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Eanes ISD is projected to head into the 2026-27 fiscal year with a financial surplus, following the board of trustees' adoption of the budget June 23.

By the numbers: EISD's new Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape provided three budget scenarios tied to possible compensation plans:

• Option 1: no compensation increase, resulting in a projected budget surplus of $1,579,858

• Option 2: a one-time payment of $700 for eligible employees, resulting in a projected budget surplus of $855,858

• Option 3: a 2% compensation increase, resulting in a projected budget shortfall of $54,297

The board ultimately voted 5-2 for Option 1, with trustees James Spradley and Kelly Marwill casting the dissenting votes.

The vote for Option 1 included removing the land sale revenues for a surplus of about $80,000. Trustee John Troy said waiting to provide a one-time payment would ensure that the budget doesn't inadvertently dip into a shortfall, since it is relying on the land sale, which should be finalized later this year.

Austin Surf Lodge, a lakefront “micro-resort” and wellness club, opened in Spicewood on Memorial Day.

The overview: The property offers lakefront cabins and suites that can be rented individually or combined for large groups.

Wellness and water activities including paddle boarding, kayaking, a sauna, and hot tub, while wakesurfing and pontoon charters are available to overnight guests and the general public.

The details: Austin Surf Lodge also plans to host camps and retreats for children and adults in the near future, owner Kristin Ehrgott said.

• Opened in May

• 1017 Indian Mound Road, Spicewood

Texas education officials gave preliminary approval June 23 to the state’s first mandatory reading list, which includes nearly 200 literary works that public school students would begin reading as soon as 2030.

The overview: The proposed list incorporates about a dozen stories from the Bible, including the tale of David and Goliath in second grade and direct biblical excerpts beginning in fourth grade. In total, students would be required to read more than two dozen texts in early elementary grades and about 10 literary works per year from sixth grade through high school.

What's happening: Members of the Republican-led State Board of Education voted 9-5 to cut several titles from the reading list June 23, following nearly eight hours of public testimony a day earlier.

More than half of those who testified June 22 asked the board to shorten the list, include more diverse authors and remove religious references. Others praised the SBOE for creating a list that they said would teach students about “American exceptionalism” and prioritize classical literature.