Tomball, Magnolia ISDs ban cellphone use throughout school day
Tomball and Magnolia ISDs approved their cellphone policies for the 2025-26 school year, under the requirement of House Bill 1481, which mandates that districts adopt policies banning the use of personal communication devices, such as cellphones and smartwatches, during the school day by Sept. 1.
Breaking it down: Both TISD and MISD said students are allowed to store the device in a backpack, locker or another secure area during the school day. The districts defined the school day as the time from the first bell of the day to the last bell. The bill provides exceptions for students with medical needs or special education accommodations. Additionally, HB 1481 would not apply to devices supplied by school districts for academic purposes.
Going forward: Ben Petty, executive director of secondary student services at MISD, said in emergency or urgent situations, parents and guardians should contact school offices, where staff will relay messages to students and allow students to contact parents, if needed.
Tomball ISD approves tax rate for FY 2025-26, matching last year’s rate
Tomball ISD approved a total tax rate of $1.0629 per $100 valuation for FY 2025-26 at its regular meeting Sept. 9.
Explained: The approved tax rate remains the same as last fiscal year, according to TISD officials. The tax rate also goes hand in hand with the balanced general fund budget the district approved in June.
Also of note: The district based its tax rate calculation on the expectation that voters will approve Senate Bill 4 in November and, as a result, raise the statewide homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, giving larger tax breaks to certain property owners and businesses.
What’s next: TISD Chief Financial Officer Zack Boles said the district plans to send out tax statements by Oct. 1.
Annual survey finds there are more than 3,000 homeless people in the Houston region
The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County's annual point-in-time survey shows homelessness in the Houston area remains steady, but there has been a jump in chronic homelessness compared to last year.
Latest update: The coalition found that there were 3,325 homeless individuals in the region the night of Jan. 27, 2025, 45 more compared to last year, according to the report. Harris County was reported to have 3,000 homeless individuals, while Montgomery and Fort Bend counties were reported to have 247 and 78, respectively.
Compared to the national level, which has been climbing annually, Houston’s homeless population remains steady, due in part to a “consistent response system” to addressing homelessness, Kelly Young, the coalition’s president and CEO, told Community Impact in an interview.
Despite the stability, the region has seen a 16% increase in unsheltered homeless individuals. Young said the rise in unsheltered homelessness compared to last year is because of reduced shelter capacity in 2024.
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
