On Aug. 14, the Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year. The ratings provide A-F scores to all school districts and campuses in the state.

Check out recent Community Impact reporting on the San Marcos CISD and Hays CISD 2026 TEA ratings.

1. SMCISD schools see major shifts in A-F ratings: San Marcos CISD earned an overall score of 76, or a 'C' rating, from the 2026 Texas Education Agency accountability scores.

While the district’s overall score had no change from 2025, individual campuses saw shifts, with many facing significant rating increases or decreases.

2. Hays CISD maintains ‘B’ streak in TEA ratings: Hays CISD received its fifth consecutive 'B' for the 2025-26 school year in the Texas Education Agency A-F accountability ratings, scoring an 81 out of 100.

Seven campuses received a higher letter rating than the previous year, 14 received the same score and six earned a lower letter score.

Three candidates will be on the ballot for the Hays County Judge seat in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

The details: Republican candidate Geoffrey Tahuahua, Democratic candidate Michelle Cohen and Independent candidate Liz ‘Sumter’ Gajdos will be vying for the position.
Cohen is currently serving as the Precinct 2 Commissioner in Hays County. Republican candidate Abby Gibson and Democratic candidate Johnny Flores will be facing off for the Precinct 2 seat.

Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Also of note: Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

For more information on voting and polling locations, visit your county's website or www.votetexas.gov. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation updates from local agencies.

Ongoing projects

Center Street
Project: The street in Kyle will be widened with added curbs, gutters, lighting and sidewalks to both sides of the road, including one shared-use path, between Old Stagecoach Road and Veterans Drive; and adds a new single-lane roundabout. 
Update: Construction began at the 5-way traffic stop at West Center Street and Old Stagecoach Road on July 13. Crews are potholing and building drainage improvements.

• Timeline: fall 2026-fall 2027
• Cost: $10.2 million
• Funding source: 2022 Kyle Road Bond

Completed projects

SH 195 exit ramp
Project: Led by the Texas Department of Transportation, the right lane exit ramp provides direct access to Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Georgetown from northbound SH 195. Previously, drivers had to use a turn lane and cross over southbound lanes. 
Update: Williamson County and TxDOT officials celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting on Aug. 24.

• Timeline: 2025-26
• Cost: $3.6 million
• Funding source: 2019 Wilco Road Bond

COTALAND Theme Park is officially opening on Sept. 26, bringing racing, roller coasters and attractions to Circuit of The Americas, or COTA, according to a news release.

“COTALAND was created to be far more than a traditional amusement park,” COTA Founder Bobby Epstein said in a news release. “This is where theme park thrills, world-class racing, live entertainment and family experiences come together in a way that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country.”

What they offer: COTALAND is slated to feature over 30 experiences, from roller coasters to mini golf to COTA Karting and a zip line. Attractions include the Hot Lap experience where guests can ride along on the Formula 1 track.

COTALAND will have coasters like the Circuit Breaker, the first tilt roller coaster in Texas, according to the release. The park is also set to have family-friendly rides and attractions, including Kiddie Karting and Lil’ Logger, which are bite-sized versions of larger COTALAND rides.

• 9111 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin