Texas State University purchases downtown apartments for $151 million
Texas State University has purchased two apartment buildings in downtown San Marcos to house an additional 1,086 students.
The Vistas and Sanctuary Lofts were acquired by TXST in December, and the university took over management of the properties in January. The $151 million purchase of the two properties was cheaper per square foot than building new dormitories, according to Bill Mattera, executive director of housing and residential life at TXST.
“The goal is just to offer more affordable housing for students and really lower the rates of these properties,” Mattera said.
Read the full story here.
5 candidates running for Hays CISD board of trustees
Hays CISD will hold a board of trustees election in May for Single-Member District 3 and an at-large trustee position.
Following the Feb. 16 filing deadline, five candidates, including one incumbent, have filed to run. If elected, trustees will serve three-year terms.
On the ballot
The candidates who filed for Single-Member District 3 are:
- Courtney Runkle (incumbent/board secretary)
- Ramón Chavez
- Katy Armstrong
- Geoff Seibel
- Jay Adcock
Learn more about the election here.
Hays CISD board approves 4 new district hires
Pfluger Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Lara will become the first principal of Jim Cullen Elementary School, which is set to open in August for the 2024-25 school year. Lara has been with the district for nine years and was previously assistant principal at Lehman High School.
Mark Torres will become the athletic coordinator and head football coach for Hays High School. Torres is the head football coach for Pebble Hills High School in El Paso.
Alan Duerr, Hays CISD deputy chief technology officer, has been promoted to chief technology officer. Duerr has been with the district for 22 years in a variety of roles and was named Hays CISD Administrator of the Year in 2019.
Johnson High School is set to get a new director of bands, following approval from the Hays CISD board of trustees during a regular board meeting Feb. 26.
Joni Perez will replace Director Joey Lucita, who led the band programs at Johnson and Lehman High School and will retire at the end of the school year.
Read more about the new HCISD employees here.
