Bryan School District Considers Innovative Changes for 2025-26 Calendar Amid Community Input

Bryan School District Looks Ahead to 2025-26 Calendar

In the city of Bryan, exciting discussions are already underway about shaping the school calendar for the 2025-26 school year. During a recent school board meeting on November 4, board member David Stasny brought up an intriguing idea aimed at enriching students’ academic experiences. He suggested that the school might consider holding classes during vacation periods to give students a chance to catch up on their studies and improve their learning outcomes. This plan could also provide an opportunity for interested teachers to earn some extra pay during those breaks!

Associate Superintendent Barbara Ybarra chimed in, emphasizing that it’s often the teacher who sees the student every day who is best equipped to support them. With this perspective, it’s clear that blending extra teaching opportunities with academic catch-up could be quite beneficial for both students and faculty alike. But what do parents think? Well, they’ll soon have their chance to weigh in! In December, the school district plans to send out calendar surveys to parents of Bryan ISD students, allowing them to share their opinions and preferences regarding the new calendar.

Livestock Laws in Brazos County Face Invalid Results

In a surprising turn of events, more than 55,000 Brazos County voters recently approved local laws requiring specific livestock to be fenced in. However, just a day after the results were announced post-November 5 election, county officials deem them invalid! Brazos County general counsel Bruce Erratt explained that the state law regarding voting on these livestock issues only allows “freeholders”—or landowners—registered to vote in the county to participate in this type of election.

Erratt stated they would seek advice from the secretary of state’s office on whether a special election is warranted. Should qualified petitions make their way through again, the county could move forward with the appropriate measures. According to Texas state law, animals such as cattle, goats, and hogs are generally allowed to roam free unless the local voters agree on fencing requirements. It looks like the community will need some clarity before moving forward!

Troubles Continue for Local Man Tied to Prostitution Case

In another part of town, Bryan police recently re-arrested Walter Nunez-Toledano, a man who initially evaded a traffic stop on October 8. The reason? He is now involved in a serious situation concerning promoting prostitution. This revelation comes after a collaborative investigation between Bryan police and the FBI, which uncovered significant evidence during the earlier traffic encounter.

More than $17,000 in cash was found along with a motel key card that led investigators to question Walter’s wife, who claimed to have worked as a prostitute at that very motel. Despite her assertions, Walter denied any wrongdoing. Following his earlier release on a $3,000 bond, the 35-year-old is now back in a more significant bind, with a hefty bond of $170,000 awaiting him.

College Station Explores Convention Center Feasibility

Meanwhile, in College Station, city council members are taking steps towards exploring the potential of a new convention center. They recently awarded a contract to begin a feasibility study that could cost up to $80,000 if both phases are pursued. The process kicks off with an initial eight-week phase, gathering insights from local stakeholders and analyzing hotel and convention data over the last seven years.

Councilman Bob Yancy had some questions about the details, which city’s tourism manager Jeremiah Cook was more than happy to explain. Should the council decide to proceed to the second phase, this would involve evaluating possible sites for the center, its financing logistics, economic impact, and potential return on investment. The council first fleshed out the idea of the convention center back in May 2023, and it seems to be gaining momentum!

Staying Informed

As Bryan and College Station gear up for these discussions and developments, it’s an exciting time! Keeping the community involved and informed, especially on matters that affect education and local governance, is key. Stay tuned for more updates as these initiatives unfold!