Bryan ISD trustees will consider a new district-wide improvement plan for the 2026-27 school year SEPT. 28, outlining four long-term goals focused on student achievement, college and career readiness, instructional coaching and teacher retention.

The plan would guide the district through 2031.

Mapping it out: According to agenda material, the district aims to increase “Meets Grade Level” performance in math, reading, science and social studies by 10 percentage points by 2031. It also wants to increase the percentage of graduates meeting at least one “College, Career or Military Readiness” indicator by 10 percentage points.

The plan says 50% of students performed at Meets Grade Level or above across all grades and subjects during the 2024-25 school year, while about 82% of graduates were identified as college, career or military ready.

The plan also calls for all campuses to implement a coaching and accountability framework and increase teacher retention by at least 8 percentage points by 2031.

The local impact: Texas A&M also recently adopted a five-year plan. Meanwhile, CSISD outlined its five-year goals in July

Texas A&M University will host the U.S. Space Force's Captain's Leadership Course for the next decade. Up to 420 Space Force officers could be trained in College Station each year.

What you need to know: According to a news release from Texas A&M, the university was one of the few chosen in 2025 and hosted six cohorts of future U.S. Space Force leaders for the first course of its kind.

Chairman Regent Robert Albritton said the future of national security needs leaders with good character and judgment, commending the Space Force for choosing Texas A&M.

"The Space Force could have taken this mission anywhere," Albritton said in a statement. "It chose Texas A&M, and we intend to justify that confidence.”

The impact: The new agreement between the university and the Space Force is set to begin in fiscal year 2026-27 and last through 2036. The release said the institutions could pursue more partnership avenues within the contracted years if they decided to do so.

Gypsy Waltz Studios, a yoga and cycling studio with locations in Texas and Mississippi, has announced an opening date for its Bryan location.

The gist: Along with yoga and cycling, the studio offers pilates and other blended technique courses. The studio also uses the Far Infrared Radiant Heating system, which allows the skin to absorb heat and helps with the body’s natural beauty, according to its website. 

As previously reported by Community Impact, the $275,000 construction project began at the Shops at Hudson Oaks in December 2025. The studio had also begun hiring employees for its Bryan-College Station facility, according to an Instagram post.

Stay tuned: According to a Facebook post, the faith-based studio will be offering free classes all opening week for residents, along with membership options for those looking to go more consistently. The studio is also encouraging residents of all ages, experience levels and skill sets to take a class.

• Opening Oct. 11

• 3349 University Drive E., Ste. 102. Bryan

College Station voters will decide between Tre Watson, Padon Holt and Valen Cepak Nov. 3 in the race for city council Place 5.

Council member Bob Yancy gave up his seat to run for mayor, meaning this is a special election for an unexpired term.

Meet the players: Candidates were asked to keep Q&A responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

One question Community Impact asked was, "How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?" The candidates answered in part:

• Watson: "What I will do to insure that I’m doing my part is by continuing to deny developers from maximizing areas by increasing units by already existing communities."

• Holt: "Affordable should mean attainable — a teacher or police officer should be able to buy here, not just rent."

• Cepak: "I will use creative zoning and infill, revise fees, and expand our down-payment assistance."