Bastrop ISD administrators are trading office time for classroom time this school year through a new districtwide initiative aimed at strengthening connections with students and campus staff.

The overview: About 70 Service Center employees are required to substitute in a classroom for at least one full day during the 2026-27 school year as part of the district’s new “All In for BISD” program.

Zooming in: The initiative supports several goals in Bastrop ISD’s Priority 5 action plan, including:

1. Student achievement

2. Exceptional people

3. Organizational excellence

Executive Director for Communications Evan Moilan said the goal is to give administrators firsthand experience with campus needs while supporting teachers and students.

One more thing: Each day an administrator substitutes also saves the district about $105-$125 in substitute costs, though Moilan said savings are not the program’s focus.

How it’s going: Six employees have completed their “All In” day so far, including Superintendent Kristi Lee, who substituted at Bastrop High School.

A Cedar Creek thrift store that supported Bastrop Hope House’s women’s recovery program closed after five years in business.

What they offered: Redeemed Treasure sold donated and resale goods such as home decor, with proceeds helping support Bastrop Hope House—the nonprofit's women’s recovery and transition program.

What else? The store also served as a vocational training program for Hope House residents, giving women in recovery an opportunity to gain work experience as they prepared to reenter the workforce.

Get involved: Although the store is closed, Bastrop Hope House remains open. Those looking to get help or volunteer can email [email protected] or call 512-748-7931.

• Closed Sept. 26

• 1556 SH 71, Cedar Creek

Holly Wilson, an organic gardening instructor and Native Plant Society of Texas teacher with 40 years of experience, shares advice for maintaining a healthy garden in Central Texas. Wilson recommends planting in the fall, from mid-October through the end of November, to allow plants to establish deeper root systems that tolerate drought.

To maintain a healthy and sustainable garden, Wilson advises:

• Considering a plant's mature size, soil, water, sun and shade requirements before purchasing.
• Using integrated pest management and avoiding chemical pesticides.
• Making compost and vermicompost to provide nutrients and fertilizer.
• Mixing compost into the soil before planting, or gently mixing it around the plant afterward to avoid disturbing the root system.
• Using native plants, which support the environment better than non-native or exotic plants.
• Utilizing the Native Plant Society of Texas website database for gardening resources.