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August 17, 2026
Why Texas has now seen more than 170 public schools close since 2023

(Houston Chronicle) More than 170 public schools in Texas have shuttered or are on their way to closing since 2023, according to a new report from a public school advocacy group. A big reason for so many closures is the combination of charter schools and the new private school voucher program, said Carrie Griffith, founder and executive director of Our Schools Our Democracy, which is tracking the closures.

9 Texas school districts avoid state takeover in latest TEA accountability ratings

(Houston Chronicle) After a record number of school districts became eligible for a state takeover last year, new state scores released Friday showed significant gains for several districts that were facing a similar fate. Just one – Austin ISD – failed to improve its scores at perennially troubled schools, the new scores show. Nine other districts are set to avoid a takeover by improving school scores, closing campuses or working with outside organizations approved by the state.

Houston ISD’s state takeover could end ‘relatively soon,’ education commissioner says

(Houston Chronicle) Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath says special education is the main issue left for the district to address. Related:

School’s fifth straight F won’t impact Fort Worth ISD takeover, Texas education commissioner says

(Fort Worth Report) Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath won’t take action against Fort Worth ISD after a middle school received its fifth straight F. “It doesn’t change things substantially,” Morath told the Fort Worth Report on Friday afternoon. “There’s a team in place, and the team’s got a plan.” Related:

North Texas school grades hold steady – with some improvements

(KERA) The Texas Education Agency released its annual A-F school district grades Friday. Locally, many districts, including Dallas ISD, saw minor improvements. Denton ISD dropped a grade.

Number of failing school districts in San Antonio drops from 4 to 1 in state’s newest A-F scores

(San Antonio Report) In the Bexar County area, the number of failing school districts went from four to one, and five districts went up a full letter grade, including Harlandale ISD, Judson ISD, North East ISD, South San Antonio ISD and Southside ISD.

More Waco ISD campuses receive Fs on state report card, but contract prevents state takeover

(Waco Bridge) Eight Waco schools received failing grades on the state’s annual state report card, new data released Friday shows, but Superintendent Tiffany Spicer says she believes a turnaround is coming. South Waco Elementary School was among those receiving an F after several years of failing grades. Waco Independent School District officials have worried that an F at the campus this year could trigger a state intervention of the entire district. However, Waco ISD’s contract with the Third Future Schools charter operator to turn around the school will shield it from intervention for at least two years.

Liberty Hill ISD returns to five-day school week

(KXAN) Last school year, Liberty Hill Independent School District made the unusual move of teaching students on campus just four days a week, most weeks. After one year under the experimental schedule, LHISD is returning to the traditional five-day school week. KXAN talked with Superintendent Travis Motal about that decision, the district’s rapid growth, and technology on campus ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

Clear Creek ISD looks to mitigate $18.4M shortfall

(Community Impact) Enrollment decline, inflation, a prior freeze in basic allotment for six years and a rise in special education are a handful of challenges Clear Creek ISD officials are facing for the upcoming fiscal year. The district is projecting an $18.4 million shortfall for FY 2026-27, CCISD’s Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia said at the board of trustees’ July 13 workshop.

East Bernard ISD football coach, wife killed in car crash

(WFAA) East Bernard ISD Athletic director and head football coach Jeremy Jenkins and his wife, teacher Brandy Jenkins, were killed in a one-car crash Saturday night in Wharton County, DPS said.

Odin Hensley’s death sparks questions about AEDs at Texas schools

(Houston Chronicle) The tragic death of 17-year-old Lake Travis High School football player Odin Hensley following a medical emergency at last Monday morning’s practice has brought sudden focus to athletic safety protocols across Texas. Lake Travis ISD confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that it maintains both stationary and mobile defibrillators. Specifically, a Lake Travis ISD spokesperson said its athletic trainers carry portable AEDs directly with them when attending all team practices and games, ensuring immediate access to life-saving technology right on the sideline. It remains unclear whether an AED was deployed during the initial emergency response prior to EMS arrival, or what specific medical trigger caused the cardiac event.

Students at Gainesville ISD’s Edison Elementary School to be temporarily relocated for start of school amid mold concerns

(KXII) After the first day of class was delayed for students at Edison Elementary School in Gainesville because of mold concerns, children will now have to start the new school year away from campus. The district stated that they got mold testing results back that showed 37 out of 45 classrooms had some indication of mold and related air quality concerns. As a result of the findings, the campus will be closed longer than initially expected, and work to fix the problem is expected to take up to a month to finish. Starting Wednesday, students will begin the school year at temporary locations in local church facilities, a Boys and Girls Club and (for special-ed students) Chalmers Elementary.

