At its April 21 regular board meeting, Montgomery ISD trustees approved $3.6 million for employee raises and stipends as part of the district’s 2026-27 compensation plan for the upcoming fiscal year. $2.4 million is to address higher pay for teachers, and $1.2 million is to fund a one-time employee recognition stipend.

The framework: According to an April 21 news release from the district, the new compensation plan includes a $2,100 salary increase for teachers and employees on the teacher hiring schedule. Employees will also receive a 3% salary increase at the beginning of the new fiscal year, which will be calculated from the midpoint of each employee’s pay grade.

What else: Along with the pay raise, every full-time district employee will receive a one-time $1,000 recognition stipend on the May 20 payroll, according to the news release.

Quote of note: “We are excited to make this investment as a way to show our appreciation and to continue supporting and retaining the outstanding people who serve our district,” MISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin said.

Texas Crawfish Co. is now open in Conroe, a representative confirmed.

What you need to know: The new location in Conroe offers crawfish, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, potatoes, sausage and mushrooms. As previously reported, the locally owned crawfish company was founded in 2019 as Big Cab’s Crawfish with a food truck located in Spring before being rebranded to Texas Crawfish Co. in 2024. The business is owned by Colton and Marina Goff. 

• 17506 FM 1314, Conroe

Montgomery ISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin will host a community meeting to discuss the budget for the district's upcoming fiscal year April 28 at 5:30 p.m. at MISD’s CTE center.

What to expect: According to an April 13 social media post by the district, locals are encouraged to join the meeting to help “develop the district budget and set priorities for the year ahead.”

According to previous reporting, MISD approved a budget of $104.9 million for FY 2025-26 on June 24. The prior budget addressed multiple district needs, including:

• Payroll increases
• 28 special education instructional hires
• A new assistant principal at Oak Hills Junior High
• Budget for increased staffing in other areas, such as transportation

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 20-24.

• New DPS building coming soon to League City

• Lake Conroe Dam celebrates new state historical marker

• Neighborhood Fishin' program bringing catfish, rainbow trout to local lakes

• Picos sets official closing date as owner Arnaldo Richards continues to search for new location

• Registration opens for West U summer classes

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is now available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, or IAH, and William P. Hobby Airport, giving eligible travelers another way to move through security, according to an April 23 news release from Houston Airports.

What you need to know: The system "enhances security screening by using facial comparison technology to verify identity faster and more efficiently," the news release notes.

Enrolled travelers with participating airlines can move through dedicated lanes at Hobby Airport and at IAH TSA Checkpoints Terminal A-North, Terminal C-North and Terminal E.

More details: Passengers must meet the following requirements to be eligible for TSA Precheck Touchless ID:

• Have TSA PreCheck
• Have an active airline profile with a participating airline
• Upload valid passport information to their airline profile

Texas residents are increasingly facing damaging storms that drive up home insurance rates and other housing costs. Ahead of the state's 2027 legislative session, consumer advocates and insurance industry representatives are urging lawmakers to consider affordability solutions.

What's happening: The average Texas home insurance premium—the amount paid to an insurance company—was $3,291 in 2024, according to the latest Texas Department of Insurance data. In total, premiums rose about 50% between 2022-24.

Texas’ high propensity for natural disasters has been “the No. 1 driver” behind recent rate increases, said Rich Johnson, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas.

Stay tuned: While Texas can't legislate itself out of weather risks, lawmakers have considered some policy changes to increase disaster resiliency and boost regulatory oversight of the insurance industry. Proposals range from creating grants to help residents weather-proof their homes to placing limits on future rate hikes.