Round Rock ISD voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve an increase to the district's property tax rate to fund staff raises. The proposed rate is six cents higher than it would be without the voter-approval tax rate election.

The details: The higher rate would generate funds needed to provide a 2% general pay raise for all employees, increase starting teacher pay to $58,000 and address pay compression throughout the district.

If passed, it would result in a tax bill roughly $219 higher annually for a home of average taxable value, according to the district.

Why it matters: Because of rising operational costs, the district cannot raise employee pay without more revenue. If the election fails, teachers not included under House Bill 2 and other employees will not receive raises, and the district would need to reduce headcount to free up funds for raises.

An Old Navy store is planned for the Round Rock Premium Outlets, a project filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows.

The overview: Renovations of the 12,264-square-foot space are expected to take place from February through May, according to the filing. The project is estimated to cost $700,000.

About the business: Old Navy sells clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.

• 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law changing the amount of time students are required to spend in public schools from 180 days to 75,600 minutes per school year.

More than a decade later, some state senators are considering again mandating the number of days schools are open, citing concerns about student performance in districts that use condensed weekly schedules.

The details: At least 181 districts and 572 campuses used four-day school weeks in the 2024-25 school year, per Texas Education Agency data.

A TEA study found that during the 2022-23 school year, students attending school four days per week had lower performance in certain subjects on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness than students at five-day schools.

"There is not a benefit that I see for a four-day school week for the child," Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said. "We know there's learning loss. What is the advantage of a four-day [week]? Because I see none except to please somebody who wants to be off more days."