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Sept. 30, 2024
Biden administration issues executive order to improve active shooter drills
(K-12 Dive) The order calls for federal agencies to help schools more effectively prepare for active shooter drills while preventing or minimizing potential trauma.
Rise in school threats around the Brazos Valley has FBI, attorneys turning to parents
(KBTX) Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Houston Field Office Christopher Soyez told KBTX he has seen a record number of school threat reports at the agency. “We do want you to report threats you see online. What we’d ask is that you take a screenshot of a threat, and report it to a school administrator, to a school police department, to local law enforcement, or to another adult. Those are the things we do want you to do. The things we don’t want people to do is to repost, share, email, text, or airdrop those threats. We feel like that only keeps the threat going and is not helpful to law enforcement,” added Soyez.
‘We could have been victims today’: Bryan High gun incident raises concerns about school communication
(KBTX) A day after a handgun was discovered in a Bryan High School student’s backpack, concerns linger among students and parents. While Bryan ISD officials and law enforcement acted quickly to control the situation and prevent potential harm, many parents say they were left in the dark until the news broke through the community. Several students, too, expressed frustration over the lack of timely information from the school.
Austin High School locked down again after false report from the Netherlands
(CBS Austin) For the second time this week, Austin High School was placed under a security lockdown following a false report. According to a letter Principal Melvin Bedford sent to families, someone reported an armed individual on the roof Thursday afternoon. This incident follows a similar false alarm at the same school on Wednesday morning, which was traced to a caller in Florida. San Marcos High School, about 30 miles south of Austin, also experienced a hoax threat on Tuesday.
OFFICIALS: Author of threat against Gilmer ISD identified as 13-year-old
(KETK) A 13-year-old is facing a terroristic threat charge in connection to a social media threat targeting Gilmer ISD, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said.The sheriff’s office said the teenager admitted to authoring the threat and was taken to a Harrison County juvenile facility where he faces a terroristic threat charge.
Oglesby ISD without school resource officers, despite pleas to county commissioners
(KXXV) Oglesby ISD remains under the Guardian Program. This comes after requests to the Coryell County Commissioners to add school resource officers in the budget.
Teen accused of stabbing student at Sterling High tried to grab bailiff’s gun after hearing, HCSO says
(KHOU) A Houston ISD student accused in a school stabbing tried to grab a bailiff’s gun after his bond hearing, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said. We were in court Friday morning when a judge granted the defense attorney’s request to lower Castaneda’s bond from $100,000 to $50,000. After the incident, Castaneda’s bond was raised to $250,000. HCSO said he will be charged with disarming a police officer on top of the assault charge. If convicted, Castaneda faces anywhere from two to 20 years in prison and would have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
Laredo Police Chief warns of social media attack trend after juvenile arrest
(KGNS) A teenager was detained after allegedly “agressively” attacking an elderly man at a park. Laredo police stated the attack resulted from a social media trend. As seen in a video posted on social media, an individual approached an elderly man from behind and attacked him. Laredo Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez said that the police department has seen this kind of thing happen not just here, but also in the Rio Grande Valley where people are recording these attacks and posting them online. “We don’t want this trend to happen here [in Laredo],” said Rodriguez.
Houston ISD holding school-specific meetings about $4.4 billion bond proposal
(Houston Public Media) Some say the district is toeing the line between providing information about the bond and advocating for it, the latter of which is prohibited by state law.
Fewer HISD students sent to alternative schools for vaping after district finds legal loophole
(Houston Chronicle) Hundreds of students across Houston-area school districts were sent to DAEPs in the three months following a new Texas law, which went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023, to curb youth vaping. Houston ISD and more than 50 other school districts across the state have since written exemptions to the law into their District of Innovation plans, which are designed to allow more flexibility and local control. Houston ISD gained its exemption in early January, saying the zero-tolerance vaping law lacked discretion for first-time offenders.
Harris County Democratic, Republican leaders unite in opposition to Houston ISD’s $4.4B school bond
(Houston Chronicle) Both the Harris County Democratic and Republican Party executive committees have unanimously voted in favor of resolutions opposing the largest school bond in state history, which is facing more public pushback than HISD’s previous bonds due largely to community opposition to the state takeover and state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles.
Texas can no longer investigate alleged cases of vote harvesting, federal judge says
(Texas Tribune) The provision was included in a sweeping Texas voting bill that was signed into law in 2021.
Texas mom who lost son ‘not backing down’ in fight for fentanyl education
(Nexstar) Last year, Texas took a new step towards fentanyl awareness when Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill known as Tucker’s Law that requires school districts to educate students in grades 6-12 about the drug. The bill is named after Tucker Roe, a 19 year old who died from fentanyl poisoning. His mom, Stefanie Roe, helped push for the legislation. She founded the nonprofit Texas Against Fentanyl after Tucker’s death.
Pills possibly laced with fentanyl found at Piner Middle School in Sherman
(KXII) Some Sherman ISD parents received a letter on Thursday that addressed an incident at Piner Middle School, and an issue affecting the nation. Sherman ISD Police said they found pills on a Piner Middle School student that may be laced with fentanyl. School leaders are now asking parents to sit down with their kids and have a hard conversation focused on the dangers of taking pills — and the deadly consequences that can follow.
‘Not where we want to be’: Aldine ISD students, staff struggling under district leadership
(Houston Landing) After six years of leading Aldine, home to about 58,000 students in one of Texas’ lowest-income communities, Superintendent LaTonya Goffney has yet to prove she’s capable of revitalizing the northern Harris County district.
2 Socorro ISD employees on administrative leave after being arrested for indecency with a child
(KFOX) Two Socorro ISD employees were placed on administrative leave after they were arrested for indecency with a child. Rodolfo Laureano and David Hernandez were arrested on Sept. 18 and 27. Socorro ISD officials said they could not comment due to an ongoing investigation but provided the following statement: “This request is regarding ongoing investigations. The individuals are currently on administrative leave while the investigations proceed. We are unable to release any information at this time.”
Socorro ISD teacher arrested again, faces new charges of soliciting a minor
(KFOX) The Socorro ISD teacher facing multiple charges involving sexual exploitation of a child was arrested and released on bond for a second time last Friday after his initial arrest on Sept. 14. Llojan Almaraz, a former math teacher at Captain Walter E. Clarke Middle School, was arrested for a second time on Sept. 20 and charged with two counts of online solicitation of a minor, jail records show. It was the second time he was arrested in one week, following an initial arrest on Sept. 14, when he was charged with child grooming, improper relationship between an educator and student, indecency with a child and sexual performance by a child.
Substitute teacher accused of assaulting two students at Cibolo middle school
(KENS) Yorllin Hernandez, 42, was a sub hired through a third-party company, officials with Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD said. According to the district, an incident unfolded near the end of the school day Friday and Hernandez was prevented from leaving campus by a school resource officer while Cibolo police investigated. He was eventually taken into custody and faces charges of injury to a child. Police categorized the students’ injuries as non-life-threatening, but didn’t provide further details of the incident.
More transgender teens attempted suicide after states passed anti-trans laws
(Houston Chronicle) A first-of-its-kind study from the Trevor Project found that states that passed laws impacting transgender youth saw suicide attempts increase as much as 72%.
McAllen ISD lauds $32M surplus as fiscal year ends
(myRGV) “When we came in here we had, last year, a $6 million deficit and then a $14 million deficit this year which was a total of $20 million … but now we can safely say that with this savings we have wiped out the deficit,” MISD Superintendent René Gutiérrez said during the board meeting. “This is not counting that we gave everyone a raise … not too many school districts can report these types of finances. We will continue to monitor (the finances) and we would like to give this money back to the kids and to the staff.”
$20,000 in heart screening equipment donated in honor of student athlete who died of sudden cardiac arrest
(Fox 26 Houston) A high school senior who was headed to college on a football scholarship is behind the really good gift being given on the gridiron in Alief ISD. The Community Volunteer Fire Department is giving $20,000 in ECG machines in honor of Cody Stephens, who just three weeks from high school graduation died in 2012 of sudden cardiac arrest.
Hays CISD Foundational Learning teachers, parents raise concerns with program
(Community Impact) Nine Hays CISD special education teachers, paraprofessionals and parents shared concerns at Sept. 16 and Sept. 24 board meetings regarding the district’s Foundational Learning classes, citing large class sizes, safety issues and potential Individualized Education Program plan violations.
Harris Co. leads nation in Black maternal death rates, report shows
(KTRK) While Houston is home to the largest medical complex in the world, data in a recent report on maternal and infant health published by the Harris County Public Health indicates the region has led the country in Black maternal death rates since 2016.
Sept. 27, 2024
Spring Branch ISD calls Harris County DA’s response to school threat ‘ludicrous’
(KTRK) Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge Jr. told 13 Investigates he’s frustrated the district’s police department is doing its due diligence in investigating school threats and claims the DA’s office doesn’t always file charges when it should. Spring Branch ISD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Blaine said she became so frustrated with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office that she sent a letter formally expressing her concerns.
Harris Co. school threat data shows charges filed against 127 minors since August 2023
(KTRK) ABC13 obtained critical data on school threats in Harris County, noting criminal charges were filed against 127 students over the last year.
Hays CISD rolls out “threat regret” campaign following student-made campus threats
(Community Impact) The campaign will consist of posters, videos and other communication pieces that will be placed around the district’s secondary campuses. As of Sept. 20, six HCISD students ranging from ages 11 to 15 have been arrested and charged with various felony offenses for creating threats against HCISD campuses this school year, according to district officials.
‘Swatters’ keeping law enforcement busy with fake threats against schools
(CBS Austin) Local authorities are trying to find the people responsible for making what turned out to be false threats against Central Texas schools. Stephen F. Austin High School in Central Austin received a threat on Wednesday and the day before, a 9-1-1 caller said a shooting was going on at San Marcos High School.
Navasota PD charges 2 minors with False Alarm or Report in connection to local school threat
(KBTX) The Navasota Police Department officers located two unidentified suspects and have charged them with False Alarm or Report, which is a state jail felony. The suspects are younger than the age of 18, so their identities will not be released. It is unclear if they have connections to any Navasota ISD school.
Juvenile arrested for threatening to shoot student at Bryan ISD alternative education campus
(KCEN) A juvenile was arrested late Thursday morning at a Bryan ISD District Alternative Education Program High School (DAEP) after threatening to shoot another student that was at the campus.
Bryan ISD bus driver arrested for intoxicated driving while transporting students
(KBTX) Bryan police arrested a Bryan ISD bus driver Thursday morning for driving intoxicated while transporting students. Police responded to a crash around Lakeview Street and Fairway Drive and determined the school bus was “involved in a minor accident with a parked, unoccupied vehicle.” Students were on the bus during the crash, but police say none were injured. The driver, 64-year-old Mark Spicker, was arrested for driving while intoxicated with child passengers under 15 years old.
Student recovering after drug incident at Killeen school
(Killeen Daily Herald) According to the parents, the youth was offered a “candy” during the morning hours of class by a schoolmate. After it was swallowed, the youth began exhibiting signs of distress, including rapid heartbeat and general unease. School officials contacted the parents who came to the school to pick up the child and headed to a local hospital for emergency services. The parents were told by officials at the hospital that the substance their child ingested was marijuana, the parents told the Herald.
HISD’s failing schools have made major academic gains. Local leaders say Miles shouldn’t take credit
(Houston Chronicle) While Highland Heights Elementary Principal Bettina McKinney said Highland Heights’ turnaround has been boosted by a cadre of committed staff and state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System, community leaders said the effort began years earlier across District II, a trustee district that previously hosted the district’s five most consistently failing campuses.
Jewish Texans push back against Christian bias in public school curriculum
(Houston Chronicle) For many religious and secular taxpayers, the Texas Education Agency’s proposed curriculum is another sign of the growing Christian nationalism movement.
Tarrant County Public Health director urges school districts to ban cell phones in classrooms
(Fort Worth Report) Tarrant County Public Health Director Brian Byrd wants every school district in Tarrant County to remove cell phones from classrooms.
Phones at school: College Station, Leon ISDs weigh in on the debate
(KBTX) College Station and Leon ISDs have different school policies on cell phone use in schools, but both are working to keep students engaged and safe in the classroom.
Katy ISD’s Gender Fluidity Policy Forces Some Students Back In The Closet
(Houston Press) Over a year into enacting a policy requiring instructors to tell parents if their children request to go by a different name or pronouns, Katy ISD officials report that there have been 36 instances where officials have made such notifications. This number is an increase compared to the 19 notifications made roughly two months after the policy was adopted in August 2023. “It’s sad to see this number increasing, and students are standing up for those who can’t advocate for themselves,” Cameron Samuels, executive director of SEAT and a former Katy ISD student, said. “We really hope this won’t be a norm for future generations.”
Texas Supreme Court deals final blow to Paxton’s crusade against state fair’s no-gun policy
(Austin American-Statesman) The Texas Supreme Court dealt a final blow Thursday night to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s hail-Mary attempt to quash the Texas State Fair’s newly implemented no-gun policy in an order issued 13 hours before the festivities begin Friday morning.
A&M to Deactivate ‘LGBTQ’ Studies Minor and Social Justice Certificate
(Texas Scorecard) Rep. Brian Harrison previously called the programs an “outrageous abuse of tax money.”
United ISD security team saves student during high-speed chase
(KGNS) According to the school district, UISD Police Officer Vicente Ceballos heard about the police chase and cleared the street while Security Guard Josefina Bravo helped students get back inside. Eighth-grader Angelique Juarez was pulled away from the street by Bravo just before the suspect’s car crashed into a pole at the corner, the district stated. One suspect ran from the scene, but Officer Ceballos followed until DPS Troopers caught the suspect.
McKinney ISD focuses on retention, recruitment amidst teacher shortage
(Community Impact) McKinney ISD officials are working to maintain its teacher workforce while facing a competitive job market and budget constraints.
Richardson ISD expands pre-K programs for 2024-25 school year
(Community Impact) Families in Richardson ISD have expanded access to pre-K programs for the 2024-25 school year after the district added classrooms at five campuses.
Fewer than a third of San Antonio students are on grade level in math. Can you help?
(San Antonio Report) A local education nonprofit is calling on parents, educators, business leaders, elected officials and community organizations to help raise educational attainment in San Antonio after an analysis of standardized test data showed 46% of students across the city are reading on grade level and just 31% are performing on grade level in math.
Fort Worth ISD investigating after elementary student was left behind at museum during school field trip
(WFAA) “This is unacceptable, and as soon as the district was made aware, an immediate investigation was launched,” Fort Worth ISD said in a statement.
Beaumont ISD hopes voters will sign off on new proposition that would generate $13M
(12 News Now) The district is holding a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) which would help cover raises for teachers and staff.
Seguin ISD says no to homeschool students wishing to participate in UIL events
(Seguin Today) Emily Allen, Seguin ISD’s director of communications, says the school board on Tuesday unanimously voted against the opportunity which was recently allowed by state legislation HB 547. According to that legislation, Texas school districts are allowed to invite non-enrolled homeschool students to join its programs. That opportunity, however, must independently be approved by each school district.
Texas Tech health experts recommend complimentary mental health resources to public schools
(KCBD) With Texas experiencing a significant shortage of mental health providers, the Texas Tech Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry is raising awareness about TCHATT, a free mental health resource available in public schools across the region. TCHATT collaborates with over 200 school districts statewide to deliver complimentary and accessible mental healthcare.
Telemedicine program implemented at Gainesville Intermediate School
(KXII) Students at Gainesville ISD schools who are sick at school can now be seen by a healthcare provider without having to leave the campus. Gainesville ISD has partnered with North Texas Medical Center (NTMC) to bring school-based telemedicine to students. The program is currently only at Gainesville Intermediate School, but plans to expand it to other campuses are in the future.
University of Texas at San Antonio declines to disband frat accused of waterboarding
(San Antonio Current) The University of Texas at San Antonio has opted not to ban one its fraternities, even though its members were accused of hazing, including the waterboarding of potential pledges, the campus’ student-run paper reported last week.
Historical UT building will be demolished despite landmark designation
(Houston Chronicle) The Steve Hicks Social Work building will be demolished to make way for a new football training facility. The social work school was once the home of University Junior High, one of the first integrated schools in Austin.
UH-Downtown president shares expansion plan in annual ‘State of the University’ address
(Houston Chronicle) University of Houston-Downtown will begin its 25-year campus expansion project with an acquired space in a skyscraper, more than 1 mile down the road in the business district.
Lubbock UMC experiences ransomware attack, diverts patients to other hospitals
(KLBK) University Medical Center said ransomware was the cause of the technology issues the facility faced on Thursday. The hospital said it diverted both emergency and non-emergency patients to other local hospitals due to the issues.
Fort Bend County Judge KP George indicted by grand jury for using fake Facebook page
(Houston Public Media) The indictment accuses George of using the account in campaign communication posted on his Facebook page to “injure a candidate or influence the result of an election.”
Partnership lets TDEM workers take classes at TAMUT at reduced prices
(KSLA) Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) has entered into a partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) that will let TDEM employees take classes at TAMUT at reduced prices.
Controversial children’s book will stay in League City library after split council vote
(Houston Public Media) Committee members that were appointed by the city council in 2022, determined “Big Wig” should be relocated to a higher shelf in the library, and only accessible by adults. But the complaint was ultimately kicked back to city councilmembers before the relocation could take place.
Dallas photographer snaps free senior portrait sessions for students facing financial challenges
(WFAA) In 2023, Dunice Harrell, founder of Dunice Harrell Photography started a program called G.O.A.L. It stands for “The Gift of a Lifetime.” Through her program, Harrell provides free senior photos to Dallas-Fort Worth students facing financial challenges.
Howard Payne University receives DOE clarification
(Baptist Press) Howard Payne University won a successful appeal from the Department of Education’s review committee, clarifying ownership and scoring a victory for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and related or affiliated educational institutions.
Sept. 26, 2024
‘No, please, please’ | 911 audio reveals tense moments of hoax threat that led to San Marcos High School lockdown
(KVUE) The FBI is investigating the threat after the phone number involved in the incident was connected to another threat in Michigan. In the audio, a caller is heard saying they’re inside the main building of the high school and witnessed a man with a gun walking through the hallway. The caller said someone was walking into the bathroom when suddenly “no, please, please, please” was heard followed by a gunshot. After an investigation, police said the phone number that called was involved in another Texas incident, along with a second in Michigan.
Threat that caused Austin High School lockdown originated from Florida, authorities say
(Austin American-Statesman) A stay-in-place order at Austin High School was lifted Wednesday morning after the campus received a threat from out of state, officials said. They did not indicate what kind of threat had been made, but authorities determined the “swatting” call, a false 911 call intended to create panic, came from Florida, Austin High Principal Melvin Bedford told parents in an email. He did not say how officials determined the threat came from that state.
Willis ISD student charged after making ‘shoot this place up’ comment, sheriff’s office reports
(KBTX) According to a press release from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, the comment, “shoot this place up,” was overheard by a student and a school official as a 15-year-old student walked by in the school hallways. MCSO and school administration began an investigation, leading to the Class A misdemeanor charge of Exhibition, Use, or Threat of Exhibition or Use of Firearms.
Marfa ISD hires Fort Davis ISD for early childhood education partnerships
(Big Bend Sentinel) School districts across Texas are taking notice of Fort Davis ISD’s new early childhood education partnership program after it managed to raise the district’s state allotment from $70,000 to $1.35 million last year. Last week the Marfa ISD School Board authorized Interim Superintendent Arturo Alferez to enter into a contract with FDISD to establish an early childhood education program at Marfa ISD. The arrangements are largely clerical in nature — involving the sharing of attendance numbers and assessment results rather than facilities and students — which has allowed FDISD to partner with schools across the state.
