Klein ISD’s projected funding gap for the fiscal year 2025-26 budget has been lowered from $21.1 million to $4.8 million, district leaders say.

In a nutshell: During the KISD board of trustees’ Feb. 2 meeting, trustees approved the district’s first budget review for the FY 2025-26 budget. Various budget cuts and additional funding allowed the FY 2025-26 budget’s projected general fund shortfall to decrease by about $16. 2 million.

Quote of note: “The most recent budget amendment reduced the general fund deficit ... allowing us to protect our award-winning programs as we prioritize student success in KISD,” said Chelsea Ceballos, KISD’s director of communications, via a Feb. 6 email.

Diving deeper: Major changes to the general fund include:

• $24.2 million more in projected state revenue
• $4.3 million in increased payroll expenditures due to employee retention bonuses approved in June
• $1.5 million less in local revenue earned from interest due to expected lower interest rates
• $1.2 million less than expected in local taxes due to new higher homestead exemptions

The Lone Star College System kicked off 2026 with the highest spring enrollment in the institution's history, officials announced Feb. 4.

Two-minute impact: Lone Star College System saw a 6.4% increase in enrollment compared to spring 2025, with 97,221 students enrolled for the spring 2026 semester, per the Feb. 4 news release.

Additionally, officials reported a fall-to-spring retention rate of almost 80% for the spring semester, which began Jan. 20. The milestone builds off record-breaking numbers for fall enrollment in 2025, with 97,294 students taking classes last semester, Community Impact previously reported.

Quote of note: "Lone Star College System isn't just seeing enrollment growth. We're retaining and graduating more students year after year," Chancellor Mario K. Castillo said in a statement. "This is a true testament to the support we offer students beyond the classroom, from food pantries and mental health services to student life programs that keep students engaged in their educational goals."

Commissioners will consider and potentially take action on over 300 agenda items Feb. 12, including approving an interlocal agreement for a mental health mapping project in Precinct 4 and a progress update on a countywide flood mapping system.

The big picture: Harris County Flood Control District officials will provide an update to commissioners on the progress and next steps of the MAAPNext project. The project is a collaborative effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is also funding the project, and HCFCD to create up-to-date hydrology and flood maps to gauge current and future flooding risks across the county.

Also of note: Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones will seek to approve an interlocal agreement with the University of Houston to conduct an extension of a mental health resource mapping project to "provide actionable data to guide policies, budget priorities, and community engagement strategies aimed at enhancing access to care."

Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in the administration building at 1001 Preston St., Houston.

Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse for Lunar New Year at one of multiple celebrations being held across the Greater Houston area.

Lunar New Year at Children's Museum Houston
Enjoy two days of Lunar New Year festivities at the Children's Museum Houston. On Feb. 14, entertainment will begin at 11 a.m. and include a traditional lion dance; a Diabolo, Chinese yo-yo, performance; and a contemporary Chinese dance show. On Feb. 15, at noon, a traditional Chinese dance will take place.

• Feb. 14-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• $19.95 (entry for adults and children ages 1 or older), $17.95 (seniors)
• 1500 Binz St., Houston

• Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• $9 (admission for adults and children 1 year old and older)
• The Woodlands Children's Museum, 4775 West Panther Creek Drive Ste. 280, The Woodlands