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Round Rock Edition VOLUME 20, ISSUE 1 SEPT. 6 OCT. 3, 2024
2024 Education Edition
Billion dollar bond
Parents walk students into Berkman Elementary School, which could receive additional classrooms if the November bond proposal passes.
BROOKE SJOBERG COMMUNITY IMPACT Round Rock ISD to send largest bond package in district history to voters
or if we have a chiller at one of the campuses that breaks down and we have to replace it, we have to tap into our [maintenance and operations budget], which is very tight,” RRISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said.
schools approaching “critical” need of repair, such as replacing or ventilation systems. The bond comes after RRISD made $30 million in cuts to its 2024-25 budget to break even amid stagnant state funding and declining enrollment. “If we have a leaky roof at McNeil High School,
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
In November, Round Rock ISD will ask voters to approve a $998 million bond package. Unlike past bond proposals, the district does not want to build new schools. Instead, the monies would be used to address the needs of 28 of 55
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Also in this issue Impacts: Learn about a new pickleball facility coming to Round Rock (Page 7)
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Government: Round Rock proposes utility rate increase— nd out the speci cs (Page 13)
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We’ve come a long way in 75 years Texas Baptist Children’s Home embraces children and families in need in order to empower and equip them for a promising future. Children and single mothers, and young adults facing homelessness or aging out of foster care who come to TBCH are often lost, hurting, and hopeless, without a place to turn for help during their time of greatest need. Our residential programs provide a safe home and a stable family environment where they can learn and grow, so that those we serve have the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus and reach their God-given potential. Want to get involved? Scan to learn more:
FAMILY CARE
The Family Care Program provides a safe haven for single mothers and their children in our residential cottages. Mothers and their children can heal from their past and transition into successful, independent futures. But most importantly, the family stays together.
HOME BASE
The Home Base Program provides housing for young adults aging out of foster care or facing homelessness. The program offers an opportunity for young adults to further their education or work toward a career.
HOPE COUNSELING
The Hope Counseling Program partners with churches, social service agencies, and the community to provide no-cost, trauma-informed counseling and education to Williamson County residents. Services are provided at three convenient locations.
WELCOME HOME
The Welcome Home Program is a coordinated effort to serve young adults who have aged out of foster care and other community-based programs. Our drop-in center provides resources to those aged 18-24.
1101 N Mays St., Round Rock, TX 78664 | 512-255-3682 | www.tbch.org
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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact
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Impacts
Round Rock
Coming soon
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4 Vera Bradley The brand known for its colorful quilted bags, luggage and accessories will open a store in the Round Rock Premium Outlets, a company representative confirmed. A date has not been set for the store’s opening. A suite number for the new location is also not yet available. • Opening TBD • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.verabradley.com 5 The Riff House Rehearsal Rooms Owned by Brady and Kimber Vance, the rehearsal space will give musicians and bands a place to practice. The business features sound-treated rooms equipped with drums, sound equipment and microphones. Instruments and amplifiers will also be available for rent. • Opening Sept. 13 • 894 Summit St., Ste. 104, Round Rock • Facebook: The Riff House Rehearsal Rooms
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Laura Audrey Custom Cookies The pick up and delivery cookie service relocated from Fort Worth to Round Rock. Laura Franks, who is also a speech pathologist, owns and operates the company. Franks also plans to offer cookie decorating classes in the future. • Relocated in August • www.lauraaudreycustomcookies.com Mars Auto The developer of autonomous trucking vehicles based in South Korea announced July 31 that the company’s U.S. headquarters will relocate from Dallas to Round Rock. The company was the first to launch a self-driving pilot program in South Korea in 2020, and expanded its fleet to the U.S. earlier this year.
