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Community Impact compiled compensation for superintendents, teachers, and staff at 15 public school districts in the Austin area to compare trends across the metro as budgeting season wraps up for most districts.

According to 2025-26 school-year data from the Texas Education Agency, Lake Travis ISD had the highest-paid superintendent at $483,116, while Pflugerville ISD had the highest average teacher pay at $69,917.

Some context: The highest student enrollments for the 2025-26 school year were:

• Austin ISD

• Round Rock ISD

• Leander ISD

The lowest student enrollments were:

• Eanes ISD

• San Marcos ISD

• Dripping Springs ISD

Parents in Dripping Springs ISD will pay slightly more for their students’ meals this school year after the board of trustees approved a price increase at an Aug. 24 meeting.

The overview: The board of trustees approved a $0.10 increase for breakfast prices and a $0.25 increase for lunch.

Austin Fire official Tom Vocke was confirmed as the city's interim fire chief, effective Sept. 1 after the retirement of current Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker.

What's happening: Baker formally submitted his resignation notice Aug. 4 and is leaving his role at the end of August. City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Baker was "unavailable and out of the office" starting Aug. 11, leading him to designate Vocke as acting fire chief.

City Council honored Baker with a distinguished service award and confirmed Vocke's appointment Aug. 27. He'll now lead Austin Fire on an interim basis until a successor is hired.

The search for Austin's next fire chief will be handled by Mosaic Public Partners, a firm the city has used for several recent high-level recruitments. Details including a timeline are still being finalized.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative, and Libertarian Pat Dixon, a professional engineer, are challenging Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the Nov. 3 election. Abbott is seeking a fourth term in the governor's mansion.

The big picture: As Texas’ top elected official, the governor signs and vetoes legislation, serves as commander-in-chief of the state military and appoints members of state agencies or advisory boards. Community Impact asked the three gubernatorial candidates for their perspectives on data centers, education, the cost of living and other topics.

The background: Abbott beat 10 Republican challengers in the March primary election, while Hinojosa beat eight other Democratic candidates to advance to the November election. Dixon was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Voters in Austin ISD District 6 will choose their school board trustee on Nov. 3, with early voting running Oct. 19-30. Community Impact asked candidates in the race to answer a set of questions on their motivations, priorities, and vision for the district.

Read the full Q&A for details on each candidate's platform ahead of the general election.

Check out six trending Austin-area stories from Aug. 24-27. 

1. Bad Habits Card Company now open in Georgetown

2. Tejas Meat Supply closes Round Rock restaurant, butcher shop

3. COTALAND Theme Park to host grand opening event in late September

4. Scheels holds ribbon cutting ahead of Aug. 29 opening

5. Amazon picks East Austin for multi-billion dollar robotics facility

6. Hutto, Williamson County poised for $674M Blue Origin facility