Black student in Texas punished for hairstyle seeks to return to school he left
(CBS News) A Black high school student in Texas who was punished for nearly all of his junior year over his hairstyle has left his school district rather than spend another year of in-school suspension, according to his attorney. But Darryl George, 18, would like to return to his Houston-area high school, Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, for his senior year. He has asked a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order that would prevent district officials from further punishing him for not cutting his hair. It would allow him to return to school while a federal lawsuit he filed proceeds.
Galena Park ISD voluntarily turned off AC for several hours at CenterPoint’s request
(Houston Public Media) Galena Park ISD turned off the air conditioners in its school buildings for three hours on Tuesday because the school district participates in a voluntary program with CenterPoint Energy. In a message sent out to parents on Tuesday, GPISD Superintendent John Moore said the AC had been turned off at 1 p.m. after CenterPoint had called the district and asked them to reduce power. The air was turned back on at 4 p.m. and Moore said classes continued as normal.
Scathing GAO reports blame Education Department leaders for FAFSA mess
(K-12 Dive) A monthslong investigation found the department failed to properly oversee vendors and communicate with colleges and students.
Brownsboro ISD teacher arrested after allegedly injuring child
(CBS 19) Sheriff Botie Hillhouse confirmed a Brownsboro ISD teacher was arrested after causing injury to a 7-year-old student. Kyle Lee Rocha, 39, of Chandler, is charged with injury to a child intending bodily harm following his arrest on Tuesday. Rocha is currently held in Henderson County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
Coppell ISD anticipates enrollment decline amid discussions on school closures
(Community Impact) “We are in shock,” trustee Manish Sethi said. “If half of the projections are true, we will be here discussing similar changes multiple times a year. If the full projections come true, then … I don’t have words.”
It’s Banned Books Week 2024! See most challenged books, how Texas censors compares to US
(Austin American-Statesman) In 2023, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 1,247 efforts to censor books and other resources in libraries — an increase of 65% from the year before. More than half the books challenged featured LGBTQ+ themes and characters, and people of color. Here’s a list of the top banned books throughout the U.S. and a comparison among states.
San Antonio Public Library invites readers to enjoy banned books all this week
(Texas Public Radio) The American Library Association and San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) host Banned Book Week this week. Library branches throughout San Antonio will showcase books that have been challenged or faced censorship. Books featured this week include Gender Queer, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Sold.
Yes to ‘Mein Kampf.’ No to ‘The Color Purple.’ Which books are banned in Texas prisons?
(KUT) The Texas Newsroom requested lists of which books are and are not allowed inside state prisons under public information laws and analyzed them for patterns. We found comic books are banned most often, with some of the world’s most prolific authors finding themselves on both the prohibited and approved lists.
Council votes against nomination of ex-school board candidate who challenged Denton ISD books
(KERA) The Denton City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday against a nomination that would have put one of the chief architects of Denton ISD book challenges on the city’s public library board. Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth had nominated Debi Scaggs to the library advisory board — a move that drew ire from a City Council member on social media.
Houston ISD enrollment on track to plummet 5 percent this year, largest drop since pandemic
(Houston Landing) Houston ISD is on track in 2024-25 to see its largest single-year enrollment loss since the pandemic, with the majority of student departures coming from campuses overhauled under a controversial new model implemented by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles.
Houston ISD board plans to meet with community groups as part of engagement plan
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s state-appointed board members plan to meet with various community organizations through December to share the board’s progress on its goals and constraints.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Fort Worth officials rally around first adult charter school in Texas
(Fort Worth Report) Abbott, state lawmakers and Fort Worth officials celebrated the grand opening of New Heights on Sept. 25. The school is the start of a larger statewide effort to tap into the 7 million Texans who do not have a high school diploma and widen opportunities for economic prosperity, according to officials.
Could Tarrant homeschooling families benefit from vouchers? Some are skeptical
(Fort Worth Report) Tarrant County residents Audrey Davis and Matt Kuhlmann have never met, but they homeschooled their children for the same reasons. Davis sees vouchers as a threat to homeschool freedom, while Kuhlmann wants his school taxes back in his pocket.
School-voucher ‘evangelist’ with Texas ties on leave after gay porn videos resurface
(San Antonio Current) Self-described “school choice evangelist” Corey DeAngelis is on leave from his job at the American Federation for Children — a conservative voucher-focused lobbying group — after porn clips from 2014 resurfaced this week on social media, according to the Independent.
Fort Worth’s new LGBTQ advisory committee sparks backlash, support from City Council
(Fort Worth Report) Just over a week after Fort Worth’s Human Relations Commission took the next step in creating an LGBTQ advisory subcommittee, City Council members have taken opposing stances on the committee’s creation, its role in city government and its necessity in Fort Worth.
Alex Jones’ Infowars to be auctioned off to pay Sandy Hook Families
(CBS News) Alex Jones’ Infowars media business can be auctioned off starting next month so the far-right conspiracy theorist can make payments to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting as part of a $1.5 billion settlement, a Houston judge has ruled.
San Antonio Independent School District could derail Missions ball park project
(San Antonio Current) The 4,500-seat stadium is set to be built on Fox Tech High’s old baseball field, now being used as a school parking lot. However, real estate development firm Weston Urban – who also owns a large stake in the minor league San Antonio Missions baseball team – has yet to acquire the 2.3-acre plot of land from the district needed to build the stadium.
Fort Bend ISD bus involved in crash on Fondren
(KHOU) A Fort Bend ISD school bus was involved in a two-vehicle crash in the Chasewind area of Houston Wednesday morning. A FBISD issued statement says: “A driver collided with one of our school buses this morning at Fondren and Chasewind. We are thankful no students or staff on the bus were injured. A replacement bus arrived at the scene to finish the route to schools following the incident.”
Sharyland ISD touts historic appointment of first woman as assistant athletic director
(myRGV) The district touted Laura Cavazos’ appointment as a new chapter of growth and empowerment for Sharyland ISD athletics, according to a news release.
Princeton temporarily stops new housing as rapid growth strains infrastructure
(NBC DFW) Leaders of the Collin County city said Princeton has been growing so fast that utilities and police are struggling to keep up, and a pause was needed to help the city expand safely.
EPISD annouced a new “Algebra for All” initiative for middle school students
(KVIA) The district says it is designed to elevate the math skills of middle school students. Therefore, they will now be offering Algebra I to 8th graders. They state this will allow them to get a head start on high school coursework.
Beyond business courts, Texas A&M lines up slate of research, state agencies in Fort Worth
(Fort Worth Report) The cameras were on Gov. Greg Abbott and his launch of the state’s new business courts at Texas A&M University School of Law last week, but there was plenty more going on behind the scenes that will have a significant impact on Fort Worth and North Texas.
Fort Bend ISD lowers tax rate, approves budget strategy
(Community Impact) One change to the strategy this year includes how FBISD staff will fund potential major maintenance repairs not covered in the budget. Staff identified the need to reserve funds for major maintenance repairs that happen throughout the school year, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said at an August board meeting.
Artificial intelligence lab, program debuts at Lone Star College-University Park
(Community Impact) A new artificial intelligence associates degree and lab have launched at Lone Star College-University Park. The campus is also offering an associate’s of applied science degree in artificial intelligence/machine learning.
New online platform aims to empower Latino families in mental health and behavior
(News Medical) Cory Cobb, PhD, an assistant professor of health behavior at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, is leading a research team that has been awarded a three-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to create an online platform for the intervention program they developed for United States-based Spanish-speaking Latino parents and their children.
Sept. 25, 2024
Frisco ISD settles illegal school electioneering lawsuit, but questions remain
(KERA) Frisco ISD is the seventh and final district to settle in a lawsuit accusing the district of illegally using public funds to advocate against school vouchers. The result leaves open questions about how schools can talk about elections.
Fort Worth ISD school board accepts voluntary resignation of Superintendent Angélica Ramsey
(Fort Worth Report) Trustees’ 8-1 vote on Sept. 24 came almost to the day two years ago that trustees formally hired Angélica Ramsey, who entered the superintendency with high hopes of improving academic achievement and the district’s financial standing. She now leaves the district amid criticism of unchanged student outcomes, a $17.7 million deficit budget and teachers who say they feel overburdened by district mandates. Ramsey’s resignation as superintendent is effective Oct. 1. However, she will remain a Fort Worth ISD employee until Aug. 30, 2025.
At least 25 arrests made after Texas school threats this month. 11 were middle schoolers
(Austin American-Statesman) A series of false school threats throughout Texas — and the country — have cumulated into at least 25 arrests, including a minimum of 11 middle school students, just this month.
Law enforcement continues investigation into lockdown at San Marcos High School
(Community Impact) More than 80 law enforcement officers from San Marcos and other jurisdictions responded to a call for a threat at San Marcos High School at 3:32 p.m. on Sept. 24 — which was deemed non-credible in early investigations.
Mike Miles, HISD district officials hold town hall to discuss safety after recent lockdowns for school threats
(Houston Chronicle) State-appointed Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles and other district officials held a town hall meeting to discuss student safety, air conditioning and ongoing transportation issues Tuesday evening. The town hall appeared to be only available to community members who were called prior to the meeting.
Judson ISD increases police compensation
(Community Impact) According to the fiscal year 2024-25 compensation plan, the hourly midpoint for police officers was set at $29 an hour. In the motion, Board Member José Macias said the rate would be increased by $1.09, bringing the total midpoint to $30.09. Alongside an hourly increase, the motion stated that reimbursement compensation for academy training could be given to up to seven employees.
Boerne ISD raises bus drivers pay as school district sees massive growth
(MySA) The district now has the highest-paid bus drivers in the area.
Pair of KISD administrators arrested on marijuana charge
(Killeen Daily Herald) Two Killeen ISD administrators, who are apparently sisters, were arrested on a low-level marijuana charge after they were pulled over by police. Killeen ISD Executive Director of Administrative Services Jennifer Washington was arrested by Temple police Saturday, the Herald reported earlier this week. Turns out, Finni M. Johnson, KISD’s coordinator for special education campus operations, was also in the vehicle driven by Washington when it was pulled over, Temple police verified on Tuesday. Johnson was arrested alongside Washington and both were charged with possession of marijuana, under 2 ounces. On her Facebook page, Johnson lists Washington as her sister.
Lorena ISD parents, advocates continue to push for accountability regarding lawsuit against district, principal
(KCEN) The Lorena Independent School District school board gaveled in for a regularly scheduled monthly meeting on September 23. The lawsuit the district and one of it’s principals face wasn’t on the board’s agenda, but still the board had to hear about it. Parents and advocates are still showing up in numbers to share their concerns and requests when it comes to the employment of the Lorena Primary School Principal April Jewell and Joe Kucera, the district’s superintendent.
Designated filming area at United ISD sparks heated response
(KGNS) Tensions ran high during the September 18 board meeting, as attorney Stephen Trautmann, seated next to UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz, addressed attendees who were recording from their seats. The district enforced a rule that recordings must be done from specific locations, a policy outlined in a letter sent to media personnel on September 12.
The TEA gave South San Antonio ISD a year to clean up. What happens now?
(San Antonio Express-News) TEA appointed conservator Abelard “Abe” Saavedra, a former district superintendent, was appointed under a legal settlement that ended the district’s fight against the findings of a state investigation into board dysfunction but prevented — for at least a year — an outright takeover and replacement of the board by state-appointed managers. “Honestly, I don’t know what way they’re leaning, nor the date they’ll issue their ruling,” Saavedra said in an interview last week. Whatever the state decides, the district has to go along with it. It waived its right to appeal Education Commissioner Mike Morath’s next move.
Gerrymandering gives GOP a five seat advantage in Texas, study says
(Texas Public Radio) A new study shows that the Republican Party is gaining a significant advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives through partisan gerrymandering. The skewed maps are giving Republicans a 16 seat advantage in Congress. Five of those extra seats are coming right out of Texas. The Brennan Center for Justice released a new study Tuesday titled, “How Gerrymandering Tilts the 2024 Race for the House.”
Pro-voucher group backs Texas Republicans with new campaign – but no mention of vouchers
(KERA) The American Federation for Children — which has an office in Dallas but is headquartered in D.C. — has spent millions on pro-voucher candidates in Texas. But its latest round of mailers doesn’t mention vouchers at all.
Appeals court says Texas State Fair can ban guns
(Texas Tribune) A newly created state appeals court denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to temporarily block the State Fair of Texas’ policy banning all firearms from its fairgrounds as the event is set to start Friday.
Big Baller, Shot Caller: High School Athletes and the Emerging NIL Framework | Opinion
(JDSupra) In May, a top-ranked wide receiver from the two-time reigning state champion football program at DeSoto High School in Texas tweeted his disappointment that California, Georgia, Florida, and even Louisiana allow high school athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL), but Texas does not. And he was right.
Round Rock School Board Trustee Alleges Board President Was Bribed
(Texas Scorecard) The latest in the saga of Round Rock ISD.
How do Texas schools retain teachers? Texas Wesleyan training program aims to help
(Fort Worth Report) A Texas Wesleyan University program on the receiving end of a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is expanding its teacher residency program, a clinical teaching program where students spend time in the classroom for a full year rather than the typical one semester. Right now, the university is working on placing teachers in Fort Worth ISD.
Funding, internships come to HISD’s Austin High School students with new Chevron partnership
(Houston Chronicle) More than 100 students participate in the program, instructor Linda Clary said. Chevron’s funding will allow students to have more exposure to and opportunities in landside education, which includes logistics, taking messages from vessels, making sure vessels have everything they need, and preparing vessels for fueling.
2 SMU students face charges in alleged assault, burglary inside dorm room
(Dallas Morning News) Officers believed the alleged assault was isolated since the victim said he thinks “he was targeted in retaliation for a previous incident.”
West Texas A&M blocks online gambling websites
(KVII) Effective immediately, WT students, faculty and staff are not allowed to access any online gambling site using state resources, including any WT-owned cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and other internet-connected devices.
Hunt Family Foundation awards $10 million grant to CREEED, aimed at boosting El Paso college completion rates
(El Paso Matters) The Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development, or CREEED, will receive a $10 million grant from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, which previously gave $12 million to the organization. A key part of CREEED’s mission has been to increase the number and percentage of El Paso County students completing a college degree or credential, said Woody Hunt, the El Paso businessman and philanthropist whose family foundation has provided most of CREEED’s funding since 2014.
UT School of Nursing launches four new centers to support faculty, students
(Daily Texan) Eun-Ok Im, Dean of the School of Nursing, created the centers and based them around global outreach, healthcare innovation, advanced research and professional development, according to the press release.
College of Education honors George I. Sánchez, civil rights activist, namesake of College of Education building
(Daily Texan) The College of Education celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday with a lecture in honor of George I. Sánchez, a Mexican-American activist who fought for education reform.
Ginger G. and L. Frederick Francis Foundation donates $2 million to UTEP to found deanship
(KVIA) The Ginger G. and L. Frederick Francis Foundation just gifted $2 million to UTEP’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business. The gift founds the Rick and Ginger Francis Endowed Deanship. The deanship will provide resources to retain and recruit talent to lead the college.
UT Students deserve financial aid transparency | Opinion
(Daily Texan) It’s the fifth week of classes at UT, and students are still feeling the effects of a botched FAFSA rollout. Delayed funding has caused a time-sensitive financial burden students shouldn’t have to worry about. “(A week) before the bill was due, (my family and I) took out an emergency tuition loan in order to pay the tuition bill and make sure I could attend class,” accounting sophomore Isabella Garcia said.
Chilton ISD announces partnership with Wiley University, allowing all students to be admitted upon graduation
(KXXV) Chilton ISD has just announced a partnership with Wiley University. All district students will be conditionally admitted to the university upon submission of their application. “Every student may not choose to go to a four-year institution, however, those students that choose to, we want to make sure they have that opportunity,” said Chilton ISD Superintendent, Dr. Brandon Hubbard.
Smith County commissioners approve $4M for UT Health mental health facility
(KLTV) The Smith County Commissioners Court approved a beneficiary agreement, which will allow the UT Health Science Center to renovate the former behavioral health center, located at 4101 University Blvd., and reopen it as a licensed behavioral health hospital with new impatient beds. The facility will expand the opportunities for inpatient and outpatient programs for mental health crisis care for Smith County patients.
Students, volunteers help fingerprint migrant remains with hopes of identifying them
(Concho Valley Homepage) Volunteers who were training with Texas State University’s Operation Identification program watched as the hands of the female were put into scalding water to get viable, plump fingerprints to send to a national database in the hopes of positively identifying her remains and repatriating her back to family.
Micro school in Bell County focuses on teaching students with learning disabilities
(KXXV) Kendra Eboigbodin started her micro school program in Killeen, with a large emphasis in STEM, in 2020, teaching elementary to junior high age students who are physically or developmentally challenged. “A lot of the public schools you don’t have as much one-on-one time with the teachers and your students aren’t always getting as much attention as they need,” said a parent.
Texas High-Speed Rail Plan Calls for Eminent Domain
(Planetizen) Texas officials say they will use eminent domain to acquire land needed for the 240-mile high-speed rail line planned between Dallas and Houston, reports Hugh Cameron in Newsweek. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the project’s builder had eminent domain authority in one Leon County case in 2022.
Another new wasp species discovered by researchers on Rice campus
(Rice News) The discovery, the fourth wasp species found on the university grounds in seven years, reveals the hidden world of parasitoid wasps and the intricate ecosystems that thrive outside our doors.
TSTC partners with South Texas ISD’s Science Academy for new dual credit welding program
(myRGV) Texas State Technical College and the South Texas Independent School District’s Science Academy in Mercedes have partnered to offer a dual credit program in Welding Technology. Classes, which are taught at the high school, started this semester.
Sept. 24, 2024
Tarrant becomes blueprint for property tax changes across Texas. Some experts are worried
(Fort Worth Report) The Tarrant Appraisal District’s recent changes to local tax policy might violate Texas law, according to a state lawmaker. Also, the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association published a report detailing the ways in which Tarrant’s actions could violate state law. But legal concerns haven’t stopped other county appraisal districts from doing just that.
Law requiring armed guards on Texas campuses back in spotlight amid school threats
(Click 2 Houston) When House Bill 3 initially passed, we contacted Houston area school districts to see if they would be complying with the law, but many said they would file for a Good Cause Exception due to lack of funds. With this recent surge in school threats, we wanted to circle back to see how many school districts in the Houston area are in compliance.
FBI Houston reports highest hoax school threat calls in three years
(Houston Public Media) FBI Houston says they have received more hoax school threats this month than any other month in the past three years in a press conference on Monday.
Charges dismissed against HISD teacher who reportedly had gun in purse on campus
(KHOU) Dajanae Doucett, 24, had been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. That’s the charge that we learned on Monday was dismissed. We learned on Monday that a justice found there was no probable cause in the case. Two students at Bastian Elementary School spotted the gun in Doucett’s purse, according to HISD. Doucett immediately told the principal what happened and said she accidentally left the small gun in her purse.
7 HISD students arrested and charged in connection to rise in school threats, district says
(Houston Chronicle) Seven Houston ISD students have been arrested and charged, many with felonies, as the district and region respond to a significant increase in school threats in the past weeks, HISD officials said Monday.
Willis ISD threats: 13-year-old student faces felony charges for Snapchat posts
(Fox 26 Houston) A 13-year-old student from Lynn Lucas Middle School has been charged for making threats against Willis High School, Brabham Middle School, and Lynn Lucas Middle School on Snapchat. The student, who did not have access to firearms, faces a charge of making a terroristic threat, classified as a third-degree felony.
10-year-old student charged for Kerrville ISD school threat, police say
(KSAT) Kerrville police said no real threat existed since the child fabricated the posts entirely. The juvenile was charged with making terroristic threats, which is a third-degree felony, police said.
Reforms changing how Texas law enforcement operate
(KXAN) Following years of review — and an assessment that the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement was “toothless” — lawmakers passed wide-ranging changes to the police licensing agency in 2023. Now, just over a year since the bill was signed into law, the impacts of the TCOLE revamp are taking form and rippling out to law enforcement agencies across the state.
