Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees called for a 12-cent voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, on Aug. 10 for the Nov. 3 general election in a 6-1 vote, with trustee Christine Kalmbach opposed.

The fiscal year 2026-27 budget with an estimated $80.9 million shortfall and a projected ending fund balance of $437 million was approved June 22 in a 6-1 vote, with Kalmbach opposed.

What we know: Superintendent Doug Killian said the district’s financial issues are a result of a lack of revenue—not overspending.

The average funding per student from maintenance and operations, or M&O, taxes for school districts in the Houston area with over 10,000 students was $11,165 for FY 2025-26, while CFISD receives $9,798 per student. 

“If the VATRE passes, it will help the district eliminate the deficit, remain competitive with neighboring districts, strengthen recruitment and retention and sustain existing programs,” Smith said.

Looking ahead: If the VATRE fails, Smith said the district will immediately implement zero-based budgeting and examine necessary reductions to preserve the district’s financial position.

Harris County commissioners are expected to discuss the budget and tax rate options for the upcoming fiscal year at an Aug. 17 special meeting, as the county faces a potential $178 million shortfall.

In a nutshell: The county’s Office of Management and Budget will present its proposed budgets and tax rates for the court to discuss and potentially take action on.

Diving in deeper: If commissioners decide to increase the tax rate more than 3.5%, according to the state comptroller website, voters will see the proposed rates on their November ballots. 

Before you go: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston. 

Local beauty studio Jael Beauty began serving the Cypress area in May 2026, and moved into its brick-and-mortar studio July 30, owner and licensed cosmetologist Clarissa De Los Santos confirmed.

What's in the name: Jael Beauty offers makeup services for bridal needs and other events while also offering waxing and facial services, De Los Santos said. Per the Jael Beauty Instagram, services are by appointment and can be booked through the website.
"I started Jael Beauty because I've always loved the beauty industry, and wanted to create something of my own where clients can feel comfortable, confident and taken care of," De Los Santos said.

• 12251 Queenston Blvd. Ste. 28, Houston

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week? Check out these trending stories across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 7-14

1. Sam Houston State University announces new name for College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe

2. Bristol Myers Squibb selects Generation Park for new $2.3B manufacturing campus

3. Magnolia traffic detour began Aug. 10 ahead of the school year

4. Studio 3113 Modern Needlework opens store for crafters in The Woodlands

5. Facing $178M shortfall, Harris County approves raises, funding for independent ICE investigation

6. Tim Horton's to open along Barker Cypress Road in August

7. Houston Airport System unveils renovated IAH Executive Club

Ahead of the 2026-27 school year, public school leaders in Community Impact’s coverage areas shuttered at least nine individual schools to respond to repeated state accountability issues and stave off state intervention. A new Texas Education Agency rule may make it harder for districts to do so in the future.

The details: Beginning Aug. 16, if a district closes a D- or F-rated campus and transfers the largest share of students from the closed campus to a school with a C, D or F rating, the closed campus’ rating will be assigned to the new campus. 

Districts will only avoid transferring a shuttered school’s rating history if they relocate a plurality of students to an A- or B-rated campus.

Stay tuned: The TEA is scheduled to release A-F ratings for the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 14. If a school receives five failing ratings in a row, the TEA is required under state law to close that campus or replace the district’s board of trustees with a state-appointed board of managers.