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Oct. 31, 2024
Updates — Tuesday’s Fatal Stabbing of Manor ISD High School Student:
- Police: Stabbing occurred in boy’s restroom (Austin American-Statesman)
- Manor ISD Superintendent answers questions about Manor Senior High fatal stabbing (KEYE)
- Football game vs McNeil canceled (Texas HS Football)
- Nonprofit formed in wake of Uvalde shooting launches support campaign following Manor school stabbing (KXAN)
Reading, writing and religion? A Texas curriculum advisory board’s link to faith-based advocacy
(Texas Tribune) The composition of the state’s hand-picked curriculum advisory board raises questions about whether panelists were inclined to green-light Bible-infused coursework.
UIL bans Faith Family girls basketball team from playoffs, suspends coaches for two years
(Dallas Morning News) The University Interscholastic League’s state executive committee took severe measures to punish the Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy girls basketball program and its coaches Wednesday while preventing a super team built from 18 transfers from competing for a state title this season. Faith Family head coach Andrea Robinson and assistant coaches Kadi Creel and Jordan Jones were each suspended for two years for recruiting violations. Faith Family as a school was found guilty of recruiting violations, a lack of transparency and withholding information and the UIL banned the girls basketball program from the playoffs this season.
Houston ISD coach identified as ‘kingpin’, assistant principal charged in cheating scheme are out of jail
(KPRC) Two of the three Houston ISD employees who were charged in connection to a teacher-certification cheating scheme that allowed unqualified teachers to work in local school districts have bonded out of jail.
Grand Prairie school board continues to review superintendent on leave for alleged discrimination and harassment
(KRLD) In a closed-door meeting Tuesday night, the Grand Prairie ISD Board continued its review of Superintendent Jorge Arredondo, who has been on leave since September for allegedly violating district policies on harassment and discrimination. A court order prevents a vote on his termination until Tuesday.
Student threatened to bring explosive, shoot up Clemens High School, Schertz police say
(KSAT) Officials said the student was arrested after he admitted to the threats.
New Caney ISD paraprofessional fired, accused of assaulting non-verbal student, district says
(KTRK) The teen’s parent told ABC13 that her son came home twice in October with bruises on his chest. She said a district police officer looked at security video and saw the assault. ABC13 is not naming the ex-employee because he has not been criminally charged.
Did State Law Protect a Teacher Who Allegedly Assaulted a Student?
(Texas Scorecard) After a teacher allegedly assaulted her daughter, one mother was told by police that state law protected the teacher. A grassroots education reform organization explained this is an example of a “two-tiered system of justice.”
Former Mesquite ISD coach arrested on child grooming charges
(CBS Texas) Police have arrested a former Mesquite ISD coach on felony charges of child grooming. Sergio Gonzalez, who was hired by the district in 2004 and worked at A.C. New Middle School in Balch Springs, was taken into custody at his residence at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. Mesquite ISD alerted the Balch Springs Police Department about a potentially inappropriate relationship between Gonzalez and a former student at the middle school.
Rockdale ISD teacher arrested after authorities investigate school threat
(KBTX) In a new update, we learned the threat was made against district officials. According to police reports, the message read: “I‘ve got a gun in my bag and I’m going to shoot the principals.” Deputies announced an investigation Thursday night, Oct. 24, after a threat was made by an anonymous user on a school webpage associated with Rockdale High School.
News groups ask Texas court to order release of state police records of Uvalde shooting
(AP) A group of news organizations asked a Texas appeals court on Wednesday to order the release of state Department of Public Safety records of the law enforcement response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, the latest dispute over what should be made public from one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
How this Fort Worth-area school district brought hundreds of students to the polls
(Fort Worth Report) About 200 Crowley ISD students and community members gathered to march to the Tarrant County Southwest Subcourthouse to cast their ballot on Oct. 25, 2024. The school district teamed up with March to the Polls to educate students on voting to increase young voter turnout.
Dallas students march to the polls in civics lesson come to life
(Dallas Morning News) Woodrow Wilson, Hillcrest students hit the streets to encourage voting in their communities ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes
(Texas Tribune) Rodolfo Rendon De Hoyos is frustrated his South Texas college campus was not selected to host an early voting site. Now, the student organizer at Texas A&M International University in Laredo is demanding answers from Webb County officials.
HISD Lamar High School student will be tried as adult, faced with felony gun charge
(Fox 26) One of the Lamar High School students arrested on a felony gun charge appeared in court on Wednesday. Clifton Skillern, 17, is charged with being in possession of a prohibited weapon at Lamar HS and will be tried as an adult, according to court documents. The weapon was a handgun with an extended magazine. He will be released on a personal bond and his bond conditions include 24-hour house arrest, except for court and to meet an attorney, and no drugs or alcohol. Skillern is also required to have no contact with Lamar HS or the other juvenile involved in the case.
Second Texas doctor sued for providing gender-affirming care to minors
(Texas Tribune) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a second doctor for allegedly violating state law and providing gender-affirming medical care to minors. Dr. Hector Granados is an El Paso pediatric endocrinologist. Paxton accuses him in the lawsuit of prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to more than 20 minors to treat gender dysphoria, or the distress someone can feel when their gender identity doesn’t match their physical appearance.
Houston ISD schools scrap Halloween plans after new guidance prevents students from wearing costumes
(Houston Public Media) Middle schools and high schools within the Houston Independent School District are scrapping Halloween celebrations after new guidance prohibits most students from wearing costumes on the holiday.
Ex-Killeen teacher sentenced to probation after sexual relations with student
(Killeen Daily Herald) Ex-KISD Shoemaker High School teacher Leslie Renae James, 30, was indicted on March 20, on a second-degree felony charge of improper relationship between student and educator and pleaded guilty on Sept. 12, according to Bell County court records. On Oct. 24, Judge John Gauntt sentenced James to five years of straight probation. James was released from the Bell County Jail in January after posting a bond of $50,000, records show.
Parent advocacy group says these solutions could boost Fort Worth’s low reading rates
(Fort Worth Report) Parent Shield released findings from its 10-week literacy intervention program that could help Fort Worth schools teach reading.
Federal judge allows advancement of lawsuit against state university’s enforcement of executive order
(Daily Texan) A federal judge on Tuesday allowed a lawsuit concerning Texas universities’ enforcement of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order on antisemitism to proceed in court. The court order allowed the plaintiffs’ complaints about UT’s suspension of the PSC and universities’ enforcement of Abbott’s executive order to continue in court.
What does Communities in Schools do for Corpus Christi ISD? See the numbers
(Corpus Christi Caller Times) During a Corpus Christi Independent School District school board committee meeting Monday afternoon, Gloria Taylor, chief executive officer of Community in Schools of the Coastal Bend, shared an annual report on the organization’s activities in CCISD.
Sharyland marching bands reprimanded for UIL violations
(myRGV) After the UIL Area Marching Band Contest last weekend, the UIL Region 15 Executive Committee held an emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss allegations brought by Brownsville ISD toward Sharyland ISD high school bands for violating UIL practice rules, which resulted in a reprimand. After some technical difficulties, the executive committee came out of closed session with no votes taken, but a motion to reprimand the two Sharyland bands for UIL rule violations passed.
Some UTA students struggle to pass core classes. These entrepreneurs created an app to help
(Fort Worth Report) Pluto Learning won $25K in a Shark Tank-like pitch event designed to help student entrepreneurs launch their businesses.
Race and empathy lessons will go from DoSeum exhibit to local classrooms
(San Antonio Report) The DoSeum, San Antonio’s interactive children’s museum on Broadway, is bringing back an exhibit exploring race, unity and empathy for young audiences next year that initially debuted in 2022. The exhibit, titled “Uniquely Us,” combines play-based learning with essential conversations about race, equity and empathy, according to the organizers.
UNT music business program lands on Billboard list for seventh year
(KERA) Mean Green music makers landed on another Billboard list recently: For the seventh year running, the UNT College of Music saw its music business program listed among the best in the world.
Ted Cruz pulls controversial transgender ad amid pressure
(Houston Chronicle) An Oregon school district asked the Texas senator to pull the ad.
San Antonio high school student supports democracy by working as election judge
(San Antonio Current) Even though Jeremiah Garza, 16, is too young to head to the polls this election season, he’s doing his part to make sure other people’s votes count.
New historical status for Institute of Texan Cultures may slow down bid for new Spurs arena
(Texas Public Radio) The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) planned to raze the building in the summer of 2025 for the possible construction of a downtown Spurs stadium and a redevelopment project called Project Marvel. There would also be a re-imagined Alamodome, improvements to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and a new hotel. But Texas Historical Commission named the ITC a state antiques landmark during a hearing on Friday.
Oct. 30, 2024
New details as police identify students involved in a deadly stabbing at Manor ISD high school
(KVUE) An 18-year-old faces murder charges after a deadly stabbing at a Manor ISD high school on Tuesday.
Stabbings, seizures, even death: Bexar County educators report growing number of injuries caused by students, data shows
(KSAT) More than 2,600 injuries reported by educators in 2023-2024 school year, according to analysis by KSAT Investigates.
‘It’s very disappointing’ | New reaction to alleged teacher certification cheating scheme as popular coach, others appear in court
(KHOU) “Anybody who takes a route other than what’s legal or ethical, it’s very disappointing,” Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson said. She said she hopes it doesn’t sully the reputations of legitimately certified teachers.
Which ISDs (and Lone City) are Pushing VATREs?
(Texas Public Policy Foundation) We here at the Texas Public Policy Foundation have tracked more than 40 tax increase elections that will be decided this November and present a list of them below. In most cases, a responsive efficiency audit report is also given.
El Paso high school coach resigns after video shows alleged assault on Special Ed student
(KFOX) An El Paso high school coach has resigned after a video surfaced allegedly showing him assaulting a special needs student. According to the Ysleta Independent School District, Alfonso Licon, a P.E. teacher at Parkland High School stepped down after he was placed on administrative leave in August following a viral video that appeared to show Licon inside the school’s gym body-slamming a student believed to be in the Special Education Program. It’s unclear if Licon will face charges following the incident.
Despite wearing helmets, hits to the head still cause lasting damage. San Antonio researchers want to change that
(San Antonio Report) Helmets save lives, but researchers in San Antonio want to do much more than that — they want to prevent cognitive decline and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Daniel Portillo, mechanical engineer at the Southwest Research Institute and Morteza Seidi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas San Antonio, are putting their heads together to create safer helmets.
FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims surrounding the 2024 election
(AP) A steady stream of false and misleading information is circulating online around the 2024 election.
Leander ISD board approves $1,000 one-time payments for staff
(Community Impact) Leander ISD will distribute around $5.5 million in one-time payments to thousands of staff members. In December, full-time employees will receive a one-time payment of $1,000, while part-time employees will receive $500 payments.
Special education enrollment on the rise: Clear Creek ISD hires more professionals, seeks state funding
(Community Impact) The number of students enrolled in special education across Texas has risen sharply over the past seven years, and the trend is no different for Clear Creek ISD.
Police presence beefed up at Lamar High School in River Oaks area after 2 students caught with guns, HISD says
(KHOU) Classes at Lamar High School in Houston ISD started hours late on Tuesday because students were being searched for weapons. The action was taken after two Lamar students were arrested on Monday after being caught with guns, HISD confirmed.
