Candidates for College Station ISD’s two open Board of Trustees seats discussed student achievement, teacher retention, school safety, state funding and district transparency during the district’s Oct. 13 forum. The forum included Place 6 incumbent Kim Ege and challenger Michelle Gallagher, alongside Place 7 incumbent Heather Simmen and challenger Karen Strope.

The highlights: Throughout the discussion, candidates emphasized student success and responsible spending, while offering different perspectives on staff retention, evaluating district leadership and improving communication with families.

Key topics discussed by the candidates included:

• Student achievement and accountability, noting the district's improvement to a state accountability rating of 86 in 2026, up from 83 in 2025.

• Teacher retention and staff support, including methods for employees to raise concerns and the need to retain talented educators.

• School safety and student well-being, focusing on campus security measures, counseling and student behavior procedures.

• State funding, with candidates supporting a shift to enrollment-based funding rather than attendance-based funding.

• Superintendent evaluation, focusing on strategic-plan goals, leadership effectiveness, employee and family satisfaction, and enrollment patterns.

Bryan City Council approved $5.5 million for capital projects and purchases Oct. 13 for city agencies, including the police department and animal center.

The overview:

• Funding agreement between the city and the Greater Brazos Partnership for Fiscal Year 2027

• Lead service line inspections and replacement of water meters around the city

• Funding for the Brazos Transit District and the new Animal Center project

• Purchases for police vehicles and equipment, replacement lighting for the Bryan Tennis Center, playground equipment for Williamson Park and new dump trucks

• Grants for the Bryan Fire Department, Texas Department of Transportation Airport Maintenance Program and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant

The takeaway: The council voted unanimously for the funding of the projects and purchases. As previously reported by Community Impact, the council also voted to approve $13 million to fund a number of capital projects for fiscal year 2026-27 in September.

Local ice-house-style bar The 101 is transferring ownership after operating in Downtown Bryan since 2020.

How it happened: In a Facebook post, owner Jeremy Stark said the bar will continue operating as is with planned concerts before the bar will move on to its next step.

Stay tuned: The transfer of ownership is set for early December, but Stark said he is planning to host a celebratory bash that same weekend. The new owner has not yet been announced.

• New ownership to begin on Dec. 5

• 101 S Texas Ave., Bryan

In-person early voting for the Nov. 3 election will begin Oct. 19 across Brazos County for several local races.

What you need to know: Early voting runs Oct. 19-30. During this time, voters can cast ballots countywide at any of Brazos County's five early voting locations.

Early voting locations:

• Brazos County Election Administrator Office (McLeod Training Room): 300 E. William J. Bryan Parkway, Ste. 100, Bryan

• Arena Hall: 2906 Tabor Road, Bryan

• Galilee Baptist Church: 804 N. Logan, Bryan

• College Station Utilities Meeting & Training Facility: 1603 Graham Road, College Station

• Texas A&M University Memorial Student Center – Room L526: 275 Joe Routt Blvd., College Station

Early voting schedule:

• Oct. 19-23: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Oct. 24: Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Oct. 25: Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Oct. 26-30: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

On the ballot: Contested local races on the ballot include mayoral and city council races in both Bryan and College Station, county commissioner, constable and school board trustee positions.

Stay tuned: Community Impact will continue to cover local elections through election night, Nov. 3.