Pflugerville ISD officials are looking at ways to reduce its $18.2 million dollar budget shortfall next year. 

Breaking it down: Twelve draft district optimization scenarios were presented to the board March 5, each with various projected cost savings. The scenarios, which would not be implemented until 2027-28, include: 

• Closing Parmer Lane, Dessau, Pflugerville or Windermere elementary schools
• Closing Park Crest or Westview middle schools
• Rezoning elementary schools east of Highway 130 
• Rezoning high schools 
• Redesigning Dearing Elementary 
• Exploring new programming at Bohls and Cele middle schools, and Mott Elementary 
• Shifting high school schedules from block scheduling to a traditional 8-day period 
• Repurposing vacant facilities for early childhood and alternative education programs 

Hutto ISD is working to once again expand its virtual academy, starting with the hiring of a new principal. 

What you need to know: District administrators asked the board of trustees Feb. 16 to consolidate two unfilled positions into one new administrative role to oversee the next iteration of the district's online school, which the board approved. HISD Chief of Schools C.J. Lowery said the district will hire for this position quickly, and the person selected for the job will help shape the next iteration of the district's virtual academy.

What they're saying: "This sends a real clear message to our community that not only do we have our doors open for them to come into school and be able to sit down in a classroom, but if they choose to look at a virtual option, that they have that opportunity, too," Lowery said. 

The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch awarded the Williamson County Emergency Communications Center the designation of Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center of Excellence, officials announced at a March 3 commissioners court meeting.

This award makes the department the first Tri-ACE, or three-time Accredited Center of Excellence, emergency communications center in Texas.

What it means: Williamson County Emergency Communications manages 911 and nonemergency calls, and dispatches critical care and specialized operations for law enforcement, fire and medical agencies. The department serves a growing population of 750,000 people and dispatches for about 28 agencies, officials said at the March 3 meeting.

The award adds to two others that the emergency communications center has received—for emergency police dispatch and emergency fire dispatch. These three designations make the center the first in Texas and 32nd in the world to achieve a Tri-ACE distinction.

How it works: As an accredited center of excellence in emergency medical dispatch, Williamson County Emergency Communications meets the academy’s highest level of standards, according to a county news release.

Learn more about trending Austin area news from March 2-5. 

1. Audit: Austin 'may not be able to' justify hundreds of millions in recent consultant spending

2. Peach Cobbler Factory to open Round Rock location this month

3. New shopping center, flex campus planned for Pflugerville neighborhoods

4. Bee Cave advances shifts to The Village at Spanish Oaks

5. First Watch debuts breakfast favorites in Bastrop March 16

6. From Petbar to wine bar: Check out 18 business updates in the Cedar Park area