Georgetown Edition | May 2024

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Georgetown Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 9 MAY 18JUNE 20, 2024

White House ocials gathered in Taylor in April to announce plans to invest billions of dollars in the Central Texas semiconductor industry.

GRANT CRAWFORDCOMMUNITY IMPACT Samsung to invest billions more in Central Texas

Science Act signed into law in 2022—will expand Samsung’s footprint in Taylor and further the U.S. Department of Commerce’s goal of producing 20% of the world’s semiconductor chips by 2030, according to a statement from the White House.

memorandum agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce to receive $6.4 billion in direct fund- ing, while the company is expected to invest more than $45 billion into the region. The federal funding—from the $53 billion Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and

BY HALEY MCLEOD

Dubbed the “Silicon Fields” by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, DAustin, during a White House announce- ment April 15, Taylor is shaping up to become the heart of a semiconductor cluster in Central Texas. Samsung Electronics signed a preliminary

CONTINUED ON 26

Also in this issue

Impacts: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice opening this summer (Page 6)

Government: San Gabriel Park improvements delayed (Page 10)

Election: All four GISD bond propositions pass (Page 21)

Events: See photos from April events in Georgetown (Page 32)

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Impacts

5 Soccer Pups The indoor soccer training facility serves children ages 3-9. The business aims to build soccer and social skills through classes, camps, a skills academy, leagues and birthday parties. Soccer Pups first opened in Cedar Park last year and will open in Leander in the fall. • Opening in July • 275 SE Inner Loop, Ste. 125, Georgetown • www.soccerpups.com 6 The Swim Studio Swim coaches will provide one-on-one swim lessons to adults and children as young as 6 months old through weekly 30-minute sessions. The business will offer 10-day bootcamps for ages 2 and up. The program will teach swimmers the four main swimming strokes, proper technique, and safety in and around water. • Opening in January • 2960 FM 1460, Ste. 102, Georgetown • www.theswimstudios.com 7 Guidepost Montessori at Georgetown The center will offer child care and education for children 6 weeks to 12 years old, including preschool options, elementary school and Spanish immersion classrooms, said Mike Tersigni, founding head of school for the Georgetown location. • Opening in July • 3010 FM 1460, Georgetown • www.guidepostmontessori.com 8 Westlake Dermatology Certified dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr. Adam Mamelak will provide a variety of aesthetic and medical skin care treatments to patients, including advanced treatment for common skin conditions, screening and treatment for skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery for certain skin cancers, botox, fillers, and microneedling. • Opening June 16

plus sound, flow, vinyasa, flexibility and mobility, and kundalini yoga. The new Georgetown franchise is owned by Stephanie Whitson. • Opened April 15 • 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 103A, Georgetown • www.flowyogatx.com/locations/georgetown

195

AIRPORT BLVD.

2 Afterglow Integrative Esthetics & Wellness

Owned by Dana Kataoka, services include red light therapy, integrative facials, waxing, tinting and scalp treatments. Located inside of Lavish, the business is accepting clients by appointment. • Opened in February • 7600 W. Hwy. 29, Ste. 5, Georgetown • https://afterglowwellness.glossgenius.com The Salty New Yorker The home-based bagel shop serves authentic New York bagels using dough made in-house daily. The business receives orders online, and owner Bethany Simas said she hopes to begin selling at the Wolf Ranch Farmers Market. • Opened April 18 • www.thesaltynewyorker.com 29

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3 Einstein Bros. Bagels The national chain serves dozens of bagel types, including classic, signature and gourmet bagels, paired with cream cheese spread. The business also serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and coffee beverages. • Opening in July or August • 3920 Williams Drive, Ste. 110, Georgetown • www.einsteinbros.com

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

4 Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Georgetown

• 4235 Williams Drive, Georgetown • www.westlakedermatology.com

The extended-stay hotel will feature rooms with king and double beds plus kitchens, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and laundry facilities. • Opening in mid-September • 934 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.marriott.com/ausgt

Now open

9 Bright Sight Eye Care The new office led by Optometrist Paul Nguyen will offer eye and vision care, including contacts and glasses. The practice will treat eye diseases such as

