The city and Austin Firefighters Association reached a tentative four-year labor agreement this month, weeks after approval of a previous version was temporarily put on hold due to concerns over a separate union-backed ballot measure.

What's happening: Two days of bargaining Dec. 4-5 resulted in a new deal between both sides that now heads to final approval by AFA's membership and City Council. Firefighters are expected to complete a membership vote Dec. 15-17, while the city didn't confirm a timeline for potential adoption as of press time.

The background: While an initial contract framework was reached back in September and scheduled for council approval this fall, it was never ratified due to city officials' concerns over potential budget impacts of a May ballot measure petition launched by the AFA after the deal was announced.

This school year, Austin ISD students returned to newly renovated campuses at Cook and Williams Elementary schools.

The update: District officials celebrated the completion of renovation work to the campuses with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Williams Elementary Dec. 1 and Cook Elementary Dec. 5. The projects, totaling $33.7 million, were funded by the district’s $2.44 billion bond election that was approved by voters in 2022.

The breakdown: AISD completed $15 million in renovations at North Austin campus Cook Elementary and $18.7 million in upgrades at Williams Elementary, a school in South Austin. Construction on the campuses began in the summer of 2024 and ended this summer.

The district revamped the open-concept floor plans at each campus by adding full walls and doors between classrooms. The improvements were intended to improve students' overall safety and experience on campus, according to AISD information.

Additionally, Williams Elementary received the following improvements:

• Secure entry vestibule
• Modernized administrative space
• HVAC, electrical and roofing upgrades

• Secure entry vestibule
• School mental health center
• Community pantry
• HVAC upgrades

Wondering what’s behind recent lane changes or detours? Several road and pedestrian projects across Austin are reshaping local traffic and enhancing safety for all road users.

Ongoing
South Lamar Boulevard mobility program
Project: The city of Austin is adding mobility, safety and connectivity improvements along South Lamar Boulevard between Riverside Drive and Hwy. 290.
Update: Construction along roughly three miles of South Lamar Boulevard from Barton Springs Road to Hwy. 290 will see mobility improvements, including bike and pedestrian facilities, intermittent medians, intersection improvements and upgraded traffic signals.

• Timeline: Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.