALL
SPRING STUEBNER 6603 Spring Stuebner Rd (281) 288-0239
NORTH LOUETTA 1614 Louetta (281) 350-1198 KUYKENDAHL 13313 Kuykendahl (281) 873-5220
LOUETTA 7314 Louetta (281) 370-1986
WILLOWBROOK 6927 FM 1960 W (281) 580-1734
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18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY JOANNE BACH & TRAVIS DUONG
August
September
Summer Wrap Up Family Day Mad About Hoops, Tom’s Fun Band and the Houston Brick Club will participate in this end-of-summer event hosted by the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. • Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 6815 Cypresswood Drive, Spring • www.pearlmfa.org Flood Control Breakfast Officials with the Harris County Flood Control District and the San Jacinto River Authority will speak at this North Houston Association event. • Aug. 28, 7:30-9 a.m. • $100 (members), $125 (nonmembers) • Shirley Acres, 217 Woerner Road, Houston • www.north-houston.com Summer Job Fair Job-seekers should create a Work In Texas account, dress professionally and bring copies of their resume. • Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free • NAM, 15702 Bammel Village Drive, Houston • www.namonline.org
‘Bonnie & Clyde’ Playhouse 1960 will perform “Bonnie & Clyde,” which tells a story of love, adventure and crime. • Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 8 p.m.; Sept. 22, 3 p.m. • $22-$25
• 6814 Gant Road, Houston • www.playhouse1960.com
Intro to Modern Square Dance The Bluebonnet Squares will host free square dance sample lessons for participants age 9 and older. • Sept. 9 and 16, 6:30-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Klein Multipurpose Center, 5920 FM 2920, Spring • www.sites.google.com/view/ bluebonnetsquareshouston Zoya Shuhatovich performance Pianist Zoya Shuhatovich will perform as part of the Promenade Series hosted by the Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment. • Sept. 10, 2 p.m. • $12-$18 • The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring • www.cypresscreekface.org
The Peach Truck Peach-lovers can head to City Place Plaza to pick up fresh peaches, pecans and other merchandise from The Peach Truck during this pop-up event. Pre-orders are available online. • Sept. 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. • $14 (3-pound bag of peaches), $45 (12-pound box of peaches) • 1250 Lake Plaza Drive, Spring • www.cityplacenow.com
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19
SPRING - KLEIN EDITION
Dining
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
Street corn ($2.99) is served in a cup and topped with mayo, parmesan cheese and Tajin or chamoy.
Street tacos ($1.75 each) include a choice of meat wrapped in two tortillas and topped with cilantro, onions and lettuce.
PHOTOS BY JOVANNA AGUILAR COMMUNITY IMPACT
Taste of Mexico serves authentic Mexican cuisine
Mini tortas ($3.99) are stu ed with a choice of meat, chipotle mayo, lettuce, onions, tomatoes and avocado.
After four years of o ering catering services, Cesar Bautista and Diana Sanchez opened Taste of Mexico—a brick-and-mortar restaurant—in January 2022 at the request of their customers. What’s in a name Taste of Mexico o ers traditional Mexican dishes inspired by Sanchez’s great-grandmother. “I have had customers in tears say our cooking reminds them of their own late grandmother’s cooking,” Bautista said. Sanchez said her grandmother taught her to cook from an early age following her family’s tradi- tional customs. Today, Sanchez and Bautista carry on that family tradition with their two teenage daughters who work part-time in the restaurant.
On the menu At Taste of Mexico, customers can place orders straight at the counter and try samples prior to selecting their dish. Menu items range from street tacos and ques- abirrias to tortas and menudo. The restaurant also o ers vegetarian dishes such as tofu fajitas, soy tinga and soy pastor. “We want to be inclusive of everyone and try to consider people’s dietary needs as much as possi- ble,” Bautista said. “And make sure everyone is fed.” Looking ahead, the couple said they plan to expand Taste of Mexico’s dining space by expand- ing into a second suite located next door. The couple also continues to o er catering services.
1960
BAMMEL NORTH HOUSTON RD.
N
14715 TC Jester Blvd., Ste. 700, Houston www.tasteofmexicohouston.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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