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March 16, 2026
‘Frozen in time’: Mother of Uvalde shooting victim accepts award at Oscars
(News4SA) In “All the Empty Rooms,” the short directed by Joshua Seftel and produced by Conall Jones, journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp document the empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings over the course of seven years. Gloria Cazares, whose child was killed in the Uvalde school shooting, accepted the award.
Abbott Defends Excluding Islamic Schools From Texas Voucher Program As Lawsuits Filed
(Dallas Express) “We don’t want school choice funds going to radical Islamic indoctrination with historic connections to terrorism,” Abbott wrote on X.
Obamas, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush Among 1,500 Books Banned in Texas School District
(PEN America) Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush have joined the ranks of banned authors, thanks to a sweeping review that has led to the banning of some 1,500 books from a suburban school district nestled in the Texas Hill Country. According to lists obtained through public information requests by the Texas Freedom to Read Project, the New Braunfels ISD has removed, restricted, or aged-up more than 600 books from its high schools, 800 books from middle schools, and about 60 titles from elementary school libraries since June 1, 2025.
Austin ISD prepares for 12th Pride Week as conservatives target DEI in public schools
(Austin American-Statesman) The Austin Independent School District will celebrate Pride Week for the 12th year in a row from March 23-27 after several laws passed last year that limited the spaces where LGBTQ students can gather. The district made significant revisions to its Pride celebrations last year, when it stopped using district funds for any events and halted curriculum that taught students about inclusion, different family structures and terms for different gender identities. State Board of Education Member Brandon Hall, R-Aledo, wrote on social media last week, calling for an investigation into Austin ISD’s superintendent over the tradition.
Arlington ISD seeks state programs to improve math, increase teacher pay
(Arlington Report) Arlington ISD trustees are turning to two state programs to bring experienced teachers to the most struggling schools and to improve students’ math skills. Trustees voted 6-1 Thursday to seek the state’s pay-for-performance program that could bump pay for teachers raises on certain campuses in 2028. However, they were more divided on adopting the math portion of the state’s Bluebonnet Learning materials, which they did in a 4-3 vote following almost three hours of discussion.
Mission CISD offers $500 to employees who resign early
(ValleyCentral) The Mission Consolidated Independent School District is offering a one-time $500 payment to eligible employees who voluntarily submit an Early Resignation Notice. According to the district, the early resignation notices will help estimate precise salary projections, allocation adjustments and staffing numbers for the upcoming school year.
Multiple Austin ISD schools listed on surplus property list, what’s next?
(KXAN) A number of Austin ISD schools that will close their doors because of consolidation could now be sold or repurposed. In an Austin ISD board meeting on Thursday, AISD discussed the schools that are on the surplus property list and the process they will go through to determine what happens next.
Texas cellphone ban is leading Dallas kids back to the library
(Dallas morning News via EuropeSays) Something magical is happening in school libraries: Students are checking out more books. In an era where reading is at historic lows, it seems implausible. The reason? Well, it’s not magic. The most likely cause is another upside of a recent change in state policy. Book checkouts have increased notably since a state cellphone ban began in August. Dallas ISD officials told us checkouts are way up across the district.
As North Texas school districts turn to virtual options, some hope it will bring back students
(KERA) School districts across North Texas are rolling out full-time virtual and hybrid learning programs for high school students this fall. Frisco, Granbury, Denton and Argyle ISDs are among districts that have announced plans to offer new virtual options after a 2025 state law expanded pathways for students to attend school. Senate Bill 569 “gives us a little bit more freedom and how we meet the needs of our students,” said Frisco ISD Associate Deputy Superintendent Wes Cunningham.
Waco charter teacher fired after students used class time to make signs for ICE protest walkout in Texas
(KXXV) Steve Gaines, an English teacher at Harmony School of Innovation Waco, was let go weeks after students held a walkout protesting ICE. He says he takes responsibility, but stands by his actions.