1 Flow Yoga The space features two large yoga studios and a lounge serving tea and cacao. The business offers a variety of yoga classes with ranging intensity levels, including yin

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Dr. Craig P. Torres D.D.S., Endodontist Board Certified (COL US Army Dental Corps RET) • Non-surgical root canal therapy • Root canal retreatments • Root canal surgery Dr. Gloria T. Torres D.D.S., Prosthodontist (LTC US Army Dental Corps RET) 64 Years Combined Experience (Retired Army Dentists)

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BY CLAIRE SHOOP & CHLOE YOUNG

12 Georgetown Shirt Company The custom apparel producer relocated from its previous location at 40204 Industrial Park Circle, Georgetown. The business produces general apparel, team and athletics wear, caps, headwear, and promotional products. The business also offers screen printing and embroidery services. • Relocated in March • 501 S. Austin Ave., Ste. 1115, Georgetown • www.georgetownshirtcompany.com

diabetes, glaucoma, dry eyes and macular degeneration. • Opening in late June • 940 Westinghouse Road, Ste. 105, Georgetown • www.brightsighteyes.com 10 Frontier Bank of Texas The bank provides a range of personal and business financial services, including checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, and loans. Frontier Bank offers wealth management services through a team of financial advisers. • Opening in October or November • 2651 E. University Ave., Ste. 700, Georgetown • www.frontierbankoftexas.bank

Coming soon

Expansions

13 TOP Equipment The outdoor power equipment distributor is set to open a 210,000-square-foot facility next to its current 225,000-square-foot center, owner Mike Elliott said. The company distributes zero-turn mowers, grass trimmers, power blowers, chainsaws, hedge clippers, brush cutters and fertilizer sprayers from several brands. • Opening by the end of 2025 • 2301 Airport Road, Georgetown • www.topequipment.net

Relocations

14 Jeremiah’s Italian Ice The dessert shop will serve scratch-made Italian ice, soft-serve ice cream and gelati, a dessert featuring layers of ice cream and Italian ice topped with sprinkles, cookie crumbles or candy. Italian ice is “lighter and more refreshing than ice cream but thicker, smoother and creamier than shaved ice,” Georgetown franchise owner and resident Allison Stubbs said. • Opening in July or August • 505 W. University Ave., Ste. F, Georgetown • www.jeremiahsice.com

11 Sixth Gen Roofing The company provides residential and commercial roofing services to the greater Georgetown area, including inspections, insurance claims, repairs and replacements as well as solar panel installation and custom-designed roofs. Owned by Josh and Alicia Herrington, the business was previously located at 1108 Williams Drive, Georgetown. • Relocated May 1 • 455 Hwy. 195, Ste. A, Georgetown • www.sixthgenroofing.com

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Government

BY HANNAH NORTON

Georgetown City Council signed o on new height and density requirements for buildings downtown during a March 26 workshop meeting. After over an hour of debate, council members agreed to modify the maximum heights that were introduced in February as part of the city’s Downtown Master Plan. “I think we have a tremendous responsibility to preserve the look and feel of Georgetown,” said council member Jake French, who rep- resents downtown residents. What happened The proposed regulations state that most buildings in downtown Georgetown may not be taller than the Williamson County Courthouse, which is 57.5 feet tall. Buildings in the downtown area are currently limited to 40 feet. Council members opted to limit new develop- ment in Zone 4—which includes many properties outside the downtown square—to 52 feet. Over 60 Georgetown residents shared com- ments about the plan during the State of the City event March 21. None of them were in favor of buildings taller than 52 feet in Zone 4, urban Council considers new downtown height restrictions

Georgetown City Council is considering height restrictions on buildings downtown as part of the Downtown Master Plan.

BROOKE SJOBERGCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Building up downtown As city ocials look at ways to keep Georgetown's downtown a driving economic force, they are considering adopting the following building heights as part of the Downtown Master Plan.

Currently buildings in the downtown district are limited to 40 feet, which is less than the height of the 57.5-foot Williamson County Courthouse.

Zone 1 The inner half-block of buildings facing the courthouse Max proposed height: 35 feet Zone 2

S. ROCK ST.

2ND ST.