2 Clemens High School students arrested after officers discover stolen gun in backpack, police say
(KSAT) Officers received a tip regarding a gun inside a student’s vehicle.
Student career readiness jumped in Fort Worth school districts. Here’s how
(Fort Worth Report) Several districts across Fort Worth recently celebrated growth in the number of students who are considered career-ready by state criteria. School board members across Fort Worth, while celebratory, were also curious as to how their districts got there. Recent changes to criteria that determine if a student is career-ready have impacted districts’ success rates; every district in Fort Worth that did self-report showed higher numbers of students considered career-ready.
Despite budget cuts, Fort Worth ISD fine arts ‘untapped resource’ for boosting academic achievement
(Fort Worth Report) The arts are more than paint, music and acting. Jesse Cannon II, Fort Worth ISD’s visual and performing arts director, sees the subject as the medium through which students can improve their reading, writing and math skills — even after the district erased parts of the program following a $1.2 million budget cut.
Student behavior complaints top annual Arlington ISD teacher survey as staff satisfaction improves
(Arlington Report) Consistently across Arlington ISD’s most recent annual staff survey, teachers had one common complaint: student behavior.
Keller kids are tired of fighting their school board. The latest front: theater | Opinion
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) And on the night of Oct. 24, Keller’s theater kids were protesting the latest indignity: the school board inserting itself into script approval, functionally choosing which plays they’re allowed to perform.
Broadway Across America joins tentative Prosper ISD, city of Frisco partnership for performing arts center
(Community Impact) The city of Frisco has finalized a letter of intent with Broadway Across America, securing a promise to collaborate on a proposed multimillion-dollar 2,800-seat performing arts center project.
New UIL postseason format sets stage for intriguing girls basketball season
(Dallas Morning News) This girls basketball season will be unlike any other in UIL history. For the first time ever, the UIL will crown two state champions in each classification for basketball and will split the four playoff teams from each district into Division I and Division II brackets based on enrollment. That will mirror what is done in Class 6A for football.
HISD Halloween policy: No costumes allowed for middle, high school students
(KHOU) While elementary schools can choose to let students dress up, middle and high school students are not allowed to wear costumes during the day.
United ISD closes schools for Election Day for the first time
(KGNS) For the first time, the United Independent School District (UISD) will close its campuses on Election Day, prompting questions from the community. The district clarified that this decision was made well before the school year began and is not linked to any specific reason.
Texas school faces backlash for reported statements made tracking student menstrual cycles
(USA Today) “During a conversation between one female teacher and one female student, the teacher made a comment that did not meet our standards,” Abilene ISD said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. “The teacher made no mention of a school program for tracking student menstrual cycles. There is no such program in Abilene ISD and there never will be. The district took prompt action to investigate in response to the teacher’s comment, and the situation has been addressed with appropriate staff consequences.”
Copperas Cove student describes complaint that led to temporary suspension of Bulldawgs football coach
(Killeen Daily Herald) Details have emerged confirming that Tony Johnson, Copperas Cove High School’s head football coach, was absent from the team for a week in September due to a Copperas Cove ISD internal investigation looking into claims he made inappropriate remarks to a student. Johnson has denied the allegations.
UTEP addresses claims about historic buildings, new master plan
(KVIA) Dr. P.J. Vierra led a presentation to El Paso County Commissioners yesterday explaining the historical significance of Core Heritage Sites and Buildings located on the University of Texas at El Paso campus and outlining concerns that nine historic buildings could be demolished. Today, the university denied those claims.
Texas Western College’s last mining engineering graduate loved career thrills, risks
(El Paso Matters) When the University of Texas at El Paso announced last month that it planned to restart its mining engineering degree program, one of the affirmative voices belonged to Walter Vernon Kramer. Kramer, 84, is considered the last person to earn a mining engineering degree in 1966 from Texas Western College, now UTEP, as well as the first to receive a master’s degree in geology from the university in 1970.
Texas State places adjunct professor running for Hays County judge seat on administrative leave
(Fox 7 Austin) Texas State University placed adjunct professor Tanner Neidhardt on administrative leave for electioneering to students. Neidhardt is running for a Hays County judge seat. Opponent Alicia Key claimed Neidhardt was abusing his position to influence the election. FOX 7 Austin obtained an email from Key’s attorney. The email shows Neidhardt asking students to vote for him, and offering “Tanner for Texas” T-shirts.
Rice University Launches Virani Undergraduate School of Business With Major Donation from Houston Philanthropists
(Hoodline) Rice University has officially opened the doors to the Virani Undergraduate School of Business, a significant enhancement to the university’s business education offerings, thanks to a substantial financial contribution from Houston entrepreneur Farid Virani and his wife, Asha Virani.
Car hits Georgetown ISD bus carrying special needs students, minor injuries reported
(CBS Austin) A Georgetown ISD bus was hit by a car that ran a stop sign Monday afternoon. CBS Austin’s Abigail Velez says according to Georgetown ISD and Georgetown Fire Department, the bus was carrying four special needs students. Minor injuries were reported, but no one was seriously hurt.
A community college could transform the Lockhart area. Will voters approve it?
(Texas Tribune) Residents of a rural Texas school district decide in November whether to expand Austin Community College’s reach.
Predicting your college success with one question | Opinion
(Daily Texan) There’s one question that reveals how successful you’ll be in college: where did you spend your previous four years?
UTPD arrests individual for DWI after on-campus crash
(Daily Texan) The crossing guard booth on 24th Street and Whitis Avenue was wrecked when a car crashed into it in the early morning of Oct. 27, 2024.
Houston private schools left scrambling after nation’s largest uniform supplier suddenly closes
(Houston Chronicle) Some of the Houston area’s highest-rated private schools are scrambling to find new school uniform providers after the nation’s largest uniform manufacturer closed abruptly earlier this month. Dennis Uniform announced it would conduct a “permanent mass layoff” Oct. 19, letting go of 111 employees at its Portland headquarters and closing its Fort Worth warehouse after 104 years in business.
Houston Christian University wants to accept students before they even apply. Here’s why
(Houston Landing) The private southwest Houston college wants to automatically accept more local students with help from Alief, Fort Bend, Humble and Katy ISDs.
Oct. 29, 2024
Texas is slashing $607 million in Medicaid funding from program for students with disabilities
(Texas Tribune) School officials say the state decision to cut federal money likely will hurt their ability to recruit and retain critical staff for students with disabilities.
Election Day is Greg Abbott’s next test in the long fight over school vouchers in Texas
(Dallas Morning News) The fate of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for private school vouchers hinges on the Nov. 5 election, with Republicans and Democrats fighting over a small number of state House seats that will determine if school choice passes or fails.
IDEA Kyle employee arrested on campus, police say
(KXAN) An IDEA Kyle employee was recently arrested on campus and charged with resisting arrest, according to a statement from IDEA Public Schools. Kyle Police Department, which said, in a statement: “A suspicious substance was identified on the IDEA campus near the teacher parking lot. When Kyle police arrived on scene, they attempted to question the individual the school identified as the possible suspect, Ernesto Torres. He became uncooperative and combative while detained and was charged with resisting arrest.”
Former teacher accused of recording teen in bathroom, improper relationship with student, affidavits say
(KSAT) A former band teacher is facing charges in connection with two separate incidents with teenage girls, according to arrest affidavits. Jesse Orta, 32, is charged with invasive visual recording and improper relationship between educator and student, the affidavit said. Orta is accused of recording a girl getting in and out of the shower, the affidavit stated. The girl did not know Orta was recording her. Another 17-year-old girl, who was a student at a school where Orta was employed as a band teacher, told police that she had sexual experiences with Orta on multiple occasions, according to an affidavit.
Houston high school to increase security after two weapons were found on campus
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD police will enhance security at Lamar High School after two students brought weapons to the River Oaks campus Monday morning, according to an announcement from Principal Rita Graves.
Students are taking Texas off college lists because of politics, new study says
(Houston Chronicle) The highest percentage of soon-to-be college students are opting out of attending Texas colleges and universities due to the Lone Star state’s politics, according to a new study.
Inside the anti-woke university where you can’t be cancelled
(The Telegraph) Welcome to the “anti-woke” University of Austin (UATX) — promoted as the antidote to groupthink on college campuses, and where it is almost impossible to be cancelled.
High school student at Keller ISD taken into custody after bringing gun to school
(KRLD) Police were called to Fossil Ridge High in the Keller ISD after being informed by a fellow student that someone had brought a gun to school. According to a letter to parents, a student was identified, located and a classroom hold was initiated while police and security teams searched the campus. The discarded gun was found and that student was taken into custody. The letter praised the student who alerted authorities for his quick actions.
Crystal City ISD faces backlash over charging students to replace hall pass
(KSAT) A parent told KSAT that one junior high within Crystal City ISD has changed its policy to remove the $1 lost pass fee by implementing electronic hall passes.
UT Tyler distributes free Narcan to help spread fentanyl safety, awareness
(KLTV) “We’re just raising awareness for the fentanyl crisis, fentanyl poisoning,” says Elizabeth Caulkins, UT Tyler IX Investigator and Event Coordinator. “And then also we’re giving out free Narcan for students, so they have not only the awareness and the education, but the tool to help and save lives.”
Fifth Circuit Ruling Restores the ‘Day’ to Election Day
(Texas Scorecard) Court finds federal law requires mail ballots to arrive by Election Day and preempts state laws to the contrary. Opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit set precedent for the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, but the court’s ruling is expected to have national impact.
Texas judge accused of breaking law after asking his university students to vote for him
(Texas Tribune) A candidate running against the judge accused him of emailing his students at Texas State to vote for him. State law prohibits using public resources for political advertising.
UT Austin student asks judge to block his suspension over pro-Palestinian protests
(KUT) A UT Austin student has asked a federal court to intervene after university officials suspended him for his involvement with pro-Palestinian protests on campus last April. Ammer Qaddumi, a senior, learned Wednesday he received a three-semester suspension that retroactively took effect on Aug. 21 and lasts through Aug. 15, 2025.
Tarrant County College tuition to increase in spring, with another hike expected in 2026
(Fort Worth Report) Tarrant County College’s tuition will increase by $5 per credit hour this spring, following approval by the college’s board of trustees.
Texas Tech kicker endorsement of Trump, MAGA during football game sets social media ablaze
(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) While the Texas Tech football team might have fallen to TCU on Saturday in Fort Worth, social media was set on fire by a stunt from the Red Raider’s kicker that garnered national attention. During the game, Texas Tech kicker Reese Burkhardt revealed a political statement written on a shirt under his uniform: “TRUMP 24 MAGA.”
46 Fort Worth ISD seniors awarded $23,000 scholarships to Texas Wesleyan University
(Fox 4 KDFW) Dozens of Fort Worth ISD seniors received a special surprise Monday when they were handed scholarships along with their college acceptance letters. They were even more surprised to learn the amount of funding they’re getting. In an effort to dispel the notion that the cost of a private university is out of reach, Texas Wesleyan University awarded 46 Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences seniors with over a million dollars in scholarships.
Quitman ISD to remain closed Tuesday in wake of boil water notice
(KLTV) As of Monday, the district expects to resume classes on Wednesday.
Texas A&M Central Texas reports higher graduate enrollment than before for Fall semester
(KXXV) Texas A&M Central Texas is experiencing a big jump in overall and graduate student enrollment. “We see it a lot with careers that need a master’s degree,” said Loida Gonzalez Utley, the University’s recruitment director.
