High-performing teachers in Georgetown ISD may be eligible to receive additional compensation beginning this summer.

What happened: In February, the district received final approval to join the state's Teacher Incentive Allotment program.

Current situation: The statewide program is intended to help high-performing teachers reach a six-figure salary by earning stipends based on their effectiveness in the classroom, according to the Texas Education Agency.

In June, 197 GISD teachers are expected to receive a payout through the TIA, according to GISD information.

The update: Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the state will introduce a new acknowledged designation for the top 50% of Texas educators. Teachers in this category may be eligible to receive $3,000-$9,000 allotments.

The top 33% of teachers will receive recognized status while the top 20% will be considered exemplary and the top 5% will be classified as master.

Next school year, the state will increase funding allocations for existing designations to the following amounts, according to the TEA's website:

• Recognized: $5,000-$15,000
• Exemplary: $9,000-$25,000
• Master: $12,000-$36,000

Catch up on some recent government news out of Georgetown City Council and Williamson County Commissioners Court, as reported by Community Impact.

Youth felony diversion program reduces arrests
A first-of-its-kind study of the Williamson County Transformative Justice Program shows a reduction in arrest rates and jail time, according to a county news release.

City gets federal funding for waterline
A planned 3-mile waterline along CR 255 will help serve about 25,000 water customers in northwest Georgetown, officials announced at a Jan. 29 press conference.

Fire Station No. 8 to improve response times
To address slowing response times and a rising call volume, the Georgetown Fire Department plans to construct Fire Station No. 8, remodel existing facilities and deploy more ambulances.

Discounted rain barrels available
Georgetown water customers can purchase 50-gallon rain barrels for almost $100 off through March 15.

BASIS Leander is scheduled to open to more than 1,400 students this fall.

The new Leander campus will be the fourth Austin-area charter school opened by BASIS Texas Charter Schools.

The overview: BASIS Leander Primary will serve kindergarten through fifth grade students while BASIS Leander will host sixth through eighth grade students. The secondary school will add an additional grade each school year until serving twelfth grade students.

Head of School Christopher Lester, who was previously Head of School at BASIS Mesa in Arizona, will lead the Leander campus, according to BASIS information.

The details: The 94,125-square-foot campus is slated to feature the following, according to the BASIS website:

• 31 standard classrooms, eight science rooms, three primary science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, rooms
• Four art rooms, five music and drama rooms, and three multipurpose spaces
• A full-size gym, black box theater, exercise room and three outdoor play areas

A pet store located in the Round Rock Premium Outlets closed in January.

What you need to know: The Round Rock location of pet store Furever Pets closed mid-January in the outlet mall.

About the business: The retail store first opened in 2022 and sold cats and dogs.