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Check out 3 education stories coming out of Austin, Dripping Springs

From budget cuts to bus safety, read about three education stories affecting families in Austin and Dripping Springs ISDs.

1. Austin ISD shares update on budget process: Austin ISD officials shared some preliminary reductions that may be made to the fiscal year 2026-27 budget May 5. The proposed reductions come as the district faces a budget shortfall that has grown to $181 million for FY 2026-27.

2. Modernized Harris Elementary opens: Harris Elementary students moved into a fully modernized campus in January.

The $56.28 million modernization—funded by the district's 2022 bond—includes new classrooms, administrative offices and outdoor learning areas along with a new cafeteria and gym.

3. Dripping Springs ISD spends $4.4M on bus safety: The Dripping Springs ISD bus fleet is now in 100% compliance with Senate Bill 546, which requires all public school-operated buses to be equipped with three-point seat belts.

DSISD Chief Operations Officer Scott Berry gave an SB 546 Transportation Report at an April 27 meeting.

 
Latest City News
Officials note Austin's 911 response rebound, warn emergency communications problems persist

Austin's handling of 911 calls has rebounded from a recent "crisis" of low staffing and high response times, but some elected officials say city leadership still hasn't taken strides to fix longstanding emergency communications problems.

The details: The city's emergency communications center was dozens of staffers short just a few years ago, passing a 45% vacancy rate in 2022. Austin police also fell below a national standard of answering 90% of 911 calls within 15 seconds, with some waits averaging more than two minutes.

New reporting from Austin's public safety departments shows progress after heightened hiring and employee retention efforts, including lowered response times. But some officials said related work to consolidate 911 operations is delayed, while other communications problems have yet to be addressed.

City Council asked to evaluate creating a Joint Emergency Communications Department last summer, and requested a strategic plan for that project by December. City management said in May that the planning effort remains in progress and didn't have a firm timeline for next steps.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Kyle Fair

Feel Good Fest

May 15-17
Kyle

May 16, 6-11 p.m.
Austin

More info

More info

 

Color the Sky Kite Day

Lost Pines Art Center Spring Gala

May 17, 1-4 p.m.
Georgetown

May 17, 2-5 p.m.
Bastrop

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Q&A: Catch up with the Republicans running for Texas railroad commissioner in the May 26 runoff

On May 26, Republican voters will choose their nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission in a runoff election between former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French and incumbent Jim Wright.

The overview: The Republican railroad commission race is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Wright and French were the two highest-performing candidates in the five-way primary race, with Wright receiving 32.1% of the vote and French collecting 31.7%.

The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face state Rep. John Rosenthal, D-Houston, in the November midterm election. Third-party candidates may also appear on the November ballot.

Did you know? The railroad commission regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry, while the state's railroads are under the control of the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government. The agency has three commissioners elected to staggered six-year terms.

At the polls: Texans can vote early from May 18-22, with runoff election day May 26.

 

Your local team

Sierra Martin
Senior Editor

Heather Demere
General Manager

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