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August 14, 2026
Texas’ schools A-F grades relatively flat while more districts hope to avoid takeovers

(Texas Tribune) Texas schools receive their state report cards Friday, providing families a glimpse of how well schools educate students. Those who consistently get low grades inch toward state takeovers. This year’s ratings come as at least five school districts sit on the brink of state intervention — Austin, Waco, Greenville, Ector County and Ralls.

Austin ISD moves closer to state takeover after 2 schools receive fifth failing ratings

(Texas Tribune) Thursday’s announcement, which comes a day before TEA publicly releases accountability ratings statewide, moves Austin ISD one step closer to potential state intervention after months of district efforts to avoid it.

Houston ISD reports 4 F-rated schools as A and B campuses grow

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s number of F-rated schools rose from zero to four in 2026 – even as its number of A- and B-rated campuses continued to grow, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Thursday. Related:

Gov. Greg Abbott proposes further limiting screen time in K-12 classrooms

(Texas Tribune) The proposal, which would have to be passed by the Legislature, follows a ban on cellphone use in K-12 schools approved by lawmakers last year.

‘We are at the crossroad’: East Central ISD pursuing tax rate increase, again

(San Antonio Express-News) East Central ISD cut 48 staff members after voters rejected tax rate increases in the past two years. In November, voters will have another chance to approve an increase.

San Antonio superintendent pay scrutinized at districts with big budget deficits

(News4SA) Many San Antonio school districts are heading into the new school year with big budget deficits, leading to increased scrutiny on the pay packages they give their superintendents.

United ISD restores Communities in Schools program at 5 campuses

(KGNS) United ISD is bringing back its Communities in Schools (CIS) program this year, but at fewer campuses than before. Trustees approved a plan to restore CIS at five campuses, down from the original 15. The move reduces the district’s cost from $400,000 to $115,000. The decision comes as UISD continues looking for ways to reduce expenses while maintaining supports for at-risk students.

What we know about Odin Hensley’s death at Lake Travis ISD football practice

(Houston Chronicle) The Lake Travis High School community is in mourning following the confirmed death of 17-year-old football player Odin Hensley. His sudden passing raises crucial questions regarding the specific details of the incident and the safety protocols surrounding August high school football practices in Texas. Here is a breakdown of what we know and what remains unanswered.

Goliad ISD trustee re-arrested on stalking, child sexual assault charges

(Crossroads Today) Goliad ISD trustee Daniel San Miguel was arrested Wednesday in Refugio County on charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a child. In June 2026, San Miguel was terminated from the Refugio Police Department after being arrested by the Texas Rangers. In that case, he was charged in Goliad County with aggravated sexual assault of a child and official oppression. San Miguel served as a school resource officer for Refugio ISD from January 2026 through May 2026. He also currently serves on the Goliad ISD Board of Trustees. In a statement given to Crossroads Today in June, Goliad ISD Superintendent Holly Lyon said the board does not have the authority to remove an elected trustee from office. Any removal proceedings would have to be handled through the court system.

Plano ISD fires Brinker Elementary principal after teacher’s arrest in abuse case

(CBS Texas) The Plano ISD school board voted unanimously Thursday night to terminate Brinker Elementary School Principal Jennifer King, making her the latest school employee to lose her job following allegations of student abuse. King’s termination follows the firing and arrest of Brinker’s second-grade teacher, Paul Campbell, last month. According to Plano police arrest records, four second-grade students have accused the 64-year-old teacher of inappropriate touching. Investigators say some students reported Campbell touched or rubbed them inappropriately when they went to his desk to ask questions.

Retired Richardson Coach Charged Again for Child Sex Abuse Material

(Texas Scorecard) A retired Richardson teacher and coach is facing a new first-degree felony charge for possessing a large quantity of child sexual abuse material. Charles Ray “Chuck” Brandon, 68, was arrested Tuesday and charged with possession of more than 500 visual depictions of child pornography. Brandon worked at Berkner High School in the Richardson Independent School District for 30 years, from 1991 to 2021. During that time, he coached girls’ soccer and taught speech and debate. In October 2023, Frisco police arrested Brandon on a similar charge after receiving a tip and searching his home, where investigators found “multiple images meeting the Texas statutory definition of child pornography.”

Teenager indicted on child sex crime charges stemming from Canyon ISD bus incident

(KVII) A Randall County grand jury indicted a 17-year-old in connection with alleged child sex crimes on a Canyon Independent School District bus. Ayden Sanning was indicted on two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact and two counts of indecency with a child by exposure. The incident happened Feb. 27 on a Randall High School bus carrying the junior varsity baseball team home from a tournament in Lubbock, according to a criminal complaint. Investigators said the alleged acts were captured by the bus surveillance system. Videos also were recovered from students’ cellphones through search warrants.

