On June 16, the Texas Education Agency released results for the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. Montgomery ISD outperformed the state in multiple categories for 2026, while falling behind compared to select 2025 test scores within the district.

The breakdown: MISD outperformed state testing results in categories such as math, reading, social studies and all end-of-course, or EOC, tests. The highest score for MISD among grades 3-8 was in fifth grade reading at 90%, surpassing last year's mark of 87%. The lowest passage rate for MISD was for seventh grade math at 52%, falling four points behind last year's score of 56%.

What they are saying: According to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, the state is overall pleased with the gains students have shown in advanced mathematics and reading.

A new neighborhood park in Montgomery is bringing a Houston-area first to the Briarley community.

Briarley Neighborhood Park, a 4-acre park in the Briarley community off Old Plantersville Road, features a more than 23-foot-tall log tower by playground design-build company Earthscape, according to a June 18 news release. 

The tower, which anchors a twisting 15-foot slide, is the first of its kind built in the Houston area, according to the release.

What we know: The park was built by HD Outdoor Construction and also includes smaller slides, a swing set and other nature-play structures made with large logs.

Michael Cox, president of Johnson Land Ventures, the developer behind Briarley, said the natural-style playground was chosen to fit the setting of the park.

Also of note: In addition to the playground, Briarley Neighborhood Park includes seating areas, a lawn for yard games and an overlook onto one of the community’s lakes, according to the release.

Conroe City Council took a step June 25 toward bringing in David Willard as the city’s interim city administrator, more than a month after two top city leaders retired.

After returning from executive session, the council voted to authorize Mayor Duke Coon and city staff to negotiate with SGR for interim city administrator services related to Willard.

The details: Willard has a background in city management, according to the Texas City Management Association directory. His experience includes serving as city manager in Longview and Borger, assistant city manager in Odessa and county judge in Hutchinson County.

A final contract or start date was not discussed during the open portion of the meeting.

How we got here: The move comes after Gary Scott, former city administrator and acting city attorney, and Deputy City Administrator Nancy Mikeska retired effective May 13, creating two immediate vacancies in top city leadership, as previously reported.

Montgomery County commissioners discussed the status of funding for additional law enforcement for mass gatherings in June and July such as FIFA and Fourth of July events during a June 25 Commissioners Court meeting.

What happened: Several large-scale events are planned in the county for July 4, including the South County Fourth of July Parade. Jason Millsaps, executive director of emergency management in the county, said that as of today during the first pay period in June, the county spent approximately $12,500 of up to $50,000 budgeted for extra law enforcement. He said based on scaling back and pushing through the next two pay periods, he doesn’t anticipate exceeding this amount, so he will not be asking for additional funding.

What else: Commissioners also presented a proclamation announcing June 25 as Jordan Dalton Day. Dalton was recognized for his heroism that saved his mother’s life, according to the proclamation.

Want to learn more about what Community Impact covered last week? Take a look at these five trending stories from June 22-26.

1. Cy-Fair EMS sees 91% increase in calls from assisted living communities

2. New Japanese bookstore to open in Rice Village

3. 7 businesses now open in Sugar Land, Missouri City

4. Conroe ISD reviews impact of new cellphone policy

5. Houston Shock Volleyball relocates to Spring Cypress Road in Tomball