Georgetown ISD may postpone the opening of its 12th elementary school and fifth middle school until 2027 to reduce expenses amid a mounting budget shortfall.

What's happening: GISD officials discussed ways to cut costs at a Jan. 12 board workshop as the district observes a slowing of its projected enrollment growth. Additionally, the district may consider calling a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, to increase its tax rate this fall.

The big picture: GISD has been preparing to open Elementary School No. 12 and Middle School No. 5 in August off Patriot Way and SH 130 near East View High School. The construction of both buildings was funded by the district’s $649 million bond election in 2024.

At the Jan. 12 workshop, district officials shared that GISD is projected to face a $1.75 million budget deficit in fiscal year 2026-27 if both campuses open as planned this fall. The district would need to make $1 million-$1.5 million in budget cuts, raise class sizes and not provide raises for staff.

Little Sprouts Childcare is planning to open off University Avenue in Georgetown this spring.

About the business: Locally owned by Kassie Johnson, the center uses play-based learning along with a curriculum to help prepare children for school.

The facility will offer programs for infants starting at 6 weeks old, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as after-school care for children through fifth grade, she said. Students will be fed breakfast, lunch and a snack daily.

Additionally, Little Sprouts Childcare will accept child care assistance through the Child Care Services, or CCS, program, Johnson said.

• 612 W. University Ave., Georgetown

Central Texas dentists have been feeling the effects of a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, facing difficulties filling vacant positions to serve a growing number of patients

Zooming out: A 2019 study by the Texas Department of State Health Services projected that the demand for dental hygienists would outpace supply from 2018 to 2030. In Central Texas, the shortage of dental hygienists was projected to increase by 116.4% from 2018 to 2030, according to the report.

What they're saying: “As the population increases, new patients are coming into practices in Austin,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society. “Without the proper number of hygienists to go with these practices or community centers, there's no way to be able to meet that demand.”

The approach: To help counteract this shortage, Austin Community College opened an expanded dental hygiene clinic at its Eastview Campus this fall, nearly doubling the program’s annual cohort of students from 18 to 34.