The outer half-block of buildings in the nine- block square surrounding the courthouse Max proposed height: 50 feet Zone 3 Transition between historic downtown and residential areas Max proposed height: 35 feet Zone 4 Business areas outside of the nine-block square Max proposed height: 52 feet Zone 5 Properties north of the square that may be allowed additional height due to their value Max proposed height: 64 feet Zone 6 Select properties along the north side of University Avenue Max proposed height: 40 feet

E. 5T

E. 6TH ST.

design consultant Chris Geddes said. Council members also recommended:

E.9THST.

• Removing limits on the maximum number of stories for new buildings in Zone 2, which includes properties adjacent to the county courthouse. The maximum proposed height for this zone is 50 feet. Previous proposals limited new development in this area to three stories. • Reclassifying properties south of University Avenue as Zone 3, which has a maximum height of 35 feet. • Limiting development in Zone 5, which includes properties of “exceptional value” in the northern sector of downtown, to 64 feet. Project consultants and city sta released a draft of the Downtown Master Plan for public review during the rst week of April. Council held another workshop to discuss the project April 23. What they’re saying Four council members—French, Amanda Parr, Kevin Pitts and Mike Triggs—voted to limit new

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT

development in Zone 4 to 52 feet. Three council members—Ron Garland, Ben Stewart and Shawn Hood—voted to limit development in the area to 57.5 feet. “One of my top priorities is always citizen feedback,” Parr said. “And I think on this one, we have heard loud and clear from what our citizens want here in the city of Georgetown: they’re willing to stretch a little bit; they’re just asking us to not stretch quite so far.”

More details Ocials also plan to enhance bicycle and pedestrian access throughout the downtown area; create new public event spaces; improve seating and lighting; and increase parking under the Downtown Master Plan. The plan was rst adopted in 2003. City o- cials updated the plan in 2013 and began working on a second update in October 2022.

GEORGETOWN EDITION

Government

BY KATY MCAFEE

A new splash pad, skate park and festival space originally slated to open at San Gabriel Park in May will be delayed until later this summer, Georgetown Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly Garrett told Community Impact . The new amenities are part of the park’s third improvement phase, which also included adding new restrooms, shade canopies and a 255-space parking lot—all of which have been completed. Garrett said the delay on the splash pad, skate park and festival space are due to inclement weather and time needed to prepare for the 2024 Two Step Inn Festival. The skate park and splash pad are expected to be open for public use by early July, and the new festival space will be completed by August after crews reseed the land and level it out for proper drainage, Garrett said. The new festival space will host the Rotary Club’s Field of Honor event this November, with plans to welcome more events and festivals in the coming years, Garrett said. The big picture Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation Department has been making improvements to San Gabriel Park over three phases that were funded through the 2008 bond. Over the past 16 years, the 175-acre park has been transformed to include a disc golf course; playgrounds; a spring habitat; a sunken garden; accessible trails for walking, biking and hiking; and more improvements. San Gabriel Park projects delayed

SAN GABRIEL PARK

San Gabriel Park is located at 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown.

KATY MCAFEE COMMUNITY IMPACT

San Gabriel Park improvement phases

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

• New playground with sensory walk • New signage • Restored spring habitat • Intersection realignment • Restrooms and pavilions • New trails

• New basketball court • Disc golf course restrooms • Two new playgrounds • Pavilions • Two spring restorations • Trail improvements

Potential: • New sports ields • Parking • Restrooms

• Creation of festival space • New concrete skate park • New splash pad • New restrooms • 255-space parking lot

Amenities

Timeline March 2017- Sept. 2018 Sept. 2018- Oct. 2019

May 2023- Aug. 2024

Unknown

Cost

$2.5 million

$4.2 million

$7.5 million

Unknown

Funding Source

2008 bond

Future bond

SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT

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What’s next The city plans do to one more phase of park improvements in the coming years, but the funding source and details remain uncertain. The department decided to scrap a food truck area originally planned for Phase 4 as it would negatively impact the environment, Garrett said. The department also decided to remove replacing a low water bridge that runs across the San Gabriel

