Check out two education updates from Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD, including financial rating system scores and campus improvement plans.

1. Hays CISD earns ‘C’ in 2026 financial rating system: Hays CISD passed the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, with a ‘C,’ earning 78 out of 100 possible points.

District officials said they expected scores to dip this year, and that such a dip is not uncommon for high-growth districts like HCISD.

2. Two San Marcos CISD schools implement improvement plans: On Oct. 19, the principals of San Marcos High School and Mendez Elementary School presented targeted improvement plans aimed at increasing graduation rates at the high school and raising the elementary school’s rating from the Texas Education Agency, or TEA.

In 2022, San Marcos High School had a graduation rate of 39.2%, said Principal Eileen Grose. The rate rose to 83.8% in 2023. The campus is working toward a rate of 90.5% to 95% by spring 2027.

The Buda Economic Development Corporation, or Buda EDC, earned an International Economic Development Council accreditation, making it one of 12 Texas communities to earn an Accredited Economic Development Organization, or AEDO, distinction.

The gist: The distinction recognizes economic development organizations that demonstrate professional excellence, high performance and accountability across the world, according to a Buda EDC news release.

Receiving the AEDO distinction indicates the organization’s high quality of operations to businesses, site selectors and residents. The Buda EDC is one of the 10 smallest organizations by population out of the 101 accredited organizations worldwide to receive the distinction.

The accreditation gives businesses and companies considering Buda for development an additional reason to invest in the city, according to the release.

The process: The International Economic Development Council completed a detailed review of the organization's documents and an on-site peer evaluation by experienced economic development professionals before awarding the Buda EDC the distinction, according to the release.

New apartments in Austin, a fire station in Buda and a Whole Foods renovation in Cedar Park are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. The Lenora ($8.3 million): This project involves the construction of 39 residential apartment units.

2. Buda Fire Station 4 ($7.8 million): A new fire station will be constructed in Buda, with construction set to wrap up in the spring.

3. Whole Foods Market Expansion ($7 million): The Whole Foods in Cedar Park will undergo a remodel, including a building addition, a revised layout and new equipment.

4. Pepper Lunch ($850,000): This project includes an interior remodel of an existing space into a Pepper Lunch Restaurant.

5. Ly’s Donuts ($200,000): A Ly’s Donuts location is coming to Bastrop, with construction set to wrap up in the spring.