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Houston ISD trustees recognize 12 'Principal of the Year' finalists
Houston ISD trustees recognized 12 principals nominated for the district’s "Principal of the Year” award during the board’s Sept. 11 meeting.
The details: HISD Chief of Schools Sandi Massey said three principals from each of the district's four geographic divisions were nominated, including:
Bathsheba Nash, Wesley Elementary School
Iliana Perez, Clifton Middle School
Marie Adams, North Forest High School
Alexis McMiller, Woodson PK-5 Leadership Academy
Shanica Smith, Thomas Middle School
Ruth Pena, Milby High School
Christopher Hua, Pilgrim Academy
Crystal Blanchard, West Briar Middle School
Yolanda Bruce, Westbury High School
Trealla Epps, Roberts Elementary School
Alejandro Lopez, Navarro Middle School
Wendy Hampton, Heights High School
A closer look: To be considered, Massey said the principal was required to have returned to the same school they led the previous year. Additionally, she said the schools must have received A or B scores in the A-F state accountability ratings.
What’s next: While HISD officials could not confirm as of press time, the district has previously announced “Principal of the Year” award winners in October.
Gelato Rossa serves fresh flavors, high-end cocktails under one roof
The Italian-inspired gelateria known as Gelato Rossa uses only the purest and freshest ingredients in its gelato and makes fresh waffle cones and puff pastries every day, Director of Oerations Naveen Nayak said.
What’s on the menu: Created by Michael May and Greg Wheeler, Gelato Rossa typically sells 16 flavors at a time, with six to eight of those being specialty flavors, such as key lime pie and raspberry stracciatella.
Other popular flavors that are usually available are stracciatella, Belgian chocolate, Madagascan vanilla, and cookies and cream. Another favorite flavor is Sicilian pistachio, whose ingredients are also imported from Italy.
Something to note: There is also more to Gelato Rossa than just desserts, as an Italian-themed speakeasy called the Rossa Room hides behind a white sliding door within the gelato shop.
Rossa Room Speakeasy opened Aug. 1, 2024, and is known for serving high-quality cocktails in a beautiful setting.
Delayed retirement payments expected by end of September, Houston pension system chair said
Approximately 1,052 city employees took Mayor John Whitmire’s early retirement incentive as part of the administration’s efforts to cut down on what was a $330 million budget shortfall earlier this year, according to previous Community Impact reporting. However, reports came out that hundreds of these retired employees have still not received their payments.
In case you missed it: Sherry Mose, chair of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System, told City Council historically the system has an average of 39 retirements a month, but now the department has to process more than a thousand at one time.
Mose said there are around 270-280 retirees who have not received their payments yet but are expected to receive them by the end of September. She said the reason for this is because they either did not submit their paperwork on time, or some paperwork was completed incorrectly, while there are over 40 retirees that HMEPS staff have been unable to get ahold of.
Harris County commissioners negotiate $81K pay raise for county's 8 elected constables
Harris County commissioners are looking to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 budget Sept. 18 with various approved pay parity adjustments including the re-negotiated raises for the county’s eight elected constables.
The vote: A motion to increase each elected constable’s salary to $260,000 passed Sept. 9 with a 3-1 vote. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis cast the dissenting vote and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was absent.
The details: The approved pay raise, county officials said, will be a budget neutral item, with funds coming out of each of the eight constable precinct’s own budget with no additional funding required from the county.
Quote of note: “After months of deep engagement through numerous town halls and hundreds of survey responses, the community told us what mattered most: public safety, public health, infrastructure and disaster readiness,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in a statement. “I’m proud we delivered a balanced budget that protects core services, without having to ask hardworking women and men to vote on raising their taxes.”
4 Houston-area events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
There are several events taking place in the Greater Houston area to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This list is not comprehensive.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Houston Premium Outlets is hosting a performance and dance lessons from Mixteco Ballet Folklorico and a performance from Mariachi Estrella de Mi Tierra.
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
