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Clear Creek ISD is projecting a $22.8 million shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year caused by drops in state and local funding due to decreased enrollment.

The details: CCISD, at its Aug. 17 meeting, discussed the district’s sizeable shortfall in the proposed $432 million budget, which CCISD Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia said was caused by a $16 million drop in state and local funding due to the loss of approximately 1,000 students. 

By the numbers: To tighten the budget, the district eliminated 77 positions through attrition, saving $5 million, Benzaia said. However, the savings were offset by a $7.5 million salary increase for employees and a $900,000 increase for the Galveston County security contract.

What it means: CCISD is projecting to maintain a flat total tax rate of $0.969 per $100 valuation of a home, unchanged from the previous year’s tax rate.

Clear Creek ISD improved in the state’s annual A-F accountability ratings by one point for the 2025-26 school year, according to new data released by the Texas Education Agency.

How it works: Texas schools are rated on an A-F scale based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

At a glance: CCISD scored an 89 out of a possible 100 points, which translates to a B, according to the TEA. The score has risen by one point compared to the 2024-25 school year, which was an 88.

Diving in deeper: Out of 44 schools that were rated, 17 schools earned an A, seven schools earned a C and the rest earned a B, according to TEA data.

“These results reflect the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, and families who remain committed to excellence every day,” Superintendent Karen Engle said in an Aug. 14 news release. “Our goal this year is for a 90 or higher and we are certainly well within that reach.”

The subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport—designed by Disney engineers using the same technology used in Disneyland—recently celebrated 45 years of service, per an Aug. 3 news release from the Houston Airport System.

How it happened: The airport was expanding heavily in the 1970s, as was Disney’s linear induction motor technology for transportation across the Disneyland theme park. Per the release, the company was looking into expanding the use of its technologies at other facilities, which is when they set eyes on IAH.

Disney eventually put a successful bid in for the project in 1979, with construction ending and the subway opening in 1981. Per the release, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck attended the grand opening, marking the occasion with a Disney touch.

The bottom line: IAH saw 12.4 million passengers in 2025, with the Disney transit system serving over 3.3 million of those passengers. Houston Airport System officials said the foundation of that travel around the terminals can be attributed to Disney’s technology and some "Disney magic."

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

• 2026 school accountability ratings issued
• New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
• 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
• Public school closures deepen across Texas
• Check out recent public education laws