Westwood Elementary passes environmental testing after mold issues delayed first day of school, Friendswood ISD says

(KTRK) Students will return to campus on Monday, August 24, after the school passed environmental tests in 26 areas and met air quality standards, school officials said. Westwood teachers and staff can return to school Wednesday, August 19, to prepare the campus, Friendswood ISD said.

Why 5 major San Antonio school districts lost superintendents in less than a year

(San Antonio Express-News) Five major San Antonio school districts lost superintendents in eight months, raising questions about who will lead their schools next.

Northside ISD opens virtual high school, with plans to expand enrollment

(San Antonio Express-News) Along with some 95,000 students attending school in person, San Antonio’s largest district has nearly 200 others taking classes online through Northside ISD’s Virtual Academy. The new school is open to grades 9-11 in its inaugural year.

Presidio ISD to resume classes Monday after boil water order rescinded

(KMID/KPEJ) Presidio ISD has announced that it will resume classes on Monday, Aug. 17, after the boil water order was rescinded. The district had dismissed classes early last Wednesday and cancelled Friday classes due to the boil water order issued by the City of Presidio.

Wharton ISD reviewing incident after student leaves campus without authorization

(Crossroads Today) Wharton Independent School District is reviewing an incident involving a student who left campus without authorization and crossed a busy roadway. According to the district, staff responded immediately and the student was located safely. Wharton ISD declined to provide the student’s age or grade level and did not disclose when the incident occurred.

3 Pasadena ISD students arrested for reported threat against high school

(Fox 26 Houston) Three students from two Pasadena ISD schools were arrested for a threat that was reportedly made against one of their schools, according to the district. The students were said to be charged with Terroristic Threat, a third-degree felony offense.

Ex-Dumas ‘Elementary Teacher of the Year’ sentenced for child pornography charges

(KFDA) Retired Dumas ISD teacher Robby Lynn Mason — who was once named the district’s “Elementary Teacher of the Year” was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in prison by a federal judge following his prior guilty plea on charges involving child pornography. Pursuant to a DPS warrant executed in April, DPS agents seized various electronics that were later shown to have a total of 57 videos and 70 images of child pornography involving young boys. Mason admitted to law enforcement that he distributed child pornography on social media. According to court records, Mason may also face additional time in state prison in an unrelated criminal case still pending in Moore County.

Widening Winnsboro ISD Sex Abuse Scandal Divides Community

(Texas Scorecard) A widening scandal in the Winnsboro Independent School District, involving administrators allegedly covering up educators’ sexual misconduct with students, may be heating up on Monday. Supporters of School Board President Brandon Green—who was arrested last week in connection with the coverups—are expected to attend Winnsboro ISD’s school board meeting on Monday, August 17. Police have arrested six people in connection with student misconduct and efforts to conceal the crimes.

Corpus Christi ISD employee arrested on sexual assault charge, placed on leave

(KRIS) Benjamin Castro, 32, an auxiliary worker assigned to the Joseph T. Dawson Elementary School cafeteria, was placed on administrative leave immediately after the district was notified of his arrest, CCISD Police Chief Kirby Warnke confirmed Saturday. The charges are not believed to be related to Castro’s employment with the district, Warnke said.

San Antonio-area colleges seek Workforce Pell eligibility in first round of applications

(San Antonio Report) The first ever application window for Workforce Pell Grants access for non-academic certifications and training programs is currently open. At least a few San Antonio-area colleges have submitted programs for approval — in hopes they can soon offer this financial aid source to students. 

Tarrant County College Northwest begins fall semester on a transformed $366M campus. Here’s what’s inside

(Fort Worth Report) The unique character of the Northwest Campus buildings is informed by a Texas landscape iconology and celebrates the state’s landscape features such as wildflowers, rugged canyons, extensive forests and the vast sky.

UIL Announces Dates, Schedule Changes For 2026 Texas High School Football Championship

(Sports Illustrated) The UIL announced championship dates and locations for fall sports, the most prominent in terms of attendance is the football finals. For the upcoming year, there will be some changes on the order of the football finals. The UIL also posted dates for other fall sports.

Coaches frustrated with TAPPS’ new condensed football schedule that ‘wasn’t really broken’

(Dallas Morning News) Regular season Texas Association of Public and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) games are scheduled to start a week earlier and state championships will now be decided before Thanksgiving. Also, the playoff format for the state’s private schools has changed, meaning fewer schools will make the postseason and there will be one less round.

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