Fort Worth ISD school board to consider superintendent contract
(Fort Worth Report) Superintendent Angélica Ramsey’s leadership of Fort Worth ISD hangs in the balance. The school board is expected to meet behind closed doors Sept. 24 to discuss Ramsey’s contract — then emerge for a public meeting where they will consider taking action.
Fort Worth ISD community wants district to act after alleged racist remarks at high school football game
(CBS News) Cheerleaders from Fort Worth’s North Side High School stood with parents and community leaders Monday to demand action from the Fort Worth Independent School District. The cheerleaders say fans of the Arlington Heights football team yelled racial slurs at them during a game on Sept. 13.
Conroe ISD board discusses possible book policy revisions
(Community Impact) Carrie Galatas, CISD’s general legal counsel, presented several suggested changes to the current policies. The changes address concerns expressed by several trustees at the Aug. 20 board meeting after they learned that some books removed from school library shelves were used for AP classes and the AP exam.
Republican attorneys general from 17 states join Texas in defending politicians’ right to ban books
(Houston Chronicle) The Little v. Llano case will undoubtedly go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Seventeen Republican state attorneys general have joined Ken Paxton in defending the Llano County Commissioners Court’s order to remove 17 books from the public library. Not the school library, mind you, but the library system for all residents.
‘It’s pretty amazing’: How video, data technology is changing Texas high school football
(Dallas Morning News) For the first time, the University Interscholastic League is allowing the use of video and data technology in the coaching booth and locker room. Football teams can use computers, tablets, iPads and smartphones during the game and at halftime, and it has been a game changer.
Humble ISD food services initiatives prompt $15M budget shortfall
(Community Impact) Humble ISD officials pointed to $36.2 million allocated toward various food services projects as the main factor leading to the roughly $15 million shortfall included in the district’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
‘Many parents don’t know:’ More children, teens in Houston developing liver disease
(Click 2 Houston) Fatty liver disease, once considered an adult disease, popping up in young people.
Houston ISD will have class on Election Day unlike several local school districts
(Houston Chronicle) Several other Texas and Houston-area school districts will not have class during the general election, citing safety concerns for students because of the high number of visitors entering the campus to cast ballots.
MacGregor Elementary teacher recommended for termination after alleged altercation with parent
(Houston Chronicle) A MacGregor Elementary teacher has been recommended for termination after reportedly getting into a verbal altercation with a parent shortly before dismissal Thursday, according to Houston ISD. The teacher was removed from campus after an administrator witnessed the conflict and intervened, the district said. There was no physical contact between the teacher and student or parent, according to Houston ISD.
Fort Bend ISD approves partnership with Friends of the Sugar Land 95 to fundraise for memorial
(Houston Chronicle) Fort Bend ISD trustees unanimously voted Monday to partner with Friends of the Sugar Land 95 to obtain more funding and support for the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project. In 2018, Fort Bend ISD discovered 95 unmarked graves during the construction of the James Reese Career and Technical Center in Sugar Land. Chassidy Olainu-Alade, the district’s coordinator of community and civic engagement, previously said the district has faced obstacles in raising money for the project because funds dedicated to supporting public historic preservation sites are typically designated for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporations and not school districts.
FBI charges man with allegedly cyberstalking ‘high level’ UT Austin employees
(KXAN) A Nevada man faces federal cyberstalking charges for allegedly sending a barrage of threatening messages and tormenting two unnamed “high level” University of Texas at Austin employees, causing one to move from her home in fear.
TCU’s new medical school is prepared to fuel ‘medical innovation’ in Fort Worth
(Fort Worth Report) The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University is preparing to open its doors to the public for its upcoming dedication ceremony Sept. 24, 2024.
Collin County Texas House district is frontline for school choice voucher battle
(NBC DFW) Democrats have a toehold in Collin County for the first time in decades. A local seat may hold the keys to statewide education policy.
A South Texas region finally gets a children’s hospital, but many families still can’t find care
(Texas Tribune) Families no longer must make the 160-mile trip to find care, but immigration status, provider shortages and transportation limitations remain obstacles.
Henderson ISD says meningitis case was false alarm
(KLTV) Henderson ISD says lab results have shown a student previously thought to have meningitis does not actually have the infection.
Alpha School uses AI to teach students academics for just two hours a day
(Fox 7 Austin) One Austin woman believes traditional schooling is outdated and filled with busy work. That’s why she created a new learning method where there are no teachers, and students learn academics through an AI tutor on a series of apps, for just two hours a day. “Our students are learning twice as fast as students in a traditional classroom, but they are doing it in only 2 hours a day,” said MacKenzie Price, co-founder of the Alpha School in downtown Austin.
Sept. 23, 2024
Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united front
(Texas Tribune) A legal effort to block Texas from releasing school performance ratings has created a divide between district leaders who worry the scores are an inaccurate representation of their work and others who say parents need that information to make choices about their kids’ schooling.
Texas prisons and jails are recruiting more teenagers to shore up guard shortage
(Texas Tribune) Two counties house training programs in local high schools as officials pitch corrections jobs as gateways to criminal justice careers.
Local districts partner to address rising number of school threats
(Community Impact) Austin ISD officials, in partnership with Bastrop, Del Valle, Eanes, Hutto, Lockhart, Manor, Pflugerville and Round Rock ISDs, held a press conference Sept. 20 to address these threats and provide information for parents and students on the subsequent consequences and mental health impacts. According to Travis County District Attorney José Garza, there are at least 30 cases pending in the DA’s office related to these threats.
‘We are not joking,’ Lewisville police arrest four students after online hoax threat
(NBC Dallas) Lewisville police said all four suspects are juveniles and students in the Lewisville ISD. All have been charged with terroristic threats and booked into the Juvenile Detention Center in Denton. Police said there was no credible threat from the post, but they must take all threats seriously. After identifying the students involved, the department said they took decisive action to ensure each campus was safe.
New rules for Killeen ISD football games after fights result in officer injured, 1 arrested
(KCEN) Killeen ISD is implementing new student rules at football games following the arrest of a non-student spectator with a weapon and multiple fights breaking out following a football game at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium on Sep. 19.
Who called in threats at Cornelius schools? Police say a suspect is in Texas
(Charlotte Observer) Cornelius, N.C. detectives traveled to Texas to try to speak with a suspect in Wednesday’s bomb threat at Hough High School. That bomb threat came during a week when both Hough and Bailey Middle School in Cornelius received threats. Police haven’t pinpointed an exact location of that call but traced it to Texas and traveled there to talk to a suspect, a department Facebook post said.
Hays CISD arrests 11-year-old girl for school threats, 6th student this month
(CBS Austin) Hays CISD announced on Friday another student was arrested for making shooting threats against two middle schools, the sixth student charged this month. They include: two boys from Johnson High School, a freshman and a sophomore, ages 14 and 15; a McCormick Middle School boy, a Wallace Middle School girl, and two Simon Middle School girls. All middle school students are 6th graders who are 11 years old. All face various felony charges related to making false alarms, terroristic threats, and lying to investigators.
Man arrested after admitting he sent a text threatening to ‘shoot up’ a school
(NBC DFW) A Weatherford man is facing charges after admitting to police he sent a text threatening to “shoot up” a school, Mineral Wells police say. The suspect claims the message was sent out of frustration after he believed he received a spam text thread.
Marble Falls ISD school resource officer injured after ‘accidental’ gun discharge
(Fox 7 Austin) A school resource officer at Marble Falls ISD is recovering from a leg injury after his gun went off, says the district. The school district says that just before 6 p.m. on Sept. 20, the officer was injured after his gun discharged while inside the holster. MFISD says that the officer was seated near the visitor parking area at Marble Falls High School at the time. He was transported by helicopter with a non-life-threatening injury to his leg. The district says the incident was an “accidental discharge”.
HISD Security: Possible Ban on Cell Phones During a Lockdown and Metal Detectors?
(Houston Press) Houston ISD is considering additional security measures including banning students’ use of cell phones during a lockdown and metal detectors.
Houston ISD teacher arrested after bringing unloaded gun to school, DA’s office says
(KHOU) A Houston ISD teacher was arrested Thursday for bringing an unloaded gun to school, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Dajanae Jaswell, 24, is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. Two students at Bastian Elementary School spotted the gun in Jaswell’s purse, according to HISD. Jaswell immediately told the principal what happened and said she accidentally left the small gun in her purse.
HISD bond proposal calls for moving 7 small schools into different buildings
(Houston Landing) HISD has described the moves, known as “co-location,” as an alternative to closing small schools, one of the least-popular decisions that a school district can make. Critics, however, have slammed the co-location proposal as a disguised method of shuttering campuses. All seven of the schools proposed for co-location are located in majority Black or Latino neighborhoods.
Fort Worth ISD remains a C-rated district after TEA review of A-F scores
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The Fort Worth Independent School District’s C rating remains unchanged after state education officials asked the district to re-check its math on self-calculated A-F scores it released last week.
Waltrip High School’s marching band approved for New Orleans trip after mayor’s office steps in
(KHOU) According to a report, the marching band had been denied approval for travel with HISD saying it was “too dangerous.”
Pflugerville ISD teacher accused of breaking kindergartner’s fingers arrested
(Fox 7 Austin) The Pflugerville ISD teacher accused of breaking a kindergartner’s fingers was arrested on September 18. Court records show McKinzie Merrell, 31, was arrested and released the same day. She is charged with injuring a child.
City of Frisco Partners with Hunt Family and FISD to Invest $182 Million in Toyota Stadium Renovation
(D Magazine) The City of Frisco, in partnership with the Hunt family, the Frisco Independent School District, and the Frisco Community Development Corporation, will fund $182 million to renovate the Toyota Stadium. This development agreement will also extend the stadium lease more than 30 years. The Frisco Community Development Corporation plans to issue tax revenue bonds to underwrite the $182 million and will, in addition, contribute $40 million for its share. The City of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District will fund their shares through a tax increment reinvestment zone. The Hunt family will contribute up to $65 million and cover cost overruns.
5 treated for heat-related injuries at Crowley middle school, officials say
(Fox 4 KDFW) Emergency crews in Crowley had to treat multiple unconscious patients after the air conditioner shut off at Richard J. Allie Middle School on Saturday. Crowley ISD says there was a non-district event being held inside of the school that ran past the scheduled time. The district says the air conditioning in the building was scheduled to run for the event from 7:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Resolution Recognizing Suicide Prevention Month Prompts One Conroe Trustee’s Push Back
(Houston Press) Trustee Tiffany Baumann Nelson took issue with a resolution for suicide prevention month.
San Antonio business where Jasper’s Ayden Burt was shot announces changes
(KJAS) The San Antonio business (Smoke Barbecue & Skybar) where Jasper High School coach and teacher Ayden Rose Burt was hit by a bullet fired from a passing vehicle has announced that the establishment will no longer have an open-air venue and instead all of their seating will be enclosed. Meanwhile, the search for the person who shot her continues.
UT police chief abruptly resigns as assistant chief takes over
(KVUE) Shane Streepy, who had served as the department’s assistant police chief since April, has been promoted to chief of police. He replaces Eve Stephens, who resigned abruptly on Friday.
DPS director asks Paxton for guidance on sex marker changes
(KXAN) Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw sent a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Sept. 13, asking for his office’s opinion on whether Texans have the right to use a court order to change the sex marker on state-issued identification.
Man surrenders, faces murder charge in shooting death of Lincoln High Student
(NBC DFW) A man police say fatally shot a Dallas high school student as he lay in bed and then threatened children not to snitch surrendered on Thursday.
Federal border agency report on Uvalde massacre recommends policy changes
(Texas Tribune) The review of CBP agents’ response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting found that active shooting training was insufficient.
The Alamo is now offering guided tours in Spanish for the first time
(Texas Public Radio) Texas’ most popular tourist attraction previously offered self-guided tours in English, Spanish, German, French and Chinese.
‘I started my career on this track’ | Sha’Carri Richardson unveils track with her namesake at Dallas ISD’s Kincaide Stadium
(WFAA) A ceremony was held for the renaming during the football game between Wilmer-Hutchins and Richardson’s alma mater: Carter High School.
Sept. 20, 2024
Harlingen CISD resignation agreement paying Gonzalez $264,262
(myRGV) Following his stunning resignation earlier this month, the Harlingen school district’s paying former Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez about $264,262 as part of an agreement.
Survey reveals majority of Texans support school vouchers, researcher urges caution in new book
(WFAA) Josh Cowen, an education policy professor at Michigan State University, just released a new book based on his nearly two decades of researching school voucher programs called, “The Privateers.” “When it comes to school vouchers, it is not actually about school choice. It’s the school’s choice,” Cowen explained. “All school vouchers in every state reserve the right for the individual schools to reject the child on any basis that they want. 70% of voucher users today were already in private school to begin with.”
Citizens Tell Senators School Districts Are Failing to Implement Law Barring Explicit Books
(Texas Scorecard) Citizens testified to Texas senators this week that despite the legislature’s passage of a law prohibiting sexually explicit books in public school libraries, these materials are still present. “HB 900 is not being implemented,” anti-smut advocate Bonnie Wallace told members of the Senate Education Committee during a hearing Wednesday in Austin.
Here’s what happens in Texas if a student threatens their school
(Click 2 Houston) Under Texas law, threatening a school is a felony offense, even if it isn’t acted upon. According to a release from the Texas Department of Public Safety, students who make threats to a school can be arrested, have a permanent criminal record, face heavy fines, and possibly go to jail. The FBI field office in Houston put out a warning to students that they will track down anyone who posts fake threats on social media.
Beaumont School District apologizes for not sharing threat information sooner
(Beaumont Enterprise) Beaumont Independent School District has apologized for not sharing information sooner after a Marshall Middle School Threat. On Thursday morning, Marshall Middle School parents received a call from the districts all-call system in regards to a threat made against the middle school. The district later posted on Facebook apologizing for not sharing the information on social media when they first became aware of the situation.
Juvenile arrested after Hearne ISD canceled classes due to threat of mass shooting
(KWTX) A juvenile has been arrested after threatening to commit a shooting at Hearne ISD, according to The Hearne Police Department. Police said they received a tip about potential threats on Wednesday, September 18, around 10:07 p.m. and Hearne ISD cancelled classes Thursday as a precaution. Police conducted a search of the juvenile’s home and reportedly found ammunition.
Houston ISD considering prohibiting student cell phone use during school emergencies
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD is working toward a new policy prohibiting students from using cellphones during certain campus emergencies because they could be “counterproductive,” top school safety officials said Thursday.
New threats against Hays CISD middle schools under investigation
(Fox 7 Austin) Hays CISD told FOX 7 Austin in an email that a new threat surfaced Thursday, Sept. 19, which specifically named Chapa and Simon middle schools and is now under investigation by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. The district has released a new poster warning students about “threat regret.”
Tweens released after terroristic threat to Laredo school
(KGNS) The two 12-year-old girls responsible for sending threats to schools with the desire to be school shooters have been released. Web County Attorney Marco Montemayor explained that because the girls are underage, the process is different as the goal is to rehabilitate and not punish. Currently, the girls are under the custody of their parents and are being supervised by the Juvenile Probation Office. “This case is still being investigated and evidence is still being collected. Once that’s done, my office will review the case and make a decision on how to proceed with this matter,” said Montemayor.
Nacogdoches County officials arrest Tennessee man after pursuit through school zones
(KLTV) The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said the pursuit began when a deputy attempted to perform a speeding stop around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. The compact Toyota, later found to be driven by Christopher Michael Chaney, 41, of Ashley City, TN, then reportedly fled the deputy and began a pursuit that at times reached speeds as high as 120 mph.The man ultimately surrendered to law enforcement. A retrace of the route found suspected methamphetamine, prescription pills and a gun. A search of the Toyota found 1.8 pounds of marijuana as well. Chaney reportedly said he dumped the items from the car because he knew that Texas laws were strict.
Elon Musk officially moves X headquarters from California to Texas
(Houston Chronicle) New court filings revealed that X’s headquarters are now in Bastrop, Texas, Forbes reports. Musk originally stated that the company would move from San Francisco to Austin. But now, Musk appears to have instead chosen to make X’s home base only about 30 miles east of the tech-dominated city where Tesla’s headquarters are located.
‘I was grossed out. My stomach turned’: ‘Slimy’ milk has two of SA’s largest school districts taking action
(KENS) The TruMoo mini strawberry milk cartons were supplied by Oak Farms, which is investigating the isolated incidents. San Antonio ISD and Northside ISD stopped serving strawberry milk following reports of children falling ill. Multiple parents say their child’s stomach started to hurt. Others took their child to the hospital. A couple of Facebook comments mentioned a Laredo school district in which a nearly identical video was taken September 3.
Nuclear Reactor Approved for Construction at Abilene Christian University
(Texas Scorecard) Abilene Christian University will soon house an advanced nuclear reactor approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACU’s planned research reactor, the first of its kind constructed in over 30 years, will be built by the university’s NEXT lab and nuclear company Natura Resources. The project is a Molten Salt Research Reactor and had its final safety evaluation for the NRC’s permit on Sept 16.
Texas A&M’s Flagship Campus Joins Coast Guard’s Auxiliary Unit Program
(Texas A&M Today) The new unit creates expanded opportunities for Aggies to serve in the United States Coast Guard after graduation.
UT Continues To Achieve All-Time Highs in Applications, Enrollment and Graduation Rates
(UT News) Student demand and performance at The University of Texas at Austin continue to reach all-time highs, according to data collected on the 12th class day of the Fall 2024 term. The number of freshman applications increased by 10% for the second straight year, and enrollment reached a record high for the third consecutive year. This year’s four-year graduation rate, based on students who began college with remote learning during the pandemic, continued a decadelong upward trend.
Midwestern State University announces record enrollment number of new first-time full-time students
(KAUZ) Midwestern State University has announced a record enrollment of 925 new first-time, full-time students for the fall 2024 semester. This marks a 17% increase over the previous year’s enrollment and exceeds the university’s goal of 820 students set by school leaders. In addition to the larger first-year class, the university reported improved retention rates, with a 2 percent increase from last year.
UTRGV expands accredited health-focused programs to Laredo
(UTRGV) In continued efforts to meet the need for community mental health professionals in South Texas, UTRGV is extending its Master of Education in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) degree, currently available in Edinburg and Brownsville, to Laredo. Additionally, UTRGV’s bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science now will have a physical location at the University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo.
Study finds levels of a dangeroaus gas “off the scales” in Central Texas oilfield
(Texas Tribune) The smell of oil wells has long permeated Caldwell County, near Austin and San Antonio. Now researchers have documented wells releasing dangerous amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas.
UTRGV receives $30M grant to combat diabetes in Valley
(myRGV) Through a $30 million dollar grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is set to establish and build the UTRGV Diabetes Center of Excellence (UTRGV DCE), a much needed diabetes management and limb preservation clinic.
City approves contract with UT to improve birth outcomes in communities of color
(Daily Texan) The Austin City Council approved the renewal of an agreement with the University on Thursday to help improve birth outcomes and maternal health for women of color. The agreement gave the University almost half a million dollars to “improve birth outcomes” through Mama Sana Vibrant Woman and the Alliance for African American Health, two organizations that provide free support and education to pregnant women and mothers of color.
How a new arts-focused South Dallas school is earning its ‘Baby Booker T.’ nickname
(Dallas Free Press) Posters and playbills featuring Broadway musicals line the walls of Ramad Carter’s theater classroom at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Academy in South Dallas. Last year his fourth- through eighth-grade students performed “Sister Act”; this year they’re prepping for “Annie.”
Skanska to build research and teaching facility at University of North Texas
(Construction Briefing) The contract, which is worth $87 million, includes building of a new 10,300 square-meter (111,000- square-foot) multidisciplinary research and teaching building on the university’s Denton campus. The new building will expand research space for areas such as biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, physics, data science, and computer science and engineering while creating experiential learning opportunities for students.