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offers a wide variety of merchandise such as jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise. • Opened in July • 1051 I-35, Round Rock • www.firstcash.com 3 New Creation Church The church, which hold services at Veterans Hill Elementary, opened its first location in Round Rock. The nondenominational church started as a home prayer group led by Charles Sawadogo and his wife, Pastor
Now open
1 La Tapatia Restaurant & Bar The Mexican restaurant owned by Juan Luis and Maria Elena Hernandez reopened in August in Rock Creek Plaza, after relocating to a new unit within the same shopping center. The restaurant offers a variety of tacos, tostadas and Mexican-style plates. • Opened Aug. 21 • 2132 N. Mays St., Unit 950, Round Rock • www.latapatiarestaurantbarroundrock.toast.site 2 First Cash Pawn A third Round Rock storefront opened in July near I-35, in a retail space formerly home to Allen’s Boots. Headquartered in Fort Worth, the chain of pawn shops
• Opening TBD • Location TBA • www.marsauto.com
Kaday Sawadogo. • Opened Aug. 25
• 555 Limmer Loop, Round Rock • www.thenewcreation.church
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BY GRANT CRAWFORD, DACIA GARCIA & BROOKE SJOBERG
Now open
Coming soon
Relocations
6 Einstein Bros. Bagels The bagel shop opened in Round Rock in August, inside a retail space previously planned for a new Dirty Dough Cookies store. • Opened Aug. 21 • 121 Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. 105, Round Rock • www.einsteinbros.com
9 The Picklr The pickleball franchise is opening two locations in the Austin area this fall. One location will be in West Austin and the other will be in Round Rock. The Round Rock location is expected to have eight indoor pickleball courts, a warm-up court, a private event space, a pro shop, locker rooms, showers, league play and tournaments.
11 Genesis of Round Rock The Round Rock location of the luxury car dealer relocated to a new space near Mays Street in July. The dealership, formerly located at 2405 N. I-35, Round Rock, offers brand new luxury Genesis vehicles as well as pre-owned Genesis and vehicles from a variety of manufacturers. • Opened early July
• Round Rock location opening this fall • 3021, S. I-35 Frontage Road, Round Rock • www.thepicklr.com/location/round-rock
• 2201 N. Mays St., Round Rock • www.genesisofroundrock.com
12 Milano Ristorante The Italian restaurant recently closed. Owned by the Braga family, the restaurant first opened in late 2021. The family also owns Milano Trattoria in Georgetown, which remains open. • Closed June 26 • 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock • www.milanoristorantetx.com 13 Poker House Austin The legal gambling club opened earlier this year but recently announced its closure. The club offered a poker room experience featuring cash games and tournaments. • Closed Aug. 1 • 2400 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Ste. 160, Round Rock • www.pokerhouseaustin.com
• 620 Round Rock West Drive, Round Rock • www.sacredheartclinic.org
In the news
7 Cristales-The Boutique The local boutique celebrated its 10th year of business in the Round Rock community this August. The boutique sells dressers, rompers, outerwear, sets, bottoms and other apparel. • 2000 S. I-35 Frontage Road., Ste. C2, Round Rock • www.cristales-theboutique.com 8 Sacred Heart Community Clinic The charity dental and medical clinic named a new executive director in August. Marilyn Diaz will lead the organization, which provides services to the uninsured and underserved residents of Williamson County.
Closings
10 Gourmet Texas Pasta The vegan pasta company closed its manufacturing operations in Round Rock in August, per an announcement from the business via social media. Gourmet Texas Pasta offered a variety of different specialty pastas, including gluten-free options. • Closed Aug. 7 • 1100 Sam Bass Road, Ste 103 & 104, Round Rock • www.gourmettexaspasta.com
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Impacts
Pflugerville
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Ecstatic Expression Coffee Co. A Pflugerville-based coffee and tea catering business, founded by James and Madia Canali, offers three catering packages to accommodate different events. • Opened July 20 • www.ecstaticexpressioncoffee.com
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Coming soon
1 Spokesman Coffee Spokesman Coffee will open a new shop next to Crux Climbing Center. The shop will offer local drafts, grab- and-go food and craft-roasted coffee. • Opening this fall • 18817 N. Heatherwilde Blvd., Pflugerville • www.spokesmancoffee.com 2 Infinite Hitting The baseball and softball training clubhouse, owned by Trey and Kristen Whaley and Jane Hines, will offer hitting lessons by professionally trained coaches. • Opening in early October • 21419 Martin Lane, Ste. 200, Pflugerville • www.infiniteaustintx.com
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New Month, New Giveaway!
