Introducing: Know Your Schools

A community project to understand how our local school districts really work.

Over the coming months, Think and Act Locally takes a deep dive into our school districts — starting with Deer Park ISD, then La Porte ISD and Pasadena ISD. This isn't about assigning blame or picking political fights. It's about asking better questions as citizens and taxpayers: are our schools actually delivering what they promise?

Deer Park ISD serves over 12,800 students across 15 schools — award-winning fine arts, strong athletics and CTE pathways, teachers averaging 12-plus years, turnover well below the state average. On paper, things look good. But does the reality match the promise? The district commits to "maximizing educational opportunities for all students" and to graduates "prepared to master the intellectual, economic, civic, social, and ethical challenges of adulthood." Those are bold commitments. We plan to examine whether it's meeting them.

Our approach: Systems, Not Scapegoats. We examine structures and incentives, not individual teachers or administrators — most educators enter the profession to serve children. We'll look at performance data, achievement gaps, financial stewardship, and whether practice aligns with the stated mission, and help you ask better questions at board meetings. Because you're not just a customer of the district — you're a shareholder.

Come prepared: check your campus's TEA report card at tea.texas.gov (search "TEA school report card [school name]").

Watch on YouTube →

Liberty Watch — Your Government, This Week

This week's civic focus is the Know Your Schools launch above. Council cadence continues: Deer Park & Pasadena meet Jan 20; La Porte Jan 12 & 26 (604 W Fairmont Parkway). Deer Park CC at 710 E San Augustine St, 7:30 PM; Pasadena at 1149 Ellsworth, 6th Floor, 6 PM.

Prosperity Spotlight

Norris Machine Works — family-owned in Deer Park since the mid-1940s. Glen Norris started in his garage, built the current shop at 7200 Long Drive in 1960, and passed it down — three generations, nearly 80 years, still family-owned. CNC machining, custom metal fabrication, precision industrial work. "We have always and still do strive to do good, honest work." 7200 Long Drive, Deer Park · norrismachineworks.com.

The Cosmic Bean — 5834 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena. Espresso and kolaches amid comic-book decor.

Eight Turn Crepe — 3633 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena. Japanese rice-flour crepes (gluten-free options) and bubble tea.

The Neighborhood Scoop — 2106 Strawberry Rd, Pasadena. Angus burgers, chicken tenders, hand-dipped ice cream.

Growth & Learning

Tuttle Twins — illustrated books teaching kids 5–11 about free markets, personal responsibility, and individual liberty; a natural complement to "Know Your Schools."

Check out the Tuttle Twins →

Affiliate link — David uses these with his own kids.

Carried over: the La Porte Public Library's $20,000 Hancher Foundation digitization grant, 34 La Porte HS AP Scholars, San Jacinto College's $500,000 Houston Endowment grant and new leadership, and two local Certified Emergency Manager credentials — all detailed in our Week-1 Growth & Learning roundup.

We spend a lot of ink holding government accountable for financial sustainability. Fair question back at us: how sustainable are your own finances? Since last August I've run a simple, almost boring options framework — target around 1% a week, an hour or two to manage, none of the day-trading drama. It runs on the philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, control what you can actually control. (It's the framework I use personally; the founder goes by Troy.)

Check out Low Stress Options →

Sponsors support the mission, never influence the message — I don't recommend anything I don't use.

Service Spotlight — CrowdHealth

My family of four has never carried traditional health insurance. We used a health-sharing ministry for years and recently switched to CrowdHealth. The model: a per-person monthly subscription for the platform and advocacy team, then each month you contribute toward another member's bills — never more than your set max. When you have an event, you pay a $500 commitment and the community covers the rest. We're testing it live right now on a $6,000 ER visit — CrowdHealth negotiates it down, I pay $500, the crowd covers the rest. No claims department, no denial letters. Our family runs roughly $400–660/month versus $1,500–2,500 for traditional Texas family coverage. What sold me: unlike an insurer, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness — it's members helping members.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Referral link; paying member since January.

Service Opportunities

La Porte Fire Department — now accepting Volunteer Firefighter applications: laportetx.gov/1330/fire.

Your School District Needs You — campus volunteer programs across all three districts, La Porte ISD HELPS Mentoring, the education foundations, and CTE career-day speakers. You don't need a child in school to help.

Loving La Porte — Michael and Kristy Hanks joined Joseph Daughtery, who feeds 80–150 kids at the La Porte Library after school, 3–4 times a week, out of his own pocket. They're building toward a community center (food pantry, clothing, life skills, laundry, tutoring). 84% of La Porte Elementary students live below the poverty line. Volunteer: setup 2:15 PM weekdays, Harris County Library, La Porte. Donate: Michael Hanks, 832-867-3499, mhanks11@hotmail.com. LovingLaPorte.org.

Blue Santa milestone — La Porte PD served nearly 1,000 children this season (up from 600–700). Registration reopens October 2026.

Pet of the Week

Sinor — a sweet, neutered, vaccinated dog found under a trailer, now thriving at the Deer Park Animal Shelter, 4221 Luella Ave. Greets the staff tail-wagging every morning and walks well on a leash.

Community Calendar

Paso Robles Wine Dinner — Wed Jan 14, Ed's Bistro, 102 W Main St, La Porte. Five-course dinner with Halter Winery pairings, $95, reservations 281-402-5200.

Texans Wild Card Party — NFL Wild Card weekend; watch parties around the bay area. Check your favorite local spot for game-day specials.

From Local Theory

New Year, New Mountain playlist.

Take Action This Week

Pull up your campus's TEA report card · attend a January school board or council meeting · try one new local eatery.

Value for Value

TAAL provides value freely; you give back based on the value you receive. No paywalls, no required subscriptions. We feature paid local sponsorships — but their support never influences our message. Three ways to give: Time (share it, show up, report back), Talent (submit stories, photos, expertise), and Treasure (support the mission when you receive value).

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