Bryan High School’s welding students get monster truck-sized surprise
(KRHD) Bryan High School students received a huge surprise when they found out they would be building a monster truck as part of their welding class this year. Bryan High School welding students are partnering with Monster Jam and Northern Tool and Equipment to build a third-scale monster truck, offering them a unique, hands-on learning experience.
Sept. 19, 2024
No A-F grades for Texas schools as judge temporarily blocks release
(Dallas Morning-News) Texas schools won’t receive A-F accountability grades after a judge granted a new order temporarily blocking them on Wednesday. A trial on the case is set for February. Texas Education Agency officials plan to appeal the decision.
Less than half of Texas school districts surveyed have required armed officer on every campus, TEA says
(KVUE) Fewer than half of Texas school districts surveyed have an armed security officer on each of their campuses, one official with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) testified Wednesday to the Texas House Youth Health & Safety Select Committee. John P. Scott, the chief of School Safety and Security for the TEA, told the committee out of the schools surveyed so far, roughly 45% have the required armed officer on each campus. School officials from across Texas also told lawmakers on Wednesday that they’re not receiving enough money from the state to comply with House Bill 3.
Texas education commissioner calls for student cellphone ban in schools
(Texas Tribune) Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on Wednesday said next year lawmakers should ban the use of cellphones in public schools across the state.
Frisco ISD officials approve settlement agreement for electioneering lawsuit
(Community Impact) The district’s board of trustees approved the settlement Sept. 16. The lawsuit was filed against the district by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in regards to three social media posts that were published on FISD’s Government Affairs Facebook, according to the filing.
Armed security officer fired after leaving gun in Arlington elementary bathroom
(NBC DFW) An armed school security officer for Arlington Independent School District was fired after forgetting their gun belt in a school bathroom. The officer was employed by Tier One security company.
Houston ISD student arrested amid threats to schools statewide, HISD chief of police said
(Houston Chronicle) HISD Police Chief Shamara Garner said in a video published Tuesday that a student was arrested for a social media threat amid a rise in reported threats against schools statewide.
Student found in possession of a handgun arrested at Bryan High School
(KBTX) A student at Bryan High School was taken into custody Wednesday morning after a handgun was found in the student’s backpack in a classroom. Bryan police later on Wednesday confirmed the handgun was located around 11 a.m. after a school resource officer was notified by the school administration. Bryan Police say this incident was initially reported by another student.
Channelview ISD student arrested, charged following terroristic threats
(Click 2 Houston) Andrea Torres, an 18-year-old Channelview High School student, has been charged with felony terroristic threat. Deputies responded to the high school after being notified of a threat to “shoot up the school.” The threat was sent to another student using a communications app. When questioned, Torres reportedly admitted to making the threat as well as threatening another student.
Lockdown lifted at Sterling HS after student stabbed during fight, suspect arrested, HISD says
(KTRK) A Sterling High School student is in the hospital after being stabbed during a fight on campus Wednesday morning, according to school officials. The district said the stabbing happened at about 10 a.m. during a fight between two students inside the school. HISD said the stabbing victim was taken to the hospital and is conscious, however, the student’s condition is unknown.
Del Valle High School administrators stopped armed student from entering campus Tuesday
(Austin American-Statesman) Del Valle school administrators stopped a student with a handgun at the front doors of the high school Tuesday morning before classes started, district spokesman Christopher Weddle said. The student didn’t enter the school and the gun wasn’t fired, Weddle said. Administrators learned of the armed student after receiving a tip from another student, he said. “The student did what they should have done,” Weddle said. “They heard about something and they did something.”
Hays CISD: A total of 5 students arrested in connection with threats made against district
(KXAN) Two more Hays County students were arrested Wednesday for making threats to a high school in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, a district spokesperson said. This now makes a total of five students arrested in Hays CISD in connection with threats made to the district, the spokesperson said.
Harlingen school district says some expenditures not approved, clarifies former super’s pay
(myRGV) The Harlingen school district said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that its former superintendent will not be paid for the remaining two years left on his contract. J.A. Gonzalez, who was the top administrator at the Harlingen school district for one year, resigned in early September five months after receiving a $10,000 raise that bumped his salary to $310,000 a year. “The former Superintendent had a three-year contract that if paid in full would have exceeded a million dollars,” the statement read. “By accepting his resignation, the District is no longer obligated to pay the final two years of this contract.”
Fort Worth ISD’s self-reported A-F scores may be wrong, Texas Education Agency says
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A spokesman for TEA told the Star-Telegram on Wednesday that Fort Worth ISD officials submitted their scores for confirmation Tuesday, a week after releasing them publicly. When the agency reviewed the district’s self-calculated scores, it flagged a number of areas where the district’s calculations differed from the ones done by TEA.
Fort Worth ISD parents, teachers push for, against potential leadership change
(KERA) Trustees called a special meeting Sept. 17 following calls from the community for a change in leadership because of stagnant academic achievement and a tense school board-superintendent relationship. Most speakers during the meeting voiced dissatisfaction with the superintendent and called for her ouster, while some criticized board members for not properly governing Fort Worth ISD. The school board took no action.
EPISD superintendent opts out of pay raise ‘in solidarity’ with teachers, staff
(KVIA) El Paso ISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra just earned a favorable evaluation score from the district’s Board of Trustees, earning herself a pay raise. “In solidarity” with teachers and staff, however, Sayavedra is forgoing her salary increase.
Local school districts join forces to expand career training opportunities
(Big Bend Sentinel) Medical personnel in training start work at the Big Bend Regional Medical Center this week, arriving at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. for the nurse’s change of shift in never worn scrubs. The trainees are high school seniors from Alpine and Marathon ISDs working to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
Girls high school flag football is growing nationwide, but still has a ways to go in Texas
(Dallas Morning News) With flag football set to become an Olympic sport at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, it is starting to become a popular sport for girls at the high school level across the nation. That includes in Texas, but not enough to become a UIL sport at this point.
Central Texas school district helps curb sports official shortage by offering officiating class to students
(KWTX) Chilton ISD is one of only 15 districts across the state of Texas offering the Texas Sports Officiating class.
Dallas County passes resolution supporting transgender residents
(LoneStar Live) The Dallas County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming its commitment to transgender rights, while state agencies continue to restrict trans Texans’ freedoms.
UT President delivers State of the University speech
(Daily Texan) The University’s three “core themes” include enabling student success, growing depth and broadening the University’s resources and recruiting “lead-talent” faculty and students, President Jay Hartzell said in the annual State of the University address on Sept. 18. Hartzell did not mention last semester’s protests or actions to comply with Senate Bill 17 which paused new diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices.
University police arrest UT employee on charge of failure to register as a sex offender
(Daily Texan) University police arrested a University employee, who is a registered sex offender in Oregon, on Sept. 6 for what officials believe to be failure to register in Texas, a third-degree felony in the state. UTPD detained Nicholas Clisby, who asked to be referred to as Nicholas Clisby-Sabathia, a McCombs School of Business human resources employee.
HCC-Katy launches Agricultural Sciences Academy to encourage urban farming
(Community Impact) A new partnership between Houston Community College-Katy and Sam Houston State University will make it easier for students to gain degrees in agricultural science, college officials said.
Houston Methodist and Rice University team up to track gut-brain connection
(NewsWise) For the next two years, 120 Division I Rice University athletes will be part of a concussion study with Houston Methodist researchers to identify reliable and novel concussion biomarkers in their gut microbiomes in ways that standard brain imaging cannot.
Voter fraud data from group behind Project 2025 shows few instances of noncitizen voting in Texas
(Houston Public Media) Data compiled by The Heritage Foundation – most known for being the architect of the controversial policy blueprint known as Project 2025 – shows that noncitizen voting isn’t widespread in Texas. That’s despite repeated warnings from the state’s Republican leaders that elections are vulnerable to this type of fraud.
Liberty Hill ISD student with special needs had red hand marks around his neck, mother says
(Fox 7 Austin) A Liberty Hill ISD mom is calling for more accountability after her son came home with red marks around his neck last month. Her son has special needs and is in the Liberty Hill ISD’s 18+ program.
Esports private school NextGen Academy now open in far Northwest Austin
(Community Impact) Its curriculum is built around gaming and esports for students in fifth through eighth grades, and tuition is $25,000 a year. Students complete coursework in two hours each day with an AI platform that tutors students at their own pace, and then spend the rest of the day developing other skills and interests.
Sept. 18, 2024
Dozens of Texas school districts press state to suspend new student data reporting system
(Texas Tribune) A coalition of more than 70 Texas school districts has called on the Texas Education Agency to delay full implementation of a new data reporting system they say has led to thousands of unresolved errors that could pose grave consequences to their funding and accountability. School district leaders sent the letter to the agency’s commissioner, Mike Morath, on Sept. 13 after dozens of them began sharing their concerns with one another about the transition to the new system used to collect student, staff, and financial data, which more than 300 districts piloted last school year.
Texas House education chair expects vouchers will pass next session — with limitations
(KERA) Speaking at a Dallas Regional Chamber State of Public Education event Tuesday, District 54 Rep. Brad Buckley said he wants well-funded public schools as well as a voucher program with limitations. He said vouchers should go to low-income kids in poorly rated schools.
DPS to students: School threats will not be tolerated
(KMID) In a news release, a DPS spokesperson said school threats are not a joke. Whether a prank or a false alarm, law enforcement treats all threats with the utmost urgency to protect the safety of students, teachers, and staff.
Officials respond to East Texas school threats
(KETK) More than 10 threats have been made against East Texas schools since September 3rd and officials are letting students and parents know that they are taking the matter seriously.
Gun confiscated at Del Valle High School after student tip
(KEYE) Del Valle High School administrators along with the Del Valle Independent School District Police Department acted swiftly Tuesday morning after a student tip led to the confiscation of a handgun on campus. Principal Kandice Smith said the weapon was not used and appropriate disciplinary action has been taken.
Four Bastrop middle schoolers charged after social media threats
(Austin American-Statesman) Four middle school students from the Bastrop school district were arrested Tuesday and each charged with making a false alarm or report, a Class A misdemeanor, after a social media post circulated that contained a threat to Bastrop Middle School, a district spokeswoman confirmed.
19-year-old arrested for alleged threat made to East Texas school
(KETK) A 19-year-old woman is facing terroristic threat charges after allegedly making a threat against a school. Investigators identified the suspect as Adriana Orona who was arrested on charges of terroristic threat, a third degree felony. Orona is being held at the Titus County Jail and is awaiting arraignment. Mount Pleasant ISD’s Superintendent Judd Marshall said Orona was a former student of the school district and a current student at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC).
17-year-old arrested after threat made against Sulphur Springs ISD
(KWTX) A high school student has been arrested after Sulphur Springs ISD staff identified a social media post containing a threat. On Sept. 13, ISD staff received an email notifying them of a threatening post made on Instagram, according to an arrest affidavit. The email named a student, Lucinda Beck Smith, 17, of Sulphur Springs.
Teen charged after riot at Waco High School cafeteria
(KWTX) Darwin Bible, 17, is charged with riot participation, after a riot at the Waco High School cafeteria involving 13 other students, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Waco Independent School District Police Department. In addition to Bible, 13 other juveniles were linked to the riot. The ages of those involved range from 15 to 17, although the 17-year-old Bible is the only student identified in the criminal complaint.
Austin ISD Trustees Wonder if Goals Rely Too Much on State Test Results
(Austin Chronicle) Austin ISD is finishing up a complex project that the board of trustees will be glad to be done with – the revision of the district’s “scorecard.”
Bexar County is changing its appraisal process. Here’s how it will work
(San Antonio Report) Bexar Appraisal District’s board of directors charted new territory this month when it approved plans to skip a year of appraising properties in which the owner has successfully challenged their valuation. So new is the idea that hours before the state’s deadline to formalize the agency’s policies, which are approved by the board every two years, its top leaders were still scrambling for clarity on how it would work.
‘We’re not allowed to go any lower’: Mansfield ISD adopts slightly higher tax rate
(Arlington Report) Because Mansfield ISD saw a higher increase than statewide averages, the district’s maximum levy rate is the lowest possible rate allowed by state law. “We were at the floor, and we could go even lower, but we’re not allowed to go any lower,” said Michele Trongaard, associate superintendent of business and finance, at the board meeting.
Small Central Texas school district undergoing major developments to accommodate for expected growth
(KWTX) Bartlett ISD is applying for grants and loans after inflation and impacts from recent storms depleted funding from its 2022 bond project. “We’ve got buildings from the ’60s and the ’70s and the ’80s and the ’90s,” Superintendent Teddy Clevenger said. “Some of those older buildings…just needed to be updated with renovations. Also, with Samsung being 20 miles from here in Taylor, and we’re in the growth triangle, as you know, we’re starting to see growth head our way, and it’s just a matter of time.” The district is renovating a vacant Middle School building, which has been empty for 10-20 years.
Coppell ISD trustees hold further discussions on possible school closures
(Community Impact) After an emotion-filled public hearing in early September which saw over 80 Coppell ISD residents speak out against school closures, the board of trustees narrowed the list of potential closures at the Sept. 16 meeting.
Coppell ISD looks to attendance to help budget and increase student productivity
(NBC DFW) Staff in Coppell Independent School District schools are manning the phones more than normal these days. The district is cracking down on students not showing up at school for reasons other than being sick. “We’re turning over every stone we can to try to generate as much revenue as we can,” said Superintendent Brad Hunt. If the district can get kids to come to school when they are healthy, it can save $1.3 million.
How EPISD will decide which elementary schools to close, consolidate
(El Paso Matters) “We don’t have a definitive number at this point,” EPISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra told El Paso Matters. “I would share that almost every area of the district will be impacted by at least one, if not two, school closures.” Administrators plan to present their recommendations to the school board Oct. 15 and will hold a final phase of community meetings to discuss them.
High school coach chokes girlfriend in fight over ‘questionable’ texts, Texas cops say
(MySA) A South Texas man has lost his title as head football coach after he was arrested over reportedly strangling his girlfriend. The man was taken into custody after getting into an argument outside a bar Sunday night, September 15, according to reports. Michael Gonzales was arrested by the Weslaco Police Department on a charge of assault of a family member while impeding breath and circulation. Hidalgo County jail records show Gonzales was released from jail Monday, September 16, on a $2,500 bond. Since his arrest, he has resigned from his role as head football coach for Donna High School.
Donna ISD strengthening early childhood education with school expansions
(MyRGV) The district here is furthering its investment into early childhood development with groundbreakings Tuesday for additional classroom wings at three elementary campuses.
All-girl STEM robotics team debuts at University Interscholastic League competition
(Crossroads Today) STEM Middle School in Victoria has launched its first all-girl robotics team, the “Sassy Sisters,” a group of nine students from grades 6 through 8. Competing alongside the school’s established “Vipers” team, the Sassy Sisters will participate in this year’s University Interscholastic League (UIL) first Robotics competition, aiming to advance through three meets and one tournament.
Teacher accused of online solicitation and improper relationship with student
(Crossroads Today) Edna ISD teacher Logan Allen O’Connor has been arrested and charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor, Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student, and Sexual Performance of a Child. The Edna ISD Staff Directory lists O’Connor as a teacher at Edna Elementary School in addition to being a high school coach. O’Connor is the son of Edna ISD Superintendent Robert O’Connor.
Families Protest Rockwall ISD’s ‘Disregard for Student Safety’
(Texas Scorecard) Parents kept kids out of school and rallied Tuesday to demand changes in district policies.
UT creates ‘unit’ for free speech rights on campus
(KXAN) The University of Texas Austin has created a new unit dedicated to free speech on campus. It stems from last spring’s protests on campus that ended in arrests and confusion. A new website lays out ways students can protest while staying in the bounds of what the school finds acceptable. It even suggests alternate ways to protest, like online or through the school newspaper.
Texas officials accused of ignoring safety warnings in near death of intellectually disabled child
(KERA) New details emerged in the near death of a severely intellectually disabled child in the state’s custody, including that a worker for the Department of Family and Protective Services appeared to have ignored safety concerns and attempted to intentionally mislead advocates on who was providing his care.
Staff at UT Dallas student newspaper The Mercury go on strike after editor-in-chief’s removal
(KERA) Staff with The Mercury announced the strike Monday to demand the immediate reinstatement of editor-in-chief Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez, who was removed from his position Friday by the school’s student media operating board.
UT has a free speech problem
(Daily Texan) It’s no secret: UT has a free speech problem. UT was ranked as one of the country’s worst colleges for free speech, according to analysis from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
UNT Dissolves Faculty Resource Groups, Citing Bill That Targets Campus DEI Initiatives
(Dallas Observer) Faculty support groups at the University of North Texas are the latest slice of university programming razed by Senate Bill 17, a Texas law that has become infamous for targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in education. The resource groups offered networking spaces for faculty who are Christians, women, new hires, LGBTQ+, Black and from other identity groups.
Tarrant County will no longer send unclaimed bodies to Fort Worth university after investigation
(Fort Worth Report) “No one’s body should be used for medical research absent their pre-death consent or the consent of a loved one. And certainly, no one’s body should be sold for profit, absent consent one way or the other,” Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare said prior to the vote and after meeting in closed session with commissioners to receive legal advice on the matter.
Alumni of once-segregated Texas school mark its national park status
(USA Today) Until mandatory integration measures forced its closure in 1965, Blackwell was one of numerous schools throughout the American Southwest and beyond that students of Mexican descent were compelled to attend, separate from their white peers, in an era of de facto segregation. About 4,000 students attended Blackwell during its 56-year run.
Pflugerville ISD teacher broke kindergartner’s fingers, parents say
(Fox 7 Austin) A Pflugerville Elementary School teacher broke multiple fingers of a kindergartner, parents say. This case was sent to CPS and Pflugerville ISD police. The teacher was placed on administrative leave during an investigation. Now, the teacher no longer works for the district.
Sept. 17, 2024
UT-Austin tightens automatic admission threshold to 5% of Texas’ top high schoolers
(Texas Tribune) High school students in Texas will need to be in the top 5% of their graduating class to gain automatic admission to the University of Texas at Austin to enroll in the fall of 2026, a harder threshold to meet than the current 6%. The change comes after the university received a record-breaking 73,000 undergraduate applications for this fall.
GBI: 12-year-old from Texas made bomb threat hoaxes to schools in southwest Georgia
(WTXL) The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified a twelve-year-old Texas juvenile as the individual responsible for two bomb threat hoaxes made to schools in southwest Georgia last week. After consulting with Texas authorities and the District Attorneys for the South Georgia and Pataula Judicial Circuits, the juvenile will be prosecuted for these threats by the State of Texas. Additional local charges may be brought if the investigation identifies any others who assisted or conspired in the making of these hoaxes.
Juvenile arrested after hoax threat toward Cass County school made on social media
(KLTV) An arrest has been made after social media threats showed up on SnapChat toward Cass County schools. According to Cass County DA Courtney Shelton, two incidents occurred.
School threats prompt changes for DeSoto High School homecoming game
(Fox 4 KDFW) DeSoto ISD is adding extra security measures for Friday night’s homecoming game between DeSoto High School and Mesquite High School. Students from both schools must wear a school-issued ID to the game. DeSoto students will only be allowed on the home side. Students who don’t attend either DeSoto High or Mesquite High must have a parent or guardian with them to enter the stadium, including younger students.
‘Coward!’: Emotions erupt after court hearing for Pete Arredondo in Uvalde shooting
(San Antonio Express-News) The emotions of family members of children slain or wounded in the Robb Elementary School shooting erupted during and after a court hearing Monday for the former Uvalde schools police chief and one of his officers, both of whom face felony charges for not doing more to stop the massacre.
Could San Antonio ISD parking lot put the brakes on downtown San Antonio’s baseball stadium?