Advocates seek restoration of federal judge removed from long-running foster care case
(AP) A federal appeals court was asked Monday to reconsider its decision to overturn an expensive contempt finding and remove a district judge from a lawsuit over conditions within Texas’ struggling foster care system.
New Research Emphasizes Importance of College Proximity
(Inside Higher Ed) Distance plays an outsize role in students’ academic outcomes, especially for certain minority students, according to two studies out of Texas and California.
Keller ISD renews Fort Worth school resource officers, unveils armed staff on campus signs
(Community Impact) Keller ISD board members approved a contract renewal with the city of Fort Worth to provide 12 school resource officers for the 2024-25 school year during their Oct. 24 meeting. Board members also received an update on armed staff signs that will be installed on all campuses.
CATT program flourishes: Temple ISD’s path to developing educators
(KXXV) As Texas school districts faced teacher shortages and hiring challenges, the Temple Independent School District sought to cultivate its educators. This led to the creation of the Certification Academy for Temple Teachers (CATT Program), which launched just before the 2023-2024 school year. Eligible teachers are those already employed by the district and have at least 60 college credit hours.
Oct. 28, 2024
Rockdale ISD teacher arrested after authorities investigate school threat
(KWTX) The Milam County Sheriff’s Office says a teacher with Rockdale ISD was arrested after making a school threat this week under an anonymous user. Authorities identified the teacher as 40-year-old Michael Smith of Caldwell. He has been charged with terroristic threat and making a false report, according to MCSO. The MCSO says they started investigating at around 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 after a threat was made from an anonymous user on a school webpage associated with Rockdale High School. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service assisted the sheriff’s office in tracking down the IP address of the anonymous user and obtained warrants related to the IP address, Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said. MCSO says the IP address from the anonymous user was traced back to a Rockdale High School teacher. Authorities interviewed the teacher on campus where MCSO says he admitted to making the threat.
Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools
(K-12 Dive) The federal guidance, prompted by a Biden administration executive order, includes district strategies for mitigating risks and developing AI use policies.
As Texas refuses online voter registration, paper applications get lost
(Texas Tribune) Some people who filled out forms find out too late that they never made it onto the rolls. State lawmakers have resisted efforts to expand online options.
Student parade diverted after gunshot victim found along route
(NBC DFW) Fort Worth police diverted a parade of students from Eastern Hills High School Friday afternoon after an officer spotted a gunshot victim along the parade route. Police officer Buddy Calzada said officers were in the area assisting with the parade through the Eastern Hills neighborhood when an officer out in front of the parade spotted a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The parade was diverted, and the kids were directed back to the high school, where the campus was put on a soft lockdown. No students were harmed.
Plano ISD plans to sell three school buildings
(KRLD) The school board for the Plano ISD has reached an agreement with the City of Plano to sell three school campuses. The school board had previously voted to close Armstrong Middle School, Davis Elementary School and Forman Elementary School. Those campuses are scheduled to remain open through the end of the 2024-25 school year. The agreement with the City of Plano does not specify a cost for the three sites.
How shooting threats impact mental health at East Texas schools
(KETK) Since the beginning of this school year, more than a dozen threats have been made against East Texas school districts, and some superintendents have said it’s taking a toll on the mental health of school staff.
As Fort Worth schools look to improve, could this campus be a model?
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Alicia Iwasko, the principal of Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School, said her school was one of the worst in the state in 2015. In around nine years, Iwasko and her leadership team turned Blanton around into one of the best schools in the district. Here’s how they did it.
DeSoto school bus driver evacuates students before engine catches fire
(NBC DFW) A DeSoto ISD school bus caught fire while taking kids from one campus to another Friday afternoon, the district says. While driving near Hampton and Parkerville roads, the bus driver noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and stopped the bus. The driver evacuated all of the students and escorted them to a safe space away from the vehicle while they waited for a backup. While waiting, the bus’s engine caught fire but was quickly contained and put out by firefighters.
Normangee ISD employee fired over allegations of inappropriate touching and Snapchat misconduct
(KBTX) The criminal investigation is ongoing, according to the Leon County District Attorney’s Office. To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, KBTX has decided not to identify the employee involved until formal charges are filed.
Middle school employee in Eanes ISD charged with credit card abuse
(KVUE) An employee in Eanes ISD has been fired and is facing a felony charge after allegedly using district-funded credit cards for personal purchases. According to a letter sent to Eanes ISD families, the employee – a principal’s assistant and bookkeeper at Hill Country Middle School – was arrested and charged with credit card abuse after the district’s finance office was alerted to suspicious spending activity on district credit cards. During an interview with detectives, the employee admitted to using district credit cards for personal items and cited financial hardship as the reason. The investigation is still ongoing and the employee may face additional charges, the letter from the district said.
DISTRICT: Pedestrian struck, killed during Lone Oak football game
(CBS 19) Lone Oak ISD is mourning the loss of a lifetime resident after he was struck and killed by a vehicle during Friday night’s football game. According to the school district, the pedestrian was hit by a vehicle traveling on US Highway 69. LOISD said the pedestrian was the brother of a beloved staff member. Lone Oak ISD’s Buffalo Stadium is located along US Highway 69. The Lone Oak Buffaloes were playing the Grand Saline Indians on Friday night.
Central Texas High School football game halted after player gets injured, teams come together in support of recovery
(KWTX) Bartlett ISD says one of its high school football players got injured, halting its homecoming game as both teams came together in support of his recovery. Bartlett ISD Superintendent Teddy Clevenger said the student, Frankie Gonzales, got hit in the back of his neck, and, when crews took him off the field, he was able to wiggle his toes. He said Bartlett ISD and Somerville ISD players, coaches and fans stopped the game and came together on the center of the field to pray for Gonzales. In an update Saturday morning, Clevenger said the football player’s CT scan came back clear, and the neurologist decided to admit him to get an MRI before release.
‘As though he were a ragdoll’: Teacher at Temple, Texas daycare charged after infant suffers injuries from ‘aggressive bouncing’ in baby bouncer
(KWTX) Temple police arrested Jasmine Collum, 24, a teacher at Ignite Learning Academy charged with injury to a child.
Edgewood ISD superintendent pledges his own money for top graduate scholarships
(San Antonio Report) The superintendent of the Edgewood Independent School District plans to fund a scholarship for the top students at each of the district’s three high schools using his own money to ease the financial burden for first-generation college students. The “Dr. Eduardo Hernández Complete the Dream Scholarship” was announced at a recent board meeting and comes a month after trustees approved a contract extension for the leader and gave him a raise.
Texas Tech Rodeo Team hosts first rodeo since dismissal of Coach Jerrad Hofstetter
(KCBD) The Texas Tech Rodeo Team was back in the saddle this weekend, hosting their first rodeo since the controversial dismissal of their coach last month.
Prosper ISD could partner with city of Frisco for $350M performing arts center
(Community Impact) The potential partnership would combine the district’s performing arts center project, which was approved by voters in the 2023 bond program, with the city of Frisco’s plans for a performing arts center. The potential partnership was presented during a Prosper ISD board meeting on Oct. 21 and no official plans have been approved.
United ISD parent urges trustees to reconsider the re-entry policy at sports events
(Laredo Morning Times) A United Independent School District parent asked trustees to reconsider the re-entry policy for sporting events during a recent Board of Trustees meeting at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Center. During the public comment period, Iredh Felizardo asked the trustees to reconsider the new policy. Felizardo said she did not think it was fair to charge parents when they need to return to sports facilities. “I came to the SAC with my husband and my children,” she said. “We paid almost $80, and my husband had to leave for something, and when he came back, he couldn’t get in. I didn’t want to leave, but we had to go.” Board President Ramiro Veliz III said they were not aware of the situation and assured they would review it.
Prairie View A&M leaders want to become a ‘top 10’ public HBCU. Here’s how
(Houston Chronicle) Prairie View A&M University leaders hope a new strategic plan will catapult the 148-year-old institution into the top 10 public HBCUs (Historically Black College University) by 2035. President Tomikia P. LeGrande released the “Journey to Eminence” plan this fall, stating a goal for Prairie View to become a “premier” public historically Black university in the next decade.
A&M-Central Texas offering graduate degree in public administration starting next year
(Killeen Daily Herald) Texas A&M University-Central Texas is proud to announce the launch of a new graduate degree in Master of Public Administration (MPA) beginning in spring 2025, the Killeen university announced in a news release last week.
Rice University sees drop in Black students 1 year after affirmative action ruling, new data shows
(Houston Chronicle) Rice University’s freshman class includes fewer Black students, and the University of Texas at Austin saw an uptick in students electing not to share their race, adding to a mixed bag of shifting racial and ethnic demographics one year after the U.S. Supreme Court banned affirmative action in college admissions.
Houston ISD hires for 18 nurse openings in October, with 265 nurses on staff
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD is hiring for 18 nurse openings, with 265 nurses on staff at schools or in its Health and Medical services department, according to district records through Oct. 10.
Glow sticks pose safety concerns for Halloween revelers
(MyTexasDaily) As Halloween approaches, glow sticks and necklaces remain popular for their fun illumination. However, the Lago Vista Police Department warns that while the active ingredient, Dibutyl Phthalate, is safe in small amounts, careful handling is crucial. Parents are advised to supervise children closely, as broken or chewed glow sticks can lead to skin irritation, severe eye discomfort, or nausea if ingested, according to a press release from the department.
Secretary of State says Texas will soon have new weapon to fight voter fraud
(WFAA) In a rare exclusive, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson told us her office is close to replacing a national voter information-sharing program that Texas dumped last year. While Nelson said it could happen over the next couple of months, it won’t be in time for the Nov. 5 election. The national program Texas left behind is called ERIC, the Electronic Registration Information Center.
Lina Hidalgo breaks from Houston Democrats and supports HISD bond
(Houston Chronicle) The Harris County Judge’s move sparked controversy online, with many in the HISD community shocked by her break from local Dems.
Oregon School District asks Senator Ted Cruz to take down Texas campaign ads
(Fox 12 Oregon) The Beaverton School District in Oregon is asking the Ted Cruz campaign to take down two campaign ads after questions about why they feature a Westview High School student.
Robotic field painter keep local athletes in line
(NBC DFW) Robots are taking over football fields. The Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District has hired a robot that paints like a professional.
2 drivers crash into Longview ISD buses from behind on Friday
(KLTV) Police issued citations to two drivers who struck school buses from behind during separate collisions in Longview on Friday. No one was injured and both buses were able to drive away from the scenes.
Bexar County judge said ballpark project will net San Antonio ISD $12 million; SAISD said $30,000
(Texas Public Radio) The purchase of a San Antonio ISD parking lot adjacent to Fox Tech High School is a key step for the proposed downtown stadium for the Missions minor league baseball team.
Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
Students at ILTexas campus in College Station eat THC-laced candy at school
(KBTX) Three ILTexas students ate candy they believed to be regular Halloween candy on Thursday, but the school says it was laced with THC. College Station police investigated and say this was an accident. In a release from the school, ILTexas confirmed the three students were all sixth graders. “One of the students, noticing that the candy tasted unusual, spit it out. However, the other two ingested the candy,” the release to parents said, adding one child went to the nurse’s office. No criminal charges will be pressed.
