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Where possible, these headlines link to no-paywall or soft paywall articles, or to websites offering free trials. TexEdNews neither condones nor endorses the accuracy of this news feed.

May 18, 2026
Fort Davis ISD fires principal after intruder’s unauthorized entry

(KMID/KPEJ) In a statement released by the Fort Davis Independent School District Sunday evening, one of its principals has been terminated after an intruder entered school property through an open gate. According to the statement, Superintendent Jason Crowe determined that the campus principal “should not continue in any capacity with the District.” The intruder ultimately exited the campus without harming any students or staff.

A Texas teacher took part in an ICE protest. It upended his life

(San Antonio Express-News) When Gavin Pope went to a federal immigrant detention center in Dilley to protest ICE, he didn’t expect it to upend his life. By nightfall, he was in jail. Days later, he was out of a job.

‘DECLARE WAR’: Port Arthur ISD superintendent blasts Beaumont ISD super’s comments; BISD now responds

(KFDM) Port Arthur ISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie publicly criticized newly appointed Beaumont ISD Superintendent Sandi Massey after she allegedly told teachers that librarians unhappy with new “student success coach” roles could go work in Port Arthur ISD, adding that the district was “worse than Beaumont in a couple of categories.” Porterie called the remarks disrespectful and inflammatory in a letter to staff that later became public, saying he would “declare war” if necessary to defend his district. BISD later responded by saying Massey’s comments were not intended to disrespect Port Arthur ISD. Related:

Divide grows on Waco ISD board as ousted president lashes out

(Waco Bridge) The process to fill a vacant seat has split the board for months. Tensions came to a head Thursday when Jose Vidaña took to social media to criticize other board members for replacing him as board president.

Houston ISD defends special education changes as parents raise concerns over student transfers

(KPRC) District leaders say the changes are designed to improve instruction and academic outcomes, while parents worry about campus transfers and disruptions for students with disabilities. Related:

“We’re on the right track now”: Connally ISD’s new leaders and community face life under state control

(Waco Bridge) After years of academic struggles, massive change is underway at the district this month, with new leadership and consolidated campuses. The state has appointed a new superintendent, conservator and board of managers. The district is preparing to hire new principals and teachers after nearly 100 staff resigned this spring ahead of the takeover. Connally families will have to adjust to a consolidated elementary school and a new academic schedule this fall.

Why Texas public school enrollment is shrinking after years of growth

(Austin American-Statesman) Experts predict Texas public school student enrollment will continue declining. What does that mean for the state’s school systems?

Richardson ISD plans less “passive screen time” in classrooms for 2026-27 school year

(Fox 4 KDFW) Richardson schools are moving forward with a new plan to cut down on “passive screen time” in classrooms. Schools will no longer offer programs like free time on iPads as an incentive, and will offer more physical books and assignments to students. The change comes as district parents expressed concerns about how students’ overreliance on technology could cause concentration and communication issues.

Staff cuts could come to Northside ISD as district tackles $38M budget shortfall

(San Antonio Express-News) Northside Independent School District may cut staff positions this summer to help save $17.5 million while trying to close a $38 million budget gap. Superintendent John Craft said that he doesn’t expect anyone will be out of a job, but some employees may have to change positions.

Teachers union hoping Austin ISD uses extra time to minimize budget impacts to staff

(KVUE) The union representing Austin ISD teachers and staff is hoping for good news, as Superintendent Matias Segura asks for more patience from families and staff. In just about a month, Austin ISD’s Board of Trustees will vote on the 2026-2027 school year budget. But before that happens, the board is tasked with creating a plan to reduce the projected $181 million deficit. 

Pasadena ISD considering school closures amid declining enrollment, budget pressures

(KPRC) Pasadena ISD is considering school consolidations and possible campus closures as the district grapples with declining enrollment and mounting financial pressures, becoming the latest Houston-area district to weigh difficult cost-cutting measures amid changing student populations.

Magnolia ISD approves 401(a) retirement plan for 2026-27 school year

(Community Impact) Magnolia ISD’s board of trustees voted to implement a new 401(a) retirement plan that will go into effect in the 2026-27 school year at its May 12 meeting. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Erich Morris said the plan was put in place as a way to incentivize loyalty, as employee eligibility does not start until they have been with the district for at least 10 years. Related:

Frisco ISD anticipates 2% salary raises, balanced budget next fiscal year

(Community Impact) Despite declining revenue, Frisco ISD officials are projecting a balanced budget next fiscal year that could include a 2% raise for teachers and staff.