(San Antonio Report) A dusty parking lot owned by the San Antonio Independent School District is the latest hurdle faced by the city and developer Weston Urban in their quest to bring a minor league baseball stadium to downtown San Antonio.
Vacant for 2 years, Hemisfair federal buildings lease to Mexican university
(San Antonio Report) The move signals renewed activity at the federal complex amid ongoing speculation about plans for the historic buildings from the 1968 HemisFair event and UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures.
Fort Worth medical school halts program that used unclaimed bodies for medical research
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The University of North Texas Health Science Center announced the suspension in response to an investigation from NBC News, which detailed how the school had used more than 2,000 unclaimed bodies from Dallas and Tarrant counties since 2019. More than 830 bodies were used by the center for dissection and study, according to NBC News. Other bodies were sold, sometimes limb by limb, to medical research companies and even the U.S. Army, according to the report.
Clear Creek ISD increases bus driver pay
(Community Impact) The starting hourly pay for bus drivers at CCISD will now be $22, which was $20.56 before the district made the increase. New bus drivers for CCISD who currently hold a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, are also eligible for a $3,000 signing bonus. Bus drivers without a CDL can apply for a paid bus driver in-training position. CCISD also increased the minimum guaranteed work hours per day from 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
5.1 magnitude earthquake centered in West Texas rattles Dallas, Austin
(Dallas Morning News) A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that shook parts of West Texas and apparently centered near Ackerly Monday night was also felt in other parts of the state, including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, according to federal authorities and social media users who went online to share their experiences.
La Porte pipeline fire: blaze could last hours longer, evacuation orders still in place
(Houston Public Media) “We’re taking all precautions, safety and security are our top priority,” Adam Holland, a spokesperson for La Porte ISD said. “Our kiddos are safe, and we’re trying the best we can to proceed as we normally would.”
Texans donated $4M to cover driver’s ed for foster, homeless youth. Few people know it’s available
(Houston Chronicle) In July, the Texas Workforce Commission opened applications for its Driver’s Education Funding program, which covers the cost of driver’s education for foster youth, homeless youth, victims of family violence or children of victims. The program is funded through donations by Texans when they apply or renew their driver’s licenses.
Fort Bend ISD explores agreement with Friends of the Sugar Land 95 to access grants for memorial project
(Houston Public Media) About a year ago, the district announced its plans to memorialize victims of convict leasing whose graves were found during the construction of the James Reese Career and Technical Center in 2018. Since then, the district has been working to fundraise for the project. Fort Bend ISD is considering a formalized agreement with the Friends of the Sugar Land 95, a nonprofit, to access more funding for a memorial project. The board will vote on the agreement next week.
HISD legally can’t advocate for $4.4B school bond. Here’s what it is allowed to do under state law
(Houston Chronicle) Jim Whitton, of counsel for law firm Brackett & Ellis, said the political advertising and electioneering laws are in place to prevent public entities from spending taxpayer dollars to influence the outcome of an election. However, he said the line between advocacy for a bond and informing voters about a proposal is “vague” and “dull,” and it’s a case-by-case basis on what exactly crosses it.
Meet the Houston community group ‘yarn bombing’ to protest HISD’s leadership and its $4.4B bond
(Houston Chronicle) The group Houston Stitching Together protests HISD leadership and an upcoming $4.4 billion bond on the November ballot, which some people say they will not vote for without improved transparency from district leadership. The collective’s meetings have become a space for people of any skill level to craft, learn to craft, and get to know one another.
GoFundMe set up for El Paso ISD Franklin High School football player killed in crash
(KVIA) 17-year-old Emmanuel Lopez, a student and football player at EPISD’s Franklin High School, died following a two-vehicle collision on I-10 West in San Simon, Arizona. Lopez and his family were traveling to Arizona to watch an NFL game when a semi crashed into their vehicle, killing Lopez and two others. Two more people received life threatening injuries as well.
Donna High School head football coach resigns following arrest
(myRGV) Donna High School’s head football coach has resigned following his arrest Sunday. School District Public Relations Officer Sandra Quintanilla confirmed Monday that the administration was notified of Mike Gonzales’ arrest in a statement. Booking records indicate Gonzales is charged with assault of a family member.
UPDATED: TXHSFB Program has had 4 Head Coaches in Last Week
(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) Linden-Kildare High School has gone through four coaching changes over the past week.
Driver allegedly runs red light and hits 11-year-old girl in school zone, arrested for DWI
(CBS Austin) Witnesses reported that Braydin Jean Garcia ran a red light, hitting the child who was using a crosswalk. Dashcam video and bus surveillance video captured the collision.
64 teacher grants awarded in Lewisville ISD
(Community Impact) On Sept. 4, members of The Lewisville ISD Education Foundation strode into classrooms across the school district wielding oversized checks and shaking pom-poms to award 64 teacher grants totaling $96,700. The grants, ranging from $300 to $2,500, will fund innovative projects that provide new educational opportunities for K-12 students across the Lewisville ISD.
UT’s Dean of Students announces new response team, provides guidelines for on-campus protests
(Daily Texan) The role of the new unit includes outlining demonstration guidelines, designated amplified sound zones and alternative demonstration formats. The team’s guidelines for on-campus demonstrations include allotting at least a ten-foot perimeter of clearance around academic buildings, requiring demonstrators to identify themselves if asked by “officials” and following University policies and procedures.
North Texas welcomes new cryptocurrency investment. Residents say the cost is high
(Fort Worth Report) Cheryl Shadden doesn’t see herself as an activist. But when a controversy over cryptocurrency landed on her front doorstep, Shadden said, she became a “redneck warrior.”
UT Arlington launches new drone course for students to obtain pilot’s license
(Fox 4 KDFW) This is the first year UT Arlington has added a drone course to their curriculum so students can obtain their pilot’s license. The program is tailored to engineering students.
Rice moved its controversial founder’s statue. The space reopened with an emphasis on community
(Houston Chronicle) Rice University has reopened its historic Academic Quadrangle, unveiling areas that emphasize gathering and inclusivity in the space that formerly featured a statue of the school’s segregationist founder as its centerpiece.
UTSA unveils new website for merger with UT Health
(Texas Public Radio) The University of Texas at San Antonio has introduced a new website that will serve as a centralized hub of information about the school’s integration with UT Health San Antonio.
Dyslexia Center of Austin target of fraudulent check scam
(KXAN) The check seemed legitimate enough — it was for $95,000, and came from a supposed donor out of New York state. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains these types of scams are becoming more popular.
‘You wouldn’t want your grandparents picking out your music, so why let them pick the people who represent you?’ — Gen Z student gets out the vote
(Texas Public Radio) An 18-year-old student from Helotes has shown that Gen Z’s interest in the voting process is alive and well. Eliana Arriaga was recently the recipient of the Why Vote? Scholarship from the National Society of High School Scholars.
Sept. 16, 2024
Dozens of school threats in Texas just 1 month into school year
(MySA) Several preteens, teenagers arrested across Texas for school threats.
Multiple arrests made in copycat threats against Central Texas schools
(CBS Austin) Hays CISD announced Friday afternoon two more sixth-grade students have been arrested and charged for making threats this week, bringing the total number of arrests there to three. Austin police also arrested a 29-year-old man for threatening Hill Elementary in Austin ISD.
Trenton ISD closed Friday due to “possible threat”
(KXII) The Trenton Independent School District in Fannin County closed Friday “out of an abundance of caution” due to a “possible threat” the district was made aware of on Thursday. Superintendent Jeremy Strickland said in a Facebook post administrators and the Trenton ISD Police Department reviewed the information of the possible threat through the night and made the decision to close Friday.
Chaos ensues at Houston school amid threats; multiple districts on alert
(Fox 26 Houston) A frantic scene unfolded at Sharpstown International School on Friday afternoon after police received a tip about a student potentially armed with a gun. The lockdown prompted a flurry of activity as parents rushed to the school, with some reporting they had not received any notifications from the school, while others did. HISD police conducted a thorough search of the premises and found no weapons or credible threats. An adult was detained during the investigation.
Wylie East student arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot up school
(Fox 4 KDFW) A 16-year-old was arrested in Wylie on Thursday night after allegedly threatening to shoot up his school. Wylie police were called to the Whataburger on S. State Highway 78 shortly before 11 p.m. for a suspicious person. When officers arrived they learned that the 16-year-old male had threatened to shoot people at Wylie East High School and was suspended earlier in the day for making threats.The juvenile was taken into custody and initially charged with making a terroristic threat. That charge was upgraded to threatening to use a firearm at school.
Duncanville ISD changes entrance policy for football games after threats
(Fox 4 KDFW) Duncanville ISD now requires students to show their ID and be accompanied by a parent or guardian at athletic events on campus. The new policy comes after a series of threats across the area.
Dallas ISD boosts security at school events following deadly shooting
(CBS Dallas) Dallas ISD is stepping up their safety protocols to keep the community safe following a deadly shooting and multiple arrests for threats against schools in North Texas.
Student arrested then threats cause evacuation at Weatherford HS dance
(NBC DFW) Off-duty Weatherford Police Officers working security at the dance saw an administrator in an altercation with a 17-year-old student. The student was reported to have been smoking a THC vape on the dance floor. The officers arrested and removed the student from the building in preparation for transport. The school administrator reportedly received minor injuries. A few minutes later, officers at the dance were told that someone had a gun. Officers responded by requesting assistance from patrol and EMS was staged nearby, police say. School administrators began evacuating the school while officers searched the building and surrounding areas. Police say no weapons or evidence of a weapon were found.
12-year-old arrested and charged after threatening mass shootings in seven San Antonio schools
(Texas Public Radio) The San Antonio Police Department arrested a 12-year-old boy on Sunday after he allegedly threatened to shoot up multiple schools in San Antonio. Authorities say the boy posted an image of an assault rifle on Instagram and listed seven San Antonio schools, along with the dates he planned to attack them.
Lincoln High School student killed in shooting, Dallas ISD confirms
(NBC DFW) Another tragic incident has occurred in the Dallas Independent School District, with the fatal shooting of a high school student over the weekend, just a week after the murder of a senior from Justin F. Kimball High School in South Dallas.
Dallas community leaders host anti-violence rally after school threats, teen death
(NBC DFW) Bringing their message directly to students, community leaders descended on Dallas ISD’s Roosevelt High School Saturday for a Stop the Violence rally.
Special education teacher posing as teen heads to prison for exploiting minor he met online
(U.S. Attorney’s Office) A federal judge has sentenced Juan Carlos Munoz, 43, of Mission, to 14 years in prison — and ordered him to register as a sex offender and to limit his access to the internet and to children — following his prior guilty plea to sexting a North Carolina 14-year-old-girl who believed Munoz was a 19-year-old man. Munoz, who earlier pleaded guilty to a federal charge of coercion and enticement of a minor following his December 2022 arrest at the La Joya ISD high school campus where he worked as a special-ed teacher, confessed to investigators that he was speaking to 50 minors and had requested sexually explicit photos and videos, which he shared with another adult male child predator.
Sheldon ISD Third-Grade Teacher Arrested in Gang Weapons & Narcotics Conspiracy
(Texas Scorecard) Federal authorities said they caught Garrett Elementary teacher Jessica Ferguson on wiretap taking part in the illegal operation while at the school.
Deadline nears for possible state takeover of South San ISD board
(San Antonio Report) The future of the South San Antonio Independent School District is still uncertain, just over a week away from the one-year anniversary of a settlement between the district and the Texas Education Agency to avoid the ouster of elected trustees and the appointment of a board of managers. But Abe Saavedra, a conservator appointed by the TEA to oversee the board and guide them through corrective actions, told the San Antonio Report Thursday that the board has made substantial progress over the last year.
Spring Branch ISD trial pits election experts against each other, trustees deny voter suppression claims
(Houston Chronicle) The judge presiding over the case, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake, said at the conclusion of testimony Friday that he would need the facts and arguments from this case delivered by the attorneys in one document, which will likely take weeks to compile. From there, it may take the judge months to deliver a verdict. The verdict has an opportunity to set a precedent on school board at-large election systems, which could affect other similar cases cropping up around the Houston area.
Fort Worth ISD calls special meeting to review Superintendent’s job performance
(NBC Dallas) Two board members confirmed to NBC 5 Saturday that the board president hired an outside lawyer to handle discussions with Ramsey. The board members told us the board President stated she’s received complaints about Dr. Ramsey from other board members that need review. They said no final decisions will be made Tuesday night in a private, closed-door meeting.
Some Fort Worth ISD teachers feel unheard under Ramsey as city leaders call for improvement
(KERA) Steven Poole leads the local chapter of the United Educators Association in Fort Worth. He says teachers want better district leadership, but Fort Worth ISD never seems to give its leaders enough time to achieve it.
Texas DEI law prohibits UTRGV Foundation scholarship for women, petition says
(MyRGV) The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Foundation has filed a petition in state district court to amend an endowment fund created in 1989 to provide graduate school scholarships to women studying the Valley’s flora and fauna. The scholarship is administered through the Ruth and Katherine Dugger Endowment Fund, which the foundation believes is not in compliance with Texas’ 2023 Senate Bill 17, known as the “Responsibility of Governing Boards Regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives.”
Trump Would Doom the U.S. Department of Education and Harm Texas Teachers
(Texas Observer) Educators are calling for more funding, support, and a system that protects them. Removing the DOE would only perpetuate the problems.
Abilene & Wylie ISD superintendents discuss potential negative impact of vouchers on Texas education
(KTAB) Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn explained that the voucher plan proposed in Texas is “basically a diversion of what would be tax dollars out of the flow of revenue that the state uses to fund public schools to go toward scholarships for private school children.” Wiley ISD Superintendent Joey Light added: “The interesting thing about this is the voucher program is taking those public dollars when public dollars, according to the Texas Constitution, are for free and appropriate public schools. So it’s an interesting situation that we’re in.”
CBP internal report absolves officers of legal wrongdoing in Robb Elementary School shooting response
(Texas Public Radio) The U.S. Border Patrol released an internal report on Thursday that absolves their officers of legal wrongdoing in their response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde. It also acknowledges their personnel were not equipped to deal with the situation and includes recommendations for their officers to be more prepared in the future.
Bexar County to grant one-year appraisal reprieve after successfully contesting a valuation
(San Antonio Report) Newly elected members of the Bexar Appraisal District’s board of directors secured one major change in this year’s appraisal process: giving residential property owners who’ve successfully contested their valuation a one-year reprieve from having their property reappraised.
Tarrant Appraisal District board gives OK for new appraisal software after years of issues
(KERA) At a Sept. 9 meeting, appraisal district board members unanimously authorized the chief appraiser to negotiate and enter a contract with technology company True Prodigy for a cost of no more than $10 million over five years. That system will replace Aumentum Technologies, which officials blamed for millions of dollars being left off the tax rolls when it was rolled out in 2014. It has cost the district around $1.5 million annually to keep that software afloat.
Judson and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City school districts adjusting to tighter budgets
(Community Impact) JISD’s original budget shortfall of nearly $36 million was offset by the use of disaster pennies, bringing the shortfall closer to $24 million. SCUCISD approved a budget with a nearly $11 million shortfall in the general fund and around $4 million shortfall in additional budgets.
Clear Creek ISD trustees approve additional special services staffing
(Community Impact) Special services for elementary students in Clear Creek ISD will receive additional staffing to help meet needs from increased enrollment after the board of trustees approved the measure on Sept. 9.
Alvin ISD updates student conduct policy for personal electronic devices
(Community Impact) Alvin ISD approved a policy that restricts parents from using unauthorized audio or visual recordings or transmission of audio or images of their children in class to protect the privacy of other students.
Freedom to Read Advocates Look to Expand Efforts Beyond the Courtroom
(Publishers Weekly) As a key lawsuit in Llano County is set to be heard by the full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, freedom-to-read advocates consider their next moves.
Laredo ISD launches referee training course amid national shortage
(KGNS) A nationwide shortage of referees is affecting sporting events locally, prompting school districts like Laredo ISD to find solutions, such as launching a sports officiating course to address this issue.
Texas publics are seeing more students in developmental courses. Where is the trend coming from?
(Houston Chronicle) Texas’ largest public universities have seen an increase in the numbers of students enrolling in developmental English and math courses designed to prepare students for college-level classes in the past five years, causing some educators to question whether the trend is a symptom of the pandemic’s effects on college readiness.
Enrollment dip and rising costs lead UNT to make $8.5 million in cuts
(KERA) UNT Provost Michael McPherson said the university cut $8.5 million in spending for the 2024-25 year. Administrators didn’t say how much enrollment has dropped, and on Thursday a university spokesperson told the Denton Record-Chronicle that UNT is preparing an announcement about enrollment.
Driver reportedly runs stop sign, causes Beaumont ISD school bus to crash into car
(KBMT) There were no students on board and the driver of the bus was not injured. No citation has been issued to the driver of the car and BISD is not at fault. The driver of the car was taken to a nearby hospital in an unknown condition.
Sept. 13, 2024
Beaumont ISD Police respond to Beaumont United after reports of students with a gun near campus
(KBMT) The BISD police have located the students, who were near the campus with contraband, according to BISD Spokesperson Jackie Simien. BISD Police Chief Joseph Malbrough confirmed to 12News that multiple students had magazines full of ammo. The students were first spotted by a concerned citizen within 1000 feet of Beaumont United. Malbrough says that they were BISD students, but not students of Beaumont United. The students did attempt to evade arrest, according to Malbrough. A concerned citizen called the police after seeing kids.
River Road ISD middle-schooler arrested following reported school shooting threat
(Amarillo Globe-News) “A River Road Middle School student was taken into custody this morning for alleged threats and an investigation is ongoing,” the River Road ISD said in a statement Thursday. “RRISD is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities and all students and campuses are proceeding without interruptions.”
Arrest made after threats to multiple school districts in Central Texas
(CBS Austin) Authorities have taken one person into custody in connection with social media threats targeting multiple school districts in central Texas, Llano ISD officials said late Thursday night. The arrest comes after several school districts in the area received what appeared to be copycat threats following a shooting in Georgia last week that left four dead. Campuses in Liberty Hill, Round Rock, and Llano all say threats from earlier are being investigated and campuses are safe.
Hays CISD middle school student detained for contributing to social media threat scare
(CBS Austin) A 6th-grade student from an unnamed Hays CISD middle school has been detained for making school shooting threats on social media. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release it began Wednesday night when district authorities were alerted to and started investigating generic and non-specific threats circulating on social media within the district.
Austin police make an arrest linked to Austin ISD elementary school threat
(CBS Austin) In a letter to parents, the school district says there is no existing threat to the school, and for peace of mind, AISD Police will have an increased presence on campus on Friday.
Houston ISD announces increased security following a ‘statewide situation’
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD announced increased security in a message Thursday, following “a statewide situation involving reports of online and social media posts suggesting several Texas public schools are targets of violence.”
HISD board denies Houston Federation of Teachers request to reverse classroom door policy
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s appointed board members denied Houston Federation Teachers’ grievance against state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ requirement that educators teach with their classroom doors open. The teachers union on Thursday asked the district to reinstate its pre-takeover policy requiring locked doors, which was added as a safety measure after the May 2022 Uvalde school shooting, the union’s staff representative, Wayne Lange, said prior to the hearing.
Houston ISD: Half of lowest-rated teachers left the district this summer
(Houston Landing) An unusually high share of teachers left Houston ISD over the summer, but new data from the district show educators who received low evaluations drove a large share of the exodus.
Uvalde school shooting report reveals border officers couldn’t access school map or keys
(CBS News) As U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel arrived on the scene of the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, none were able to find a map or keys needed to gain access to critical areas of the building, according to a federal report released Thursday.
WFISD explores new tech for preventing active shooter incidents
(KAUZ) While the specifics of the Wichita Falls School District’s plans toward active shooting cannot be publicly disclosed for security reasons, district leaders want to assure the community that measures are in place to prevent any harm from coming to students and staff. Much of the plan relies on updated technology.