9 students arrested in North Texas high school locker room hazing incident, district police say
(WFAA) Multiple students have been charged in a hazing incident at Farmersville High School, district officials have confirmed. Farmersville ISD Police Chief Steve Wade said police were made aware of the alleged hazing incidents on Sept. 23 and one student was arrested that same day. The eight other students were arrested on Tuesday.
TASO warns of audience behavior at games considering official shortage
(KWTX) Executive Director for the Texas Association of Sports Officials, Michael Fitch, says the number of reports they have received from officials who have been mistreated has increased since the pandemic. Fitch explains how fast we are losing officials, noting that for every 10 referees, 7 will quit their job within three years. “We’ve seen an increase of spectators following officials to their cars in the parking lot sometimes surrounding their cars, we have had two instances this year where a spectator started following an official home after the game,” Fitch recalled. To help with the nationwide official shortage, Chilton ISD’s officials program teaches students how to become referees, shaping the next generation of professionals.
How school districts responded to online threats, violent incidents connected to sports
(Dallas Morning News) Gun violence has occurred before, during or after a high school game every week of the high school football season since 2022 to Sept. 1 of this year, according to David Riedman, who founded the K-12 Shooting Database, which provides information on more than 2,850 incidents nationwide dating back to 1966.
How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore College
(Texas Tribune) High school students that are getting a jump on college through dual credit now make up the majority of students at one East Texas community college.
Dallas school board to lawmakers: More money for teacher pay, school safety needed
(Dallas Morning News) Dallas school board members want the Legislature to boost funding for public schools to help the district pay for teacher raises and safety costs. DISD trustees voted unanimously Thursday night to approve their requests for Austin lawmakers, which also included a demand that legislators hold any school that receives taxpayer funding to certain accountability standards – a sticking point that will likely emerge in the contentious fight over education savings accounts.
Northside ISD implements associate degree program
(Community Impact) Through their previous agreement with Alamo Colleges, NISD district officials designed a program that will encourage first-generation college students to attain an associate of arts degree. Northside ISD Superintendent John Craft said this program would be slightly different from other magnet programs offered by NISD because it would target underrepresented students who wish to be on a college track.
Lamar CISD launches Innovative School Day to provide students with ‘Life 101’
(Community Impact) LCISD’s Innovative School Day provides students of all grade levels the opportunity to learn “Life 101” skills, such as financial, physical and mental wellness and planning; dream home simulations; and career preparedness, district officials said.
TCU unveils “The Portrait Project” honoring former slaves who helped form university
(Fox 4 KDFW) There are no confirmed images but plenty of documented references about husband and wife Charley and Kate Thorpe, former slaves who became trusted workers who compassionately helped form what we know today as TCU. The Thorps were never recognized.
See what’s next for the Faith Family transfers and how they could play if ruled ineligible
(Dallas Morning News) The girls high school basketball season is just over a week away, and the status of the 13 transfers to UIL charter school Oak Cliff Faith Family is still a mystery. The district executive committee hasn’t met to determine the players’ varsity eligibility. Also, the UIL state executive committee won’t meet until next Wednesday to determine the punishments for Faith Family, head coach Andrea Robinson and assistant coaches Kadi Creel and Jordan Jones.
President wanted: Texas colleges face leadership turnover amid heightened scrutiny
(Dallas Morning News) Today’s leaders must navigate the end of affirmative action; balance free speech and campus safety; and respond to growing skepticism over whether a college degree is worth it. In the last year, four North Texas university presidents announced resignations or retirements including Neal Smastrek of UNT, Bob Mong of UNT Dallas, Richard Benson of UTD and R. Gerald Turner of SMU.
HISD says bond will not raise taxes. Ballot says it will. What’s the deal?
(Houston Chronicle) Who should voters believe?
Q&A: Houston ISD admin talks Sunrise Centers, wraparound cuts and how to access services
(Houston Landing) After HISD made big changes to how it supports families navigating poverty, here’s how to access food, clothing and more.
Suspect detained after trying to speak with students at Connally Elementary School
(KCEN) A man was detained in the afternoon on Thursday, Oct. 24 after being reported to authorities by Connally ISD staff. That day, recess monitors at Connally Elementary School in Waco noticed students were being approached by an “unknown individual” at the fence line that was trying to speak to them. The teachers quickly brought the students into the school building and notified authorities of the individual. Officers from the Connally ISD Police Department and Lacy Lakeview Police Department arrived within minutes of being notified of the individual and were able to find him walking along the fence line past the Connally Early Childhood Center and detain him.
Liberty Hill ISD prepares to open new 18-plus special education facility
(Community Impact) Liberty Hill ISD is weeks away from opening a new space for special education students ages 18-22. The new facility will help accommodate growing enrollment in the Accessing Community through Career Environments for Student Success, or ACCESS, program, which has more than doubled in recent school years, district officials said at an Oct. 21 board of trustees meeting.
Academy ISD switches up schools to accommodate the growing district
(KXXV) Academy ISD has shifted around schools due to its growing student population. The old high school is now its junior high, splitting the elementary into two campuses to make more room.
TAMIU receives large sums in research funds
(KGNS) Texas A&M International University is the proud recipient of a grant of over $260 thousand for their engineering school. The money will help students and professors continue their research on self-driving cars. Congressman Henry Cuellar commented that these funds are important, especially for Latino communities that remain underrepresented in certain STEM fields.
Allen Police unveil youth boxing gym
(NBC DFW) In an old elementary school gym, a transformation is underway with a new sport taking center stage. Thursday night, on the back side of Rountree Elementary School, the Allen Police Department unveiled its new Youth Boxing Program to the sponsors and community members who made it possible. Chief Steve Dye told the crowd that the free program, targeting kids ages 10 to 18, is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to community policing efforts.
Fronteras: Student-led research in San Antonio shines a light on the complicated history of the enslaved Black Navarros
(Texas Public Radio) José Antonio Navarro was the patriarch of one of the most prominent families in the history of San Antonio dating back to the 18th century. Navarro lived during key periods of Texas history – he was one of only two Tejanos to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence, and he helped write the first Texas State Constitution. Navarro and his family were also enslavers. A project between St. Mary’s University and the San Antonio African American Community Archives and Museum examines the history of the enslaved Black Navarros.
Oct. 24, 2024
Teachers union sounds alarm on Project 2025 concerns. Here’s how it would affect Texas schools
(Houston Chronicle) The Texas American Federation of Teachers has sounded its alarm on what the union sees as some of the main concerns around Project 2025, including revoking the congressional charter of the National Education Association, the largest teacher’s union in the U.S. “We are particularly concerned about the potential impact on students from low-income households, students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities,” reads the Texas AFT announcement. “The proposed changes could roll back decades of progress in civil rights and educational equity.”
A breakdown of four employees arrested within El Paso ISD’s police department
(KFOX) Within the span of five months, four employees working for the El Paso Independent School District police department have been arrested for various charges.
Carroll ISD denounces Office of Civil Rights for ‘retaliation’ in re-opening investigation
(Community Impact) Carroll ISD board members voted unanimously to denounce the most recent actions by the Office of Civil Rights in their ongoing investigation into racially-charged incidents. Reading from the resolution, Board President Cameron Bryan said the OCR’s resolution was “retaliation” and further described it as “costly, unlawful and unexplained.” Bryan said the board has thoroughly reviewed the district’s handling of the complaints and stands behind staff members who “conducted timely investigations, imposed appropriate discipline and ensured full compliance with civil rights laws.”
San Benito school board enters into $13.3M settlement in $40M bond project
(myRGV) After a nearly two-year construction shutdown, the San Benito school board’s entering into a settlement with its former contractor’s insurance company paying $13.3 million to help jump-start a $40 million bond funded project. The $13.3 million settlement with the Berkley insurance and surety company covered the district’s payments to Davila Construction, the district’s former contractor, board President Orlando Lopez said. “We got our money back in what we invested in Davila, and it’s long overdue,” he said in an interview.
Board cancels costly psychologist licensing exam after pushback led by Texas
(Texas Tribune) A costly proposed national certification exam for psychologists has been scrapped for now after Texas’s licensing authority led the fight against it by considering crafting a cheaper alternative to alleviate the mental health provider shortage.
Santa Fe School District Board asks branch of DOJ for review six years after mass shooting
(KPRC) The Santa Fe Independent School District Board voted unanimously to request an outside review of district safety policies and procedures more than six years after a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School claimed the lives of eight students and two educators. Board members agreed to partner with the Community Oriented Policing Services office of the US Department of Justice. This is the same office that conducted the review of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. This is not a criminal investigation into what happened in May 2018, but a review of how the district responded to the mass shooting and the policies and procedures that have been implemented since the murders.
Fort Worth ISD announces new pre-K partnership. Here’s what it means for families
(Fort Worth Report) The newly established independent nonprofit will act as a hub for a network of child care providers and Fort Worth ISD pre-kindergarten programs.
Here’s how Fort Worth ISD plans to get out of its cycle of academic stagnation
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD interim Superintendent Karen Molinar does not want a repeat of the 2023-24 school year. The status quo did not work for students, parents and Fort Worth ISD — and they deserve a school district that can deliver high student achievement, she said. To get there, Molinar detailed her roadmap to turn around Fort Worth ISD during an Oct. 22 school board meeting. She promised the district will center students in every decision it makes. For the public, she vowed to report academic achievement data in a transparent manner so residents know the current state of the district and where it is heading.
Plano ISD officials outline transition plans for closing schools
(Community Impact) Plano ISD staff are making plans in preparation for the closure of four campuses. According to a staff presentation, priorities for the transition include engaging impacted students and families, retaining highly effective staff impacted by closures and reassigning bus routes for eligible students.
Northside ISD looks to access additional revenue sources
(Community Impact) The major avenue for funding discussed in both the Oct. 22 meeting and the Oct. 16 NISD Board Finance Committee meeting centered around accessing an additional three golden pennies on top of the five golden pennies the district uses to provide additional funding for basic operating expenses. To access the additional three golden pennies, the district would need to hold a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in November 2026, Barajas said. NISD board trustee Karen Freeman emphasized that the district is still discussing potential avenues and has not planned to hold a VATRE.
Killeen school board reviews ‘human capital’ for new system scorecard
(Killeen Daily Herald) William Baker, Killeen ISD’s assistant superintendent for human resources, made a presentation on the “human capital” portion of Killeen ISD’s new System Scorecard. The System Scorecard is a strategic performance management tool used to set and measure performance in a way that aligns with improvement strategies for an organization, according to the meeting agenda. Generally, each priority lists a timeline, problem area or areas, reasons why the problems might exist, plans of action to address the problems, data and goals for improvement.
Two Lancaster High School athletes suspended for UIL violations after transferring from Duncanville
(WFAA) The two athletes play on Lancaster High School’s Girls Basketball team. They have the option to appeal the UIL’s local District Executive Committee’s decision.
Whitney ISD releases statement after issues with fans interacting with referees during football games
(KCEN) Whitney Independent School District is asking fans to reign in “negative comments” and other behavior at football games, saying it is beginning to affect what happens on the field. Whitney ISD Superintendent Todd Southard shared a statement on social media on Oct. 23 saying that the district has had “a number of issues” at football games over the past few weeks regarding spectators and their interactions with officials.
