Budget season for Hays CISD will start with the announcement of cuts on March 30, following the voter rejection of a higher property tax rate in November.

What's happening? Since 2021, HCISD has been pulling from the fund balance, which serves as the district’s savings account, to maintain operations. District officials said they did this in hopes that the state would increase funding to compensate for inflation, noting that 2019 was the last time student allotment was significantly increased.

By the numbers: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ CPI Inflation Calculator, one dollar today has the same buying power as 77 cents in 2019.

“We still have to buy the same goods and services that we always have ... yet utility costs have gone up, fuel has gone up, everything,” Superintendent Eric Wright said

Measuring the impact: Wright said since 2018, the area has added roughly 600-1,000 students per year.

“Trying to open up schools and take care of our growth with less money has been really, really challenging,” Wright said.

Curious what’s happening in Kyle? Here’s the latest, including a new sauna and gym, more eateries on the way, and other updates.

Burn Boot Camp: Local franchise partners Kellie and Lance Heller offer 45-minute workouts that combine strength, conditioning and functional movement, nutritional support and complimentary child care services.

• Opened January
• 150 Heroes Memorial Drive Way, Bldg. C, Kyle

• Opening in mid-2026
• 1050 Bunton Creek Road, Ste. 300, Kyle

• Opens April 1
• 150 Heroes Memorial Drive, Bldg. A-100, Kyle

Check out some of the most-read stories in Austin from March 16-19. 

1. 44,000-square-foot indoor sports club headed to Leander, Cedar Park

2. Round Rock outlet mall to get refresh

3. Luxury retailer in San Marcos outlets prepares to close with major sale

4. 320-unit apartment complex coming to Liberty Hill, Georgetown line

5. 'Future of aviation': Air taxi testing coming to Austin under federal pilot program

6. From breakfast to barbecue: Check out these 15 business updates in Southwest Austin
 

More than 229,000 students have applied to receive state funds for private education or homeschooling under Texas’ education savings account program, according to the state comptroller’s office.

By the numbers: State data indicates that the most applications have been submitted on behalf of students living in urban areas and the surrounding suburban communities. As of March 8, students living in Houston ISD’s boundaries led the pack with over 8,900 applications, followed by 6,700 applicants in Dallas ISD.

The data reflects how many students living in each district's boundaries have applied, including those not currently enrolled in a public school.

The background: State lawmakers created the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program in 2025.

Students accepted for the 2026-27 school year will receive $10,474 for private education or up to $2,000 for homeschool. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 each.

More details: Of the first 152,000 program applicants, nearly three-quarters were not enrolled in a public school during the 2025-26 school year, data obtained by the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency shows.