Round Rock ISD voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve an increase to the district's property tax rate to fund staff raises. The proposed rate is six cents higher than it would be without the voter-approval tax rate election.

The details: The higher rate would generate funds needed to provide a 2% general pay raise for all employees, increase starting teacher pay to $58,000 and address pay compression throughout the district.

If passed, it would result in a tax bill roughly $219 higher annually for a home of average taxable value, according to the district.

Why it matters: Because of rising operational costs, the district cannot raise employee pay without more revenue. If the election fails, teachers not included under House Bill 2 and other employees will not receive raises, and the district would need to reduce headcount to free up funds for raises.

Travis County commissioners approved $5.65 million Oct. 6 for repairs and legal costs at a closed county landfill beneath the Austin Country Flea Market at 9500 E. US 290.

What’s happening: The landfill has produced polluted liquid, called leachate, since it closed in 1982.

Most of the money will go toward repairs, according to a county memo, with the rest covering legal costs in the county’s effort to take the property.

Zooming in: The county is in three lawsuits over the site, according to a county court filing:

• The state sued the county in May 2025 over its care of the landfill.

• Landowner Moo Moo Meadows LLC and Graham Development Corp. sued the county in federal court in July 2025.

• The county sued Moo Moo Meadows in December 2025 to take the property through eminent domain.

Ahead of Texas' 2027 legislative session, the state comptroller's office has asked lawmakers to double funding for its $1 billion education savings account program.

The overview: The program gives participating families taxpayer dollars for private education and homeschooling, and officials said at least $2 billion are needed to maintain current participation in the program.

Meanwhile, some Texas families are raising concerns about their local school districts losing money as students leave public schools to participate in the program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

What they're saying: "149 students have accepted vouchers that were otherwise enrolled in Pflugerville ISD, [resulting in] an estimated loss of $1.2 million in attendance funding," said Stacy Harrell, a PfISD parent. "That lost funding will add to budget cuts that are already affecting Pflugerville ISD families. Four elementary schools [are closing], with the possibility of more."