Parents organize after multiple gun incidents at Klein ISD schools
(KPRC) Parents across Klein ISD say they’re worried about their children’s safety after several gun-related incidents happened on district campuses in just one week. Now, a newly formed group of families is pushing for answers — and stronger security measures. Related:
Randall County officials investigating incident involving students on Canyon ISD bus
(KFDA) The Randall County Sheriff’s Office and Canyon ISD says they’re both aware of a recent incident involving Randall High School students on a Canyon ISD bus. On Tuesday, March 3, the Randall County Sheriff’s Office received reports of possible criminal activity that occurred on a Canyon ISD high school bus. Because the case involves juveniles, the Randall County Sheriff’s Office says no further information will be released at this time.
Richardson ISD’s Lake Highlands High School evacuated after bomb threat interrupts SAT testing, officials say
(WFAA) The Dallas Police Department received the bomb threat Saturday and swept every room of the Richardson ISD school before the threat was deemed not credible. Students taking their SATs were told to log out of their computers and evacuate the building, officials said.
Teacher at Livingston ISD Junior High on leave after substance discovered during medical incident
(KPRC) A Livingston Junior High teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave after a substance was found on campus, according to Livingston Independent School District officials. District officials said staff assisted the teacher during a medical situation when a “substance” was discovered, prompting them to notify law enforcement.
Former Boling ISD School Board President sentencing delayed
(CrossroadsToday) Sentencing for the former president of the Boling Independent School District Board of Trustees has been moved to April. Jerry James Svatek was arrested in June 2025 and charged with possession of child pornography and online sexual exploitation of a four-year-old. He pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2025.
More victims encouraged to come forward about ex-Shallowater band teacher
(EverythingLubbock) The Texas Rangers released further information into the investigation of 27-year-old Joseph Gonzalez. The former Shallowater ISD band educator was arrested Thursday by the department for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child or Children with Two or More Victims. In the latest update, the Texas Rangers stated that they believe there may be more unidentified victims than the two described in court documents.
Exclusive: UT Austin to break ground on Law School housing
(Austin American-Statesman) Starting August 2028, a 14-floor housing complex directly across from the law school will house more than 300 students a year.
Stephen F Austin University will keep its women’s sports… for now
(Houston Chronicle) A federal judge ordered Stephen F. Austin State University to keep its women’s sports amidst an ongoing Title IX lawsuit against the program.
West Texas A&M University announces $5 million donation, new institute
(KVII) A new institute at West Texas A&M University is set to strengthen rural health care across the Texas Panhandle by training advanced nursing professionals and addressing chronic disease in underserved communities.
Texas A&M–San Antonio eyes new academic programs targeting local industry needs
(San Antonio Report) Texas A&M University-San Antonio officials are proposing to grow their degree offerings over the next few years with a focus on engineering and health sciences. This May they will propose two new degree programs to the board of regents: Biological Sciences and Electrical Engineering.
Texas A&M University system opens advanced STEM research center at Rellis campus
(KCEN) Texas A&M University System has opened a 53,000-square-foot STEM Education and Research Center at Texas A&M-Rellis. The new facility will offer students, researchers and industry partners the opportunity to collaborate on advanced research and prepare the next generation of Texas STEM workers.
PFLAG must turn over records in Texas probe tied to transgender youth care ban, court rules
(KERA) The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Texas Attorney General’s Office can require LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG to turn over documents related to an investigation into medical care for transgender minors. The court overturned a previous district court decision that had largely blocked the AG’s office from seeking certain records.
Texas could lose thousands of trained workers after licensing rule change
(Austin American-Statesman) Hairdressers, barbers and electricians, possibly by the thousands, have lost access to licenses after the state added a legal-status requirement.
Corpus Christi ISD Superintendent’s son, Veterans Memorial High School teacher and coach Leyton Hernandez killed in crash
(KIII) The family of Corpus Christi ISD Superintendent Dr. Roland Hernandez is mourning the loss of his son following a two-car crash Friday afternoon outside the Coastal Bend. Leyton Hernandez, 28, died after the accident, according to a statement from Corpus Christi ISD. Hernandez was in his fifth year as a teacher and multi-sport coach at Veterans Memorial High School.
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