Another promotion has been announced in the College Station school district.
The new principal at Rock Prairie Elementary is current interim Kathryn Ballard.
She took over following Mike Martindale’s promotion as the first principal at College Station High School.
Ballard was Rock Prairie’s assistant principal the last two years. She’s a former assistant principal in Bryan at Jones Elementary and in the Conroe district.
The Bryan city council will be holding a special meeting May 5th to consider giving property tax breaks to a proposed data center on the RELLIS campus. A city spokesman says no other information can be released at this time about what may be offered to an unidentified company to build and equip a $298 million dollar facility, when it might be built, or the number of employees. A spokesman at the Texas A&M system, which owns the RELLIS campus, tells WTAW News that there is nothing to share at this time. There have been no public notices from Brazos County or Bryan ISD about those governing bodies considering similar proposals.
Bryan police spent the better part of one hour Tuesday afternoon (April 7) investigating a threat at Rudder High School that resulted in a lockdown. BPD social media stated the lockdown was lifted around 1:35 p.m. after no credible threat was found. BPD social media added that “At this time, officers have not located or received any reports of injuries, assaults, or active violence.” A Bryan ISD spokesman said two nearby campuses, Rayburn Intermediate and Mitchell Elementary, were placed in “secure mode” during the investigation at Rudder. Principals at all three campuses sent messages to parents. News release from Bryan police and Bryan ISD: On April 7, 2026, at approximately 12:50 p.m., James Earl Rudder High School received a phone call from an unknown individual claiming to be in the school parking lot and stating an intent to cause harm to students and staff. Rudder High School staff immediately took decisive action by initiating lockdown procedures and notifying law enforcement. School Resource Officers with the Bryan Police Department who were already on campus took immediate action, partnering with school administrators to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff. Additional Bryan Police Department officers responded to the scene, established a perimeter around the campus, and conducted a thorough search of both the exterior and interior of the property. After completing the investigation, it was determined the threat was not credible. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 1:35 p.m. The Bryan Police Department is actively investigating the origin of the phone call. Due to the proximity of James Earl Rudder High School, Sam Rayburn Intermediate School and Harvey Mitchell Elementary were placed in “Secure” status. “Secure” status means all exterior doors are locked, no one is allowed to enter or leave, and normal activities continue inside the building. The Bryan Police Department would like to commend the swift and professional actions of Rudder High School staff and the School Resource Officers on scene. Their immediate response ensured the safety of students and staff during this incident. Bryan Police Department also appreciates the quick coordination and cooperation from Bryan ISD administration. Additional officers will remain visible on campuses as a precaution. The safety of Bryan ISD students and staff will always remain our top priority.
The leader of the OPAS performing arts series at Texas A&M the last 39 years is retiring. Anne Black, who is in her 42nd year at A&M, will continue working and advising the OPAS staff through August. The lineup for OPAS season 54 will be announced on April 22nd. News release from OPAS: After 41 years of service, OPAS Executive Director Anne Black will retire from Texas A&M University in August of this year. Anne has been with the university since 1984 and has been with OPAS for 41 of the organization’s 53 seasons. Anne began her remarkable career working with then Executive Director James Randolph. as a program coordinator. She became executive director of OPAS in 1987, a role she has served ever since. During her tenure, OPAS continued to cement itself as a world-class performing arts presenter, attracting artists from across the country and world to Texas A&M University including Itzhak Perlman, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Chicago Symphony, Rudolf Nureyev, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax and the world premiere of the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Company in 1990. In the first years of her leadership, Anne began solidifying relationships with leaders in the industry including the Broadway tour community, resulting in Bryan-College Station becoming a sought-after stop for national tours. Since that time, OPAS has presented over 30 Tony Award-winning plays and musicals including The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Man of La Mancha, A Chorus Line, Crazy for You, Rent, The Producers, In the Heights, Once and most recently Hadestown. In 1999, Les Misérables played Rudder for a week of sold-out performances. Hundreds of performances, thousands of tickets, dozens of community engagement partnerships later, Anne Black has solidified herself as not only a trailblazer in the industry but also a key member of the Brazos Valley community. In addition to her work as OPAS Executive Director, she has led and been a featured speaker for countless industry organizations including Southwest Presenters, Arts Midwest (now Midwest Arts XPO), Association of Performing Arts Professionals and others. Anne will continue working and advising the OPAS staff through August. The staff, which includes two former members of the MSC OPAS student committee, works closely with Anne and the OPAS Board of Directors. Anne states, “It’s been a remarkable experience and I couldn’t be prouder of the growth of OPAS thanks to the support of the university and the community. That framework is one of the things that makes OPAS truly special.” She continues, “Another key component that makes OPAS special is the MSC OPAS Student Committee. We couldn’t do what we do without them.” She concludes, “It’s the people in OPAS that make it special and what I will miss the most. Our staff, our board, our students and our volunteers, I’m very proud of the team we’ve built to continue the lasting legacy of OPAS. We’re in great hands!” Scott Shafer, Professor and Executive Director of Texas A&M’s Campus and Community Enrichment, states, “Texas A&M and the larger community have benefited so much from Anne’s four decades of creative and consistent leadership. It’s impossible to quantify the value she has provided through educating students and her contributions to our quality of life in Bryan/College Station.” In retirement, Anne looks forward to spending more time with her family, working in her garden and attending OPAS performances. OPAS Season 54, which Anne and the OPAS staff are finalizing now, will be announced on April 22, 2026. A university reception will be hosted for Anne in August. ABOUT OPAS: Founded in 1972, OPAS at Texas A&M University presents professional productions of theatre, music and dance programs that enlighten, entertain and inspire audiences of the Brazos Valley. OPAS is situated in the Department of Community Engagement. and supported by Texas A&M University with programming funded by revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and contributions.
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