New Braunfels ISD board members received an update on the Texas Academic Performance Report, or TAPR, at a board meeting Feb. 9.

The TAPR, released in December, compiles district and campus data from the 2024-25 school year. The report expands on accountability ratings shared in August and includes information on student performance, demographics, staffing, programs and financial integrity, according to the Texas Education Agency website.

The results: NBISD earned an overall “B” rating under the state’s A-F accountability system. The district also received “meets requirements” designation for special education, the highest level awarded by the state, according to the presentation to the board.

Enrollment last year totaled 9,870 students, according to agenda documents. In program participation, 11% of students were enrolled in bilingual/English as a second language services, 9.1% in gifted and talented programs and 16.3% in special education—which closely mirrors state numbers.

Meanwhile, graduation rates rose to 96%, while attendance rates remained steady.

The Comal Education Foundation—a nonprofit organization connected to Comal ISD—is celebrating its 25th anniversary this spring.

About the organization: The foundation, which first formed in 2001, has worked to enrich learning and expand educational opportunities beyond what tax dollars provide, through classroom grants for teachers, scholarships for graduating seniors, career-readiness programs, workforce partnerships and student entrepreneurship initiatives, Goodloe said.

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of community leaders, business partners and district representatives.

• 1404 I-35 N. frontage road, New Braunfels

Guadalupe County Commissioners are considering creating a public-private partnership for the operations at the county’s animal shelter.

Right now, the county’s animal shelter is currently entirely taxpayer funded. A public-private partnership would allow Guadalupe County to retain policy and regulatory oversight while contracting operational responsibility to a nonprofit entity, Lieutenant Zachary McBride said during a presentation to commissioners on Jan. 27.

Enforcement would remain with animal control under the sheriff’s office while shelter operations move to experts in shelter management.

The impact: Over the last four fiscal years, the county’s budget has increased annually by about 18%. Approximately 89% of the budget, which is about $526,000 is dedicated to county personnel, with $63,000 funding shelter operations, which has been “woefully insufficient,” McBride said.

By shifting shelter operations and veterinary coordination to a nonprofit partner the county would avoid paying market rate veterinary prices yielding $158,000-$253,000 in annual savings.

“A public-private partnership introduces adoption fees, grants, donations, economies of scale and volunteer labor,” McBride said, which would create $30,000-$100,000 in new revenue.

After being a part of Texas Children in Nature Network’s San Antonio chapter and then moving to Kerrville, Helen Holdsworth said she wanted to launch a Hill Country chapter.

Some details: TCiNN is a grassroots statewide network of over 900 partner organizations and individuals dedicated to connecting children and families with nature, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

Holdsworth, who serves as the director of stewardship education at the Witte Museum, said the Hill Country Texas Children in Nature Network Collaborative’s purpose is to not only get kids outside but also serve as a resource for organizations to network and support one another.