EDUCATION: Stories to watch in 2020 include Lone Star College programs, Tomball ISD projects

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2118 in 2017 to allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize certain public junior colleges to offer bachelor’s programs in applied science, applied technology and nursing—fields that face severe shortages of technically skilled workers locally, Head said. •Licensed registered nurses can earn the nursing degree to be better prepared for leadership and management roles; students pursuing careers in information technology can take specialized cybersecurity courses; and students who hold an Associate of Applied Science degree can further their qualifications through the BAS-EMTM program to advance their roles in energy, manufacturing and trades industries, according to LSCS officials.

“Students interested in earning one of these degrees can enroll at LSC, study close to home and take advantage of paying the same tuition rates to earn a bachelor’s degree as they would an associate degree, saving them thousands of dollars,” said Alton Smith, LSCS board of trustees chairperson, in a press release.

Applications for the programs will be accepted starting Feb. 3. Prospective students interested in applying for the programs can visit •www.lonestar.edu/bachelors• for more information.

Tomball ISD bond projects progress

The Tomball ISD district stadium and community center planned for a complex on Cypress Rosehill Road, is slated to open in August 2021, delayed from a previous timeline of August 2020 trustees said at a Dec. 10 meeting.

Trustees also approved several items relating to projects from the 2017 bond referendum at the meeting, including the purchase of office and classroom furniture and equipment for the new Agricultural Science Project Center at Tomball High School, totaling $321,050. The construction cost will be $7.08 million, according to meeting information.

This article ran in the January 2020 edition of The Woodlands. Read the full e-edition here.