SCUCISD passes balanced budget, officially calls for VATRE
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD's board of trustees passed its fiscal year 2025-26 budget on Aug. 18 and officially called for a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, this fall.
The overview
The FY 2025-26 budget was passed with a balance between total revenues and total expenditures in the general fund—both equaling $177.93 million.
The budget makes room for $17.15 million in revenue that would come to the district if the VATRE is successful, with the district setting its FY 2025-26 voter-approval tax rate at $1.1969 per $100 valuation. This is an increase of $0.06 per $100 from FY 2024-25.
Read the full story by reporter Thomas Leffler.
Cottage bakery now selling desserts in New Braunfels, Northeast San Antonio areas
A home-based cottage bakery specializing in desserts is now serving the New Braunfels and surrounding areas.
How it happened
Taste Heaven on Earth—owned by Avion Moore—began operating in June and serves patrons in the New Braunfels, Northeast San Antonio and San Marcos areas.
Taste Heaven on Earth offers a selection of puddings including banana pudding. Moore also sells custom flavors like Golden Cookie and Mercy & Mocha. Customers can order what they want online and have it delivered or schedule a time to pick up.
Read the full story by Reporter Andrew Creelman.
New Braunfels officials celebrate opening of Alligator Creek Trail
New Braunfels officials celebrated the opening of a $1.5 million trail named Alligator Creek Trail at 250 Escarpment Oak on Aug. 22.
Some details
Alligator Creek Trail is a 1.1-mile hike and bike trail. Trail construction began in November 2024 and was constructed by Jerdon Enterprise LP, according to a news release.
The trail features a 10-foot-wide concrete walking and bike path. Alligator Creek Trail also has benches, trash cans, trail signage, dog waste stations and direct connections into nearby neighborhoods like Oak Creek Estates, the release states.
Read the full story by Editor Amira Van Leeuwen.
Texas General Land Office acquires Menger Hotel, Crockett Hotel
On Aug. 26, the Texas General Land Office, in partnership with Rockbridge and the Alamo Trust Inc., announced that it acquired the Menger Hotel and The Crockett Hotel.
The overview
According to a news release, the purchase will strengthen the visitor experience at The Alamo and is in line with the Alamo Plan. The plan includes building the Alamo District, which includes a new museum, new exhibits and buildings that will reshape visitors’ perception of The Alamo.
The two properties have not been available for purchase in decades and sit adjacent to the Alamo grounds. Both hotels stand on land that once formed part of the agricultural fields of Mission San Antonio de Valero, the 18th-century Spanish mission that would later become known as The Alamo, according to a news release.
Read the full story by Reporter Parks Kugle.
New Braunfels ISD looks to approve new disciplinary measures, artificial intelligence rules
In the new 2025-26 school year, New Braunfels ISD students and parents will see updated restrictions on artificial intelligence and increased abilities for the district to discipline students.
These changes to the Student Code of Conduct were unanimously approved by the NBISD board of trustees during a regular meeting on Aug. 11. The 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct factors in the required updates passed into law following the 89th Texas Legislative session, according to board documents.
The background
House Bill 6 gives public school teachers more discretion to remove students who are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others from the classroom, as stated in previous Community Impact reporting. The change comes after nearly half of Texas public school teachers cited discipline issues as a top workplace challenge in 2022, according to the Texas Education Agency.
In accordance with HB6, an NBISD teacher may now initiate a student’s formal removal from class based on a single incident of behavior.
Read the full story by Managing Editor Sierra Martin.