Fort Worth ISD launches third-party investigation into racist incident at football game
(Fort Worth Report) An internal Fort Worth ISD investigation into a racist incident during a football game between North Side and Arlington Heights high schools was inconclusive, according to district officials. In a statement shared during the Oct. 22 school board meeting, school board President Roxanne Martinez disclosed the results of the investigation into the Sept. 13 incident. North Side High School cheerleaders reported hearing racist epithets directed toward them from an Arlington Heights High School cheering section during a football game. A third-party investigation of the district’s findings is underway, according to school officials.
Name released for suspect involved in alleged kidnapping attempt at Summerfield ISD
(KLTV) Kevin Ramirez, 31, of New Summerfield is in custody after the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a tip he was in the school pick-up line, armed and planning to abduct three children, according to a release. According to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson, he had a weapon in his vehicle, although he did not draw or show it to anyone. NSPD arrested Ramirez without incident and no children were involved during the arrest.
Knippa ISD 5th grade student arrested, charged after coming to school with a ‘hit list’
(News 4 SA) Parents in Knippa ISD are frustrated after they say the district was slow to notify them about a school threat. The incident happened last Thursday, October 17, but many parents found out for the first time Tuesday afternoon. In a letter to parents, Knippa ISD Superintendent Benny Hernandez confirmed a 5th grader was found with a list containing the names of several students and faculty members. Parents describe it to News 4 and Fox SA as a “kill list.”
Socorro ISD launches rehabilitation initiative for youth caught with THC
(KFOX) Marijuana arrests are having serious consequences for some youth in El Paso, and Socorro Independent School District (SISD) said it’s trying to change that. The district is launching a first-offender program to help those found using THC a chance to avoid long-term consequences.
Lakeway decides against building new cellular tower near Serene Hills Elementary
(Community Impact) At its Oct. 22 meeting, Lakeway City Council, in cooperation with KGI Wireless, decided to withdraw its application for a permit to construct a 190-foot cellular tower at 3303 Serene Hills Drive, next to Serene Hills Elementary School. Concerns voiced by residents at the meeting included safety of nearby residents and schoolchildren, as well as decreasing property values that they claim could be caused by the proposed placement of the cell tower.
Tarrant County man’s viral voting issue was likely user error, elections officials say
(Fox 4 DFW) In a video shared on social media, the voter claimed that when he checked his paper ballot after making his selections electronically, his choice for president was not recorded correctly. Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig does not believe the machine malfunctioned. Instead, he thinks the man accidentally selected the wrong candidate on the screen. That voter was given a new ballot and was able to start the process over so that his chosen candidate would be entered.
UT launches new Climate System Science major
(KXAN) Our climate is changing, creating problems that are being tackled by the scientists and policy makers of today, but who will study the changing climate in the years to come? Until recently, there was no major at the University of Texas for studying climate change. That is, until now, this new major should help educate the scientists of tomorrow to better understand our climate.
UT School of Law hosts panel discussing First Amendment rights, implications of campus protests
(Daily Texan) Although panelists said the First Amendment protects free speech, college protests can have time, place and manner restrictions.
Students say it’s tough to talk politics at UNT, but here’s how some are tackling the election
(KERA) For some college students in Denton, the upcoming election mostly settles along the typical political binary. A couple students who cited fears over Project 2025 said they plan to vote blue. Some who said they worry about the economy expect to cast a ballot for Republicans. Two things united nearly all of them: They don’t feel their campuses are a “safe” place to talk politics, and politicians don’t seem very invested in the lives of students facing an economy they perceive to be slowly tightening and a world beset by crises that make hope feel somewhat foolish. And cancel culture has left its mark, they said.
Oct. 23, 2024
A Pandora’s box of problems’ | Parents raise red flags about textbooks in the works for public schools across Texas
(KVUE) Education leaders are sharing more about new curriculum that could come to public schools in Texas next year. Critics of the revised plan say it leans too heavily on Christianity. The State Board of Education will vote on Bluebonnet Learning and other products at the next general meeting in November. If selected, it will be an optional resource for Texas school systems. Here’s what’s in the proposal.
North Texas Teachers Battered by Post-COVID Student Mental Health Crisis
(Dallas Observer) Many area teachers have decided to leave the profession rather than face more dangers in the classroom.
Interim superintendent plans student-centered reforms to turn around Fort Worth ISD
(Fort Worth Report) Karen Molinar now leads FWISD, where she has worked for 27 years. She plans to leverage her knowledge to strengthen the district.
Houston’s youth baseball scene is booming. It also has an ugly secret
(Houston Chronicle) Professional athletes, local coaches and doctors share what could be causing increased arm injuries in Houston’s youth baseball players.
Learning Curve: 50,000 students living in HISD attend charter schools. Here’s where they go
(Houston Landing) A Houston Landing analysis of student transfer data, which details how many students living in an independent school district attend a charter school or another public school district, shows more than 50,000 children in HISD’s boundaries opted to enroll in a charter school in 2023-24. The Texas Education Agency publishes student transfer data each year.
‘Cafeterias are noisier, students are talking to each other’ — Cell phone bans in Central Texas school districts
(KCEN) “We had the data pooled last year, October 25th to this year October 25th,” Dr. Bobby Ott, Temple ISD Superintendent, said. “We’ve seen a decrease in student discipline referrals of over 1,000 that’s not incremental, that’s substantial. Our attendance rate has increased by 1.5% from last year to this year at this time. That is substantial when you’re talking 2,300 students. Our failure rate has decreased substantially from last year to this year.”
As KISD officials enforce cellphone policy, lines form in front of schools
(Killeen Daily Herald) New rules on cellphones at some Killeen ISD schools are resulting in lines of students trying to get into the buildings for classes at the beginning of the school day. Social media posts exploded this week after parents and others posted photos of long lines of students waiting to get inside at Shoemaker and Chaparral high schools. “This should be done in their 1st period instead of long cattle lines and then parents receiving tardy messages and calls,” La Sonadora wrote on one post about the long lines. Beginning Monday, students with assigned cellphone pouches were required to line up outside their school in order to show the unlocked pouch and contents or be reported as non-compliant, school officials said. Thus resulting in lines, some of them long, of students entering school.
Lake Travis ISD budget shortfall rises to $6M amid lower enrollment
(Community Impact) Lake Travis ISD is facing a $2 million increase to its initial budget shortfall of $4 million for fiscal year 2024-25. The heightened $6 million shortfall comes amid lower student enrollment, the addition of new special education positions and community members protesting their property value appraisals, said Pam Sanchez, LTISD’s assistant superintendent of business services.
Lewisville ISD considers closing 5 elementary schools
(Fox 4 KDFW) Budget cuts are forcing another North Texas school district to consider closing campuses. Lewisville ISD has narrowed its list of schools to potentially close to five elementary schools. The district will get feedback from parents and the community before making a final decision in December. The district projects a $4.5 million deficit and nearly 10,000 fewer students in the next decade.
Round Rock ISD trustees to prioritize more funding, accountability, recapture in 89th Legislature
(Community Impact) The Round Rock ISD board of trustees revisited its legislative priorities identified ahead of the 89th Texas legislative session, again approving a slate of priorities focusing on increasing state funding via the basic allotment, funding for special education, mental health and school safety, as well as a restructuring of recapture and adjustments to how accountability ratings are determined.
‘These kids are innocent’: Westwood ISD community gathers to support students ahead of UIL decision
(KETK) The Westwood ISD community gathered on Tuesday to support their football team whose undefeated season is in jeopardy. A UIL District Executive Committee called for suspension of Palestine Westwood head football coach, Richard Bishop, after being accused of stealing opponent’s signals. In addition, the panthers would have to forfeit all of their wins. The state UIL committee meeting will meet Thursday morning to consider Westwood ISD’s appeal.
Fort Bend fast-tracks reversal of controversial school ranking policy based on attendance zones
(Houston Chronicle) Fort Bend ISD is fast-tracking the reversal of a hotly contested class ranking policy that orders students based on the school they are zoned to attend, rather than the campus they actually attend. After hearing from more than 40 concerned parents and students, the district’s Board of Trustees voted to eliminate the policy in 2026 rather than 2028. The new rule passed in 2019 and first impacted the graduating class of 2024.
Fort Bend ISD eliminates, defers 2023 bond projects to address shortfall
(Community Impact) Fort Bend ISD will delay and eliminate several projects from its 2023 bond to save nearly $96 million, acting as the first project slash since staff announced the initial $163.2 million shortfall estimate earlier this year. Trustees voted to eliminate a new elementary school in Harvest Green, delay a transportation facility, and adjust fine arts and athletics projects from the $1.26 billion bond at the Oct. 21 FBISD board meeting. However, trustees and staff will discuss funding the school and other projects with a future bond at a November board meeting.
Humble ISD mother alleges teacher mishandled autistic daughter
(Fox 26 Houston) Ericka Richards is seeking legal action after her autistic daughter was allegedly mishandled by a teacher at Cambridge School. The incident, caught on video, has led Richards to file complaints with both Child Protective Services and the Humble ISD police. The district conducted an investigation that included viewing the video and interviews. A student had grabbed the teacher and would not let go. In trying to break free, the momentum inadvertently led to a fall. The teacher remains employed.
University of Texas students receive settlement in Juul class action lawsuit
(KXAN) After deducting for fees, taxes and contingencies, eligible users were entitled to a total of approximately $202,000,000. The amount that plaintiffs could receive varies in part by how many receipts demonstrating proof of purchase a Juul user could provide. On the University of Texas campus, some students are finding themselves with a lot of unexpected extra cash. Cydni Ehlers, a senior at the university, is one of those students. On Monday evening, she received a deposit of $288.03 in her Venmo account.
Laredo Police detain man linked to threat, all local schools lifted from ‘secure mode’
(KGNS) A man wanted for a threat that led to all Laredo schools going into ‘secure mode’ has been detained. “This person has had different episodes in the past, there is a component here that we can’t get into because of HIPPA protection, basically there is a mental incapacity,” Baeza said. He described the threat as very general and very vague. Police had earlier warned the public not to approach Moreno, calling him a “dangerous person,” and asked anyone with information to contact them.
Montgomery County library will reclassify book about Native Americans amid pressure
(Houston Chronicle) Anti-censorship and pro-book advocates prevailed in Montgomery County on Tuesday as a children’s book about indigenous history was returned to its nonfiction categorization.
Tarleton State University celebrates next step in Fort Worth expansion with grand opening of $66M building
(Fort Worth Report) Inside an auditorium with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of rolling hills, university and political leaders welcomed a crowd of people to the Oct. 22 grand opening of Tarleton Fort Worth’s second building on the city’s southwestern prairie. The $66 million building has both lab space and classrooms, primarily for students in the university’s College of Health Science and the College of Education.
Battleship Texas deal with Galveston port now dead in the water
(Houston Chronicle) The plan for the refurbished Battleship Texas to berth as a museum ship at the Port of Galveston, probably in the Pier 21 area, has run aground. The Galveston County Daily News reported Tuesday afternoon that the Wharves Board of Trustees has voted to kill its proposed deal with the Battleship Texas Foundation, the ship’s nonprofit caretakers.
Oct. 22, 2024
School vouchers, proposed in Texas, are mostly used by the wealthy in Arizona
(Texas Standard) Barriers like transportation and high tuition have kept low-income families from participating in the program.
