HTX-PLF: Impact 11/11/2025

Career and technical education and advanced placement teachers at Pearland ISD could receive an incentive pay if the board of trustees approves the measure at its Nov. 11 meeting.

What you need to know: The teacher incentive pay aims to “positively affect student academic improvement, growth and achievement,” for CTE and AP programs at PISD, board agenda documents note.

If approved, the AP merit pay program will be determined by a formula that takes the following into account:
Exam participation
Passing rates compared to state and global passing rates
Individual student scores

The CTE pay program will be aimed at improving student participation in attaining industry certifications, according to district documents. 

The cost: If approved, PISD will allocate $250,000 through its general fund for the incentives, with the AP merit pay program receiving $200,000 and the CTE program receiving $50,000, according to district documents.
 

The boutique specializes in craft sodas and is located off South Friendswood Drive.

The gist: Owned by local Friendswood residents Kyle and Jennifer Sapaugh, The Lemon Drop blends the concept of a toy store and soda shop into one sweet boutique.

Before you go: The Lemon Drop will host free pictures with Santa on Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to Sapaguh.

• 111 S. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood

The filing period to run in the 2026 primary elections is now open, according to Harris County officials. Here are the positions that will be on the March 2026 ballot.

What we know: According to the Texas Secretary of State, the filing period for individuals seeking to run for public office in the March 2026 primary elections openedon Nov. 8. In Harris County, several local races will be on the ballot on top of races for state representative and state senator, including:

• District Clerk
• County Clerk
• County Treasurer
• County Commissioner, Precinct 2
• County Commissioner, Precinct 4

• Age
• Citizenship status
• Voter registration status

Gov. Greg Abbott announced his bid for a fourth gubernatorial term Nov. 9, laying out an ambitious six-pronged plan to make “out-of-control property taxes finished in Texas.”

The details: Abbott's goals include eliminating property taxes charged by public school districts, which make up the majority of an average homeowner’s property tax bill. Some conservative groups and lawmakers pushed for an end to school property taxes during recent state legislative sessions.

The governor’s plan to limit local tax increases includes:

• Limiting annual local government spending
• Requiring approval from two-thirds of local voters for all tax hikes
• Allowing local residents to petition for an election to roll back tax rates
• Requiring property appraisals to occur once every five years
• Capping appraisal increases at 3% per year, down from 10% today
• Asking voters to eliminate school property taxes