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Sept. 4, 2026
Comptroller requests doubling Texas school voucher program to $2 billion

(Texas Tribune) Texas’ chief financial officer requested that lawmakers double the amount of money available for the state’s private school voucher program, resulting in a total of more than $2 billion. In the appropriations request for 2028–29 biennium, Texas Comptroller Don Huffines asked the Legislature to raise the program’s base funding by $1 billion so more families can use taxpayer money to cover private school or home schooling costs.

Houston ISD Mike Miles’ charter network faces layoffs, $14M deficit after tripling footprint

(Houston Chronicle) One of Texas’ most high-profile charter school networks could soon begin laying off staff amid a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, throwing its future into question just as more and more districts have turned to it to avoid a state takeover. The Texas branch of Third Future Schools, founded by Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, is facing a $14 million deficit, forcing it to cut many of the 700 new employees it hired this year.

School librarians hesitant to discuss books, order more amid Texas battles to restrict titles, they say

(Texas Tribune) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest push to restrict what students can access adds to Texas school librarians’ angst, the educators said.

Texas Parental Rights Debate Moves From Policy to Enforcement

(Texas Scorecard) While a new state law expanded parental authority, advocates suggest Texans need clearer remedies for families who believe government agencies have overstepped.

Texas Schools Embraced Technology, but What Is the Cost?

(Texas Scorecard) Texas schools pour millions into digital instructional materials each year, yet new research is raising concerns about whether more screen time actually benefits students.

Embattled Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City trustee Matthew Short resigns as school board seeks replacement

(Focus on San Antonio) Matthew Short has resigned as a Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District trustee, nine months after his election to the board. Short’s brief tenure as a school board member was marred by controversy, as fellow trustees twice voted to censure him, and Short sued the school district and its top two leaders.  But more recent revelations about Short spurred SCUCISD officials to contemplate removing the beleaguered board member from public office.

United ISD board meeting ends after walkout over financial advisor vote

(KGNS) A United Independent School District board meeting ended abruptly after two members walked out, breaking quorum and leaving a vote on a new financial advisor unresolved. The walkout came moments before the board was set to vote on which firm should manage the district’s finances. Without a quorum, the meeting had to adjourn. Three firms were under consideration.

Coahoma ISD school board to investigate claims of financial mismanagement

(NewsWest9) Coahoma Independent School District announced Tuesday that the school board would meet for a special session on Sept. 8 in response to community concerns about financial impropriety. In a statement by Board President Dr. Kandy Alaman and District Superintendent Brad Cox, the district says it received a formal complaint last Friday about no-bid contracts and noncontractual salary increases. The district emphasized that board members take such allegations seriously and were addressing the complaint properly.

‘Us vs. them’: Parents confront Fort Worth ISD superintendent, leaders over growing trust gap

(Fort Worth Report) Following Superintendent Peter Licata’s recent engagement sessions, Fort Worth ISD parents hope he repairs community relationships.

DOCUMENTS: Winnsboro ISD board president knew of alleged abuse by coach, concealed phone information from investigators

(CBS19) Arrest documents allege Winnsboro ISD Board President Brandon Green was aware that a student was the victim of an unlawful relationship with an educator and attempted to hide messages connected to a Texas Rangers investigation. Green was arrested Aug. 5 on charges of failure to report child abuse and tampering with evidence. His arrest came after five other people connected to Winnsboro ISD had been arrested since as early as June 2025.

Magnolia ISD teacher mistakes thunder for gunshot, prompting lockdown, district says

(KTRK) A clap of thunder mistaken for a gunshot prompted a multi-school lockdown and a multi-agency police response, according to Magnolia Independent School District officials. The district said that a teacher at Williams Elementary called 911 shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday and reported hearing gunfire. According to MISD, the teacher, whose classroom is located in an interior room with no exterior windows, did not know a thunderstorm was moving into the area.

Former Manor ISD teacher charged with felony after allegedly slamming student against wall

(KVUE) Michael Nathan, who formerly worked as an English teacher at Presidential Meadows Elementary School, is facing a charge of injury to a child.

Sheriff: Bushland ISD student admitted posting ‘Cat in the Hat’ threat video as joke

(KVII) The Potter County Sheriff’s Office identified a Bushland ISD student as the suspected owner of an account that posted a potential threat toward multiple other students. The student admitted posting the video and told investigators it was intended as a joke, according to the sheriff’s office. The student, who was not identified because of their age, is charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony. The report was made Monday and was connected to the current “Cat in the Hat” TikTok trend, Sheriff Brian Thomas said. The sheriff’s office immediately began investigating and conducted several interviews before identifying the student.

Former Canyon ISD Randall High student gets 60 days for bomb threat

(KFDA) Cesar Alcocer, a former high school student at Randall High School in Canyon ISD, was sentenced to 60 days in jail Thursday after pleading guilty to making a false bomb threat in 2024. Police determined the reported bomb in a school bathroom was a hoax and later identified Alcocer as the person who made the threat. Alcocer previously reached a plea agreement that placed him on probation, but a violation in March led to stricter conditions. After his release, he will remain on probation and must participate in behavioral treatment.

El Paso police apprehend man at Jefferson Silva High School

(KVIA) El Paso police apprehended a man at Jefferson Silva High School Thursday. El Paso ISD said a man allegedly running away from law enforcement entered the high school’s grounds. Officers apprehended him. “At no time were students or staff in danger, and campus operations continued safely,” EPISD said.

