Fort Bend ISD’s school boundary advisory committee shared its final recommendation to close seven elementary schools across the district’s northwest/central and southeast/central areas at a Feb. 23 meeting.

The recommendation comes after a January boundary survey showed nearly half of respondents were neutral about the potential elementary school closures, Community Impact reported. However, 34% of all stakeholders were against the closures.

How we got here: Beth Martinez, deputy superintendent chief of staff, said the proposed closures are necessary to accomplish the district’s goal of balancing enrollment as campuses become underserved and student enrollment falls with the current elementary school utilization at 74%.

What’s next: The board is set to consider final elementary recommendations March 9.

If approved, Martinez said the district will prioritize communication with students, families, staff and the community at large as these projected changes are implemented ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

Contractors are preparing to bid on the Fort Bend County Event Center in Missouri City, officials confirmed.

The details: The proposed 16,497-square-foot event center aims to provide a location for major events as well as meeting space for a variety of professional, educational and local events, officials said in an email.

Stay tuned: The $9.5 million project is expected to begin permitting and bidding within the next 45 days, said representatives from Kaluza Inc., a bond consultant firm working with the county. Once a contractor is selected, construction is anticipated to take 10-14 months.

• 5875 Sienna Springs Way, Missouri City

Houston Methodist will contribute $10 million to expand medical and mental health care resources for more than 73,000 uninsured or underinsured people within Greater Houston, officials announced in a Feb. 4 news release.

The funds—a part of the organization’s 2026 Health Care Access Grant Program—will support 29 authorized health care centers, charity clinics, nonprofit agencies as well as strategic critical health initiatives, per the release.

The details: The program will be split into several grants, including the:

• Health Care Access Grant, which will dispense $2.1 million in funding and $1.3 million in in-kind lab support to administer essential primary care and preventive services
• Mental Health Care Access Grant, which will allot $2.2 million in funding for counseling, psychiatric care and substance use disorder treatment

Celebrate Ramadan at one of the multiple community events—from pop-up markets to a Quran recital competition—being held across the Greater Houston area.

This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.

GenerAction Jam Iftar
A film showcase, live poetry and spoken word will be the highlights of this event, which is hosted by Houston Muslim Filmmakers and IslamInSpanish. The showcase’s theme is “Reflection Before Reaction.” An Iftar dinner will follow the performances. This event is recommended for attendees 18 years and older. Advanced registration is required.

• Feb. 26, 6:30-8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
• Free (attendance)
• IslamInSpanish Centro Islamico, 12703 Brant Rock Drive, Houston

• Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; March 8, 2-10 p.m.
• Call 832-907-9981 for pricing information
• Hilton Garden Inn, 722 Bon Aventure Way, Sugar Land