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June 26, 2026
Texas public virtual school with 12,000 students abruptly closes

(Houston Chronicle) Lone Star Online Academy promised students and staff they would stay open despite years of F-ratings and accreditation warnings. A few weeks later, the school’s parent (Roscoe Collegiate ISD) shut it down. The virtual school had been dragging down the rural district’s accountability rating after years of F-ratings and was threatening the district’s own accreditation.

Houston ISD passes $2 billion budget, with $25M deficit heading into 2026-27 school year

(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s board of managers unanimously approved a $2 billion budget with an expected $24.6 million deficit in its general fund, paving the way for state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ vision for a pay-for-performance teacher compensation system and AI-focused schools. The district’s deficit is smaller than other large Texas districts. Related:

Judson ISD board approves proposed budget cut plan amid projected $35 million deficit

(News4SA) The Judson ISD board unanimously approved a budget decreasing their budget shortfall from nearly $35 million to $6.1 million. The district decreased the budget deficit by closing 4 schools and eliminating 536 positions.

Beaumont ISD superintendent confronts low test scores, outlines turnaround plan

(KFDM) State-appointed Beaumont ISD Superintendent Sandi Massey told the school board that the district is facing “some difficult truth” as it works to improve low test scores and staffing shortages. “Hear truth. That’s difficult. And tonight you’re going to see some difficult truth,” Massey said as she addressed trustees.

El Paso County lost nearly 12,000 school-age children since 2020, census estimates show

(El Paso Matters) New Census Bureau estimates show El Paso County lost nearly 12,000 school-age children since 2020, driven by declining birth rates and more families moving away than arriving.

TEA conservator gives perspective on school districts’ financial challenges

(KTSM) Texas Education Agency conservator Michael Hinojosa, who has been providing oversight at the Socorro Independent School District since 2024, joined KTSM 9 News anchor Andy Morgan to talk about the overall health of the public school system in Texas, and when the TEA steps in to assist school districts. Hinojosa, who served as a superintendent for 27 years in Texas, points to numerous bad decisions, declining enrollment, and stagnant state funding as to why school district finances are in the red.

Arlington ISD launches new virtual school options this fall. Could it mean more students?

(Arlington Report) Arlington ISD will offer two new virtual options as a new state law removes barriers for Texas public schools.

Parents push for less testing, scripted learning at Fort Worth ISD-led listening sessions

(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Among the most common answers to questions about what they want to see change, attendees at the first listening session mentioned using less scripted curriculum, giving teachers the freedom to teach the way they want, putting less focus on exams like the STAAR and MAP tests, and improving student skills such as literacy, communication, and critical thinking.

Kermit ISD approves outside investigation after parents allege abuse of special education students

(NewsWest9) Parents believe Kermit ISD’s initial probe into allegations of abuse of special education students was biased and incomplete.

Amarillo ISD Trustees take no action in Jaxson Mendoza case during special meeting

(KFDA) Amarillo ISD trustees met Thursday evening to discuss ongoing litigation involving the death of former Amarillo High School student Jaxson Mendoza. Mendoza died in 2022 after suffering a seizure while warming up on the Amarillo High School track. During the special meeting, trustees entered closed session with legal counsel to discuss the lawsuit. After returning to open session, the board took no action.

Booster club mother files federal lawsuit against Plano ISD

(Dallas Morning News) The suit alleges Plano ISD illegally took over a high school choir booster club and then had its officers falsely arrested.

Former Texas Tech professor, 4 others plead guilty to fentanyl trafficking

(EverythingLubbock) A former Texas Tech University professor and four others pleaded guilty Thursday for their roles in a fentanyl trafficking ring involving two variations of the drug known as “Ghost” and “Pink Flamingo,” according to federal court records. According to court documents, Daniel Taylor, 50, is being charged with conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of Fentanyl. Mackenzie Gilcrease, 28, Madelyn Gunn, 29, Alisha Red-Eagle, 21, and Marissa Lopez, 23, pleaded guilty.

Records: Edinburg CISD coach had sex with student at hotel on track meet trip

(ValleyCentral) An affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral reveals why a now-former Edinburg High School coach is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Christian Roxburgh of Edinburg was charged with having an inappropriate relationship between an educator and a student, a second-degree felony. The affidavit alleges that on Feb. 28, 2026, the student and Roxburgh had sexual intercourse at a hotel during an overnight trip for a track meet event in New Braunfels, Texas. The relationship continued during school hours in Roxburgh’s classroom, where the two allegedly engaged in inappropriate affectionate conduct.

Texas Tech student sued by TTU System over trademark infringement

(KCBD) A viral song inspired by field-rushing arrests now faces a legal challenge from the university.

After KUT chief’s firing, donors discuss future outside UT Austin

(Austin American-Statesman) Over the past five years, Lynne Dobson and her husband Greg Wooldridge have donated $2.5 million to KUT to bolster local journalism at Austin’s public radio station and help fund its inaugural community festival. A public dispute between the University of Texas, which has licensed the station for its entire 68-year existence, and KUT’s management led to the last-minute displacement of the May festival off campus and the firing of General Manager Debbie Hiott. Since then, the funders have begun questioning whether the station and UT should sever ties. “We are just concerned that the ability to do journalism the way it is intended to do, if that becomes compromised, there have to be other alternatives,” Wooldridge said. Related:

UT Arlington launches paid teacher residency program

(UT Arlington) The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Education is launching a paid teaching residency program to transform how future educators are prepared for the classroom. To support the launch of the teaching residency program, the College of Education has been accepted into the US PREP Coalition, a network of more than 40 universities nationwide working to strengthen educator preparation programs. The college will also receive funding from the Fort Worth Education Partnership to begin designing the new program.

Palo Alto College launching new program to train youth on combating New World screwworm

(KIII) The program, at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, has already attracted attention from several local high schools, is expected to launch in August.

Examining family-centered solutions to San Antonio’s literacy crisis

(Texas Public Radio) Across San Antonio, schools and nonprofits are exploring how helping parents and children build literacy skills together can improve outcomes for both generations. 

Expert offers security tips after cyberattack on Alamo Heights ISD

(Texas Public Radio) A global cybersecurity company has some advice for the 26,000 parents, students, and staff in the Alamo Heights school district after a cyberattack on sensitive information.

10 Dallas ISD Programs or Schools You Should Know About That Aren’t Magnet Schools

(D Magazine) This list is by no means exhaustive, which means one thing: You should check out more Dallas ISD schools.

A Fort Worth nonprofit is imagining a world where schools and businesses offer childcare

(KERA) Childcare is expensive. The Center for Transforming Lives in Fort Worth is trying to help.

Trump immigration policies fueled absenteeism uptick, research says

(K-12 Dive) Even a federal law enforcement vehicle parked a block and a half away were enough to impact attendance, an Annenberg researcher said.

Supreme Court undermines Temporary Protective Status program, putting 147,000 immigrants in Texas at risk of deportation

(Texas Public Radio) The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can revoke Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Haiti and Syria. The 6-to-3 ruling puts more than 1.3 million immigrants under TPS across the United States, including roughly 147,000 in Texas, at imminent risk of arrest and deportation.

Texas GOP calls for ban on transgender teachers, more healthcare restrictions

(Houston Chronicle) The Texas Republican Party added more anti-LGBTQ+ planks to its policy platform this month.

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