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BY GRACIE WARHURST
Sprinkle Me Baby Sprinkle Me Baby, owned by LaNica Failey, is a mobile baking business and event caterer. Utilizing a converted school bus equipped with an oven, the company guides guests in creating cookies and cakes. • Opening in October • Facebook: Sprinkle Me Baby ATX
Coming soon
In the news
In the news
3 The Gossip Shack The specialty chicken restaurant is reached its five-year anniversary in Pflugerville. The Gossip Shack offers a menu of chicken and waffles, chicken tender and wing combos, and over 50 flavors to choose from. • Opened May 2019 • 1615 Grand Ave. Pkwy., Ste. 110, Pflugerville • www.thegossipshack.com 4 Lone Star Bar The full service bar is celebrating five years of business in Pflugerville. Lone Star Bar offers weekly events and specials, including karaoke on Saturdays nights. Patrons can also enjoy live music and an outdoor beer garden.
5 Spicy Boys Fried Chicken Spicy Boys Fried Chicken will be joining Crux Climbing Center, a rock climbing gym, at its Pflugerville location. The food vendor serves fried chicken sandwiches and wings, and has four food truck locations in Austin. • Opening this fall • 18817 N. Heatherwilde Blvd., Pflugerville • www.spicyboyschicken.com
6 Rollie Rolls Ice Cream The Thailand-inspired ice cream shop is celebrating it’s fifth anniversary. The ice cream shop has a menu featuring build-your-own rolled ice cream for customers to choose their own base flavors and mix-ins. Rollie Rolls also offers milk teas,
smoothies and coffee. • Opened August 2019 • 1101 W. Pecan St., Ste. 8, Pflugerville • www.rollierolls.com
• Opened September 2019 • 403 FM 685, Pflugerville • lonestarbartexas.com
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Impacts
Hutto
also sells produce and a variety of other treats from Latin America. • Opened Aug. 10 • 3333 CR 119, Ste. 7, Hutto • 512-979-9360 4 Pflutto’s Tavern The sports bar hosts live music, karaoke nights, pool tournaments and other events. Pflutto’s Tavern also has a Pflugerville location at 20205 FM 685, Ste. 300. • Opened in June • 101 Limmer Loop, Ste. 600, Hutto • www.facebook.com/pfluttostavern.hutto
Now open
1 Precision Podiatry Precision Podiatry recently opened in Hutto and is the clinic’s fourth location in the Austin area. The office, led by Dr. John Marshall, treats a variety of conditions, including athlete’s foot, flat feet, ankle arthroscopy, infections, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis and other ailments. • Opened Aug. 5 2 QuikTrip QuikTrip sells a variety of hot and cold food, such as barbecue sandwiches, tacos, wraps and pizzas. The Oklahoma-based gas station chain has over 1,000 locations across the U.S. This is the second location in Hutto. • Opened in late July • 113 Star Ranch Blvd., Hutto • www.quiktrip.com • 201 CR 138, Ste. 104, Hutto • www.precisionpodiatry.com 3 La Bodeguita Meat Market Owned by Nathaly Andalia, the market offers a wide variety of meat, including seafood, different types of poultry and other provisions. Andalia said the business
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5 Monica Story - State Farm Agent The State Farm Insurance office, previously located in Round Rock, recently moved to Hutto. Led by Monica Story, the office helps individuals and families find car, home, renters, life, health and business insurance, among a variety of other services. • Relocated in July
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• 351 Exchange Blvd., Ste. 210 • www.storyinsuranceteam.com
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Rick Cofer WILLIAMSON COUNTY CRIMINAL LAW ATTORNEY
Defending Your Family, Like I’d Defend My Own.
