See how Montgomery, Willis ISDs performed in TEA accountability ratings
The Texas Education Agency released public school accountability ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years Aug. 15.
The gist: Montgomery ISD received a B for the 2023-24 school year with 86 out of 100 possible points and a B with 87 out of 100 possible points for the 2024-25 school year. Willis ISD received a C for the 2022-23 school year with 73 out of 100 possible points, and a C with 77 out of 100 possible points for the 2024-25 school year, according to the TEA.
Some context: A-F ratings for school districts were first issued in 2018, according to an April 24 TEA news release. The ratings were created to give parents insight into the quality of their children’s campus and district, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
One more thing: Texas lawmakers have been working on legislation that could make it harder for school districts to sue the TEA over the accountability system.
Daniel’s Barbershop officials said the barbershop expanded with a second location in Willis earlier this month. The barbershop has an additional location in Conroe at 3708 W. Davis St., Ste. C, Conroe.
What they offer: Daniel’s Barbershop offers men’s haircuts, and grooming services such as beard trim and shaves, nose and ear wax services and hair designs.
Lone Star College to launch early childhood education bachelor’s degree with help from grant
Lone Star College System is moving forward with plans to offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with help from a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release.
The details: The grant will help fund consulting services and curriculum development for the degree program, as stated in the release. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching will serve early childhood-grade 3 and early childhood-grade 6. The degree is expected to launch in fall 2026 with an initial cohort of 150 students, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release.
Diving in deeper: The bachelor’s degree would become the fifth bachelor’s program in the college system’s offerings, which includes cybersecurity, emergency management, energy and trades management and nursing, according to the release.
Willis ISD approves $97.18M balanced budget for FY 2025-26
Willis ISD has approved its fiscal year 2025-26 balanced budget, including a tax rate of $1.0349 per $100 valuation, which is the same as the previous fiscal year.
The gist: WISD Chief Financial Officer Garrett Matej previously presented the balanced budget at the July 9 workshop meeting following the impact of House Bill 2, as previously reported by Community Impact.The FY 2025-26 budget includes $97.18 million in both estimated revenues and expenditures. Some highlights include:
$4.8 million in student transportation expenses
$49.14 million in revenue from state programs
$1.91 million in instructional curriculum expenses
In other news: The board approved adopting the “off and away policy” in response to House Bill 1481.
Home sales see decline year over year in July in the Conroe, Montgomery area
July home sales saw a decrease year over year in the Conroe and Montgomery area, according to market data provided by local real estate firm The Sawyer Realty Group.
What you need to know: Home sales decreased in five of the eight ZIP codes in the Conroe and Montgomery area, with total home sales decreasing 1.7% year over year in July.
Meanwhile, the median price of homes sold increased year over year in July in five of the eight ZIP codes in the Conroe and Montgomery area. 77306 saw the largest percentage increase of 22.42%—going from $194,000 to $237,490. What else: The average time homes spent on the market in the Conroe and Montgomery area rose year over year in July. The largest percentage increase was in 77356 at 51.95%—homes went from spending an average of 77 days on the market last July to 117 days on the market this July.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
After a divine vision and a lifetime of inspiration from her entrepreneurial parents, Gloria Taylor traded real estate for the restaurant kitchen to openApple-licious Bakery Bistro, a soul food spot built on faith, family and second chances.
At Apple-licious Bakery Bistro customers can find honey crisp and granny smith flavored pastries from cheesecakes to pies and 20 different gourmet candy apples as well as breakfast tacos, apple wood smoked pulled pork, quiches, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Local Houston restaurant group Goode Company opens new bar in River Oaks (Read More)
Nourish Cafe is a ‘hidden gem’ within a wellness hub in Conroe (Read More)
New sushi restaurant opening in Manvel Town Center (Read More)
New Mexican-inspired restaurant with large, covered patio opening in Kemah (Read More)
ShanShan Su opened Mimi Garden TX in December to offer a comforting taste of home and to share the authentic art of Chinese dumpling making in The Woodlands. Rooted in his heritage, the restaurant embraces culinary creativity with handcrafted dumpling and bao dishes, he said.
“In Chinese, ‘mimi’ means secret. Our restaurant is nestled in the woods, like a hidden garden waiting to be found; a peaceful retreat where comfort, flavor, and quiet joy come together; a secret worth sharing,” Su said.
