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Local districts maintain steady TEA ratings By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend ISD maintained a steady overall rating, even as it saw some schools land on the unrated list because of low test scores in the first Texas Education Agency ratings to come out since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The county’s major school districts – Fort Bend, Stafford MSD and Lamar Consolidated – all earned B ratings from the agency, putting them in line with about 54 percent of school districts in Texas, according to the data. “While these ratings do
SEE RATINGS PAGE 9
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Fort Bend exploring new broadband project By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend County is exploring a $36.76 million project to expand broadband access across the region, using federal money to help pay for the plan. Houston-based consulting firm Cobb Fendley recently determined that a large swath of southwestern Fort Bend County remains underserved by broadband access, according to the results of a feasibility study presented to the commissioners court late last month. “If you have a plan, ready to go, you’ve got a better chance of getting the funding,” Commissioner Vincent Morales said of the feasibility study. Essentially, engineers will Cobb Fendley have proposed a $36.76 million project that would construct a network of fiber cables near major thoroughfares in Fort Bend County that could serve as a backbone for internet connectivity across the area. Several competitive federal programs exist to help secure funding for that project, but they require the county to put forth a 30 percent match, according to Melissa Beaudry, a project manager for Cobb Fendley. More than 60 percent of Fort Bend County remains undeveloped, and this project would help secure broadband infrastructure for the future growth of Fort Bend County, Judge
SEE PROJECT PAGE 9
Fort Bend ISD students and teachers returned to school this past week, bringing with them sense of excitement and fun for a new school year. (Photos courtesy of Fort Bend ISD)
Travis grad completes elite Navy flight training program By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
A recently-graduated student from Fort Bend County now has a private fighter pilot license after completing an elite U.S. Navy flight training program. Rishita Bagga, who recently graduated from Fort Bend ISD’s Travis High School, completed the U.S. Navy Summer Flight Academy aviation program at
Delaware State University. Completion of the eightweek program, which ran from June 12-Aug. 5, earns graduates their FAA Private Pilot’s License and five college credits, according to a news release from the Navy. During the course of the program, the Navy said Bagga passed the FAA written exam and completed 52 hours of flight time – including multiple solo flights – to earn her pilot’s license
and the college credits. Bagga, who moved to the United States from Punjab, India in the third grade, was one of just 20 juniors and seniors from thousands around the country selected to participate in the program. “The goal of the scholarship program is to expose exceptional minority students to a career path that currently lacks diversity,” said Commander Chris Williams, a Navy fighter
Travis High School grad Rishita Bagga, left, recently completed the U.S. Navy Summer Flight Academy Aviation program. (Contributed photo)
pilot and program instructor. “Rishita Bagga has what it takes to be a leader in the field of aviation, and the Navy is honored to have played a part in her personal and professional journey.”
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