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Brazoria County school districts discuss legislative priorities ahead of 2027 Texas Legislature

Special education funding, enrollment-based funding and bond elections were among the topics discussed in a legislative priority session for school districts in Brazoria County.

District officials and school board members from Alvin, Brazosport, Pearland and Sweeny ISDs came together to shape priorities ahead of the 2027 Texas Legislature.

The overview: District officials and school board members are hoping to address the following in the upcoming state legislature:

  • Special education funding

  • Basic allotment

  • Enrollment-based funding

  • Bond elections and ballot language

"We all have different priorities, but we all have one goal, and that's to serve the students in each of our districts," AISD Board President AJ Johnson said. "We just got to get organized and get on the same page."

Next steps: Brazoria County school districts plan to draft a regional priority statement by Nov. 6, with plans to meet with House and Senate offices in November and December.

The 2027 Texas Legislature kicks off on Jan. 12.

 
Drees Custom Homes
Coming Soon
New Pilates studio coming soon to Friendswood

JETSET Pilates, a reformer studio specializing in group pilates classes, is coming to Friendswood in November, according to a social media post from the studio.

What you need to know: JETSET specializes in providing full-service studios for all levels and intensities of pilates workouts, including fundamental classes, full-body reformer, upper- and lower-body workouts, and core-focused workouts.

📍106 Whispering Pines Ave., Ste. 107, Friendswood

 
Neighboring News
The Junkyard Pearl: A hidden gem on the rise

Walking into The Junkyard Pearl, customers find colorful selections of jewelry, clothes and fashion accessories that come together to create one-of-a-kind finds.

“We're so eclectic,” owner Lauryn Abt said. “We have just such a wide variety of products … It's just a colorful atmosphere when people come in and they're like, ‘I love it here. This is my happy place.’”

How we got here: When Abt was growing up, her mother ran boutiques and her grandfather dealt in antiques, which drew her into vintage and antique selling.

After moving to the area, she saw an opportunity to bring shopping together with the restaurants and bars that were already drawing people in.

Respecting the craft: The shop offers an eclectic mix of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, gifts and vintage, handmade pieces.

“I’m always looking for color, quality and weird and fun things that stop people and get compliments and they’ll ask questions on … and that kind of makes you feel confident with what you’re wearing too,” Abt said.

📍1001 Aspen Road, Ste. A, Clear Lake Shores

 
Election News
What to know on Election Day in Harris County

Voters have their last opportunity to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 general election on Election Day.

What you need to know: More than 600 polling locations across Harris County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and registered voters can cast a ballot at any of them. Voters must provide photo identification at the polls. Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • Texas driver’s license

  • Texas election identification certificate

  • Texas personal identification card

  • Texas handgun license

  • U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph

  • U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

  • U.S. passport

What’s on the ballot: Harris County races include county judge, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer and County Department of Education Places 5 and 7. Contested county commissioner seats include Precinct 2, where Adrian Garcia faces Richard Vega, and Precinct 4, where Lesley Briones faces Steve Radack.

 
Stay In The Know
METRO to offer free rides to the polls on Election Day

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will offer complimentary rides to and from the polls on Election Day, Nov. 3.

How it works: To receive a free ride, riders must show their voter registration card to a METRO operator or fare inspector when boarding. Regular fares still apply during the early voting period, as the complimentary rides are only available on Election Day.

Available fare services for the offer include: METRORail, local bus routes, METROLift, curb2curb and community connector.

“Every voter deserves the opportunity to make their voice heard, and transportation should never stand in the way,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock via news release.

One more thing: METRO leaders encourage riders to plan their trips using the transit authority's Trip Planner and to confirm polling locations before traveling. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 
Metro News
Museum launching Marvel exhibit, Fort Bend County tax assessor-collector indicted: 6 trending stories from across the South Houston area

Looking to catch up with Community Impact's coverage? Check out these six trending stories from Oct. 23-30.

  • Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen P. Turner indicted

  • City of Fulshear hears $520M Fulshear Town Square project proposal

  • Luxury takes root in Houston

  • Alvin ISD reviews TIRZ expiration, financial impact

  • Houston Museum of Natural Science to launch new Marvel exhibit in December

  • Ace Hardware coming to League City Parkway

 

Your local team

Haley Velasco
Editor

Papar Faircloth
General Manager

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