On Oct. 19, the principals of San Marcos High School and Mendez Elementary School presented targeted improvement plans to the San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees.

The plans are aimed at increasing graduation rates at the high school and raising the elementary school’s rating from the Texas Education Agency, or TEA.

The overview: In 2022, San Marcos High School had a graduation rate of 39.2%, said Principal Eileen Grose. The rate rose to 83.8% in 2023. The campus is working toward a rate of 90.5% to 95% by spring 2027.

Campus teams have dedicated time weekly to review student data, plan and align instruction across classrooms and grade levels through Professional Learning Communities.

Another thing: Mendez Elementary School received a 63, or 'D,' rating from the TEA in the 2026 A-F Accountability Scores. The rating marks a 26-point, two-letter-grade decrease from the school’s overall score of an 89 in 2025, according to the TEA.

The school is working to reach an overall 'C' or higher rating by 2027.

The San Marcos City Council approved a zoning change that will accommodate more accessible parking for patients at a new Veterans Affairs, or VA, hospital development on Oct. 20.

The gist: Developers submitted a request to rezone approximately 4.6 acres of land located near the intersection of Wonder World Drive and State Highway 123 from Commercial, or CM, to Business Park, or BP.

While CM zoning would allow the hospital’s development, it includes parking location restrictions. The BP distinction does not carry those restrictions, according to agenda documents.

More flexible parking options would make it easier for older patients or those with serious medical conditions to access the clinic, said Shannon Mattingly, director of land use and entitlements with Drenner Group.

The details: The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the requested zoning change for approval with a unanimous 9-0 vote on Sept. 22. The City Council approved the change with a unanimous 7-0 vote, voicing its support for the project.

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin pushes back on proposed Parmer Lane highway conversion: Austin City Council approved a resolution directing city staff to work with regional transportation agencies to prioritize safety, walking, biking and transit in proposed Parmer Lane improvements amid concerns that a plan to convert the corridor into a multilane highway could increase traffic, noise and pollution.

Kyle reevaluates 6 priority intersections marked for roundabouts: On Aug. 18, the Kyle City Council approved an almost $500,000 reevaluation of 12 intersections where roundabouts were recommended. The results of intersection analyses at six priority locations were presented on Oct. 20. Of the six intersections reevaluated, four were recommended for road remedies other than roundabouts and two were recommended to continue pursuing roundabouts.

Pflugerville's FM 685 median removal to bring overnight lane closures Oct. 26-30: As part of the city’s Downtown East project, a new traffic light is being installed at the intersection, and Main Street is being extended from its current terminus at N. Railroad Avenue.

Early voting in Texas began on Oct. 19 and will continue until Oct. 30, before election day on Nov. 3. Austin-area voters can now head to the polls, trading their “I Voted” sticker for freebies and discounts at businesses across the city.

Voters can find their closest polling site at communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

This list is not comprehensive.

Taco Flats

Voters can present their voting sticker at any Taco Flats location for a free TF Original taco.

• 5520 Burnet Road, Ste. 101, Austin; 1110 W. Lynn St., Austin; 2500 E. 6th St., Austin; 12221 Riata Trace Parkway, Ste. 100, Austin; 900 Ranch Road 620 S, Ste. c104, Lakeway

Nunya Neighborhood Bar

After going to the polls, voters can visit the east Austin bar for a free beer or hot dog.

• 1806 E. 12th St., Austin

Hyperreal Film Club

The local movie theatre is offering free popcorn to voters who show their “I Voted” sticker.

• 301 Chicon St., Ste. A, Austin