ATX-GEO: Impact 8/29/2025

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Community members can spend 30 minutes a week helping children increase their reading literacy at a local elementary school with Education Connection’s Literacy Partners program. 

Diving in deeper: Now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year, the nonprofit organization partners with 18 school districts across Central Texas to serve in 121 schools. The program allows volunteers to read once a week with two students selected by classroom teachers for 15 minutes each. 

Volunteers must pass a school district background check and sign a pledge to protect student confidentiality, according to the organization. Necessary training will be provided to volunteers by Education Connection. 

The background : Education Connection created its literacy partnership program in 2009 with the goal of having every child reading by the end of third grade, according to previous Community Impact reporting. 

Some of the districts include:

• Austin ISD
• Bastrop ISD
• Georgetown ISD
• Hays CISD
• Lake Travis ISD
• Leander ISD
• Liberty Hill ISD
• Pflugerville ISD
• Round Rock ISD

The city of Georgetown is considering limiting the area it provides water to by selling portions of its water service territory located outside city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

As part of the initial steps of this process, Georgetown will offer these areas for neighboring cities to take on.

Explained: A certificate of convenience and necessity is the geographical area in which the city is required to provide water service.

Currently, 40% of the city’s CCN customers live outside the 174-square-mile area of the city and its ETJ, as Georgetown’s CCN spans a total of 400 square miles. The sale would include areas of the CCN outside the city limits at ETJ, affecting about 11,500 customers.

The why: By selling part of the CCN, the city will reduce the cost burden on Georgetown taxpayers, as well as better control the growing demand for water.

Looking ahead: City officials anticipate the CCN transfer to close by late 2027 to 2029.

White Blossom Pediatric Dentistry is opening its doors to the public this fall.

About the practice: White Blossom will provide dental care to infants, children and teens. The team has a focus on gentle techniques and patient education.

Meet the team: Dr. Michelle Zin is the Central Texas local behind White Blossom Pediatric Dentistry. She said she is excited to serve the families of Georgetown and the surrounding communities.

• 3200 FM 1460, Ste. 305, Georgetown

Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.

The details: Under Senate Bill 3:

• The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
• Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
• The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.