School voucher issue could impact elections in Houston area, across Texas
(Houston Public Media) After a series of Republicans in the Texas House joined Democrats last year in blocking a law that would have allowed public dollars to be spent on private school tuition, Governor Greg Abbott was successful in ousting many of them during the March primary. But now his pro-voucher candidates must sway voters in the general election.
El Paso Teachers Association files ethics complaint against EPISD board president
(KFOX) On Monday, the El Paso Teachers Association posted on its Facebook account that it filed a complaint to the Texas Ethics Commission against school board President Israel Irrobali, alleging a conflict of interest surrounding suggested school closures and real estate decisions that the El Paso Independent School District’s board of trustees will vote on. When asked directly whether or not he will recuse himself from the upcoming vote on whether the school district should close 10 of its elementary schools, Irrobali replied,”No, I do not plan to recuse myself.”
7 things to know about El Paso ISD school closures
(El Paso Matters) Superintendent Diana Sayavedra and her administration recommended closing 10 of the district’s 48 elementary schools during a special Board of Trustees meeting Thursday. Now the district plans to hold a series of community meetings to present the recommendations before the school board in late November votes on which schools to close. The process, which EPISD has called “Destination District Redesign,” aims to address declining enrollment while bringing new programs to the district and creating a more equitable education for students. Here are some things to know about the potential changes coming to EPISD.
Carroll Middle School teacher arrested for alleged sex with former student
(Fox 4 KDFW) Police say 45-year-old Carroll Middle School teacher Angela Barnes had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage former student from June to July. She was arrested on Monday for the sexual assault of a child and an improper relationship between an educator and a student.
Austin metro school districts grapple with surge in non-credible threats
(Community Impact) The threats have impacted attendance rates and student mental health at many campuses. In response, districts are upping safety and security measures, creating student threat awareness campaigns, and more.
8 Leander ISD schools to reopen after gas leak in area is fixed
(Fox 7 Austin) Leander ISD will reopen schools on Tuesday, Oct. 22, after being shut down on Monday due to a gas leak. The Steiner Ranch community felt the impact after a construction crew hit an 8-inch gas line at 620 and 2222 on Friday.
Texas unemployment rates drop as schools reopen, businesses resume
(Midland Reporter-Telegram) All of the Texas Workforce Commission’s 26 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) saw lower unemployment rates in September as schools started the new school year and businesses returned to normal after summer breaks.
Belton ISD Board of Trustees approves changes to district’s cell phone policies
(KCEN) The guidelines will vary by campus level, said BISD. The new guidelines will go into effect Jan. 8, 2025, according to the district.
Tomball ISD leaders continue search for Vietnamese-speaking teachers
(Community Impact) A need for Vietnamese language teachers is growing at Tomball ISD as the district’s population of Vietnamese-speaking students continues to rise, district leaders said Oct. 14.
Oak Cliff Faith Family and girls basketball coaches found guilty of recruiting violations
(Dallas Morning News) The UIL 13-5A district executive committee found Oak Cliff Faith Family and its girls basketball coaches guilty of recruiting violations, a lack of transparency and withholding information regarding the 13 players who transferred to the UIL charter school during the off season after four-time state champion Andrea Robinson was hired away from DeSoto to be the head coach. After a hearing that lasted nearly six hours, the DEC sent the matter on to the University Interscholastic League’s state executive committee to determine the punishment. Robinson and Faith Family assistant coaches Kadi Creel and Jordan Jones were found guilty of the same violations as the school.
BREAKING: Palestine Westwood coach suspended, team must forfeit all district games
(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) Palestine Westwood head coach Richard Bishop has been suspended for the remainder of the season following a District 9-3A Division 1 District Executive Committee ruling on Monday regarding allegations that he orchestrated and executed a plan to videotape opponents signals while scouting. Sources have confirmed to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football that Palestine Westwood intends to appeal all of the DEC’s rulings to the UIL State Executive Committee.
Laredo lifts Boil Water Notice
(KGNS) Officials say the water is now safe to drink. This is just the first step in addressing the city’s water problems. More actions are planned to ensure long-term solutions.
American-made solar farm now commercially operational, helping power Google data centers in Milam County
(KXXV) A partnership between solar developers and Google in Milam County is bringing billions of dollars of investment and jobs to the community, and is now commercially operational.
School bus bump: no children on bus in minor accident in north Killeen
(Killeen Daily Herald) The school bus and the car were both trying to merge into the same lane on Hilliard when the collision occurred, according to those involved. Both vehicles had minor damage. There were no students on the bus and neither driver suffered any injuries.
UT Austin denies claims of violation of dean’s right to due process
(Daily Texan) The University denied a claim that it is violating the Liberal Arts dean’s right to due process in an Oct. 18 letter. University President Jay Hartzell’s decision to seek a different liberal arts dean is the latest in a string of University leadership changes. Both the UT Police Department Chief Eve Stephens and Provost Sharon Wood resigned in late August and September. In June, the University laid off 19-20 communications staff as part of a department restructuring.
TSTC’s Professional Driving Academy updates training to meet new federal mandate
(myRGV) Texas State Technical College’s Professional Driving Academy in Harlingen recently updated its four-week, 160-hour commercial driver’s license (CDL) training in accordance with the newest federal mandate that took effect in spring 2024 to meet compliance as an accredited program for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training. The mandate is intended to create a simpler yet effective testing process to assess an applicant’s readiness to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
Texas Tech announces $1.2 billion ‘On & On’ campaign
(KCBD) The eight-year campaign will enhance scholarships, research, campus and athletics. “This campaign marks a pivotal moment in Texas Tech’s history,” said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec. “On & On isn’t just about raising funds; it’s about shaping the future of our university and its impact on Texas and beyond.”
Texas Tech Student Senate passes resolution calling for more feminine hygiene access on campus
(KCBD) On October 17, the Texas Tech Student Senate passed resolution 60.26. It urges the university to implement a program by August 2025 to offer and regularly stock free feminine hygiene products in at least one restroom within each building on campus.
Amarillo College First Responders Academy preparing students for real-world situations
(KFDA) The Amarillo College First Responders Academy is teaching and preparing EMS, police and fire students for real-world situations in their future careers. Classes in the state-of-the-art facility are in full swing with hands-on education including combat situations for law enforcement, fire safety and medical emergency training.
Rice launches RBL LLC to rapidly create biotech startups focused on delivering breakthrough therapies to patients
(PR Newswire) In a bold move to transform patient care, Rice University has launched RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio designed to rapidly build companies based on life-saving medical technologies developed out of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, the university’s biotech innovation accelerator.
Fritos for lunch, Skittles for dinner: Many HCC students can’t get fresh meals on campus
(Houston Landing) Across the Houston Community College, thousands of students and staff are regularly skipping meals, cutting class and missing out on important on-campus opportunities because they don’t have access to food, according to surveys conducted by school officials. Five of HCC’s 19 locations have full-service cafes, with the rest only offering packaged “grab-and-go” food, such as sandwiches, or vending machine snacks. Many students said they’ve passed on tutoring, advising sessions or study groups because they needed to leave campus to get a meal. Some students added that they have rearranged their schedules, passing over important classes, just to ensure they can eat.
Girl Scouts will raise yearly dues to $65 by 2027
(Fox 7 Austin) Annual membership fees for the Girl Scouts of the USA will increase from $25 to $45 in 2026 and then again to $65 in 2027. The original proposed increase was $85 by 2027. The price increase is a response in part due to rising costs and a slump in memberships.
Oct. 21, 2024
Houston ISD student dies after testing positive for Meningococcal Disease
(KPRC) The student at a Houston Independent School District’s Bonham Elementary School has died after testing positive for Meningococcal Disease.
8-year-old boy who escaped war in Afghanistan dies after falling ill at HISD elementary school
(KTRK) The Safi family says they took their son, Zakirullah Safi, to the hospital from Bonham Elementary, where he was a third-grade student. He died soon after. The child’s mother, Haylie Buckhan, said she didn’t find out about the meningitis case until a few days ago and is now worried that the various budget cuts at HISD are impacting the school’s cleanliness.
‘I got my justice’: Charge is dropped against father arrested by KISD police
(Killeen Daily Herald) Exactly five months after being filed, a misdemeanor trespassing charge against a local man was dismissed but only after he endured an ordeal that cost him financially and emotionally. Joseph Baez, who is a U.S. Air Force veteran, used to stay busy as a volunteer at his son’s school in Harker Heights until a cloud of a criminal charge began to loom. Since the misdemeanor charge was dropped this week, Baez and Joel will get to have more father-son time at their new school district in Belton.
2,000 students have accessed HISD’s new $1.8M telehealth partnership this year, district says
(Houston Chronicle) Around 2,000 Houston ISD students have accessed physical or mental health services through the district’s new telehealth partnership since it expanded this school year, the district said at a press conference Thursday. In May, Houston ISD announced that it would extend its Hazel Health partnership from 88 campuses to every campus and Sunrise Center in the district. The free service connects students with doctors, nurse practitioners or therapists who can prescribe medicine or offer mental health assistance.
SEC fines UT Austin $250K due to fans throwing trash on the field
(Fox 7 Austin) The University of Texas at Austin is now facing a $250,000 fine and other requirements after fans threw trash and debris onto the field during Saturday’s game with the Georgia Bulldogs. Some fans expressed their disappointment over a defensive pass interference call that overturned an interception during the third quarter by throwing water bottles onto the field. SEC is also calling on UT Austin to find those who participated and ban them from Texas Athletics events for the rest of the 2024-25 year. SEC is not suspending alcohol sales, but reserves the right to do so.
Round Rock ISD rental assistance program now serves 68 employees
(Community Impact) After its first year offering the program, Round Rock ISD’s program to provide assistance with rent is nearing its goal of helping 100 employees per month with the cost of housing. District staff provided the first update on RRISD’s rental assistance program, which supports a portion of rental costs at four different apartment complexes in partnership with the Texas Workforce Housing Foundation, at an Oct. 17 board meeting. The program initially started with $250 per month in housing assistance for district employees at participating apartment properties. However, as of Oct. 1, district employees participating in the program will now receive $350 per month in rental assistance, totaling $4,200 per year.
Laredo ISD Approves One-Time Bonus for All Employees
(KGNS) For the third time, a school board approves bonuses for their employees. According to a board member, for full-time employees, they will receive $1,700. For part-time employees, they will receive $850. Each of these bonuses will be paid out at the end of the year in December 2024.
United ISD Initiates Innovative Bus Safety Pilot Using AI Technology
(United ISD) United ISD is the first district in Texas to participate in a school bus illegal-passing pilot program with BusPatrol.
North Texas school district embraces AI in the classroom to help students succeed
(NBC DFW) It’s called AYO, an AI-based program Mesquite ISD has in the classroom that can monitor how much Mesquite High School students are studying, doing homework, and can let them and teachers know if they’re really on track to get in the top 10%. The district employed the new technology with help from the Walton Family.
Huston-Tillotson seeks to expand to California, open first undergraduate HBCU in West Coast
(Austin American-Statesman) Huston-Tillotson University, a private historically Black college in Austin, is expanding to California in an effort to make HBCU education accessible to students on the West Coast and to further bolster the workforce in Texas. The faith-based university plans to secure approval for a branch campus from the necessary California agencies by August 2025, President Melva Wallace told the American-Statesman, but it has received approval to start offering coursework remotely to California students, which it plans to start doing in January.