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Government

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Water treatment capacity expanded

Moving forward

Two water treatment projects—the North Lake Water Treatment Plant expansion and Southside Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation—came online this spring. The upgrades come as water usage and conservation efforts continue to be key topics for the city, Mayor Josh Schroeder said in the annual State of the City address. Per Georgetown officials, the Southside Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation added 3.6 million gallons per day to the city’s water capacity system, and the North Lake Water Treatment Plant expansion added 8.8 MGD. These projects, combined with 9 MGD contracted from other cities, brought the city’s production capacity to 49.9 MGD. According to Georgetown officials, an average of 42.8 MGD are used during peak season. During the nonpeak season, water usage averages 17.63 MGD.

Expansions over time

Officials said the first phase of another project, the South Lake Water Treatment Plant, is set to come online in late 2025 and expand capacity by another 22 MGD. Its second phase will up capacity once again by 22 MGD when it comes online in 2026, bringing the city’s overall owned capacity to 93.9 MGD. Still, Schroeder said the city is looking at ways to conserve water, including through retreating wastewater to make it safe; using gray water, or wastewater from washing machines, showers and sinks, for irrigation; and allowing xeriscaping, or landscaping that requires little water. “One of the things that we are shouting from the rooftops is the way water is used, at least in Central Texas, is about to change forever,” Schroeder said.

Contracted water: 9 MGD Existing city-owned capacity: 28.5 MGD

Southside rehabilitation: 3.6 MGD North Lake expansion: 8.8 MGD

93.9 MGD

South Lake Phase 2: 22 MGD South Lake Phase 1: 22 MGD

49.9 MGD

Peak usage: 42.8 MGD

37.5 MGD

Nonpeak usage: 17.63 MGD

Current capacity*

Future capacity

Former capacity

*AS OF SPRING 2024

SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Government

Taxable values rose despite cooling market Property appraisals for 2024 have been mailed out, and despite Georgetown’s cooling real estate market, homes’ taxable values still increased, Alvin Lankford, chief appraiser for the Williamson County Appraisal District, said. This is because the assessed values are still trying to catch up to the dramatic increases in market value experienced in 2022, Lankford said. Diving in deeper The median home value in Georgetown dropped from $398,211 in 2023 to $384,248 in 2024, WCAD data shows. In an April 23 presentation to Georgetown City Council, Lankford explained why market value decreases do not always translate to decreased taxable values. In 2022, the real estate market saw a dramatic increase in market values statewide, Lankford said. The total market value for 2022, including

Partnership increases access to medical aids The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a memorandum of under- standing April 30 between AGE of Central Texas and HELP Lending Closet Partner—a Williamson County EMS initiative—in an effort to provide durable medical equip- ment, or DME, for those who need it in the community. The overview The program will increase access to a variety of items, including: • Wheelchairs and transport chairs • Walkers, canes and crutches • Shower chairs and stools Many of these items can cost hundreds of dollars with insurance and even more for those without insurance.

Terms to know • Market value: The value at which a property would be sold in an open market • Appraised value: Meant to reflect the market value as of Jan. 1 each year • Taxable value: This is the portion of the appraised value that will actually be taxed • Homestead exemption: This caps the amount the taxable value can increase each year to 10%

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

commercial and multifamily properties, jumped 47% in Williamson County and 41% in Georgetown from the previous year. However, the homestead exemption caps the amount the taxable value of a homeowner's primary residence can increase at 10%. “When we had those large increases in 2022, many of the properties, in fact, 100% of home- steaded properties hit their cap. ... Still, that left a gap between market value and assessed value,” Lankford said.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER, HALEY MCLEOD & CHLOE YOUNG

Council amends budget for FY 2023-24 Georgetown City Council members voted to amend the city’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget to reflect a $26 million increase in expenses at an April 9 meeting. The amendment includes rising costs for some capital projects and an increase in public safety positions. Prices have escalated for the Austin Avenue pedestrian bridge, the Austin Ave- nue bridge rehabilitation project, and the downtown parking garage, officials said. What else? The amended budget also accounts for a $20 million increase in revenue from interest earnings, bond proceeds, the Two Step Inn Festival, and increased water and wastewater rates, said Nathan Parras, the city’s assistant finance director.