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Now open
Now open
Now open
6 Plaque Panther Dentistry The dentist office, owned by Dr. Devon Harris, provides cosmetic, rehabilitative and routine preventative care. Services include gum care, fillings, dentures, Invisalign, veneers, night guards, whitening and more. • Opened Aug. 10
7 Hutto Antique Mall Owned by local resident Kiowa Madrid, the shop sells a variety of retro and vintage goods. Customers will find items such as clothing, furniture, home decor and other collectibles at the mall. • Opened Aug. 10
8 La Michoacana Plus Ice Cream Parlor In addition to ice cream, the parlor serves mangonadas, chicharron, elotes, shakes, nachos and other treats. The national franchise also sells fruit gummies, juice and a variety of prepackaged snacks and toppings. • Opened Aug. 17 • 531 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Ste. A130, Hutto • www.michoacanaplus.com
• 201 CR 138, Ste. 204, Hutto • www.plaquepanther.com
• 3333 CR 119, Ste. 107, Hutto • www.huttoantiquemall.com
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ROUND ROCK EDITION
Government
County raises pay supplements for judges In an effort to balance the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25 budget with employee retention, the Williamson County Commissioners Court voted to approve pay supplements for each district judge and the district attorney July 30. The overview According to county documents, the proposal includes maintaining the supplement for each district judge at roughly $18,000 per year, which is in line with current district attorney supplement. County Judge Bill Gravell moved to adjust the supplemental figure for District Attorney Shawn Dick to $52,000. His proposal kept the $18,000 figure for district judges. Gravell’s proposal passed by a 3-2 vote. Pre- cinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long and Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey voted against it.
Round Rock awarded WaterSmart grant Round Rock will progress over $16 million in water reuse projects, assisted by the federal WaterSMART program. The program will cover 25% of project costs, with the city funding the remaining balance. About the projects Round Rock’s water reuse program treats effluent from Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant and prepares it for nonpotable purposes like irrigation. There are three planned projects using the matching grant. The first would construct a second storage tank at the wastewater treatment plant, and the second and third projects would extend a pipeline from the plant near Dell Technologies.
“If we’re going to attract the very best, we have to make sure that our salaries are worthy of them.” BILL GRAVELL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUDGE
What they’re saying This amendment sparked a debate among the commissioners on whether it is the county’s or state’s responsibility to add funding to the district attorney’s salary. Long and Covey said their goal is to provide Dick a higher salary while avoiding having county taxpayers pay for something they believe the state should. Gravell disagreed, citing concerns about mak- ing county salaries attractive to top talent.
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BY GRANT CRAWFORD & GRACIE WARHURST
Round Rock proposes utility price increase Round Rock residents may see an increase in utility bills in 2025. City Council approved the first reading of the proposed increase Aug. 22. What residents should know City staff recommended a base rate increase of 5% for water and 6% for wastewater for the next three years. Residential water usage peaks during the summer, and to accommodate the seasonal surge, Thane said the city needs to build out its infrastructure. “Conservation has really become a big topic, and that’s why you’ll see some changes we’re making to our rate structure,” Thane said. Rising costs for salaries, chemicals and infra- structure projects also contribute to the need for the rate increase, according to city officials. Council will take a final vote on the rate Sept. 12.
City looks to recoup money for pipe repair Round Rock is looking to recoup $269,000 from Verizon after a fiber line was drilled through wastewater pipe. What happened City Council approved a contract to repair the wastewater interceptor, which has been punctured since 2007. City officials said the hole caused runoff to flow into the Brushy Creek Regional Waste- water Treatment Plant system.
Proposed rate changes
For the average household, the base charge would be $17.35 per month, with increasing costs for 5 tiers of 5-10 thousand gallons.
Tier 1
Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5
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Transportation
BY GRACIE WARHURST
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City moves forward with Red Bud project A project to expand North Red Bud Lane to a four-lane road will begin in November, according to state documents. The details In addition to expanding the lanes, project features include improving the intersection, constructing a storm drain, and adding continuous sidewalks and lighting. The project is scheduled to wrap up in April 2026.
Data-collection vehicles will travel Round Rock roads to survey street conditions.
COURTESY CITY OF ROUND ROCK
Data collection vans to survey Round Rock roads The city of Round Rock will soon use mobile data collecting services from Roadway Asset Services to inventory road conditions. The speci cs RAS is an Austin-based company that provides Gary Hudder retires from director post Round Rock Director of Transportation Gary Hudder retired Aug. 2 after 13 years with the city. A new position will combine oversight of the Round Rock Transportation Department and the Utilities and Environmental Services Department. The details Hudder was honored at a City Council meeting July 25 for his service to the city. He came to Round Rock as the director of transportation in 2011 after working in the private sector. During his time as director, he helped lead projects like the Creek Bend Boulevard extension as well as assisted in improving streets and tra c in downtown Round Rock. Looking forward Michael Thane, who has served as the Director of Utilities and Environmental Services Department since 2006, will now oversee both departments as the executive director of public works.