Bastrop ISD renews recovery support as student substance use increases
(Community Impact) Bastrop ISD trustees renewed an agreement for student substance use and recovery services at the Oct. 15 board meeting. Officials explained that the renewal is necessary as substance use by students continues to grow. The memorandum of understanding between Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, which provides counseling services, and the district first began in 2022, according to agenda documents.
FM 620 road closures: Leander ISD closes 8 schools for Monday
(Fox 7 Austin) Leander ISD has decided to close eight of its campuses on Monday due to ongoing repair work on a gas line along FM 620. On Friday, Oct. 18, Lake Travis Fire Rescue reported that a construction crew hit an eight-inch gas line at FM 620 and Ranch Road 2222.
Dual Role of Leadership: Waco ISD Principal Inspires Students as Member of Army National Guard
(KCEN) Bradford McMillan is the principal of Tennyson middle school.
Edgewood ISD says it investigated gym teacher, calls family’s bullying claim ‘unfounded’
(San Antonio Express-News) The district said it investigated the matter thoroughly and that the complaint was “unfounded.”
Faculty senators grill A&M Provost Alan Sams in latest meeting
(Batallion) University’s No. 2 faced an angry senate after appearing to discuss program inactivations, shared governance.
Irving ISD Student Overcomes Dyslexia, Excels Academically and in Boxing
(Irving Weekly) Nathan Rodriguez’s journey through Irving ISD began at Kinkeade Early Childhood School before transitioning to Townley Elementary School, where he was diagnosed with dyslexia. Rodriguez recalls struggling with reading, describing how words appeared upside down on the page. Rodriguez began dyslexia intervention with Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) teacher Jenna Macdonald, who played a pivotal role in his development.
Velocity Capital Management Forms Strategic Partnership with Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation
(Business Wire) Velocity Capital Management (“Velocity”), a private equity firm with deep operating expertise and investment experience across the sports, media and entertainment ecosystem, today announced that it has forged a transformative strategic partnership with the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation (“Texas PSF”).
Oct. 18, 2024
Five races for the Republican-dominated State Board of Education to watch this year
(Texas Tribune) Voters will decide the outcomes of five competitive Texas State Board of Education races this November, with some challengers hoping to shake up the curriculum-setting body they say has shifted too far into party politics.
El Paso ISD proposes closing 10 of its 48 elementary schools
(El Paso Matters) One in every five El Paso Independent School District elementary schools would close if the school board approves a plan unveiled by administrators Thursday night. The plan outlined by Superintendent Diana Sayavedra during a special Board of Trustees meeting would close 10 elementary campuses while adding resources to remaining schools.
Texas Is a National Leader in ‘Educational Gag Orders’
(Dallas Observer) Texas tries to restrict teaching about race, gender and LGBTQ identity much more than almost every other state, the free speech advocacy nonprofit group, PEN America, says in its new report — America’s Censored Classrooms 2024: Refining the Art of Censorship.
Humble ISD awards additional funds to law firm overseeing Title IX investigations
(Community Impact) Despite pushback from several Humble ISD trustees, board members approved an additional $350,000 to law firm Walsh Gallegos as the district continues to deal with several legal matters.
Rice, Baylor Universities accused of inflating prices for students with divorced parents
(Houston Chronicle) A federal class action lawsuit filed against 40 U.S. colleges, including Rice and Baylor University, alleges that the higher education institutions inflated prices for students with divorced or separated parents.
Irving-based Boy Scouts to auction artwork to fund sex abuse victims
(KRLD) In a shocking announcement, the organization revealed plans to auction off iconic artwork, including pieces by Norman Rockwell, to fund a settlement for victims of sexual abuse. The decision, a result of a bankruptcy filing triggered by thousands of abuse allegations, marks a stark departure from the organization’s traditional values.
Socorro school district to fire teacher accused of seeking student as ‘sex slave’
(KFOX) The Socorro school district said they will fire the middle school teacher accused of wanting to turn a 12-year-old student into his “sex slave.” Alamaraz was first arrested on Sept. 13 and then again on Sept. 20 when the SISD police department added the two counts of online solicitation.
FBI agent advises parents on monitoring school-sanctioned apps
(KFOX) In the span of a week, three employees of the Socorro Independent School District were arrested in connection with inappropriate behavior involving children. “As a parent, you have this false pretense that if the school district is giving you something, it has to be or it must be safe at the end of the day, if it’s connected to the internet, you just don’t know. So the best tip for parents to do is to get in there and actually see how these apps are working, how they function,” El Paso FBI Agent Alex Bustillos told KFOX14/CBS4 anchor Vania Castillo.
Kidnapping report on Baylor campus “unfounded” after investigation, police say
(KCEN) An alert was sent to students from the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) in regard to a reported kidnapping on Wednesday, Oct. 16. BUPD has since provided an update to the situation, stating the kidnapping did not occur after investigating the report.
Texas sues doctor and accuses her of violating ban on gender-affirming care
(AP) Texas has sued a Dallas doctor over accusations of providing gender-affirming care for transgender youths, bringing to court one of the first times a state has sought to enforce bans driven by Republicans in recent years.
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD stumbled in academic achievement. Here’s how it plans to move forward
(Fort Worth Report) Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD is moving forward with new initiatives that administrators hope will boost academic success.
Region One Education Service Center to kick off esports tournament
(myRGV) The Region One Education Service Center is gearing up to host an esports tournament for elementary schools that emphasizes promoting teamwork, communication and technical skills for students. Region One distance learning specialist and lead for the esports initiative, David Rivera, said one of the main goals is to help grow esports programs in the region and within districts. The initiative kicked off in 2022, Rivera said.
Why did Tarrant County College day care close? Parent describes incident involving child
(Fort Worth Report) TCC officials say information brought to them in early October prompted the Children Center’s abrupt shutdown. Parents remain critical of the decision.
Wichita Falls ISD swim coach becomes U.S. citizen
(KAUZ) Memorial High School Head Swim Coach Øyvind Zahl has been a resident of the United States for over 37 years, and last week he finally became a U.S. citizen. Zahl was born in Norway before coming to Texas as a foreign exchange student in the 1980s and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Texas Tech University. Last week, Zahl traveled to Dallas to take the U.S. citizenship test, and passed.
Amarillo Opportunity School earns national recognition for certified nature explore classrooms
(KFDA) The certification comes from the Nature Explore Program which is a nonprofit educational research foundation. Opportunity school is the only school in the Texas Panhandle that earned this recognition.
At UT Dallas, Politics Is Local … Mostly | Commentary
(Dallas Observer) University of Texas Dallas students do not identify with the broad federal programs of either party, leading to an emphasis on local and state politics for more substantial activism.
Exchange teachers from Spain open new world to their Dallas ISD students
(NBC DFW) Experience is a good teacher, so teachers who have experience traveling the world can help broaden their students’ world.
Cybersecurity attack continues impact at West Texas hospitals after three weeks
(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) After two Lubbock-based medical institutions were disrupted by a ransomware attack and cybersecurity event three weeks ago, both are still experiencing issues. A third medical center is also running low on IV fluids due to issues caused by Hurricane Helene, with the effects of the ransomware attack only exacerbating the issue locally.
Engines roar at UTA’s autocross weekend
(UTA News) It’s pretty much all you could hear over the weekend at The University of Texas at Arlington, where about 40 student-built formula cars were showcased during the 23rd annual Texas Autocross Weekend. This year’s event was the biggest yet, with 400 people present.
Ag Commissioner Sid Miller’s former political consultant pleads guilty to bribery
(Texas Tribune) A former top aide for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller pled guilty Wednesday to a felony charge related to taking money in exchange for state hemp licenses that are issued by Miller’s office, according to Travis County court records. Todd Smith’s plea comes days before he was set to go to trial, where Miller was subpoenaed to testify. The plea deal means Smith avoids a jury trial set later this month. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 15.
Oct. 17, 2024
Katy ISD assistant principal charged after allegedly choking, tackling 14-year-old student
(KPRC) Adrian Lee Berg, an assistant principal at Mayde Creek High School, has been charged with assault after allegedly choking and tackling a 14-year-old female student. The Oct. 3 incident was captured on surveillance footage. Berg was interviewed by law enforcement where he acknowledged attempting to intervene in a verbal altercation between students, but denied using excessive force, claiming the student ran into a structural column during the incident. He is currently facing charges of injury to a child, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Freedom Caucus Asks Texas Education Agency to Explain Revenue Discrepancies Up to $21 Billion
(The Texan) The Texas Freedom Caucus sent a letter to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) seeking clarification regarding a “substantial discrepancy” in certain revenue numbers reported by the TEA.
Gov. Abbott declares disaster in Webb County due to E. coli threat
(LMT Online) The City of Laredo Public Information Office said Abbott’s State of Disaster declaration opens the door for them to “request critical federal resources to help resolve the situation and support our residents.” Also, City of Laredo assistant utilities director Arturo Garcia resigned Wednesday morning. Water bottle distribution sites are ongoing as city officials continue to find a way to resolve the water issue and lift the city-wide boil water notice.
Conservative ‘mama bears’ of Conroe ISD lose battle over ‘explicit’ book removals
(Houston Chronicle) Conroe ISD’s self-described “mama bear” trustees’ attempt to block books they deem inappropriate from returning to library and classroom shelves proved unsuccessful Tuesday night.
Texas Prisons Ban Sexually Explicit Content While Schools Keep It Accessible
(Texas Scorecard) Books currently sitting on school library shelves are not allowed in state prisons.
$4.4 billion HISD bond getting support from charter school backers
(KTRK) The proposed $4.4 billion bond for HISD is causing even more uproar. One group is raising lots of money in support of this, and the bond’s opponents are questioning their motives. According to the latest campaign finance report, Houstonians for Safe and Healthy Schools took in more than $755,000 since it was formed in August. More than half of that money — $420,000 — came from just six donors who donated a combined $115,000 to the Charter Schools Now PAC.
Emotions high during HISD’s frequent ‘spot checks’ required under Mike Miles’ New Education System
(Houston Chronicle) Miles said his spot checks are intended to “set the instructional bar” and offer coaching to strive toward it. But some say frequent evaluations and a laser focus on test results put undue and unnecessary pressure on HISD staff.
When Texas students don’t show up to class, it hurts learning – and funding
(Dallas Morning News) Attendance hasn’t fully rebounded since the pandemic, costing public schools millions.
Lewisville, Coppell ISDs face funding issues: Inflation, declining enrollment create tough choices for district leaders
(Community Impact) A lack of increased state funding has left a trail of budget shortfalls at school districts across the state, including Coppell and Lewisville ISDs.
College Station ISD unveils attendance incentive plan to combat chronic student absences
(KBTX) The plan to address it involves structuring a financial incentive program for campuses that raises the average daily attendance rate year-over-year. According to the presentation, larger campuses in the district could see as much as $30,000 go back into its budgets during a time when school districts across the state are passing deficit budgets.
More than 25% of charters shutter within 5 years
(K-12 Dive) A comprehensive study of data from more than 2 million U.S. Department of Education records found that by year 20, the average failure rate is 55%.
Specialists Push House Lawmakers to Address Cyber Attack Risks on State Infrastructure
(Texas Scorecard) As the upcoming legislative session draws closer, speakers at the latest House hearing on cybersecurity urged lawmakers to take threats more seriously.
