As early voting begins April 20, here is everything voters in Tomball and Magnolia need to know ahead of the May 2 election.

What residents should know: For the upcoming election, voters should note the following dates:

• April 20: First day of early voting and last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked)
• April 28: Last day of early voting
• May 2: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 4 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Muddy’s Buddies Daycare & Boarding is now open, owner Maribel Paree confirmed. The business offers dog daycare and boarding services for small-breed dogs under 50 pounds.

Quote of note: “We wanted to create a clean, indoor space where small dogs can play, socialize and stay comfortably in an environment better suited to their size and needs,” Paree said.

• 22525 Hufsmith-Kohrville Road, Tomball

Harris County Commissioners Court on April 16 greenlit a business development program for child care providers that aims to help more centers qualify for federal subsidies, part of a large-scale effort to increase affordable early education options in the Greater Houston area.

The action taken: The April 16 vote directed the county’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity to create an early childcare business accelerator program in partnership with the University of Houston and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, the two entities developing curriculum for providers.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who proposed the action in partnership with Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, said the program will provide mentoring and business support with the goal of expanding available child care seats and improving compliance with local and state regulations.

More details: Briones said the county will specifically focus on assisting providers who lack Texas Rising Star certifications—a quality recognition from the Texas Workforce Commission that’s required for centers to qualify for federal support. Only about 55% of Harris County centers are TRS-certified, she said. 

In the 2025-26 school year, Cy-Fair and Klein ISDs had the highest-paid superintendents while Lamar CISD and New Caney ISD had the highest-paid teachers, on average, according to Texas Education Agency data released in mid-March.

The big picture: Community Impact analyzed data from the TEA to learn about compensation for superintendents, teachers and staff at public school districts for the 2025-26 school year.

According to the TEA data released March 16, the Greater Houston-area school districts with the highest-earning superintendents for the 2025-26 school year are:

• Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Wayne Killian with $520,231 in total pay
• Klein ISD Superintendent Jenny McGown with $508,554 in total pay
• Katy ISD Superintendent Kenneth Gregorski with $474,440 in total pay

• Lamar CISD with $76,225
• New Caney ISD with $75,125
• Deer Park ISD with $74,343

Do you miss any of Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 13-17.

• Pearland authorizes eminent domain near Smith Ranch Road
• Enrollment erosion: HISD to close 12 schools in face of student loss, maintenance costs
• Trader Joe's announces plans to open Spring-area store
• Magnolia Mayor Matthew ‘Doc’ Dantzer arrested; council sets April 20 censure meeting
• See what's happening at The Grid development in Stafford