Developer eyes land by Teravista for housing The city of Georgetown is one step closer to having more density-focused housing after council gave initial approval to development plans for land next to the Teravista neighborhood on April 23. Ahead of the vote, dozens of community mem- bers voiced opposition to the plan, citing a variety of safety, privacy and traffic concerns. The gist The planned unit development, named Lookout Ridge, will feature 330 total units, including both single-family homes and two-family duplexes. The neighborhood will be located on 41 acres of undeveloped land north of the Teravista neigh- borhood and south of several parcels zoned for industrial development and business parks. At the meeting, Assistant Planning Director Travis Baird said the higher density housing could provide a buffer between the industrial area and the

LOOKOUT RIDGE

RABBIT CREEK DR.

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single-family residential area. “We’re missing a middle market in Georgetown,” said developer Travis Cooley of Cooley Capital. “There are many people that work here that would love to live here but can’t afford to.” To provide more affordable options, Cooley said the units will be below Georgetown’s median home price of $435,000. During the public hearing, several residents said the introduction of hundreds of households would cause overcrowding within local schools and increased traffic to the area.

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Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Aspiring educators with a bachelor’s degree or some college, but no teaching certification, have a new inroad to the classroom in Georgetown ISD. Participants in GISD’s grow your own program will work under a mentor teacher in the classroom while they complete their degrees and earn their certification. In April, GISD trustees approved the program via an amendment to its District of Innovation plan. As a DOI, GISD can be exempted from some state laws listed in the Texas Education Code, said Wes Vanicek, the district’s chief strategist for assessment and feedback. Vanicek said this will help fill positions that the district has struggled to find suitable candidates for in the long term. GISD OKs teacher certification plan

About the program

Program expenses Georgetown ISD will pick up some of the biggest costs associated with completing a bachelor's degree, however, the paraprofessional participants will still incur some expenses.

In partnership with Indiana Wesleyan University and teacher certification program Teachworthy, the program will help staff obtain their bachelor’s degrees, as well as their teaching certifications, while employed with the district, if they do not already have a degree. The first cohort will have a minimum of 50 college credit hours, Amanda Johnson, GISD’s executive director for human resources, said. They will also require a recommendation from their campus principal, and apply as a classroom instructor for existing vacancies within the district. Called Georgetown Recognizes & Elevates Aspiring Teachers, the program will be specifically offered to current full-time paraprofessionals within the district, Johnson said during an April board meeting. She said this will also act as an incentive to

Paid for by participants:

Books Certification exam Posted certification

Paid for by the district:

Tuition Program fees

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

backfill paraprofessional positions as they com- plete the program and move into the classroom. “Over the past several years, we’ve struggled in our classrooms,” Johnson said. “Obviously that has an impact on our students and so we’re constantly looking for creative ways to recruit teachers.”

What’s next

Position exemptions Vanicek said individuals who earn their certification and degree through the program will not be able to teach in the following content areas:

Melinda Brasher, GISD’s executive director of communications and community engagement, said the district does not yet have a figure for what the program will cost. However, during board discussions of the program, administrators said some of the cost will be absorbed by the difference in salary. The midpoint for paraprofessionals in the district is $24,800, and GREAT program participants will see their pay increased to $38,000.

Participants will begin their pedagogy modules in May, with their placements to follow in June. The first cohort of 15 teachers are expected to complete their degree and certification by the end of the 2024-25 school year, Johnson said. An initial application was shared internally, and the program will continue to only be offered to GISD employees. Following the end of the program, participants will be able to teach solo in their own classroom, filling vacancies throughout the district.

