Kendra Wiggins is the executive director of the Conroe ISD special education department, which has grown by 15% in the past five years, with 11,911 special education students currently enrolled and 1,084 students being evaluated, as previously reported by Community Impact.

A 27-year veteran in education, Wiggins’ current role is overseeing the expansion of the department. This includes hiring over 15 new teachers for the special education department, as well as 3.2 million in department funding. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What made you want to pursue working in special education?
I am starting year 27 in special education. I have been in special education my entire career. I have always enjoyed working with our special needs students. In high school, I went to my elementary campus to support students.

What are some of your responsibilities, day to day, as special education director?
A significant portion of my time is dedicated to meetings that directly support students, campuses, and district initiatives.

The Urban Outfitters clothing store at The Woodlands Mall will be closed through Aug. 14 during its relocation to a different location inside the mall.

What you need to know: The grand opening will happen on Aug. 15 at its new location in front of the Windsor store. The store sells clothing styles, shoes and accessories for men and women.

• Relocating Aug. 15
• 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands

Casa Medina Mexican Restaurant will be moving its Shenandoah location at 28777 I-45 N. to the Spring area on Root Road at the end of August.

The gist: The restaurant has been serving the Shenandoah community for the past 14 years. It serves a variety of menu items such as shrimp tacos, tacos de harina and pollo poblano.

• Relocating Aug. 31
• 5706 Root Road, Spring

Harris County is facing the task of balancing a $178 million shortfall going into fiscal year 2026-27—amid several requests that would require millions more in funding.

The big picture: According to the latest update from the county’s office of budget management, Harris County is facing a $178 million shortfall in the FY 2026-27 budget. Daniel Ramos, executive director of the Harris County Office of Management and Budget, said the county has faced a roughly $150 million shortfall annually in recent years.

The discussion: Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis expressed heavy concern regarding how the county would ultimately address the shortfall, which has become a repetitive issue.

“When I was a banker, if you have a shortfall five years in a row, ... that's a structural deficit,” Ellis said.
”We’re about out of smoke and mirrors.”

Another thing: Commissioners also authorized raises for all eight elected constables, the district attorney, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk and tax assessor-collector which brought all positions to the same salary of $305,000 annually.