Grand Prairie ISD parents call for transparency in superintendent investigation
(Fox 4 KDFW) Concerned parents in Grand Prairie are calling for transparency after the district’s superintendent was placed on leave. He’s under investigation, but only trustees know why.
Sanford-Fritch ISD highlights rise of nicotine use in high schools
(KFDA) Sanford- Fritch ISD says rural school districts seem to have a more difficult time managing the issue caused by low staffing and lack of resources.
Texas Teachers invests in Temerity Strategic real estate fund
(IPE Real Assets) Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas has made its inaugural investment in a Temerity Strategic Partners-managed real estate fund.
Texas TRS Commits $460M to Alts
(Dakota) The Texas Teachers Retirement System (TRS) approved five commitments to alternatives totaling $460M in the month of August, according to information provided by Texas TRS to Dakota.
Tarrant County approves early voting sites on college campuses after intense debate
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) After more than four hours of public comments and dozens of speakers, the court voted 4-1 to approve a list of 51 early voting sites that included several college campuses that County Judge Tim O’Hare wanted removed.
Canutillo ISD homeowners to see significant increase in school tax bill
(El Paso Matters) The Canutillo ISD school board unanimously voted Tuesday to adopt its voter-approval tax rate of $1.1552 per $100 property valuation — the highest it could approve without going to voters. This will cause an increase of $281 on the average $282,482 home.
Tomball ISD trustees adopt lower tax rate for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Trustees unanimously approved the FY 2024-25 total tax rate of $1.0629 per $100 valuation with board Assistant Secretary Michael Pratt absent. The rate is 0.22% less than the district’s FY 2023-24 rate of $1.0652 per $100 valuation. “We can’t go any lower,” board Vice President Justin Unser said. “If we do, we’ll have less money from the state. … I feel like the tax rate is being set for us because there [are] the formulas that are provided that we have to use.”
Pearland ISD officials prepare for Raise Your Hand Texas advocacy program
(Community Impact) PISD was selected in January as one of eight districts in Texas by education advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas. The organization is building a network of districts to help provide community insight for the upcoming legislative session beginning in 2025.
KCBD Investigates: Texas Tech Rodeo Team board members meet with university officials, discuss program’s future
(KCBD)Texas Tech University leadership met with the Texas Tech Rodeo Team board Thursday to discuss the program’s future following the termination of Coach Jerrad Hofstetter. This week, Davis College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources Dean Dr. Clint Krehbiel accused Hofstetter of violating policies that relate to the care and treatment of animals and the management and stewardship of financial resources. In the meantime, Hofstetter is working out his future plans, and said he wants the opportunity to clear his name.
Are you tough enough to be a marching band member?
(KCBD) Dr. David Edwards, a Sports Medicine Physician at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, says just like college athletes, marching band members face a rigorous schedule of rehearsals and performances. “They tend to have overuse injuries, particularly in the lower extremities, so foot and ankle injuries, shin splints, hip tendonitis, and even back problems.”
‘Reading with a Rapper’ helping expand literacy for disadvantaged kids
(KHOU) “All this stems from the basic point, ‘Do you understand what’s in front of you?'” Reading with a Rapper CEO Jarren Small said.
EEOC: Barber school said having two pregnant workers wasn’t in its ‘best interest’
(HR Dive) “It’s not in our best interest to have two pregnant ladies in our school now,” the owner of Dallas Barber and Stylist College allegedly told the candidate.
UTRGV says they’re well-ahead of fundraising goals
(myRGV) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley announced that since the campaign’s inception in 2015, it has raised $284 million in fundraising.
Slowly but Surely, U.S. School Buses Are Starting to Electrify
(Yale Environment 360) With support from a $5 billion EPA program, school districts across the country are starting to switch from polluting diesel to electric buses. Advocates point to the health benefits for children and communities but say more needs to be done to promote this transition.
NIT Calicut inks dual degree deal with University of North Texas
(The Hindu) The National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C) has signed a transfer of articulation agreement with the University of North Texas to offer a dual master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering.
New project from Texas State Poet Laureate uplifts underrepresented voices
(Texas Public Radio) Texas has been designating State Poets Laureate since 1932, but this year is the first time the title has been held by a Black woman.
Sept. 12, 2024
Is Voucher Passage Inevitable This Legislative Session?
(Houston Press) Just because Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick didn’t include vouchers on his list of charges that he wants the Legislature to tackle before the coming session, doesn’t mean he has given up on the idea.
Fake online threats causing real problems across North Texas schools
(Fox 4 KDFW) Police across North Texas are sending a warning to people making school threats after recently causing several problems at area schools. This week alone, we’ve seen students arrested and even a school district canceling classes for the day because of these threats. Each threat has to be investigated, causing North Texas school districts to respond differently this week.
FBI El Paso speaks on rising trend in school threats
(KVIA) Public affairs officer for FBI El Paso Jeanette Harper told ABC-7 that an increase in hoax calls usually happens after a big event like the Georgia school shooting. “Most of them think it’s legitimately a joke. Others are so stressed out because they’re not prepared for the test for the next day,” said Harper.
‘Secret Speech Police’ Granted Exclusive Power Over Campaign Violations, Court Rules
(Texas Scorecard) The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that the Texas Ethics Commission, often referred to as the “secret speech police,” must first review and investigate any complaints about campaign law violations before prosecutors can file criminal charges.
Arlington police say allegations of teacher tying up students, taping mouths shut are false
(Fox 4 KDFW) After further review of the information and evidence, we have determined that no children were injured, no child’s movements were ever restricted, no child’s breathing was restricted, and no criminal offense occurred,” wrote Arlington Police in a statement.
Texas House committee on hostile foreign organizations hacked, displays Russian propaganda
(Nexstar via KVEO) A panel of state lawmakers was forced to end a committee livestream early Tuesday after the Zoom meeting was hacked, displaying what appeared to be Russian military training videos and offensive slurs under the username “RUSSIAN GOD.” The hack occurred during a field hearing of the House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations — the panel tasked with countering cyberthreats from adversaries like Russia.
Fort Worth ISD trustees question self-reported ratings as top brass defends calculations
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD disclosed that it was a C-rated district during the 2023-24 school year, a drop from the B the state issued during its last official ratings in 2022. While administrators touted improvements in their A-F rating calculations over the past year, the underlying data that forms the foundation of the grades remains nearly unchanged stretching back a decade.
Eanes ISD approves rules for new public facility corporation
(Community Impact) The Public Facility Commission could develop and build facilities, such as affordable teacher housing options, which the district would lease. A PFC is a nonprofit organization that allows entities such as school districts to pursue “off-balance sheet” transactions, EISD Bond Counsel Tom Sage said.
Clear Creek ISD updates special education service recommendations
(Community Impact) In 2018, education consultant and research group Gibson provided CCISD a review on its special education department. Of those 27 recommendations, the following nine are currently being implemented within the district:
Harris County Republicans Take a Stand: Why They’re Firing Back Against the Houston ISD Bond
(Dallas Express) The resolution detailed how previous HISD bonds have been “rife with corruption, bribery, pay-to-play scheme, kickbacks from contractors to HIS decision-makers, cost overruns, and poor management.”
Houston ISD board may consider property sale, change to property sale rule
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD’s state-appointed board will consider a resolution to designate business days under the Texas Public Information Act to mean days other than Saturday, Sunday, a national holiday, or a state holiday. Since it pertains to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), the resolution would affect the timeline for information requests.
Houston ISD remains silent a month after student death, seeks to block release of records
(Houston Landing) Nearly a month after Houston ISD eighth-grader Landon Payton’s death, district leaders remain tight-lipped about how Marshall Middle School staff responded to the teen’s “medical emergency” on campus, though they have announced new safety protocols following the incident.
What Happens When a School Closes Its Library?
(EdSurge) A year after Houston ISD turned school libraries into discipline centers in Black and Latino neighborhoods, librarians have lost their jobs and teachers are quitting.
Cy-Fair ISD’s 20 top earners: Retired superintendent is the highest-paid in Texas
(Houston Chronicle) The data reflects employee payroll information submitted by the district during the annual October snapshot each school year.
El Paso School District gets $1.6 million grant to enhance safety and facilities
(KFOX) EPISD’s School Board on Monday voted unanimously to accept a $1.6 million grant — known as the Safety And Facilities Enhancement, or S.A.F.E., grant — from the Texas Education Agency.
Humble ISD trustees vote to lower tax rate for 6th consecutive year
(Community Impact) Despite Humble ISD trustees voting to lower the district’s tax rate for the sixth consecutive year, some residents will still see an increase on property taxes owed.
JUST IN: This Texas high school football team had three head coaches in the last 48 hours
(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) To say it has been a difficult start to the 2024 season at Linden-Kildare would be an understatement.
Texas Tech Earns $1.6 Million Environmental Protection Agency Grant
(News Wise) Texas Tech University’s Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering has earned a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate sources and mitigation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sources in farming operations.
Texas leads push for faster certification of mental health professionals
(Texas Tribune) Other states look to Texas as the state psychology board pushes against the new national licensing requirements.
ACLU steps into book ban legal battle in Llano
(Texas Public Radio) The American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations filed briefs Tuesday in an ongoing lawsuit over books removed from the Llano County library.
Judson ISD leaders commemorate graduate who died on 9/11 with solemn ceremony
(San Antonio Report) Students of the Karen Wagner High School JROTC participate in a memorial honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks including Karen Wagner, a Judson alum and service member the school was named after.
9/11: Sailor’s family tracked down for 7 years by Fort Bend ISD teacher to attend ceremony honoring him
(Fox 26 Houston) Family of Naval Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Martin Caballero, a sailor who died at the Pentagon on September 11, attended a ceremony at his alma mater, Austin High School, held in his honor after Aaron Johnson, the school’s Senior Naval Science Instructor, dedicated seven years to tracking them down.
New allergy awareness law takes effect in Texas
(KGNS) Under the law, restaurant owners must post a special poster detailing emergency procedures for allergic reactions.
$600k makeover gives kids in Arlington safe, welcoming space to ‘be a kid’
(NBC DFW) The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County celebrated the end of renovations at the Dan Serna Branch.
The Plane Truth: Texas lawmakers use state jets for personal, political gain
(WFAA) Family graduations, campaign fundraisers and a trip that ended in a lawmaker “ghost voting” in a historic impeachment are some of the questionable flights KHOU 11 Investigates found after digging through hundreds of Texas Department of Transportation travel logs and social media posts. Records show Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan used a state jet for a football game and political fundraiser. Other lawmakers took flights for family graduations.
Lone Star College trustees OK $987.5K to revamp new north Houston meeting spot
(Community Impact) Monthly meetings for Lone Star College’s board of trustees will now be held earlier in the day and move from The Woodlands to north Houston—with about $987,500 in renovations planned for the new meeting room—after the board approved the changes Sept. 5.
Texas A&M baseball continuing renovation plan fought for by Jim Schlossnagle
(Houston Chronicle) Texas A&M baseball will move forward with an $80-million renovation of Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park that former head coach Jim Schlossnagle advocated for.
UTA to build netted drone facility in Fort Worth
(UT Arlington) The University of Texas at Arlington is expanding its research and innovation capabilities by building a $2.3 million, state-of-the-art outdoor netted drone facility. The Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center (MAVRC) will be located at the UT Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth, with a planned completion date of January 2025.
Can parents be punished if their child misses too much school? Learn what Texas law says
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) If your student misses too much class, then both the child or guardian can be at fault, according to Texas Penal Code.
Juneteenth museum switches locations, plans to acquire Southside Community Center
(Fort Worth Report) After being unable to acquire key plots of land, the National Juneteenth Museum is switching sites.
KXAN uncovers emissions fraud ‘way beyond’ what Texas authorities knew
(KXAN) A KXAN investigation has uncovered obvious discrepancies and red flags in public vehicle inspection reports, revealing new details about the extent of emissions fraud in Texas — “way beyond” what law enforcement already knew — prompting a local task force to take action.
Sept. 11, 2024
Collin College Honors Fallen First Responders with Memorial Including Piece of World Trade Center
(Collin College) Collin College is paying tribute to the firefighters, police, emergency workers, and others who died responding to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center with a memorial at its Public Safety Training Center in McKinney.
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
(Texas Tribune) On Tuesday, Patrick — who oversees the Senate and has serious power over what bills it passes — released a second round of directives for Senate committees, building on a list of 57 items from earlier this year that focused on, among other things, housing costs, school vouchers, property tax relief and strengthening the power grid.
Kemp ISD closed September 11th because of threat
(Fox 4 KDFW) Kemp ISD in Kaufman County is closed today as police investigate a threat made to several Texas school districts, according to the Kemp ISD superintendent. The administration at Kemp ISD said it was notified about the threat around 8 p.m. last night. The district closed all campuses as a precaution because there was not enough time to investigate the situation before today’s school day.
Cleveland ISD received shooting threats for middle school, high school
(Fox 26 Houston) Cleveland ISD reports they had two shooting threats towards schools in their district: Cleveland Middle School and Cleveland High School. No arrests were made, and both threats were determined to be unsubstantiated.
Two 12-year-old girls charged after threats close Laredo schools
(KGNS) Two 12-year-old girls have been charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly expressing a desire to be school shooters. This led to the cancellation of classes at Cigarroa Middle and High Schools on Monday, September 9.
DeSoto High School Lockdown Lifted After False Report; 16-Year-Old Arrested
(Irving Weekly) On Tuesday morning, September 10th, DeSoto Police received an anonymous tip online alleging that a student was possibly armed with a firearm at DeSoto High School. In response, the school was placed on temporary lockdown, and additional police resources were deployed to the scene. By 11:10 a.m., DeSoto Police had contacted the guardian of the former student and detained the 16-year-old juvenile. Authorities have confirmed there is no immediate threat to students or the public.
How Permian Basin school districts, law enforcement handled the ‘432’ social media school threat
(NewsWest 9) Multiple school districts across the Permian Basin are on high alert after threats of violence surfaced on social media, raising concerns among parents, students and staff. While the threats ultimately were proven to be false, they were taken very seriously. An Ector County ISD Police official said, “social media is full of misinformation, but we have to deal with the facts as presented to us based on our investigation.”
Irving ISD Addresses Social Media Hoax Threat, Assures School Safety
(Irving Weekly) In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 10, the district emphasized that the Irving Police Department and the Irving ISD Security Department had promptly begun an investigation and concluded that the threat appeared to be a hoax. The threat, which has been circulating mainly in West Texas, is not linked to any Irving ISD schools.
Fort Worth ISD discloses C rating, dropping from a B
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD reported Sept. 10 that it was a C-rated district during the 2023-24 school year. For the past two years, ratings were blocked from official release. The district’s last official rating, in 2022, was a B. In a statement, the district attributed the drop to more rigorous state standardized testing and other changes to the Texas Education Agency’s scoring rubric.
United ISD investigates Alexander High School admins
(KGNS) The United Independent School District (UISD) is investigating allegations involving several administrators at Alexander High School. The specific nature of the allegations remains unclear at this time.
Gonzales ISD mum on administrator at center of election violation investigation
(KSAT) Wanda Fryer accused of using district resources to print flyers for school board candidate.
Children in Dallas County custody subject to unjust dayslong seclusion, state probe finds
(Dallas Morning News) Children in Dallas County’s juvenile detention center were unlawfully secluded for days, circumventing due process and leaving them without access to an education, exercise, outdoor recreation or showers, according to a yearlong investigation into allegations of inhumane treatment and neglect.
Future of Spring Branch ISD Voting Rights Act lawsuit uncertain, frustrating advocates
(Houston Landing) A federal lawsuit that aims to change Spring Branch ISD’s election system to bring more representation to the school board will likely be delayed for months, pending decisions in several other cases that could impact the legality of the suit altogether.
Hawkins ISD board approves retirement of superintendent after recent DWI arrest, appoints interim officeholder
(CBS 19) Hawkins ISD trustees on Monday approved an agreement allowing Superintendent Susan Morton to retire and named retired Chapel Hill ISD superintendent Marc Levesque as interim superintendent.
Ex-FBI agent held ‘large rock’ when fatally shot by EPISD police at Franklin High
(El Paso Times) A retired FBI agent was allegedly armed with a “large rock” after breaking windows when he was fatally shot by an El Paso school district police officer at Franklin High School last month, according to a custodial death report.
Cy-Fair ISD’s libraries are frequently closed after trustees cut librarian positions in half
(Houston Public Media) The school board for the Houston-area district has exerted more control over library and instructional materials since politically conservative members won a 6-1 majority last November.
Cy-Fair ISD continues to navigate bus service reductions amid parent concerns
(Community Impact) Due to budget constraints, Cy-Fair ISD eliminated 79 bus routes for the 2024-25 school year. The school board heard parent concerns at their Sept. 9 meeting.
Minor injuries reported in Tatum ISD school bus wreck
(KLTV) A school bus crash in Rusk County resulted in several minor injuries according to first responders on Wednesday morning. This is still a developing story and information is limited.
Report: Passenger reached into driver’s purse before crash that killed 14-year-old Dallas ISD student
(Fox 4 KDFW) The man accused of murdering a 14-year-old Dallas ISD student last week was trying to steal money from a woman’s purse at the time of the deadly crash, according to police documents. He demanded money from the driver and attempted to reach into her purse, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The vehicle left the roadway and struck 14-year-old Jonathan Ayala, who was walking in the grass on his way to school. The female driver stopped and called 911. She is not facing any charges. The passenger, James Grant, ran from the scene of the crash and was later arrested at a nearby bus stop.
North Texas foundation teams up rival high schools to coach special needs athletes
(CBS Dallas) This weekend, eight of the biggest rival high schools in North Texas are putting their animosity aside and joining together to coach and cheer on teams of special needs athletes.
Clear Creek ISD trustees approve $850K in facility, transportation projects
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees at its Sept. 9 workshop approved more funding for support service repairs and work at baseball and softball fields across three high schools.
Look: Baylor Scott & White, Uplift, and Bloomberg Open Healthcare High School
(D MAGAZINE) The public charter school will have a tailored curriculum and offer hands-on healthcare experiences that lead to jobs with Baylor Scott & White Health.
Dozens of Female UNT Students Find ‘Creeper’ Photos Posted to Lewd Website
(Dallas Observer) The photos were captioned with sexually explicit buzzwords and were viewed thousands of times before being removed.
Lubbock County Officials Break Quorum Again to Block Property Tax Hike
(Texas Scorecard) For a second time in two weeks, two Lubbock County commissioners skipped a meeting in order to block a property tax increase.
UNT cites Texas’ DEI ban for cutting employee groups for women, LGBTQ, Christians, others
(Dallas Morning News) The University of North Texas cut faculty senate committees and networking groups that focused on employees of color, women and other communities to comply with the state’s DEI ban, according to an email obtained by The Dallas Morning News.
UTD students protest disciplinary action after pro-Palestinian rally
(Dallas Morning News) Dozens gathered at the University of Texas at Dallas on Tuesday to protest the school’s academic disciplinary process against students arrested during a May demonstration against the war in Gaza. On Tuesday, the school held academic disciplinary hearings for the nine students and recent graduates who were arrested, where they had a chance to defend themselves from charges of violating university policies. No immediate decision was expected on the hearings Tuesday.
City Council will consider $20M in new funding and bonds for Texas A&M Fort Worth
(Fort Worth Report) Finding the funding to realize the dream of Texas A&M Fort Worth downtown is like putting a puzzle together, with many interlocking pieces from the Texas A&M University System, the city, county and private entities.
The Road to Equality: Pride Frisco Festival to Provide Resources for Students
(GLAAD) Pride Frisco, the Texas-based LGBTQ resource center founded by the Culpeppers, is working to fill the void and help improve student well-being and belonging with a campaign to bus college students to their annual festival on Oct. 6 at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium. The event will offer numerous rich resources and of course, community, at a time when college students need it most.
