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Highland Village officials approve interlocal agreement with Denton County for road reconstruction
Highland Village City Council members unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Denton County to fund the Highland Shores Boulevard reconstruction project at a Sept. 23 meeting.
This comes after the city approved selling around $7.08 million in certificates of obligation for this project, as well as the reconstruction of Highland Village Road, at a Sept. 9 meeting.
The details: The Highland Shores Boulevard reconstruction project consists of replacing the concrete pavement section with new pavement, enhancing drainage, enhancing pedestrian and traffic safety and calming traffic from the intersection of Briarhill Boulevard to Twin Coves Drive, according to city documents.
The project will cost a total of $10.2 million. The city of Highland Village will pay $5.5 million, funded through certificates of obligation. The city will repay those funds over a 20-year period, said Amber Chien, assistant vice president at Hilltop Securities.
Denton County has agreed to pay for the other 50% of the project, not to exceed $5.54 million.
North Texas Ob-Gyn Associates to relocate in Flower Mound
North Texas Ob-Gyn Associates will be moving to a new location in Flower Mound next month, Receptionist Hanah Sung said.
The overview: The office will be located in Center Place, along with two other medical offices, per previous reporting.
What they offer: North Texas Ob-Gyn Associates provides obstetric care, including in-office ultrasound services and non-stress tests, gynecological care including treating pelvic infections and menstrual irregularities, and preventive care, according to its website. The office is currently located at 3424 Long Prairie Road, Ste. 200, Flower Mound, Sung said.
New Song School of Arts to bring new location in Southlake
New Song School of the Arts will open its second location in Southlake.
Founded 26 years ago in Lewisville and serving the Argyle community for the past 13 years, New Song School of the Arts is owned by Heather and Todd Parks. Their newest campus will be located inside Southlake Baptist Church.
The details: According to previous Community Impact reporting, New Song offers private lessons in various instruments—including piano, voice, guitar, percussion, strings, woodwinds and brass—as well as theater in several mediums.
What happened: Todd Parks said the original plan to expand was focused on Ponder until a chance encounter changed that. Southlake Baptist Church Pastor Clayton Reed officiated a wedding in Argyle and called the Parks about possibly bringing their services to Southlake.
Texas to overhaul STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027
The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.
The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.
Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA.
The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.
