Hutto ISD staff provided an update to the board Sept. 10 about strategies to improve student academic performance, following the release of accountability ratings in August.

The setup: The district received a "C" rating from the Texas Education Agency for the 2025-26 school year.

Administrators from several departments and campuses shared that these declines were primarily due to middle school math staff turnover, missed bilingual and special education growth targets, stagnating performance in high-level academic areas, and under-reporting on free and reduced-price lunch forms.

What to expect: To address these issues, administrators plan to reassign high-performing teachers to targeted areas, provide earlier curriculum intervention, offer priority support for special education and English-as-a-second-language students, and set automated reminders for families to complete free and reduced lunch applications.

A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting was held at Hutto's Fritz Park Sept. 20.

More details: Fritz Park has been undergoing renovations as part of the city’s capital improvement plan. The project cost around $11 million and stems from a 2018 voter-approved parks bond.

Additions include an all-wheels pump track; an expanded, self-cleaning splash pad; new playground equipment; walking trails; increased parking; and improved facilities.

The park is also a certified wildlife habitat and offers a sensory path.

Quote of note: “These enhancements represent far more than new amenities,” Jeff White, Hutto's Director of Parks and Recreation, said at the ribbon-cutting. “They reflect our values, protecting nature, using our resources wisely and ensuring every resident has a place to play, explore, and connect.”

Williamson County commissioners approved the allocation of $10.4 million for capital improvement projects for the next fiscal year during a Commissioners Court meeting Sept. 15.

The projects include facility repairs, public safety upgrades and long-term infrastructure needs.

The setup: The county had $23.45 million available for capital projects in fiscal year 2026-27. This includes $16.9 million in new funding with the recently passed budget and about $6.5 million left over from previous projects, County Auditor Julie Kiley said.

About the projects: Projects and funding amounts for the FY 2026-27 CIP include:

• $2.5 million for civil infrastructure improvements at the North Campus

• $2 million for internal asset management software

• $1.39 million for infrastructure improvements at the Northeast Inner Loop Yard

• $1.2 million to replace jail HVAC systems

• $1.2 million for building dehumidification

• $1.2 million to replace soil and stabilize ground around the Emergency Services Operations Center

A senior living facility in Leander, a LongHorn Steakhouse in Kyle and a drive-thru coffee shop in Cedar Park are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Hayden Grove Northline ($50 million): This project involves the construction of a senior independent living, assisted living and memory care facility with associated common-use spaces.

2. 901 E. Fifth St. refresh ($39 million): This project involves the renovation of the first through fourth floors of 901 E. Fifth St. in Austin. Renovations include the Level 1 lobby area and the addition of amenities to Level 2, including a conference center, fitness center and tenant lounge.

3. LongHorn Steakhouse ($3.5 million): A new LongHorn Steakhouse location is coming to Kyle, with construction set to begin in December. 

4. LaundroLab ($1.5 million): This project involves the demolition of the interior of a former restaurant to build a laundromat. 

5. 7 Brew ($400,000): A new 7 Brew location is coming to Cedar Park. Construction on the drive-thru coffee shop is set to wrap up in December.

Republican candidate Chris Gober and Democratic candidate Caitlin Rourk will face off in the Nov. 3 election for U.S. House District 10.

Digging Deeper: Texas' 10th Congressional District covers the northwestern portion of the greater Houston area, northern Austin, north Austin suburbs including Pflugerville and west Austin suburbs such as Lakeway and Bee Cave.

The district has been represented by Michael McCaul since 2005, but McCaul is not seeking reelection after his current term.

Community Impact reached out to the candidates running in the general election for the U.S. House District 10 race. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.

What's next: Voter registration ends Oct. 5.

Early voting in several local and state races runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

To cast votes for a U.S. senator, governor, state attorney general and dozens of other races during the Nov. 3 midterm election, Texans must ensure they are registered to vote or have submitted an application by Oct. 5.

How it works: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Reside in the county they apply to vote in

• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day

• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court

Getting registered: Eligible Texans must submit a paper voter registration application by Oct. 5. The online form must be printed, signed and mailed to the applicant's local elections office.

One more thing: Voters who are already registered have through Oct. 5 to update their name or address, if needed.

Some voters may appear on the state "suspense" list if local officials cannot confirm their address, although they will still be able to vote in the election.