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April 24, 2026
Texas school districts face costly legal battles with attorney general’s office
(KXAN) In the last two years, records show public school districts across Texas have spent tens of thousands of dollars fighting lawsuits that Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has filed against them. The catalyst for the legal action ranges from allegations of electioneering to claims that school districts violated the state law requiring them to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Former Judson ISD superintendent speaks out, says reasons for termination ‘fabricated’
(KSAT) In his first public statement since being terminated by the Judson Independent School District, former Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields III said the reasons for his termination were “fabricated” by the district’s board of trustees. In the letter obtained by KSAT on Thursday, Fields said the process was “neither fair nor transparent” and that he was never given the opportunity to present a comprehensive response to the board’s allegations.
‘Work ahead of us’: New Lake Worth ISD leader shares goals for improvement
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Lake Worth ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Ena Meyers promised to partner with parents, improve community engagement and focus on literacy and math as she steps into the role this week and attempts to turn the struggling district around. Meyers addressed the media hours after the Texas Education Agency announced her as Lake Worth’s next leader, alongside a new five-person Board of Managers to replace the former elected school board.
Austin ISD is under state investigation for celebrating Pride Week
(KUT) The investigation comes after a State Board of Education member from Fort Worth raised concerns about the district not complying with Senate Bill 12, which prohibits “diversity, equity and inclusion duties” at K-12 public schools. Related:
Fort Worth ISD considers staff reductions in 3 departments, positions across district
(KERA) Fort Worth ISD’s board of managers on Tuesday will consider job cuts to redirect funding toward academic improvements for more than 68,000 students. The reduction impacts three departments in central administration, International Newcomer Academy and 32 position types, according to board documents.
Lamar CISD officials project balanced budget for 2026-27 school year
(Community Impact) Lamar CISD officials are expecting to have a balanced budget for the 2026-27 school year, Chief Financial Officer Greg Buchanan said at an April 21 board of trustees meeting.
Liberty Hill ISD increases teacher pay as district experiences growth
(KXAN) On April 20, the Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees approved increasing teacher pay starting next school year by almost $2,000 from last year to $58,500, with teachers with 25 years of experience making more than $72,000. The district said the pay increase is intended to make LHISD one of the highest-paying districts in the area.
Pflugerville ISD teachers to see pay bump despite $18M deficit
(KVUE) Pflugerville ISD plans to raise pay for teachers and other campus-based staff in the 2026-27 school year as the district considers school closures, rezoning and program changes to address an $18 million budget shortfall.
Houston ISD budget projects enrollment loss, spending cuts for next school year
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles expects the district’s expenditures to roughly match its revenue of just over $2 billion next school year, even as the district expects to lose another 4,000 students and, with them, $50 million in funding. But, according to the district’s preliminary budget at a Thursday workshop, HISD expects to cut expenses – including $35 million in cuts to the central office and $15 million in savings from closing schools – and end with a fund balance of $753 million for the next fiscal year. Related:
Georgetown ISD approves nearly $3.62 million to purchase 21 school buses
(Community Impact) The Georgetown ISD board of trustees unanimously approved the purchase of 21 new school buses at an April 20 meeting. The purchase will replace 21 out of 23 school buses lacking three-point seat belts by this August. Clint Pruett, GISD executive director of support services, said the district currently has eight buses with lap belts, while 15 buses have no seat belts.
Tyler ISD bus driver shortage causing delays, parents say students missing class time
(CBS19) The district says it is currently down 17 bus drivers, with seven others in training, and is adjusting routes daily to keep transportation running.
Lead found in Winters ISD drinking water
(Fox West Texas) School officials announced Thursday afternoon they added a “Do Not Use” sign and blocked access.
Connally ISD teacher on leave after report of inappropriate relationship with student
(KWTX) A Connally ISD teacher has been placed on administrative leave after a report of a potential inappropriate relationship with a student. The district said the teacher was pulled out of the classroom right away and was put on administrative leave. Local police are now in charge of the investigation.
Reprimanded Sherman ISD Teacher Resigns Amid Community Concerns
(Texas Scorecard) Sherman Middle School teacher Brad Strickland previously resigned from Tioga ISD over misconduct allegations.