data collection services to local and state govern- ments. Its vehicles are xed with precision tools to help governments manage road infrastructure. What residents need to know Residents can expect to see vans equipped with digital cameras and other tools traveling during daylight hours throughout all roads maintained by the city. The images will be used to assess pavement condition and help contribute to Round Rock’s street maintenance program. Environmental work set for Heritage Trail East The city of Round Rock is moving forward with plans for the Heritage Trail East Project, after City Council approved a contract for engineering work Aug. 8. The project furthers a plan to create a 20-acre public park just outside downtown. About the project The Heritage Trail East project includes improvements to land along Heritage Circle, from Mays Street to Georgetown Street near Brushy Creek. This portion of the trail will eventually feature a playground and a pedestrian bridge over the creek, according to city documents. The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Depart- ment was awarded a $6.3 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation last October, which will cover 80% of the costs. The other $1.6 million comes from the city’s 2023 voter-ap- proved park bonds. The update Projects utilizing federal grants require extra environmental work, Assistant Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation David Buzzel
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said. City Council approved a $123,756 contract with multidisciplinary rm BGE Inc. to conduct engineering services. BGE has done similar work for other cities, according to the company, and specializes in guidance for compliance with federal regulations. Looking forward The city approved a contract with Design Work- shop in February to plan the downtown public park project dubbed the Lawn at Brushy Creek. The project is intended to connect the Heritage Trail to Sheppard Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, bring pedestrians and cyclists to downtown, and also address stormwater issues, according to city documents.
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Development
New wing of Brushy Creek Elementary opens Round Rock ISD opened a new wing of Brushy Creek Elementary School Aug. 12, ahead of the start of the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 13. What you need to know The new section of the school includes collab- orative learning rooms as well as outdoor spaces for third, fourth and fifth grade students, per the district. The 25,000-square-foot expansion to the campus is funded by the district’s 2018 bond, and construction costs were capped at $13.74 million by trustees in 2022. The bond package totaled $508 million and also helped fund several other school expansions throughout the district. About the project The addition creates 16 classrooms with move- able partitions at the elementary school, campus
$575M Taylor plant to service chip industry A South-Korean semiconductor chemical manufacturing company and Samsung supplier, Soulbrain, struck a deal with the city of Taylor to build a $575 million plant. What’s happening The plant will be located within the 750- acre RCR Taylor Logistics Park off of Hwy. 79., sandwiched between the Hutto Megasite and Samsung’s semiconductor plant.
The new wing at Brushy Creek Elementary cost the school district around $13.7 million.
COURTESY ROUND ROCK ISD
staff shared in a November 2023 update. The expansion eliminates the campus’s need to house classrooms in portables. The addition is connected to the original campus structure by a covered corridor, which required a fire lane extension to accommodate the change, according to district documents. The project also covers expansion and updates to the existing cafeteria and gym.
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Taylor strikes deal for $225M data center The city of Taylor and the Taylor Eco- nomic Development Corporation struck a deal with BPP Projects to build a $225 million data center that could potentially balloon into a $1 billion project over the next 10 years. The overview Taylor City Council approved an economic development agreement with the company Aug. 8, granting BPP Projects a 10-year, 50% tax rebate for each phase of construction on the data center, according to a news release. Construction, set to begin in July 2025, will be done in three phases and built on 52 acres in east Taylor. Over the next 10 years, the project is expected to see over $1 billion in capital spending as equipment needs replacing.
Projects push forward Old Settlers Park renovation Round Rock City Council recently approved an agreement with a consulting company to help with renovations to Old Settlers Park as well as set the maximum price for two projects in the park. The gist The city of Round Rock is working on improve- ments to Harrell Parkway to provide quicker outlets to Kenney Fort Boulevard. As part of the project, at a cost of $28.3 million, the city is also building a pedestrian bridge going over Harrell Parkway and a pedestrian walkway going under it. “We’re having a lot more activities at night, so it’s going to be a lot safer for our pedestrians to get across that road and we’re going to have the right amount of parking for them,” Chad McDowell, director of General Services, said. “ Additionally, the Lakeview Pavilion area will
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HARRELL PKWY.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY HANNAH NORTON
Education Guide
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—please show them your gratitude by supporting them.