Prekindergarten

Bilingual education

Special education

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

District works to secure teacher incentive funding Georgetown ISD submitted an application in April for state funding to pay incentives to teachers, which could see educators receive merit-based incentives by summer 2026. What you need to know In an April board workshop, district admin- istrators shared they were working to complete and submit their application to participate in the Teacher Incentive Allotment funding mechanism. Wes Vanicek, GISD’s chief strategist for assessment and feedback, said the application for the program would be submitted April 15. About the program The Teacher Incentive Allotment was created by the state in 2019 to keep teachers in the classroom by increasing teacher pay as a performance-based mechanism. Per the Texas Education Agency,

Two GISD campuses to see improvements Improvements to traffic safety and athletics facilities at Williams Elementary School and Georgetown High School will be funded using new and old bond funds, district documents show. The setup Bond savings and interest from the 2021 bond will fund the purchase of limestone blocks for the elementary school and 2024 bond funds will be used to resurface the high school’s running track, documents included in the board’s consent agenda from April 15 show. The limestone will be placed in the grass along Rockride Lane to prevent drivers from parking there while picking up students from the campus and cost the district $32,000. Resurfacing of the track will cost $225,000.

Incentivizing teachers GISD administrators are proposing a data collection method that would categorize and provide teachers

incentives based on their performance. Recognized: $3,000-$9,000 incentive Exemplary: $6,000-$18,000 incentive Master: $12,000-$32,000 incentive

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

qualifying teachers were awarded a total of $145.2 million in incentives in 2023. Under the program, the district’s top 33% of teachers receive a designation as recognized educators from the state. The top 20% would be designated exemplary, and the top 5% as master educators. What’s next? Vanicek said the district will continue working to create a handbook and website guiding the local implementation of the teacher incentive allotment, and will prepare to validate teacher data over the summer and into the fall.

GISD enrollment projections for 2024-25 hold strong

I know that the Harmony charter school has broken ground, and they will likely be hoping to get that building operational for fall of 2025. We will be exploring that impact and will provide an update on the projections in the next couple of months. BOB TEMPLETON, DEMOGRAPHER WITH ZONDA EDUCATION

Education, said April 15 the district’s enroll- ment growth is still projected to be around 500 students in the coming school year. While he presented projections for future school years, he said the anticipated opening of a new charter school in the area, Harmony Science Academy Georgetown, planned for next fall may impact the district’s enrollment, but it is unclear by how much.

A quarterly demographic update showed Georgetown ISD’s projected enrollment is still expected to increase by 505 students next school year, but district demographers are cautious of future projections as a new charter school is set to open in 2025. What you need to know Bob Templeton, a demographer with Zonda

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Education

Gov. Abbott directs TEA to ignore new Title IX protections Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Educa- tion Agency on April 29 to ignore new Title IX rules aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination. The gist The Biden administration expanded the 1972 nondiscrimination law to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy at federally funded colleges and K-12 schools. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Abbott argued the expanded rules exceed the federal government’s authority. Attorney General Ken Paxton also sued the Biden administration to block the changes, which are set to take effect Aug. 1.

Texas teachers make less than national average The average Texas teacher will earn $62,463 during the 2023-24 school year. This is over $9,000 below the national average, the National Education Association found from an analysis of Texas Education Agency data. When adjusted for inflation, Texas teachers’ salaries are down 6% from 2015, the Texas State Teachers Association reported. Texas’ full-time school support staff, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers and secretaries, made $30,382 on average during the 2022-23 school year. Zooming in Texas spent around $12,781 per student this school year, according to the NEA. This includes the $6,160 basic allotment, or the base amount of money districts receive per student from the state. Schools use the allotment, which has not increased since 2019, to pay for daily operations, teacher

Salary standards Averages include all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

National average

Texas average

Rank

29th

Teacher salaries

$71,699 $62,463

Support staff salaries 34th

$33,756 $30,382

46th

Per-student funding

$18,001 $12,781

SOURCE: TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

salaries and more. Per-student spending in Texas dropped 2.5% from the 2022-23 school year, while the national average rose 2.9%, the TSTA reported. Texas spends $5,220 less per child than the national average. Efforts to adjust teacher pay and school funding languished during the 2023 Texas Legislature as law- makers sparred over education savings accounts, a voucher-like program that would give families public money to help pay for private schools. The Texas House rejected a voucher plan in November, and public school funding initiatives died with it.

The place for Remember in

Welcome to historic Georgetown, Texas!