Corpus Christi police arrest former school volunteer on child pornography charge
(KIII) Benjamin Milfelt, 42, who officials say volunteered at Corpus Christi ISD’s Mireles Elementary, has been arrested on child pornography charges after investigators executed a search warrant and discovered multiple videos and images depicting male and female minors engaged in explicit activity on a cell phone recovered in a truck at his home. Milfelt participated in a program at the school that aims to provide K-12 students with male role models, reports reflect.
Llano ISD substitute teacher arrested, accused of improper relationship with student
(CBS Austin) A substitute teacher has been arrested on a felony charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student, the Llano County Sheriff’s Office announced. Angela Palmares was taken into custody in Bell County without incident after investigators worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety Fusion Center and the Bell County Sheriff’s Office to locate her. She faces a second-degree felony charge.
El Paso ISD: 1 detained after Franklin High School lockdown in West El Paso
(KFOX 14) One person was detained after an incident triggered a lockdown at a high school in West El Paso on Thursday morning. EPISD did not release any information about the type of incident, but confirmed that one person was detained.
Union Hill ISD student arrested for terroristic threat identified
(KLTV) The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that a student at the high school has been arrested. The sheriff’s office has identified the arrested student as Mitchell Ryan Mobley. He is charged with terroristic threat. The sheriff’s office said Mobley made comments which caused fear among students and staff.
13-year-old tied to threats at North East ISD Nimitz Middle School arrested
(News4SA) A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a series of threats that prompted concern and police presence at North East ISD’s Nimitz Middle School this week. The arrest comes after multiple incidents over several days, including threatening messages, phone calls, and social media activity that raised alarm. The student has been charged with terroristic threat, a felony.
2 young people arrested in alleged plot to attack Houston synagogue
(AP) An 18-year-old North Carolina resident and a 16-year-old Houston resident have been arrested in an alleged plot to attack a Houston synagogue that involved driving through the congregation to “kill as many Jews as possible,” according to authorities and court documents. Houston police said the FBI and Houston ISD assisted in the arrest of the Houston teen.
Should University of Houston keep the Chávez mural? Campus divided in new firestorm
(Houston Chronicle) A debate is unfolding at the University of Houston over whether a decades-old campus mural featuring labor leader Cesar Chávez should remain as portrayed following recent allegations that have reshaped public understanding of his legacy.
Baylor’s dueling events peaceful as Turning Point casts blame over turnout
(Waco Bridge) Student attendance for the Turning Point USA and “All Are Neighbors” events Wednesday each numbered in the hundreds. The conservative Turning Point organization said Baylor forced it to turn away non-Baylor attendees, but the university said that was the original agreement.
UT Austin student suspended after organizing protest over Trump compact
(Austin American-Statesman) Daniel Ramirez, a sophomore at UT Austin, said his one-semester suspension for a sit-in in the provost’s office aims to quiet students’ voices.
Game days pay off: UT Rio Grande Valley football drives millions into Edinburg businesses
(ValleyCentral) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football is delivering major wins both on and off the field, generating a $9.2 million economic impact during its first season of home games. University officials attribute those numbers to the more than 100,000 fans who attended seven home matchups.
Texas college revives athletics after 50 years, in part due to video games
(Houston Chronicle) Brazosport College, a small junior college in Brazoria County, will restart its athletics program after being shuttered for over 50 years. The revival is partly thanks to the massive success of its esports program.
Therapy offered under newly-awarded Texas Education Freedom Accounts
(KCBD) As more families receive state approval for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts, companies are reminding parents that the money can be used to pay for therapy as well as tuition.
Texas’ foster care system is more likely to move children away from their communities
(Texas Tribune) In 2025, one in three children placed in foster care was sent to a different region, sometimes hundreds of miles away, a Texas Tribune analysis of state data shows.
The number of child care deserts in Texas is growing
(Texas Tribune) While East Texas areas are struggling with a chronic lack of care, hope is being seen in the South and West, according to a new report from Children At Risk, a nonprofit that advocates for greater access to child care, especially for the state’s youngest residents.
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