TEA annual report just released The Texas Education Agency’s annual report was released last week. It indicates per-student funding in the 2021-2022 school year averaged $14,928 per student, up 42% since 2011. However, state funding has only risen slightly in the past decade, while local funding has increased substantially. Texas public schools educate 5.518 million

Smith County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between the county and Bosque County for the purchase of 20 Express Votes voting machines during their regular meeting held on Jan. 30. County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said since the creation of three new precincts in the county there is a need for more machines. One of

Candidates for school board, city and county offices have until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 to file for the Republican and Democratic primaries, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4. In person early voting for the primaries will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and will conclude on March 1. In Lindale, early voting will take place at

On Nov. 7, Texas voters will go to the polls and decide on a slate of amendments and local options, including a tax rate ratification for the Lindale ISD. In Lindale the early and General Election site is the Lindale Masonic Lodge, 200 W. Margaret Street. In Hideaway, voters can cast ballots at the Hideaway

By Gary Border Capital Highlights Abbott ties voucher passage to teacher pay, school funding Gov. Greg Abbott, just hours after the Senate initially approved a school voucher measure, said he would add teacher raises and increased public school funding to the ongoing special session agenda if the Texas Legislature passes his voucher plan, the Texas

Wildfire chances grow across state The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. “With the recent uptick in wildfire activity, Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized additional personnel and equipment to assist with response,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest

Early voting for Lindale and Smith County residents ends today with the polls staying open until 7 p.m. Local voters can cast their ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election at the Kinzie Community Center, 912 Mount Sylvan Road, or other early voter sites. Other county voting locations are the Smith County HUB, 304 E.

The Smith County Elections Office sent out 8,447 mail-in ballots requested by Smith County voters Thursday. If you have applied for a mail-in ballot and are eligible to receive one, it should be on its way to you through the U.S. Postal Service. Be on the lookout for an 11 ½ by 4 ½ green

With only seven races requiring run-offs, as can be expected, voter turnout was low with only 11.61% of voters in Smith County making their way to the polls for either early voting or Election Day voting July 14. The race that garnered the most attention was the race for the 114th District Court Republican run-off