Fort Bend ISD board of trustees approved the fiscal year 2026-27 employee compensation plan at a June 15 meeting, alongside the approval of the district’s budget, which shows a $32.8 million expected shortfall.

The details: Deputy Superintendent of Operations Kathleen Brown said the plan has several initiatives aimed at better retaining and attracting staff, including: 

• Differentiated teacher steps
• Teacher retention allotment
• Staff retention allotment
• Thank you supplement
• Bus driver and monitor pay increases

Third Space Boulders, a bouldering and climbing gym, is set to open its doors in Sugar Land this fall, owner Gladys Serafin said.

What to expect: The gym, which will be suitable for all ages and experience levels, will offer climbing classes, coaching and youth programs as well as strength training and cardio equipment, Serafin said.

What they're saying: Growing up just north of Sugar Land, Serafin said prior to Third Space Boulders' development, the nearest climbing gym was over a 40 minute drive away.

"For someone as obsessed with climbing as I am, along with my fellow southwest Houston area climbers, having access to a local climbing gym feels long overdue," Serafin said. "We are beyond excited to bring climbing to Sugar Land and the Greater Southwest Houston area."

• 2220 Eldridge Road, Ste. 800, Sugar Land

Here are six events happening in and around the Greater Houston area, June 20-21, to celebrate Father’s Day.

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

Houston Zoo Father’s Day Event
The Houston Zoo is hosting a Father's Day weekend event with special ticket packages, giraffe feedings and family activities June 20–21

• June 20-21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• $99 for two guests
• 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston

• June 21
• Menu special prices vary
• 2044 E. TC Jester Blvd., Houston

• June 21
• Free (admission)
• 23101 Hwy. 242, New Caney

About two weeks shy of the anniversary of deadly flooding that devastated parts of Central Texas last summer, state lawmakers approved a 115-page report chronicling what they deemed “failures” at Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp where 27 young girls died.

The details: The family running Camp Mystic was not prepared to respond to a disaster in flood-prone Kerr County and did not act quickly enough to save campers’ lives, investigators said during a June 18 hearing at the Capitol.

Investigators Casey Garrett and Michael Massengale told lawmakers about recent interviews with teenage counselors who witnessed the July 4 tragedy, reiterating a key point from hearings earlier this year: all deaths at Camp Mystic could have been prevented if camp leaders had planned ahead and acted more quickly.

"Nobody had any idea what they needed to be doing, and it crippled them," Garrett said.

Looking ahead: Lawmakers adopted the investigative team’s report, which will be shared with legislative leaders as they draft additional policy changes in response to the flood during the 2027 state legislative session.