Bastrop ISD is asking the Texas Education Agency for an extension on new requirements for teacher certification in the coming school years, after new state legislation mandated districts begin phasing out exemptions in the 2026-27 school year. 

The action taken: BISD trustees approved the application for the extension in December.

What you need to know: In the 89th legislature, lawmakers passed a requirement that districts of innovation begin phasing out exemptions for teacher certification requirements for core subjects by the 2027-28 school year:

• Reading, Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies

The city of Bastrop is establishing an Investment Committee to provide “professional oversight and prudent management” of its public funds, according to city documents.

The details: During a Dec. 9 meeting, Bastrop Finance Director Judy Sandroussi told Bastrop City Council the Investment Committee will be responsible for the following:

• Meeting on a quarterly basis to review portfolio performance, risk exposures and compliance
• Identifying, assessing and monitoring risks, such as credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and concentration risk
• Monitoring, reviewing and making recommendations regarding investment policy to Bastrop City Council
• Confirming compliance with state laws, local ordinances and internal procedures
• Approving and denying investment transactions when required
• Reviewing quarterly investment reports before submission to Bastrop City Council

Check out the top trending stories from the Austin Metro Dec. 15-18.

1. 11,985-square-foot retail center to be built in Bastrop’s Adelton community

2. Austin Community College enrollment increases by nearly 10%

3. Melina neighborhood to bring 840 homes near Georgetown

4. Dozens of Lake Austin properties move to disannex; city to lose nearly $300M value

5. 320-unit multifamily development coming to Steiner Ranch area

6. Check out these trails and road projects in Round Rock

Community Impact compiled important holiday travel-related information, including what to know about traffic and airport activity, gas price data, and driver safety tips ahead of the year-end travel season, which runs Dec. 20-Jan. 1.

The overview: Texans should give themselves extra time to reach their destinations the weekend before Christmas, with many travelers expected to hit the road Dec. 21-22. Congestion is also expected as some Texans return home Dec. 26, according to INRIX, a transportation data company.

Minimal traffic is expected Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1, although AAA warned in a Dec. 10 news release that unexpected delays could arise from severe weather or crashes.

For the first time, more than 8 million people nationwide are expected to take domestic flights during the year-end holidays.

More information: Texas drivers will likely pay less for gas this holiday season than in recent years, AAA fuel data shows. On average, one gallon of unleaded gas costs about $2.51 in Texas as of Dec. 18, down from $2.65 one year prior.