College Station ISD gave an update on the five-year curriculum and assessment plan at the July 21 board meeting after falling short of standards in an audit the district underwent last year.

The big picture: During the second semester of the 2024-25 school year, College Station ISD underwent a deficit audit by five independent auditors who interviewed teachers, administrators and board members.

The auditors were looking for five specific focus areas to hit, which include in part:

• The district has a clear vision for responsibilities and accountability, along with clear objectives, support for teachers, and promoting equality among the staff and student body.

• Equitable distribution of resources when it comes to all students of differing backgrounds.

• Consistency in assessments and good productivity among classes.

What’s next: Associate Superintendent Penne Liefer described the process as a “moving target” and said that making adjustments would be necessary throughout the plan.

The district will implement the changes and improvements in the next four years while developing new systems to replace previous systems and assessments.

College Station City Council is set to receive an update from Police Chief Billy Couch on the city’s public safety grant tied to Flock license plate readers July 23. This comes as residents continue to question city council about privacy and how camera data is used.

The history: The city of College Station has been using Flock cameras since 2025 and the council unanimously voted to sign a contract for $240,000 in Sept. of that year. The growing network of cameras has raised concerns among residents, with many speaking out against them at council meetings.

What the city is saying: Council members have voiced concerns about the privacy of Flock license plate reader cameras, and Councilmember Melissa McIlhaney raised the question of where the data is going in the April meeting.

“Once data leaves here, if these cases have actually happened, that’s a cause for concern,” McIlhaney said.

Get involved: College Station City Council will meet at 6 p.m. July 23 at City Hall, 1101 Texas Ave.

After 40 years of educating young children in College Station, Jack & Jill Preschool has moved to Aldersgate Church, about two miles away from its original location.

The gist: The new location will operate in the children’s ministry area of Aldersgate, taking over Oakwood Intermediate School. According to a news release, owner and financial director Kimberly Livingston said the preschool is looking forward to continuing to serve the Brazos Valley.

What Jack & Jill offers: The preschool serves children from six weeks to five years old, while striving to provide for developmental, educational and spiritual needs.

Jack & Jill also offers after-school care and summer camps for kindergarten to second-grade students.

What’s next: The preschool officially opened doors to its new home in late June. Enrollment is done with inquiry on the school’s website or within its physical building.

• Reopened June 29

• 2201 East Earl Rudder Freeway South, College Station

Looking for plans this weekend? Several music events and socials will be hosted the weekend of July 25.

This list is not comprehensive and events are subject to change.

AUSL 2026 Championship weekend opening
Athletes Unlimited Softball League opens its championship weekend with a "win-or-go-home showdown," at Davis Diamond. The winner will advance to the best-of-three series.

• July 23, 8 p.m.

• $20-25 (ticketed)

• 851 Penberthy Blvd., College Station

Shania Twain Listening Party
Curious Collections is inviting fans of pop country artist and five-time Grammy winner Shania Twain to put on their leopard print and boots for a listening party of Twain's new album Little Miss Twain. 

• July 24, 6 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 710 N. Rosemary Drive, Bryan

14th Annual Wish Upon a Butterfly
Participants may release a butterfly at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History to pay homage to loved ones, new beginnings or a memory.

• July 25, 9 a.m.-noon

• $20 (per butterfly)

• 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan

College Station has identified several air-conditioned facilities to be used as cooling centers as temperatures rise. The city is encouraging residents to use the facilities to cool down and hydrate.

The options: These cooling centers are available during normal weekday business hours:

• Lincoln Recreation Center
  • 1000 Eleanor St.
• Meyer Senior and Community Center
  • 2275 Dartmouth St.
• Southwood Community Center
  • 1520 Rock Prairie Road
• City Hall
  • 1101 Texas Ave. S.

• Larry J. Ringer Library
  • 1818 Harvey Mitchell Parkway S.
• Visitor Center
  • 1207 Texas Ave. S.
• Gary Halter Nature Center
  • 3555 Rock Prairie Road W.
• Fire Station No. 3 Community Room
  • 1900 Barron Road
• Fire Station No. 5 Community Room
  • 1601 William D. Fitch Parkway
• Fire Station No. 6 Community Room
  • 610 University Drive E.

Officials with the National Weather Service issued tropical storm watches for portions of southeast Texas as Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to make landfall by the end of the week.

What we know: Tropical Storm Bertha maintained strength overnight according to data from the NWS, but is still expected to not strengthen beyond a tropical storm before making landfall across Louisiana and Texas. However, officials said the storm itself should not cause significant impact to the region.

NWS officials urged residents along the coast in Brazoria, Chambers and Galveston counties to continue any storm preparations before Bertha makes landfall. The storm watch along the Texas coast is in effect until 6 a.m. July 24 unless it is extended.

In their words: "Bertha will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms through the day, but the threat for excessive rainfall/flash flooding is marginal," NWS officials said in a July 22 news release. "While there is not a storm surge risk, there is a threat of minor coastal flooding."