Supporting special education: Local districts to see additional funding following HB 2's passage
As Christina Webb staples sensory materials on her classroom walls, she has a student in mind. The Tomball ISD special education teacher picks out her supplies based on what she knows her students need to effectively learn, whether that be sequin fabric to touch or a small trampoline to jump.
But with more students walking through Webb’s doors each year, more supplies need to be purchased, more staff members need to be hired and trained and more resources, such as dyslexia services, need funding. Teachers like Webb are hoping the newly passed House Bill 2, which provides $850 million in special education funding to schools, can help with that.
What you need to know: Students who require special education increased at Magnolia and Tomball ISDs by 78% and 86%, respectively, between the 2018-19 and 2023-24 school years, per Texas Education Agency data.
Some context: TISD and MISD aren’t alone, as TEA data shows that the number of students receiving special education services across the entire state nearly doubled in the last decade.
A look behind the grill: TMHS Rolling Blue BBQ team cooks up state win
Tomball Memorial High School’s Rolling Blue BBQ competitive team, which began in the 2024-25 school year, combines culinary arts and agriculture for students who are passionate about being behind the grill.
Respecting the craft: In its first year, the seven-member team competed in a regional and state competition and placed first in Texas for their jalapeno bacon jam grilled cheese. Richey said the students learn fire safety and fire management, meat trimming, marinating, knife skills and different cooking methods throughout their time on the team.
On the menu: The categories for the 2024-25 school year for the National High School BBQ Association included grilled cheese, chili, ribeye steak, chicken lollipops and St. Louis ribs.
Looking forward: The 2025-26 menu will be posted by the National High School BBQ Association on Aug. 31, and the TMHS barbecue team will hold tryouts in September.
Magnolia installs first Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station No. 181
Residents and local community leaders gathered at the Magnolia Fire Station No. 181 on Sept. 3 to dedicate the first Safe Haven Baby Box in Magnolia, giving parents a safe and anonymous way to surrender their newborns without legal consequences.
About the project: Magnolia Fire Chief Terry Colburn said the project was made possible through community partnerships, including support from St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Community, the Respect Life Ministry & Knights of Columbus, the Luttrell families, Billy Masden, Chris Jones and the Cotton Foundation, which helped fund and coordinate the installation at no cost to taxpayers.
Quote of note: “This project has been a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together, from local advocates and partners, the Cotton Foundation, to our city leaders, faith leaders—each one of you has played a role in making this vision a reality for that,” Colburn said.
The background: Commissioners and department leaders have spent the last eight-plus months weighing how to offset at least $102 million in cuts and other savings surrounding the projected $2.95 billion FY 2025-26 budget. Factors impacting county department cuts in the budget process, according to the proposed budget document, included jail costs, indigent defense costs, health care costs and law enforcement contracts.
Items worth mentioning: The county clerk and administration offices will request discussion as part of a Texas law that allows for the creation of a salary grievance committee for elected officials. Several officials from elected offices went to Commissioners Court seeking higher pay in August, including judges within the county’s district courts and the county’s eight elected constables.
What to know: Most Texas school districts required to display donated Ten Commandments posters under state law
Most Texas public schools are required to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms under Senate Bill 10, a state law that took effect Sept. 1.
The details: On Aug. 20, a Texas federal judge temporarily blocked the following 11 school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments:
Alamo Heights ISD
Austin ISD
Cy-Fair ISD
Dripping Springs ISD
Fort Bend ISD
Houston ISD
Lackland ISD
Lake Travis ISD
North East ISD
Northside ISD
Plano ISD
Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the ruling and directed other school districts to begin displaying donated copies of the Ten Commandments.
The debate: Proponents of SB 10, including Paxton and Republican state lawmakers, have argued that seeing the Ten Commandments on a daily basis will help Texas students better understand U.S. history and learn about morality.
Some religious scholars have stressed the importance of teaching students about religion in an “appropriate educational context.” Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that non-Christian students will feel left out or be bullied by their peers for not following the Ten Commandments.
