Montgomery ISD has increased its overall district accountability score from the Texas Education Agency for the third year in a row, according to accountability data released Aug. 14. MISD managed to not only improve its overall district score, but also the total number of individual A-rated campuses in the district.

By the numbers: MISD managed to improve its score consecutively over the last 3 years, rising from an 86 in 2023-24 to an 87 in 2024-25 and eventually an 88. The accountability ratings are broken down into 3 main categories: student achievement, school progress, and closing the gap.

Since the TEA revised the accountability ratings in 2023, MISD has managed to improve its scores in all 3 categories. Alongside their overall improved district score, the scores for some individual campuses have risen as well.

Quote of note: According to an Aug. 14 news release, MISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin credited the third consecutive rating increase to the hard work the district's teachers and campus leaders have done this past school year.

GODSPARK and Holiday House is a seasonal holiday event venue that recently opened its doors this July in Montgomery. 

What they offer: The venue is currently owned and operated by Johanna Bustamento and her husband, William Bustamento. The couple moved from East Texas to their new home and business location in Montgomery; the deciding factor behind this move was the supportive community in the area.

“We were looking for a place that still had a small hometown feel and great sense of community, as well as artistic and friendly people whom we could collaborate with and work with to bring forth a joyful place for people to enjoy,” Bustamento said.

GODSPARK and Holiday House's primary focus is on holiday and seasonal celebrations and events. With 8.5 acres of land, the venue has both indoor and outdoor locations capable of hosting a wide range of parties and galas. Bustamento said that their venue also works with local vendors who cater locally sourced organic goods.

• Opened July

• 13537 Laramie Trail, Montgomery

Texas voters will choose from Republican Bo French, Libertarian Arthur DiBianca and Democrat Jon Rosenthal in this November's Texas Railroad Commission race.

The details: The winner of the race will be sworn in to replace incumbent Commissioner Jim Wright in January.

French beat Wright in a May Republican primary runoff, advancing to the general election. Rosenthal ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while DiBianca was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Did you know? The three-member railroad commission does not have any jurisdiction over the state's railroads—that authority was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government by 2005, according to the commission's website. Instead, the agency regulates Texas' oil and gas industries.

Looking ahead: Early voting in dozens of local and state races runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Texas’ audit of hundreds of proposed data centers will likely wrap up by the end of the year, grid officials said Aug. 20.

The overview: Up to 300 proposals will be audited to ensure they meet certain criteria before the data centers can begin connecting to the state electric grid. If all the plans are approved, these facilities alone could use about 200 gigawatts of electricity—more than twice Texas’ 91-gigawatt peak demand record, which was set on July 22.

How we got here: On Aug. 3, Gov. Greg Abbott directed ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to audit proposed data centers regarding their water and electricity use; tax exemptions; impacts on residents; and facility ownership.

More details: Only large loads, or facilities that are expected to use at least 75 megawatts of electricity, will be fully audited. However, ERCOT will also survey proposed data centers that would use 25 megawatts of electricity or more.

ERCOT plans to release reports detailing the results of the audit and surveys on Dec. 10, officials said.