As Farrington Field talks resume, what lessons linger from sale of Fort Worth ISD admin building?

(Fort Worth Report) Former trustees say leasing Farrington land could preserve public ownership and generate recurring money for Fort Worth ISD students.

Manor ISD cancels bus routes, elementary school classes amid shooting suspect searchline

(KXAN) The Manor Independent School District has canceled classes for Monday at one elementary school and several of its bus routes as a search for a shooting suspect wrapped up in the area, prompted by what was an ongoing search for a suspect in a spree of shootings in south Austin over the weekend. Manor Police found the suspect around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, but district officials told KXAN that the cancellations would remain in place. Bus routes to three neighborhoods are also canceled.

Flower Mound police investigating Lewisville ISD school teacher over unauthorized student photos

(NBC DFW) A Lamar Middle School teacher in Flower Mound is on leave as police and school administrators investigate allegations that he took photographs of students and posted them online without their consent. The male teacher has not been charged with a crime. “The students shown in the images were fully clothed and there is no indication that students were physically harmed,” the district said.

Inappropriate educator relationship investigations in Texas up more than 150%, according to TEA data

(KPRC) According to Texas Education Agency’s Educator Misconduct Reporting dashboard, the agency has opened 441 sexual misconduct investigations so far in fiscal year 2026, compared to 303 investigations during fiscal year 2025, a nearly 50% increase. TEA data also shows “inappropriate relationship” investigations have more than doubled statewide this fiscal year, rising from 579 investigations in fiscal year 2025 to 1,465 investigations in fiscal year 2026, a 153% increase.

Cleveland ISD teacher charged with improper relationship with student, jail records show

(KTRK) Liberty County jail records show Ajante Hill was charged on May 8 with having an improper relationship with a student. Records indicate Hill remains in custody, and her bond was set at $50,000.

Northside ISD teacher arrested, accused of improper relationship with student, affidavit says

(KSAT) A Northside Independent School District teacher was arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old girl, according to an arrest affidavit. Chad Allen Rodriguez was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on Saturday on an improper relationship between an educator and a student charge, Bexar County jail records show.

New Caney ISD White Oak Middle School students impacted by pepper spray incident

(Fox 26 Houston) New Caney ISD confirmed a student at White Oak Middle School on Friday sprayed pepper spray on campus. Nearby students were evaluated by first responders for “minor effects.” The student will be disciplined, and law enforcement has been notified, according to the district.

ChatGPT Wave Sends Texas A Grades Soaring, Berkeley Study Finds

(Hoodline) A new UC Berkeley working paper released this week says A grades have spiked at a large Texas research university since ChatGPT entered students’ toolkits. After reviewing more than 500,000 grades, the authors estimate that the share of A’s climbed about 13 percentage points, roughly a 30 percent jump compared with a 2022 baseline, with the biggest gains in writing-heavy and coding-heavy courses. The pattern, they argue, lines up most closely with students’ growing use of generative AI.

Texas State University ordered to reinstate professor after pro-Palestinian speech dispute

(Austin American-Statesman) The judicial order means Idris Robinson can resume teaching as a philosophy professor for one year or until his free speech lawsuit against the university concludes.

44 UNT professors applied for contract buyouts. Three told us why

(KDH News) The Texas Legislature has taken aim at professors at public universities. For some at UNT, taking a year’s pay to leave was the best of bad choices.

San Antonio teachers now get dual-credit credentials tuition free at St. Mary’s University. Here’s how it works

(San Antonio Report) Seventeen local high school teachers were the first to complete a tuition-free program created to increase access to dual credit courses across San Antonio high schools. The Dual Credit Faculty Expansion Program launched in June 2025 through a partnership between Alamo Colleges District, St. Mary’s University and three area school districts: Northside ISD, North East ISD and East Central ISD. 

City of Brownsville and UT Rio Grande Valley task force increase course offerings at Brownsville campus

(ValleyCentral) This spring semester, UTRGV opened up 3,000 more seats in courses on the Brownsville campus. Those added seats are a result of a partnership between the city of Brownsville and UTRGV called Task Force of the Future, which released its initial findings report this week. Formed in March 2025 by Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, the aim has been to improve student experiences at the Brownsville campus, with constant travel to Edinburg’s campus 60 miles away being the main issue.

Texas summer camps have closed, scaled back operations due to state’s new regulations

(Texas Tribune) There are 66 fewer active summer camps in Texas compared to December, according to the state.

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