In May, we celebrate Preservation Month , and as a City, we are proud to honor our past. Join us for a walking tour of historic downtown Georgetown at 1 p.m. May 24. The tours depart from the Main Street side of the Williamson County Courthouse and focus on Georgetown’s history and on-going revitalization and preservation efforts. For more information, visit mainstreet.georgetown.org.

#LoveWhereYouLive |

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH NORTON & BROOKE SJOBERG

ACC approves free tuition pilot program Austin Community College will provide up to five years of free tuition for eligible students, after the community college’s board of trustees approved piloting the program in April. About the program The proposal, brought to the college system’s board of trustees by Chancellor Russell Lowery- Hart, will create a zero-cost tuition program for students who graduate from local high schools, charter schools, and those who have completed General Educational Development, or GED. Homeschooled students will also qualify. The details Eligible students could qualify for up to five years of free tuition to complete their associate degree. They have three years after high school graduation to access these funds.

66-plus UT staff laid off under DEI ban In April, at least 66 staff members who previously worked in diversity, equity and inclusion-related roles received termination notices from The University of Texas, UT engineering professor Brian Evans said. How we got here One week before the layoffs, state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, sent a letter to several universities reminding them to comply with Senate Bill 17, a law banning DEI offices and initiatives at all public colleges and universities in Texas. Before the law took effect Jan. 1, UT overhauled programs that once provided DEI services. Officials also closed the Multi- cultural Engagement Center and shut down Monarch, a program that helped undocu- mented and mixed-status students.

ACC service area All high school students graduating this May who live within the community college’s service area could qualify for free tuition under the program.

Georgetown

281

Marble Falls

Taylor

Austin

290

Bastrop

San Marcos

San Antonio

SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

GISD voters pass all bond propositions, re-elect incumbent

Citizens Advisory Committee discussions about the bond before the election, it was suggested Propositions B, C and D might struggle in the polls. These expectations came from community survey results, Padavil said, which are usually accurate in predicting how propositions will perform. He said Prop B was expected to be supported by about 50% of voters, while props C and D were expected to receive less than 50% support. “For all four positions to pass I just think speaks to the collective work of the people in this room to earn the community’s trust,” Padavil said during the workshop. “I’m just constantly understanding that trust is fragile, and we’re going to continue to be transparent in earning people’s trust.” What else? Mauldin will remain on the GISD board of trustees to serve another three-year term after she received more than 70% of ballots cast in the race for Place 6. Her seat was challenged by Aaron Smith, who received 29.97% of ballots cast, representing 2,091 votes. “I am grateful that the voters in our community decided that I will return for a second term,” Mauldin told Community Impact . “I look forward to working with the other board members and the GISD administration to raise our students’ academic performance, manage student growth and financial oversight.” The Place 6 race was the only contested position on the ballot as Stephen Benold chose not to run for re-election to Place 7, leaving Stacy McLaughlin unopposed.

During the May 4 election, voters living within Georgetown ISD’s boundaries showed support for all four district bond propositions totaling $649.51 million. They also re-elected Trustee Jen Maudlin to her seat on the school board. What residents need to know This was the largest bond package in district his- tory to go before voters, and comes as the district plans for enrollment to increase by 500 students in the next school year, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The bond was split between four propositions, each receiving support from at least 60% of voters. • Proposition A, $597.47 million for capital improvements, new school facilities, and safety and security • Proposition B, $20.33 million for technology and technology infrastructure improvements • Proposition C, $27.85 million for fine arts facilities improvements • Proposition D, $3.86 million for improvements to athletic facilities “The passage of all four propositions of the 2024 bond is a testament to our community’s commit- ment to our students’ success,” Superintendent Devin Padavil said in a release from the district. “With this crucial funding, we are well-positioned to accommodate the growth of our district and provide our students with resources to support their growth and achievement.” The background In a May 6 board workshop following the passage of the bond, Padavil shared that during

Results breakdown

Incumbent

Winner

Georgetown ISD bond

Proposition A

69.81% for 30.19% against

Proposition B

67.4% for 32.6% against

Proposition C

62.72% for 37.28% against

Proposition D

60.63% for 39.37% against

Georgetown ISD board of trustees

Place 6

70.03% Jen Mauldin 29.97% Aaron Smith

SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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