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What's inside
RRISD implements new SMART Tag app (Page 21)
FAFSA changes lead to decrease in applications (Page 23)
Bob Popinski discusses school funding challenges (Page 24)
For relevant news and daily updates subscribe to our free email newsletter!
TEA once again blocked from issuing A F ratings for Texas public schools
The A F accountability system The TEA’s accountability system was established by the 2017 Texas Legislature based on a variety of factors, including:
The annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness
For the second year in a row, a Travis County judge blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its A F accountability ratings for Texas school districts and campuses Aug. 12. The case echoes a 2023 lawsuit from over 100 school districts, which alleged the TEA’s revamped accountability system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts. The agency was set to release ratings for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 15. In a lawsuit led Aug. 12, ve public school dis- tricts said the TEA has not been transparent about changes to its accountability system and failed to x “mistakes” made last year. The TEA said it was reviewing the ling to determine next steps. “It is disappointing that a small group of school boards and superintendents opposed to fair
accountability and transparency have once again led a lawsuit aimed at preventing A F ratings from being issued and keeping families in the dark about how their schools are doing,” a TEA spokes- person said in a statement. More details Texas’ A F system, designed in 2017, gives parents insight about the quality of their children’s school. If a campus or district receives a failing grade for several years in a row, the state can intervene. Districts have not received complete A F ratings since 2019. In 2022, schools that received a C or lower were deemed “not rated” as they recovered from signi cant learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. Accountability ratings were not issued at all in 2020 or 2021.
Academic growth
High school graduation rates
Student preparedness for college, a career or the military
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Travis County District Judge Karin Crump sided with the school districts in an Aug. 12 order, temporarily blocking the TEA from issuing new accountability ratings while litigation continues. A full hearing was scheduled for Aug. 26, but it has since been delayed until Sept. 16.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & BROOKE SJOBERG
RRISD board election called for November
ACC to use $7.5M for semiconductor programs Austin Community College o cials announced Aug. 8 that a $7.5 million grant awarded from the U.S. Department of Defense will go toward the community college district’s e orts to develop and expand its semiconductor training programs. The overview ACC received the grant from the DOD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for the college’s work in semiconductor manufacturing, according to a news release. ACC was the only community college out of the 18 partnering academic institutions selected. Last fall, ACC launched its Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start program. The four-week, full-time program o ers theoretical and hands-on training for students to transition
“Our education and training programs are directly connecting students with employers.” DR. RUSSELL LOWERY HART, ACC CHANCELLOR
Round Rock ISD will hold a board election in November, as terms for three board seats
are set to expire soon. What you need to know
The board of trustees approved an order calling for a board election Nov. 5, as the terms for places 1, 2 and 7 will expire in November. These seats are occupied by Place 1 trustee Chuy Zárate, Place 2 trustee Mary Bone and Place 7 trustee Danielle Weston. On the ballot for place 1 are incumbent Zárate and Joshua Escalante. April Guerra and Melissa Ross led for place 2, while candidates for place 7 include James Steele and Mingyuan “Michael” Wei. The district will partner with both Travis and Williamson counties to conduct its elections.
community college district would partner with The University of Texas and the Texas Institute for Elec- tronics to create a semiconductor training center, which could have its rst students by January. Per the release, the $7.5 million was awarded to UT and TIE, which distributed the funds to ACC, allowing it to “expand existing training programs and develop new ones” through the center. TIE has already committed $3.75 million in fund- ing to develop the center, as previously reported by Community Impact . In total, the partnership has amassed $11.25 million in funding to ACC.
into manufacturing technician roles. In March, ACC o cials announced the
RRISD replaces Parent Portal with SMART Tag app Parents of children in Round Rock ISD who use district transportation services have a new method of keeping tabs on their children. What you need to know RRISD discontinued its use of the Parent
SMART TAG allows parents and guardians to:
allowing bus drivers, administrators and parents to e ectively track the movements of students. The tag uses radio frequency identi cation to update the movements of students in the system, similar to the chip technology used in credit and debit cards that enables contactless payment. Parents are being asked to download the SMART Tag parent app, which will replace Parent Portal altogether, per the district.