Sept. 10, 2024
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Texas school districts say upgrades to the state’s student data reporting system could hurt their funding
(Texas Tribune) Upgrades to the system Texas uses to collect student, staff and financial data from school districts are causing serious concerns among school administrators and data specialists across the state who say the changes have led to thousands of unresolved errors that could potentially cause them to lose out on state funding.
TEA shuts door on claim that San Antonio charter school kept kids in closets
(San Antonio Express-News) A San Antonio charter school broke state law by hiring special education teachers and paraprofessionals who didn’t have the required certifications, a recent state probe concluded. But the Texas Education Agency’s investigation of The Gathering Place found that an accusation by school co-founder and former CEO Ryan York — that the school had confined students as young as 5 in closets as a disciplinary measure — was unsubstantiated. The TEA began the investigation in June, after York filed a complaint accusing the K-6 school on the Northwest Side of persistent noncompliance.
Former Comal ISD assistant superintendent has conviction overturned
(New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung) A former Comal Independent School District administrator’s conviction was reversed by the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas last month. In June 2022, former CISD assistant superintendent Thomas Joseph Bloxham was found guilty of theft of property by a public servant and sentenced to 10 years in prison with a $10,000 fine. The opinion said the state failed to meet its burden of proof that “its evidence derived from legitimate sources,” and due to that, the appeals court chose to “reverse and render judgment dismissing the indictment.” In the conclusion of the opinion, the appeals court also acquitted Bloxham of his June 2022 guilty verdict.
Rochelle, Brady ISD close amid alleged threat
(Concho Valley Homepage) Multiple school districts in McCulloch County closed on Sept. 9 after Rochelle ISD was informed over the weekend that a school had been threatened through a national crisis hotline. Brady ISD, located in McCulloch County as well, also stated on Sept. 8 that school was canceled on Sept. 9 in light of the alleged threat. Similarly to Rochelle ISD, the district is weighing whether to reopen on Sept. 10 based on local law enforcement and neighboring school districts.
South Oak Cliff High School locked down after student shot nearby
(Dallas Morning News) A student from South Oak Cliff High School was shot while off campus and returned to campus seeking help Monday afternoon, officials said. Police said the student sustained non life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The school was placed on lockdown temporarily.
Texas school threats spread across state, 5 arrested in concerning trend
(My SA) Whether real or fabricated, Texas school districts have had to handle numerous threats against campuses across the state.
Police detain juvenile after social media threats made against Pine Tree ISD
(KLTV) Officers became aware of threats against a Pine Tree ISD campus just after 7 p.m. on Friday, according to a release from the Longview Police Department. Police said they immediately began investigating, found a juvenile allegedly connected with the posts, and detained them without incident.
HISD plans to add new staff AED training and address nurse shortage after student death
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD will aim to have at least two functioning automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, at each campus, according to a presentation to its District Advisory Committee this week. The district also plans to centralize its AED and CPR inspection and training process and launch a new beginning-of-year AED training course, said executive director of student supports Phuong Tieu, who resigned this week. HISD also plans to secure temporary nurses for the nearly two dozen campuses with vacancies.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner sounds the alarm, says Texas is running out of water
(WFAA) In a recent op-ed, Sid Miller outlined the problem and offered possible solutions.
Panel addresses top challenges facing Texas schools, including controversial vouchers
(KCBD) There were some tense moments inside the Helen DeVitt Jones Auditorium in Lubbock, as parents, educators and lawmakers discussed the future of education in Texas Monday night. The panel discussed everything from school funding, teacher retention, and controversial school vouchers.
What to know as Spring Branch ISD goes on trial for alleged violation of Voting Rights Act
(Houston Chronicle) The suit, filed by parent and former two-time school board candidate Virginia Elizondo, alleged that the 33,000-student district is violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with its all at-large system of electing trustees.
Following staffing changes, Waco ISD now pays bus drivers $27 an hour
(KXXV) This is the first school year in three decades that Waco ISD has hired their own bus drivers. They made the switch to combat the shortage of bus drivers, and during the transition, they’ve started paying drivers more starting at $27 an hour — which is a $5.50/an hour raise.
Coppell ISD considers closing 3 schools due to budget issues
(Fox 4 DFW) The changes would not take effect until next school year. Part of the problem is declining enrollment. Plus, state lawmakers have not increased state education funding since 2019.
Texas school year starts with tight budgets amid flat state support
(The Bond Buyer) Texas public school districts launched a new school year based in some cases on shaky budgets with depleted reserves as they cope with increasing costs, a state per-pupil allotment that hasn’t risen since 2019, and teh expiration of federal pandemic relief funding.
Spring ISD officials unveil details for $141M Education, Performance and Instruction Center
(Community Impact) The 148,000-square-foot center was approved by voters in November 2022 under Proposition B of SISD’s $850 million bond.
Arlington ISD employee accused of tying up students, covering their mouths with tape
(NBC DFW) An employee at Goodman Elementary School in Arlington is on administrative leave after being accused of tying some students up with strings and putting tape over their mouths, according to a statement provided by the Arlington Independent School District. The school district is still investigating and working to gather more information. No further details were released.
Learning Undefeated to Build Eight New Texas Mobile STEM Labs with Grant from Texas Education Agency
(PR Newswire) STEM nonprofit Learning Undefeated has received a grant to build eight mobile laboratories for the Texas Mobile STEM Lab fleet, thanks to a $2.9 million infrastructure investment from the Texas Education Agency. This new funding expands the program from one mobile STEM lab to nine regionally based labs, capable of visiting over 250 schools annually.
A Texas teacher’s aide gave birth in a school bathroom, with help from her colleagues
(NBC DFW) When a pregnant teacher’s aide went into labor at school, her principal and coworker helped deliver the baby in a bathroom. “It happened so fast that we didn’t have time to think about what to do — we just reacted,” Amy Simmons, the principal of Cunningham Elementary School in Wichita Falls, Texas, tells TODAY.com.
Grandparents overwhelm San Antonio school with support, halting event
(My SA) They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, when one Northside Independent School District school put out a call for grandparents, and nearly got the whole town. The overwhelming support from students’ families put a temporary quash on the school’s grandparents’ breakfast, but don’t worry. It’ll be back.
Listen: Cybersecurity program that pays students for a 3-year commitment faces its first test
(San Antonio Report) Jose Herrera was working as a third-generation gunsmith in his hometown of Laredo when he happened upon a new cybersecurity training program in San Antonio that he hopes will change the trajectory of his career. Herrera is one of 15 students in the first cohort at NukuDo, a Singapore-based company that pays its students “approximately $4,000 a month,” per its website, once that student has been accepted into its 6-month cybersecurity training program.
Newly revamped Harris County Safe School Commission seeks 2 student members
(Community Impact) The Harris County Safe School Commission was established to advise Harris County Commissioners Court on matters related to safety and wellness for schools across the county, ranging from kindergarten through high school.
Texas Tech announces record enrollment of more than 41,000 for new semester
(KCBD) Texas Tech University has announced a 12th-class-day enrollment number of 41,045, the first time in the university’s history it has eclipsed 41,000 students.
Texas Hospital System Launches Innovative Health Care-Focused High School
(The Well News) Students in the Houston suburb of Harris County, Texas, are taking their first steps toward careers in health care thanks to a partnership between their school district, the Memorial Hermann Health System and financial support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Mining Engineering Program returning to UTEP
(KVIA) The University of Texas at El Paso announced the Mining Engineering Program will return in Fall 2027. The previous Mining Engineering program was shut down in 1966.
Sept. 9, 2024
Texas parents gain new tools to control their teen’s social media use
(Texas Tribune) To comply with a new Texas law, Meta has provided parents with tools that allow them to update a teen’s account settings and set time limits on the child’s use of Instagram or Facebook. First, the parents have to know that the teen has an account.
Former schools police chief says he was not at fault in Uvalde shooting, asks judge to toss charges
(Texas Tribune) Former Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo asked a state district court on Friday to quash ten felony charges of child endangerment for his response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.
How much lottery revenue goes toward schools in Texas?
(Dallas Morning News) The lottery allocates just over $2 billion annually to Texas schools, which covers about five days of a typical 180-day school year. This is a decrease from over 10 days’ worth of funding more than 25 years ago, when the state lottery began operating at full capacity.
What is school choice? Big Country officials explain the ‘voucher’ dilemma
(KTAB/KRBC) School choice and ‘vouchers’ are likely terms you’ve heard a lot lately, whether from state political leaders like Governor Greg Abbott, who stated: “All of Texas students will be doing better with a robust school choice program in the State of Texas.” Or, from local education officials like Abilene ISD Superintendent John Kuhn and Walt Landers, CEO of Texas Leadership Public Schools. “I think school vouchers are bad for public education,” Kuhn said.
Violent Youth Crime In Texas Is Skyrocketing
(Dallas Express) Since 2018, the number of TJJD youths admitted for homicide has doubled, firearms offenses have increased by 50%, and felony drug charges have sharply increased from 1,317 in 2018 to 7,978 in 2023.
‘Guns still shouldn’t be there.’: Parents call for new safety measures after multiple gun incidents at Bellaire High School
(Houston Chronicle) Some parents said it may be time to consider metal detectors, clear backpacks, pat-down searches or other measures to keep weapons off the campus of roughly 3,100 students.
Plano ISD joins lawsuit against TEA over accountability rating changes
(Community Impact) “I don’t love the idea of signing on to a lawsuit but again, 25% of Texas public school kids will be covered under this lawsuit, so we’re not alone,” PISD Trustee Tarrah Lantz said. “This is a lot of us banding together, demanding that our kids be celebrated for the improvements that they’re making.”
Plainview ISD joins A-F performance ratings lawsuit
(My Plainview) The Plainview Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a motion to engage in a lawsuit concerning the Texas Education Agency’s A-F performance ratings for the 2023-24 school year at its most recent meeting.
Comal ISD faces $23.6M shortfall amid growth
(Community Impact) As one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas, Comal ISD is entering the 2024-25 school year with a projected $23.6 million budget shortfall.
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation opposes Houston ISD’s $4.4 billion bond proposal
(Houston Public Media) A regional coalition of labor groups, including the largest teachers’ union in Houston ISD, is opposed to the district’s first bond proposal in more than a decade.
Texas Strong: The Oldest Continuously Operating Public School In Texas Is A High School For The Deaf
(Dallas Express) Did you know the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas is a high school for the Deaf where American Sign Language is the only allowed means of communication?
Dallas ISD middle school student hit, killed while walking to school, passenger charged with murder, police say
(WFAA) A man has been arrested after a 14-year-old was hit and killed by a vehicle in southern Dallas Friday, police said. The boy was taken to a local hospital, where he died. Dallas police said the driver and the passenger, 47-year-old James Grant, got into an argument. Grant started struggling with the driver and assaulted them, police said. Grant reached across the driver causing the car to go off the road and hit the teen, walking in the grass.
Dallas ISD student murdered after fight outside gas station following football game, police say
(NBC DFW) The fatal shooting happened after a fight broke out among a large group, according to police.
12-year-old arrested and charged after threatening mass shootings in seven San Antonio schools
(Texas Public Radio) The boy posted an image of an assault rifle on Instagram and listed seven San Antonio schools, along with the dates he planned to attack them.
Educating Incarcerated Juveniles Poses a Challenge in Dallas County
(Dallas Observer) The Academy for Academic Excellence was started in 1999 to provide educational services to all students residing in a Dallas County Juvenile Department institution and transitioning out of residential placement to their home. Grade repetition and learning disabilities are among the obstacles faced by incarcerated juvenile students.
Tarleton launches new dual credit model for Crowley ISD high school students
(KERA) Crowley ISD is the only district partnered with Tarleton under a new dual credit model, according to both education institutions. Courses include English and U.S. history.
Westlake High School student arrested, accused of making school threat
(KXAN) The students who reported the incident used the Westlake Watch anonymous reporting system that the district uses, the letter states. “Although we have no reason to believe there is an existing threat to the school, we will be especially observant on campus this week,” the letter from Eanes ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Arnett said.
The stakes are high at TSU. For new President James Crawford III, students are the answer
(Houston Chronicle) To new President James Crawford III, Teas Southern University is his garden.
School districts race to invest in cooling solutions as classrooms and playgrounds heat up
(Concho Valley Homepage) Cooling playgrounds and roads by making them more reflective is not new, but interest has been growing along with more understanding of the way the accumulation can affect entire neighborhoods, known as urban heat islands, said Daniel Metzger, a fellow at Columbia Law School who studies these passive climate adaptation technologies.
Insurance Corruption In Deep South Texas
(RiskManagers.US) The Lower Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas is known throughout the insurance community as a place where business can take one down the wrong road, purposely or not.
These are the 10 highest-paying jobs in Texas in 2024, according to new study
(Austin American-Statesman) Here is a look at what some of the best jobs in Texas are currently, according to a study by Nexford University.
UT School of Civic Leadership now accepting applications for fall 2025. Here’s what to know
(Austin American-Statesman) With 10 new faculty members hired and a minor launched this fall in philosophy, politics and economics, the school is aiming to recruit 50 to 100 students for its inaugural class which will have the opportunity to pursue a major in civics honors. A civics minor will launch next fall.
College at Texas Tech Offers ‘Diversity’ and ‘Inclusion’ Agriculture Course
(Texas Scorecard) Texas Tech’s Agricultural College is offering a course full of “Diversity” and “Inclusion” in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Texas Civil War Museum to close after 17 years in White Settlement
(Houston Chronicle) The museum lasted 13 years longer than the Confederate States of America.
Sept. 6, 2024
Austin ISD settles lawsuit over delayed special ed evaluations, creates fund for affected students
(KUT) A federal court has approved a settlement between Austin ISD and Disability Rights Texas which creates a $4 million fund to help students affected by special education evaluation delays. The fund to help cover the cost of services for students who were affected by the delayed evaluations.
Challenges remain to finally connect all of Texas to broadband
(KXAN) The Texas Senate’s finance committee met Thursday to discuss how implementation is progressing with the Broadband Infrastructure Fund, a measure approved by more than 69% of Texas voters in November. Glenn Hegar, the state’s comptroller of public accounts, told senators his office is still working out how to distribute the state resources approved by voters — on top of dealing with a lot of strings tied to federal dollars that are also available.
Grand Prairie ISD Super With Controversial Past Put On Leave
(Dallas Express) Grand Prairie ISD’s newly hired superintendent, Jorge Arredondo, has been suspended after less than three months on the job. “Because this is an ongoing investigation, there will be no additional comment from this Board,” said Board President Amber Moffitt in a news release. Arredondo has been criticized in the past for his work when he was superintendent of Houston ISD. He stepped down from his role the same year the Texas Education Agency first attempted to take over Houston ISD due to unacceptable student underperformance.
New University of North Texas policy prohibits student-led voter registration in classes
(Dallas Morning News) University of North Texas professors can no longer have student-led voter registration groups in classes as university officials point to a 1993 law that prohibits “state officers” from interfering with elections.
San Antonio school districts take wait-and-see approach to lawsuit over A-F school accountability
(Texas Public Radio) Officials with Northside, North East, and San Antonio ISD said they have no plans to join the lawsuit, but they also have no plans to release their schools’ preliminary ratings of their own accord, as recommended by organizations like the Commit Partnership in Dallas.
Grand Prairie schools remain closed as water advisory is lifted
(KERA) Grand Prairie ISD is closed again Friday as workers flush water lines. School officials say classes will resume Monday.
Hawkins ISD superintendent arrested for driving while intoxicated
(KETK) Hawkins ISD Superintendent Susan Morton was arrested by the La Marque Police Department after a “minor accident” which happened in the 2400 block of Gulf Freeway at around 7:49 p.m. in La Marque. Morton was arrested for driving while intoxicated in La Marque, Texas on Aug. 23. Morton was then booked into the Galveston County Jail for charges of driving while intoxicated and collision involving damage to a vehicle less than $200.
McCallum High senior recounts moments her bus was hit by suspected drunk driver
(KEYE) “I could see the car coming and suddenly it had hit the bus,” said McCallum High School senior and band member, Sadie Swinney. Fallon Ramos is facing a misdemeanor DWI charge after investigators said she showed signs of intoxication like slurred speech, the odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and disorientation. “The reason a misdemeanor as opposed to a felony charge was brought, was because there was no serious bodily injury that we know of, at least at this time,” said Texas attorney and former criminal prosecutor, Quentin Brogdon.
Student arrested after loaded gun found on East Texas campus, deputies say
(KETK) An East Texas student was arrested on Wednesday after a loaded .38 caliber handgun was found in their vehicle in the school’s parking lot, according to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say the 17-year-old Panola Charter High School student was overheard talking about having a gun in his vehicle. “During a subsequent search by school staff, a loaded .38 caliber handgun was recovered,” according to the report from the sheriff’s office.
Investigation into Silsbee ISD employee sparks concern over student online safety
(KBMT) The topic of student safety online sparked debate among community members in Silsbee, after a district employee was put on administrative leave after reportedly having inappropriate communication with a student. Silsbee Independent School District says that employee remains on leave despite an investigation by the sheriff’s office finding no criminal wrong-doing.
Teacher accused of sexual relationship with Polk County student
(KTRE) After a thorough criminal investigation, the sheriff said it was determined that the teacher picked up the student, and they went to a location in Polk County, where he “performed sexual acts to her in the back of his vehicle before returning her to her home.” Based on the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Jahmall Le’Sean Thomas, 39, of Dayton, Texas for improper relationship between an educator and a student. Thomas was arrested on Sept. 3 and was booked into the Polk County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
Dripping Springs ISD prioritizes attendance, approves credit agreement
(Hays Free Press) In order to reduce recapture, now known as excess local revenue, the Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved an agreement for the purchase of attendance credits at its Aug. 26 meeting.
AI is reshaping health care. How will it impact Fort Worth’s medical education?
(Fort Worth Report) The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is early in its endeavors to integrate AI tools more directly into its curriculums, Harlan Jones, associate professor of immunology and microbiology at UNT Health Science Center, said. “We’re fortunate to conduct biomedical research that utilizes AI and because of that, it allows for medical students to get immersed into artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to understand health care outcomes,” he said.
How are my property taxes calculated? 7 things to know about the complicated process
(El Paso Matters!) We took some of your most frequently asked questions about property taxes and came up with a list of seven things to know, with some links and resources we hope you’ll find useful.
East Texas school partnership aims to create seamless college transition for pharmacists
(KLTV) Seven partnering institutions signed a memorandum of understanding impacting qualified pharmacists.
You have microplastics inside you. A San Antonio professor is researching what that means for your health
(San Antonio Report) These microplastics come from plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces, and are now finding their way into our reproductive organs, hearts, livers, kidneys and even our bloodstreams.
$25 million donation from Hamon Charitable Foundation will help UT Southwestern, Children’s Health develop joint pediatric campus
(News Wise) Generosity of Dallas-based foundation will help transform care for children in North Texas and beyond.
UTEP Dinner Theatre program revamped, musicals season shortened
(El Paso Matters) After a year of speculation that the UTEP Dinner Theatre might shut down after 40 years, university officials Thursday announced the restructured program will raise the curtain on a 42nd season and will involve more students, a tenure-track musical theater faculty member at its helm and a new funding model that relies less on student fees to support it.
Sept. 5, 2024
North Texas school districts push for revamped guidelines on behavior and discipline in public education
(WFAA) Wylie ISD, led by Superintendent David Vinson, is part of a coalition aiming to revamp the State of Texas’ public education code — specifically Chapter 37, which governs student discipline. Vinson tells WFAA that Chapter 37 of the state’s education code used to be five pages in 1995 and has now grown to more than 130 pages. Vinson argues it’s now outdated, non-practical, and inflexible for today’s classroom needs. One facet of the code that the coalition will be fighting for is accountability and responsibility from the parents of the students. Another area is making sure that addressing discipline is up to the districts and the local level and not a one-size-fits-all state-wide approach.