1 detained after incident involving gun at KIPP Mosaic Academy in southwest Houston, HPD says

(KTRK) A gun was pulled out during a confrontation at KIPP Mosaic Academy on Thursday morning, the Houston Police Department confirmed. In a letter to families later that day, KIPP said the incident was an altercation between a parent and someone unaffiliated with the school. KIPP said that while some families may have witnessed a firearm during the altercation, no students or staff were harmed and the offender was arrested by HPD. Officers confirmed to ABC13 that a person was immediately detained in connection with the incident.

Irving ISD high school investigated for possible tuberculosis exposure

(Fox 4 KDFW) Dallas County Health & Human Services is investigating possible tuberculosis exposure at MacArthur High School that happened during the 2025-26 school year. Students who are returning as 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students this year are strongly recommended to get tested for tuberculosis. It’s unclear when and where the exposure to tuberculosis at the high school happened last year.

Everman ISD employee killed in Fort Worth road rage shooting on I-20; suspect arrested

(Fox 4 KDFW) LaTaivia Davis, an Everman ISD teacher’s aide, was killed Thursday morning in a road rage shooting while traveling eastbound on I-20 in Fort Worth near the Hulen Mall. Police arrested 37-year-old Patrick Lawrence late on Thursday in connection to the shooting. He has been charged with murder.

UT-Austin overhauling core classes but hasn’t detailed how new center relates to the courses

(Texas Tribune) UT-Austin proposes big changes to how future students meet graduation requirements as questions persist about a new Center for Humanities.

UNT slashes projected $45 million budget deficit by half after cost-cutting

(Dallas Morning News) President Harrison Keller said the school is anticipating less than a $19 million deficit by the end of the fiscal year.

Christoval ISD’s four-day school week gains support from parents, teachers

(Fox West Texas) Christoval Independent School District officials say the district’s four-day school week is receiving growing support from parents, teachers and students as the program enters its second year.

Former Southwest ISD superintendent named nonprofit CEO

(San Antonio Express-News) After 32 years in public education, former Southwest Independent School District Superintendent Jeanette Ball will take a job in nonprofit leadership. Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas on Thursday named Ball its next CEO.

Ex-Fort Worth ISD chief Molinar will now partner with district as CEO of REV Partnership

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Nearly five months after being pushed out as Fort Worth ISD’s superintendent following a state takeover, Karen Molinar will work extensively alongside the district as the head of an educational nonprofit. In July, REV Partnership announced it was hiring Molinar as its new CEO, just months after she lost her job as Fort Worth ISD’s superintendent when the Texas Education Agency took over the district due to stagnant academic performance. REV Partnership, which was founded in 2022, is a data-driven organization that works to collaborate with Tarrant County school districts to solve common challenges and create successful education strategies.

Passing stopped school buses could cost drivers up to $1,250 and their license, Northside ISD police say

(KSAT) Northside ISD Chief of Police Richard Palomo says the district plans to increase traffic enforcement as campuses reopen.

College Station ISD opens career center where students can graduate with a state license and go straight to work

(KBTX) College Station Independent School District is opening its first Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) on the first day of school, offering hands-on training programs in automotive services, welding, ag mechanics, construction trades, cosmetology, wildlife and livestock, range and ecology and veterinary medicine. The facility is designed to rotate students in and out in double-block sessions throughout the school day, allowing it to serve approximately 300 to 500 students at a time.

Alamo Heights High School gets makeover, nods to century-old history

(San Antonio Report) A brand new Alamo Heights High School building boasts an extra 33,000 square feet, larger classrooms, sleek furniture and windows that let natural light in from almost every direction. But the campus also nods subtly to the past.

Period Poverty Keeps Low-Income Texas Students From School

(Fort Worth Weekly) Due to cruel policy, one in three low-income Texas students regularly misses school for not having enough supplies for periods.

Three Frisco ISD Students Are Tackling Sexual Assault Prevention With New Straw Technology

(D Magazine) What began as a Frisco ISD high school campus club focused on education and survivor support has since evolved into a nonprofit that has raised more than $9,000 through donations, built partnerships with 14 businesses and organizations, and launched an innovation aimed at detecting drink-spiking drugs. That innovation, called Unspike, is a reusable straw designed to identify common sedatives such as GHB, ketamine, and benzodiazepines. The straw uses a chemical reaction at its base to detect the presence of those substances, triggering a color change at the tip.

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