Choose type of alert they receive View location of student’s bus Choose how much notice before student reaches bus stop Add co-parents and authorized users Receive noti cation each time student boards and exits bus
Portal to access information about students in the SMART Tag program. This program records when students board and get o their school bus,
SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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. The U.S. Department of Education has said next year’s FAFSA form is set to open for all students on or before Dec. 1, according to an Aug. 7 news release.
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 Round Rock ISD seniors
Class of 2023
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.
1,506
-10.4%
Class of 2024
1,349
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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Education
BY HANNAH NORTON
Bob Popinski discusses Texas public school funding challenges Amid high operating costs and stagnant state funding, public school districts across Texas have adopted budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2024-25. Last year, public education advocates urged law- makers to increase the basic allotment—which is the base amount of money schools receive per student annually and has not changed since 2019, when it was raised to $6,160. Community Impact interviewed Bob Popinski, the senior policy director for education policy nonprofit Raise Your Hand Texas, to learn more. How are Texas public schools funded? Right now, Texas is in the bottom 10 [states] for per-student funding. We’re more than $4,000 below the national average, according to a new National Education Association report.
[Texas uses] what is known as an equalized system, where the Legislature sets the amount of per-student funding and a district is guaranteed that amount. [District] revenue comes from local property taxes and general revenue from the state. On average, when you look at per-student fund- ing across the state, the funding that actually gets down into the classrooms—that pays for day-to-day operations like teachers and cafeteria workers and bus drivers and school principals—is roughly $10,000 per student, on average, across the state. Why are so many districts facing high budget shortfalls? Since 2019, the last time we saw any increase to our school funding formulas, inflation has gone up 22%. School districts are operating at roughly a $1,400 deficit from where they were in 2019. When you look at the basic allotment—[which is] kind of the building block for our school funding formula—it’s at $6,160, and that hasn’t been updated since 2019. Federal stimulus funding is ending. And school districts knew that, ... but it doesn’t mean that
were about 24 recommendations in there. A lot of them focused on salary; a lot focused on training and retention of teachers. School districts are struggling to find certified teachers. In the 2022-23 school year, approxi- mately 15,300 teachers were hired in Texas with- out certification. That’s a drastic increase, about a 650% increase, from 2010. And it’s especially acute in rural and small towns, where nearly 75% of teachers were uncertified. Research shows [hiring uncertified teachers] can have negative consequences on academic achieve- ment. If you have a new teacher that doesn’t have the skills to be ready on day one, obviously your kids aren’t going to be achieving where you want them to be. It’s also causing high turnover. Only about 37% of uncertified teachers are still teaching after five years.
the post-pandemic student achievement loss has gone away. There’s still a lot of programs that are in place to help students with their academic progress that school districts would like to con- tinue, but because that federal stimulus funding is going away, it may not be available to them. In addition to those two major driving factors, there are some school districts out there experi- encing enrollment decline. Think of it this way: if every student draws down about $10,000 to pay for teachers, and you lose 10 kids, that is $100,000 that the school district doesn’t have to pay for a teacher salary. But you still have to have a teacher in the classroom, and you still have to have a bus driver, and you still have to be able to turn the lights and the air conditioning on. So those are big, kind of fixed costs that a school district doesn’t necessarily control. What kind of staffing issues are schools facing, and what can the state do to help? The state needs to implement a lot of the recom- mendations that came from the Teacher Vacancy Task Force report that was issued last year. There
Per-student spending On average, Texas public school districts spent $13,109 per student for the 2022-23 school year. Texas ranks 44th for per-student expenditures out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Arkansas
$13,516
#42
Alabama
$13,484
#43
Texas
$13,109
#44
Arizona
$12,837
#45
Florida
$12,815
#46
Tennessee
$12,476
#47
Nevada
$12,246
#48
Oklahoma
$11,928
#49
Utah
$11,146
#50
#51 Idaho
$9,808
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .
The national average for per-student expenditures is $17,493 annually.
COURTESY RAISE YOUR HAND TEXAS
SOURCE: NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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