Texas would need about $81.5 billion a year to end property taxes, officials say
(Texas Tribune) Texas Republicans have been trying to reduce the state’s high property taxes for years, but some acknowledge eliminating them would be too expensive.
Leander middle school apologizes for displaying student names during vaccine update
(CBS Austin) Danielson Middle School officials have apologized after a staff member publicly displayed the full names of students during a vaccination record update effort.
Fuzzy Math | Opinion
(Fort Worth Weekly) After years of lackluster private school, the author’s children have hope public school will be better. What people never tell you about private school is that they really don’t have any real resources. You are paying for every little thing and really getting nothing.
Harlingen CISD searching for next superintendent after J.A. Gonzalez resigns
(myRGV) For the second time in about a year, the school board is searching to fill the district’s top administrative post following Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez’s stunning resignation five months after his job review landed him a $10,000 pay increase.
Houston ISD teacher back in classroom after put on administrative leave for social media posts criticizing district
(Houston Public Media) Houston Education Association President and 2nd Grade teacher, Michelle Williams, says she feels vindicated after the district accused the teacher of posting on social media during work hours.
Laredo schools face new challenges under new Texas Education Agency standards
(KGNS) The Texas Education Agency caused a stir after setting new standards that pose a greater emphasis on opportunities after high school.
Alamo Heights ISD trustee resigns, adding to year of board shake-ups
(San Antonio Report) Stacy Sharp, president of the Alamo Heights Independent School District Board of Trustees has resigned from the board to focus on serving as a judge in the new Texas Business Court after being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this summer. The departure adds to a growing list of shake-ups to the governing bodies overseeing hundreds of thousands of children across San Antonio over the last year.
Brownsville ISD tax rate decreases slightly
(myRGV) The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a tax rate of $1.028664 per $100 valuation for 2024-2025, a slight decrease from the 2023-2024 rate of $1.030964.
Fire foam contaminates Grand Prairie water supply, local schools remain closed
(NBC DFW) The Grand Prairie Independent School District said on social media that it had contacted the city’s emergency management team and was closed Wednesday out of caution. All morning extracurricular activities were also canceled. After waiting for information from the TECQ and Mayor Jenson, the school district announced late Wednesday evening that its schools would also be closed on Thursday, Sept. 5.
HISD teacher’s 12-year-old daughter spent night on a bench after mom locked her out, HPD says
(KTRK) The 12-year-old daughter of a woman, whom court documents identified as a Houston Independent School District teacher, walked to a police station after and told officers her mother locked her out of her apartment overnight, the Houston Police Department said. Authorities charged 43-year-old Georgette Albert with child endangerment. According to HPD, Albert and her daughter had a disagreement before the parent locked the child out of their apartment. The daughter spent the night sleeping on a bench before walking half a mile away to the Northeast Patrol Station at 7:10 a.m. last Saturday.
Somerville ISD considering increasing security measures at football games following threat
(KRHD) The increased measures are in response to a threat received ahead of the game. “By the time the game was to start, we were not able to fully vet out that threat,” Somerville ISD Superintendent Eric Holton said. Now, they’re considering adding bag checks, controlling entrances, and screening fans to each home game.
Kress ISD employee under investigation for improper conduct involving student
(KCBD) Officials say on Thursday, Aug. 29, the Kress ISD administration received a report that a district employee may have engaged in improper conduct involving a student. The district immediately informed the Swisher County Sheriff’s Office on this matter. A similar report was also given to other authorities as required by law and district policy. Kress ISD has placed the employee on administrative leave pending further investigation.
Texas university ranks among Forbes’ top colleges for the first time. See full list
(Austin American-Statesman) For the first time, Rice University in Houston has climbed into the top 10, jumping from No. 22 last year to No. 9, largely due to its graduates’ low student debt. Here is where Texas ranked for the best universities in America.
Alamo Colleges, A&M-San Antonio report record enrollment despite FAFSA troubles
(Texas Public Radio) Both the Alamo Colleges District and Texas A&M University-San Antonio are reporting record enrollment this fall. The growth comes despite delays in financial aid caused by problems with the new FAFSA form.
Texas Tech partnership earns $2.5 million grant for cybersecurity program
(KCBD) Texas Tech University, along with the University of Texas at San Antonio and Angelo State University, are the recipients of a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a comprehensive research and workforce development program in cybersecurity that will address relevant defense problems.
How Dallas College Is Changing Research Related To Students
(Forbes) The institution’s student body is almost 50% Latinx, and the College takes that percentage very seriously. They have established the Dallas College Research Institute, which produces “actionable research that informs and supports the postsecondary education needs of the Dallas College community.” More specifically, the Research Institute is working to make change and foster student success “through an innovative, robust, and equity-driven research agenda.”
Ken Paxton sues Bexar County over voter registration outreach effort
(Texas Tribune) The move escalates Texas Republicans’ brewing fight with urban counties over initiatives to proactively send applications to unregistered voters.
Tarrant County judge says college campus voting locations are ‘a waste of manpower’
(Fox 4 KDFW) Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare raised concerns about the proximity college campus polling locations had to those off campus. O’Hare specifically pointed to the polling sites at TCU and UT Arlington. Both locations happen to be in precincts that have Democratic commissioners. In an election where more young people also could turn out, Democrats on the commission called it voter suppression.
New policy blocks transgender Texans from changing sex on birth certificates
(KUT) Texans who have secured a court order to update the sex listed on their birth certificates can no longer do so at this time, a spokesperson for the Department of State Health Services confirmed to The Texas Newsroom.
He Was Born Male. He Identifies as Male. Ken Paxton Is Ensuring His Driver’s License Says He’s Female
(Texas Monthly) A Houston man who chose to detransition after living as a trans woman had a court order permitting him to change the sex on his driver’s license back to male. His request was denied.
Questions over why bleachers collapsed at Boerne’s Kendall County Fair still loom
(Texas Public Radio) Investigators continued this week to try to understand why a section of bleachers at Boerne’s Kendall County Fair collapsed during Labor Day weekend. The incident sent multiple people to the hospital.
The Most Underrated Travel Experience in Texas: College Museums
(Texas Monthly) Space rocks, shipwrecks, and dinosaurs: Museums on university campuses are teeming with hidden gems. Here are eight favorites.
Sept. 4, 2024
Texas is ‘sounding alarm bells’ on special education shortage, teacher says
(LoneStar Live) Texas continues to experience a critical shortage of special education teachers, part of a national issue that affected over half of U.S. school districts last year.
Texas schools are hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope the state will pay to prepare them
(Texas Tribune) Schools are hiring instructors with different types of backgrounds to deal with critical staff shortages.
Dual language immersion programs associated with more reading growth for ELs
(K-12 Dive) Students in schools without such programs, that don’t offer meetings with English learner families, and that are overcrowded were associated with worse performance. As of 2021, California, Texas, New York, Utah and North Carolina accounted for more than half of all programs.
Harlingen CISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez Resigns Amid Controversy, Community Voices Concerns
(Fox Rio Grande Valley) Superintendent Gonzalez, who took over the role in 2023, did not attend the special meeting on Tuesday evening. His resignation came following a brief executive session, and district officials did not disclose the specific reasons behind his departure. However, in a statement, the district cited “serious issues” that led to the special meeting but refrained from sharing further details due to privacy concerns.
‘If she knew’: The sexual abuse scandal taking center stage in Lorena ISD
(Dallas Morning News) Instead of just being a time of excitement and anticipation, the return to the classroom this August was another reminder of the legal cases centered on sexual abuse that have embroiled the Lorena Independent School District and its community for more than three years.
North Texas girl sex trafficked from a Dallas Mavericks game shares her story of survival: “I’m not afraid”
(CBS News) Once afraid to tell her story, Natalee Cramer now wants her voice heard.
Fort Worth faith-based nonprofit aims to make art lessons for kids more accessible
(Fort Worth Report) The program, based in Wisconsin, arrived in Fort Worth two years ago and aims to make arts education accessible to families who would not be able to afford it otherwise, said Tina Washington, director of the nonprofit’s Texas chapter.
Sam Rayburn High School student arrested after bringing weapon on campus
(Fox 26 Houston) A student was arrested after bringing a weapon to Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena on Tuesday. The school learned about the weapon thanks to a tip, according to Pasadena ISD.
Woman charged after road rage incident escalates outside East Austin elementary school
(CBS Austin) According to an arrest affidavit, it all started on Aug. 27 in the parking lot of Pecan Springs Elementary School.
Irving school crossing guard hit by car
(Fox 4 KDFW) The guard was standing in a designated crosswalk and acting in her official capacity at the time. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver who hit her stopped to help and is not currently facing any charges.
Grand Prairie ISD closed Wednesday after “foaming agent” found in city water supply
(CBS News) Grand Prairie ISD and numerous city facilities are closed Wednesday after a foaming agent was found in the city’s water supply Tuesday evening.
Region One Education Service Center gets $33.6M grant for low-income students
(myRGV) The Region One Education Service Center received $33.6 million to increase the number of low-income students in the class of 2030 at partner school systems across the Valley to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.
University of Austin Opens Doors, Provides Alternative to ‘Fractured’ Higher Education
(Texas Scorecard) The school’s founders believe today’s institutions have abandoned the pursuit of truth.
Some colleges buck low enrollment trend with job-ready training, faith focus
(The College Fix) Austin Community College works with Tesla, Samsung to offer career specific programs.
Houston East End boxing gym: More than just punches for kids in need
(Fox 26 Houston) “Most of the kids don’t have a big opportunity. This is all they got. This is their one-way ticket out of poverty. This is their way out,” said Pedro Camacho, who started The Knockout Factory. “I boxed myself and got into a little bit of trouble myself and that made me stop boxing.”
Treat of the Day: Texas A&M’s vet school reports 99% pass rate
(KBTX) The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences announced the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024 had a 99% overall pass rate for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
UT researchers say they found an antibody that protects against all COVID-19 variants
(KXAN) A team of researchers, led by folks at the University of Texas at Austin, believe they’ve found an antibody that protects against all COVID-19 variants. Antibodies attach themselves to the spike protein of a virus, preventing infection, the university explained.
Hoping to boost enlistments, an Army college partnership will help recruits get GEDs
(Texas Public Radio) Students in the Palo Alto College program are going through an eight-week program learning, not just the academics they need for the GED, but also military readiness.
Texas ranks last in the nation for mental health services for college students
(San Antonio Current) When it comes to providing access to mental health services to college students, Texas ranks last in the nation with a 0.0 score on a scale of zero to 10, according to a new study released this week. One in five Texans, including college students, don’t have health insurance, which limits their access to mental health help.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett presents $1.5 million in congressional funding to Austin Community College
(ACC Info Hub) The federal funds allow ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Department to acquire new semiconductor subsystems to expand current training programs and develop new ones aligned with industry demands. This new equipment will provide hands-on learning in a setting that replicates industry conditions. Funding will also support necessary facility upgrades.
Collin College expands continuing education offerings with medical massage, welding programs
(Community Impact) Collin College announced three new continuing education program offerings on Aug. 30. The programs include a medical massage therapy course, welding courses taught in Spanish and an online product management course.
With national brand growing, TCU draws majority of students from outside Texas
(Fort Worth Report) “The draw for TCU is this unique combination of qualities that we offer that almost no other college can offer,” said Heath Einstein, vice provost for enrollment management. “We are offering this sort of small, intimate, close-connection kind of culture, without having to sacrifice big time Division I athletics and all of the vibrancy that comes from that.”
This San Antonian wants to get more Texas women into ‘recession-proof’ trades jobs
(San Antonio Report) Women in Trades now has about 500 members, founder Allie Perez said, and it has funneled more than 20 people into trade programs within Ready to Work, San Antonio’s taxpayer funded workforce development program.
U. Houston ‘satanic’ statue remains headless 2 months after attack
(The College Fix) University says investigation into vandalism ongoing.
UTEP tops Forbes list as Texas leader for low student debt
(KVIA) UTEP stands out for graduating students with minimal debt, ranking first in Texas and 15th nationwide in this category.
Sept. 3, 2024
Bible-inspired lessons in Texas public schools? State education board to hold hearings this month
(KERA) The hearings will be held in Austin Sept. 10-13. Links to the proposals can be found on the Texas Gateway website, a TEA online resource, linked on the State Board of Education website.
26 states have blocked Title IX, nearly 700 schools won’t comply
(Center Square) In addition to the 26 states protecting blocking the Title IX revisions put in place under the Biden-Harris administration, hundreds of colleges across 48 states will do the same.
New Data Indicates 50,000 Public School Students Withdraw to Homeschool Each Year
(The Texan) New data collected by the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) indicates that nearly 50,000 Texas public school students withdraw to home school every year.
“Just Easier When You’re Not Openly Queer”: Students Respond to Texas School District’s Fight Against LGBTQ Protections
(Texas Monthly) Carroll ISD, in the Dallas suburbs, is fighting against new Biden administration Title IX rules concerning gay and trans students.
Extreme Texas heat puts pressure on the power grid. Would delaying the school year help?
(KERA) In a post to his account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Texas Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, said opening school before Labor Day — which falls on the first Monday of September — is an “awfully wasteful stress” on the state’s power grid. But energy experts say the answer isn’t that simple.
What Texas’ top 1% pay in taxes
(KXAN) Just because Texas doesn’t have a state income tax doesn’t mean the top 1% aren’t already paying millions in taxes. According a financial technology company SmartAsset study, the top 1% in Texas paid a total of $81,417,526 in income taxes, which followed behind California ($165,087,786), New York ($99,157,333), and Florida ($91,942,807).
What Texans need to know about helping people register to vote or cast ballots
(Houston Chronicle) Texas officials have launched investigations into voting fraud allegations, but assisting other voters isn’t automatically illegal.
As more HISD schools undergo Mike Miles’ strict reforms, what happens to librarians and their books?
(Houston Chronicle) The apparent lower count of staffed libraries is driven in part by the removal of shelves and furniture out of libraries to create team centers, where children may work on advanced content or stay after misbehaving in the classroom. The creation of team centers ramped up for this school year with the addition of more than 40 schools to state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System (NES).
Colony Ridge tripled enrollment at Cleveland ISD. Why can’t it pass a bond?
(Houston Chronicle) The controversies around the development, along with the burden it has placed on local infrastructure and resources, appear to have worn on voters. After passing a handful of school bonds in the early days of Colony Ridge’s growth, voters have rejected the district’s last three attempts to pass measures that would allow them to build and expand facilities to accommodate the growing student body.
Midland ISD Trustee Seeks to Intervene in TEA Accountability Ratings Lawsuit
(Texas Scorecard) Trustee Brandon Hodges argues that time-consuming STAAR exams are “a wasted effort” without release of the A-F ratings.
His school district is a rarity in Texas with a surplus — but it could change
(KXAN) In August, Round Top-Carmine ISD Superintendent Brandon Schovajsa managed to do what most districts in Central Texas – big and small – could not. His 229-student district adopted a budget for the new school year with a surplus.
Knee-deep in budget woes, Houston-area districts plead for increased revenue from taxpayers and the state
(Houston Chronicle) Montgomery, Magnolia and Spring ISDs have added voter-approved tax rate elections, called VATREs, to the ballot Nov. 5 in an effort to recoup funding they need to stay afloat. District leaders and trustees have been open about why they are asking voters for a combined $40 million in additional revenue, and that is largely because the amount of money the Legislature provides per student hasn’t changed in Texas since 2019.
Fort Bend ISD’s top earners made nearly $5 million in 2023-24
(Houston Chronicle) Fort Bend Independent School District’s top 25 earners collected base salaries totaling almost $5 million in the 2023-24 school year, according to staffing data from the Texas Education Agency.
How do charter schools, traditional public schools compare in Fort Worth?
(Fort Worth Report) Which campuses in Fort Worth perform better: charter or traditional public schools? The answer varies from school to school and even within each school system.
The Failing School Bus
(Slate) The causes and consequences of another broken piece of public infrastructure. The line of cars to pick up kids from the local middle school, in Cypress, Texas, northwest of Houston, was more than a mile long. Now, the collapse of the school bus is exacerbating the problem, and not just in Texas.
East Central ISD school bus crash in Bexar County leaves some students with minor injuries
(Teas Public Radio) Some high school and middle school students received minor injuries after their East Central Independent School District bus rearended an 18-wheeler on Friday morning. District Spokesman Brandon Oliver said Bus 266 clipped an 18-wheeler as the bus attempted to make a left turn to take students down a road to classes.
Two Austin ISD buses hit by car after football game, driver injured and arrested for DWI
(KEYE) An Austin woman was arrested on a DWI charge Friday in connection with an AISD school bus crash involving dozens of band members. 23-year-old Fallon Ramos was arrested for driving while intoxicated. The driver of the sedan was taken to the hospital and a bus driver and some McCallum High School band students were treated at the scene.
University football team involved in Texas bus crash, leaves 4 injured
(ABC News) Four people were injured after a bus carrying the Abilene Christian University football team was involved in a crash with another vehicle in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday night. One player, two coaches, and the bus driver were taken to University Center in Lubbock for minor injuries, according to a statement by the ACU athletics department.
Meme mix-up lands Colorado City Middle School 6th grader in cuffs for terroristic threat
(KTXS) Repeating a popular meme got a 6th grader at Colorado City Middle School escorted out of class, suspended, and arrested. The student was accused of making a terroristic threat. “My main goal is to blow up,” Indicas Koonaloak-Young said. “That’s all I could get out before the teacher interrupted me. The full meme is my main goal is to blow up and act like I don’t know nobody.” “It means to get popular, get a bunch of views, and get famous,” Koonaloak-Young said. Mitchell County’s Sheriff’s Department said they cannot comment on juvenile cases.
Texas School Extends Consecutive Game Losing Streak To 49
(Stateline Sports Network) It has been a long time since Austin (Tx) Eastside (Early College) Memorial has won a football game. This past weekend they were shut-out by Navarro 14-0. That streak seems to currently be the longest in the U.S.
Sheldon ISD parent upset, says district communication lacked after teacher was arrested in organized crime ring
(KHOU) The mother said she’s concerned for her child’s safety and well being after investigators announced Sheldon ISD third grade teacher Jessica Ferguson was arrested and is accused of conducting drug deals during class.
First full school year for Eanes ISD police department
(KXAN) As students and teachers return to the classroom, Eanes Independent School District police officers are reporting for their first full school year since the department was formed in 2023.
What you need to know about the UT Health, UTSA merger
(San Antonio Report) While the details are still being finalized, UTSA President Eighmy sat down with the San Antonio Report to share details on some of the most pressing questions. UTSA has also launched a website with details on the merger process.
TTUHSC suspends employee over ‘hateful, antisemetic’ comments
(KCBD) The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has suspended an employee and launched an investigation into social media comments it described as “hateful, antisemitic, and unacceptable.” The employee, Rudy Meixell, is a unit manager in the library on the Lubbock TTUHSC campus. Meixell is suspended with pay. The Tech System’s Office of Equal Opportunity will conduct the investigation.
Austin has now paid out more than $22 million in settlements related to 2020 racial justice protests
(Texas Public Radio) Austin City Council voted Thursday to approve more than $2.1 million for restitution for two victims injured by police during the racial justice protests in 2020. The city has now paid out more than $22 million in lawsuits surrounding police conduct from that time.
Texas Athletics opens new broadcast, video production center, expands sports media opportunities for students
(Daily Texan) The new center, called Texas Studios, is housed inside the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to be used by students in Bevo Video Productions to produce live games on the SEC Network and ESPN’s linear and digital networks. The space will also serve as an academic center for students taking sports broadcasting and production classes this year in the Moody College of Communication.
Spring ISD community center to be renamed for U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
(Community Impact) Spring ISD’s Family and Community Engagement Center will be renamed in honor of U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 74, who died July 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. SISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved the name change during an Aug. 13 school board meeting.