Texas A&M System removes courses on LGBTQ, ethnic studies and climate change from core offerings

(Texas Tribune) Students at 11 Texas A&M University System schools will see fewer classes related to LGBTQ literature, climate change and women writers meet graduation requirements under a proposal to remove more than 200 classes from general-education course lists. System regents voted Thursday to scale back the classes that qualify after a review prompted by a new state law that requires public university boards to  examine what classes undergraduates must take regardless of their majors. 

UT Austin proposes cutting more than 100 ‘narrow’ courses from core, starting this spring

(Austin American-Statesman) UT courses on slavery, race, sexuality and environmental history are among those that could stop counting toward UT’s core.

Dallas breaks ground on long-awaited police training center at UNT Dallas as leaders seek additional funding

(NBC DFW) The current academy still operates out of a warehouse the city leased as a temporary location in 1990.

SMU Volleyball Head Coach Sam Erger Suspended for ‘Impermissible Communication’

(Sports Illustrated) The Mustangs’ head coach served her suspension during the team’s recent road trip.

Why this South Texas university is getting national attention

(KIII) Texas A&M University-Kingsville is getting national recognition for its work serving students from rural communities across South Texas. Washington Monthly ranks Texas A&M-Kingsville fifth in the country on its inaugural Best Colleges for Rural America list.

Trump administration pushes to remove tax exemption for private colleges with DEI policies

(AP) The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would strip private schools and colleges of their tax-exempt status if they provide targeted help to students based on their race, a significant escalation in the White House’s campaign to eradicate diversity programs directed at Black, Hispanic and other minority students. The Treasury Department proposed the change Thursday in a new regulation that, if made final, would kick in after May 2027.

Coach of second-winningest high school football program in Texas abruptly resigns

(USA Today) Mart ISD head football coach and athletic director Chris Lancaster has resigned after just one game into the 2026 season. The second-winningest program in Texas’ illustrious high school football history, Lancaster joined the Panthers in 2025, leading the program to a 7-6 record. This year, they opened the season with a 40-0 home loss to Whitney.

Viral Handshake Snub Drew National Backlash. Now DeSoto’s Coach Is Telling His Side

(Sports Illustrated) DeSoto ISD High School football coach Claude Mathis is explaining the controversy after three of his four captains declined to shake hands with St. Thomas Aquinas players before their nationally televised season opener, an incident that sparked widespread criticism. Mathis said his players had been subjected to racist comments before the game, although Sports Illustrated could not independently verify that claim. DeSoto apologized for the players’ actions, calling them poor sportsmanship and saying the incident would be used as a learning opportunity. The controversy was compounded by DeSoto’s 38-14 loss after St. Thomas Aquinas led 38-0 at halftime.

Corpus Christi ISD middle schools return to previous schedule amid ongoing bus delays

(KIII) Corpus Christi ISD middle schools will return to an 8:50 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. schedule Sept. 21 as the district works to address ongoing bus delays and improve transportation. The change comes after CCISD moved middle school start and dismissal times earlier ahead of the school year in an effort to better manage demands on the district’s bus system.

As Houston ISD schools battle heat, parents say they struggle to get answers on AC issues

(Houston Chronicle) As HVAC problems continue during Houston’s extreme heat, parents say they’re relying on one another, not the district, to understand which classrooms are affected.

Grand Prairie ISD parents push for permanent fix after AC fails in classroom

(NBC DFW) Parents at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy are pushing Grand Prairie ISD for a permanent solution after several classrooms have struggled with inadequate air conditioning. One parent said temperatures in a music classroom have exceeded 84 degrees, making it difficult for students to learn. The district says the HVAC problems are tied to damage to the school’s geothermal system following a 2024 water-main issue and that it is working with the city on repairs, but additional damage has delayed the process.

Plainview ISD cancels homecoming vendors, citing backlash

(Plainview Herald) Plainview ISD canceled outside vendors at homecoming, saying negativity, accusations and misinformation shifted focus from students. PISD made a separate post on the district’s Facebook page encouraging fans and community members to support the football concession stand during games, noting that “the concession stand is operated by Plainview FFA … and the money raised directly supports its students and programs.”

Liberty Hill ISD warns of unauthorized sponsorship solicitations

(KVUE) Liberty Hill ISD is warning businesses and the community to use caution if approached by third-party organizations regarding sponsorship requests on behalf of schools, athletic programs or student organizations in the district. In a letter sent to families and staff on Thursday, the district said it has become “aware of concerns from a local business regarding solicitations from a Dallas-based company identifying itself as Campus Box Media.”

Inside Arlington ISD’s $65M South Davis Elementary rebuild plans

(Arlington Report) The initial design is based on the nature and trees surrounding the campus.

Better Business Bureau warns of high school sports streaming scams

(KTBS) As students return to the classroom, officials with the Better Business Bureau are warning fans to watch out for fraudulent high school sports streaming schemes.

Thousands of Texas families are waiting for help paying for childcare — and the list is growing

(Texas Public Radio) The number of Texas families waiting for financial assistance to help pay for childcare has grown drastically in recent years. Tori Mannes is president and CEO of ChildCareGroup, which manages the federal childcare assistance program in Dallas County, said the growing list reflects a real affordability problem.

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