WATCH: New videos puts Cy-Fair ISD officer’s actions under scrutiny
(KPRC) Concerned parents shared footage with KPRC 2 from a recent altercation at Cypress Springs High School, which has sparked a debate for multiple reasons. In a 42-second clip, the officer is seen attempting to break up a fight by grabbing a student, lifting him, and forcefully slamming him to the ground. The student’s mother, along with others, has since voiced concerns about excessive force, accusing the district of covering up for the officer. To complicate matters, a student who recorded the fight on her phone was suspended the following day for violating the school’s cell phone policy. Her parent expressed outrage, claiming the punishment was an attempt to suppress the evidence.
Pasadena ISD high school student arrested for threatening to use rocket launcher in attack
(KPRC) A Sam Rayburn High School student has been arrested after allegedly making violent threats to harm students and staff, including plans to use a shotgun and rocket launcher, according to authorities. 17-year-old Alexander Mariano Santiago was charged after threatening to commit aggravated assault and arson at the school on Oct. 16.
Normangee ISD employee on leave following alleged inappropriate behavior involving student
(KBTX) An employee at Normangee ISD has been placed on administrative leave as the district investigates allegations of inappropriate behavior with a student, district officials confirmed Wednesday. Normangee ISD says it immediately launched an internal investigation in collaboration with local authorities, including the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. However, the district is not sharing details about the nature of the allegations, which remain limited.
25-year-old arrested for allegedly grooming 3 Pilot Point high schoolers, officials say
(WFAA) A 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly grooming three Pilot Point High Schoolers, the district said in a press release. Angelo Barone of Prosper was arrested and booked into Denton County Jail Oct. 14, according to the release. He was charged with child grooming, a third-degree felony, officials say. The school district alleges that Barone communicated with the three Pilot Point ISD students through social media and that all communications were initiated through Snapchat, according to the release. The communication dated back to Sept. 2024, officials said.
Patterns of Negligence: Guzman’s Story at Georgetown ISD
(Texas Scorecard) This is part two of a three-article series of allegations from families who have attended Georgetown ISD. Texas Scorecard asked the district for comment on these stories. Their statement is printed in full at the end of this article.
Hillsboro ISD parent dissatisfied with solution from district after her 4-year-old comes home with bruises
(KXXV) “We noticed he has bruises on his arm,” said a Hillsboro ISD parent, Mercedez Sanchez.
Denton ISD parents allege special education discrimination, seek federal intervention and TEA audit
(CBS Dallas) Some Denton ISD parents are addressing the treatment of their children receiving special education services, claiming their federally protected rights are being violated. They are seeking help from the federal government and calling for a Texas Education Agency (TEA) audit.
Case of Meningococcal Disease confirmed at HISD’s Bonham Elementary School
(KPRC) Houston ISD confirmed there has been a positive case of Meningococcal Disease at Bonham Elementary School in southwest Houston. The district said the school sent notifications to families and information to staff and students who may have been in close contact with the confirmed case. While meningococcal bacteria isn’t as contagious as bacteria that spreads the common cold or flu, the CDC says it can be spread through sharing respiratory and throat secretions.
From Steve Sarkisian to K.C. Keeler: The salary for every college football head coach in Texas
(Houston Chronicle) In USA Today’s annual list of college football coaching salaries, released Wednesday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is the third highest-paid coach in the country behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13 million per year) and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($11 million).
Report: Houston’s Rice University tops new 2025 list of best colleges in Texas
(Innovation Map) The most prestigious higher education institution in Houston has done it again: Rice University has topped WalletHub’s 2025 list of the best colleges and universities in Texas for 2025.
Texas Tech athletics to get more financial support from university
(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) Texas Tech University budgeted $14.71 million of institutional operating and debt support to the athletics department for the fiscal year that started Sept. 1, a development that could become more common in a looming new age in which major-college sports programs will share revenue with their athletes.
Texas A&M professor dies following pedestrian crash involving College Station garbage truck
(KRHD) The victim has been identified as 50-year-old Hilaire Kallendorf, a Global Languages and Cultures Professor at Texas A&M University. It is alleged that a City of College Station garbage truck struck Kallendorf — authorities and officials are investigating the area at this time.
Oct. 16, 2024
Houston ISD superintendent didn’t illegally funnel state money to out-of-state schools, TEA says
(Texas Tribune) The Texas Education Agency found that checks mailed to Miles’ charter school network in Colorado were eventually deposited into the network’s Texas account.
Judge blocks Grand Prairie ISD from firing its superintendent
(Fox 4 KDFW) A judge temporarily blocked Grand Prairie ISD from firing its new superintendent, Jorge Arredondo, who had been suspended just weeks into the job. The board was set to meet Thursday to potentially take action on his employment. A court hearing is scheduled for October 28, the day the order expires.
Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says
(Texas Tribune) Nearly half of all public high school students in Texas who earn college credits before they graduate are Hispanic, a new study found. That makes Texas a national leader in closing the gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students who participate in dual credit programs. Hispanic students in dual credit classes, however, graduate from college at a lower rate compared to peers who were also in those programs, underscoring the need to strengthen the transition from high school to college for students of color.
2024 Election: The races that could decide school choice in Texas
(Fox 4 DFW) Here are the races that could determine the future of schooling in Texas.
West Texas janitor allegedly created child porn with students’ faces by using AI
(WFAA) A West Texas janitor faces up to 20 years in federal prison after allegedly using artificial intelligence to create explicit content. According to the U.S. Justice Department, 55-year-old Daril Martin Gonzales has been federally charged following an investigation by multiple agencies. Gonzales was working for Anson ISD, which is about 150 miles west of Fort Worth, as a janitor but also moonlighted as a sports and cheerleading photographer. The DOJ states that Gonzales would take pictures of middle and high school students for free, but then allegedly used AI to superimpose the faces of students onto adults in sexually explicit videos. He’s also accused of attaching the girls’ faces to AI-generated nude bodies. After being detained, Gonzales allegedly described his crimes as a “power trip” before admitting that he viewed child pornography for up to six hours a day for the last 20 to 25 years.
Venezuelan Gang Member Caught Targeting Houston Middle School Kids for Recruitment
(Dallas Express) Authorities have arrested a confirmed Tren de Aragua gang member, after he allegedly recruited students from two Houston middle schools to join the Venezuelan gang. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jorgenys Robertson Cova—an illegal alien from Venezuela—entered the United States two years ago. Cova is suspected to have recruited students from Jane Long Academy and Las Americas—both of which are located in the Houston Independent School District. He was arrested last week after being wanted in Pearland for theft and was accused of recruiting the students.
HISD assistant principal on leave after being charged with sexual assault of former student: Records
(KTRK) The 20-year-old victim told investigators that he was at Bryan Tigner’s apartment and fell asleep before waking up to the suspect performing an act on him without his consent. Tigner, an assistant principal at Westbury High School, was charged with sexual assault last week, according to court records. Former student Malachi Knight-Boyle, 20, said he first met Tigner during his senior year of high school.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired educator charged with improper relationship with student
(KXAN) In an arrest affidavit filed Friday, an educator at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) was accused of having an improper relationship with a student related to an October 2023 incident. Court documents identified 36-year-old Craig Edgley as the suspect in the investigation. As of Friday, Travis County court records showed an active warrant for Edgley’s arrest and police said he had not been taken into custody.
Laredo students return to class amid water crisis
(KGNS) Thousands of Laredo students returned to school Tuesday, October 15, many with their water bottles, despite the ongoing boil water advisory. The citywide advisory led to class cancellations for Laredo Independent School District (LISD) on Friday, while United Independent School District students were out for two days. School officials said that while students were off, staff traveled out of town to get bottled water for all students during school and after-school activities. Mike Garza, UISD’s Associate Superintendent for Administration Operations, noted that the City of Laredo has not given any water supplies to the school district during this time.
‘We are not broken’: One-on-one with Fort Worth ISD’s interim superintendent
(NBC DFW) Fort Worth ISD’s interim Superintendent Karen Molinar talks about taking over the district and her plans for the future.
HISD hosted a Harvard Elementary town hall meeting. Not everyone was invited
(Houston Chronicle) Harvard Elementary School parents, still seething from the shocking exit of their principal last week, are fuming over how Houston ISD handled a town hall meeting on Monday night that was meant to open the doors for communication with the community. The problem, parents said, is that not everyone was invited to the town hall meeting.
Principal using Hispanic roots to spearhead growth of bilingual students in East Texas
(KLTV) Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Mina Naranjo never envisioned that as a second-generation Latina she’d be in Tyler, Texas serving as principal to over five hundred bilingual students.
Here are key takeaways from the debate between U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred
(Houston Chronicle) The two lawmakers grew heated at times in their lone showdown ahead of the election.
Personal information for more than 115,000 Texans leaked in DPS data breach
(KERA) The Texas Department of Public Safety reported on Monday more than 115,000 customer’s information has been leaked in a data breach, according to the Texas Office of the Attorney General. Leaked information includes, names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and government-issued ID numbers. DPS has not notified customers about the incident.
Clear Creek ISD to seek legislative action to increase lengths of trustee terms
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD officials are looking to increase the length of term limits from three years to four but will need approval from the state to do so. As part of this, on Oct. 14, the board of trustees approved permission for Superintendent Karen Engle to seek such legislative action.
Fort Worth rezones area near Keller ISD elementary school after controversy
(Fort Worth Report) About 40 acres will be rezoned for commercial and community use after parents opposed a hotel development.
Bell County schools working to keep teachers in the classroom amidst national ‘teacher shortage’
(KXXV) “I think the entire state is in a shortage, and we aren’t exempt from that,” said Todd Schiller with Belton ISD.
Leander ISD provides community-based accountability system update on student learning, staff retention
(Community Impact) The district report for the 2023-24 school year showed a decline in staff turnover and an increase in student participation in industry-based certifications and Advanced Placement exams.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson’s Mass-Timber Addition to a Texas School Offers a Lesson in Sustainable Design
(Architectural Record) Located in the Dallas suburb of Addison, the Greenhill School is home to one of the more unusual campuses in the United States, and not just because of the peacocks (technically, peafowl) that wander freely about its 75 acres. The school, which was founded in 1950 as a coeducational, secular institution serving grades K–12, has a unique architectural tradition established by the pioneering Texas modernist O’Neil Ford, who designed five of the school’s first buildings.
TCU and UTA combine forces to train doctor-engineers through new program
(Fort Worth Report) How do you combine medical education with medical technology? The Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington are ready to answer that question with a new joint M.D.-Ph.D. program in biomedical engineering.
Oct. 15, 2024
US law entitles immigrant children to an education. Some conservatives say that should change
(AP) Conservative politicians in states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee have been questioning whether immigrants without legal residency should have the right to a public education.
Department of Insurance rejects proposed Texas Windstorm Insurance Association rate increase
(Houston Chronicle) The Texas Department of Insurance has rejected a rate increase proposed by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association that would have raised premiums on about a quarter-million residential and commercial properties along the coast.
El Paso ISD delays school closure recommendation announcement
(El Paso Matters) The El Paso Independent School District postponed its plans to announce which elementary schools might close until Thursday.
Lewisville ISD may close, consolidate 20 campuses due to budget woes
(KERA) The district faces a $4.5 million deficit and nearly 10,000 fewer students in the next decade, said Superintendent Lori Rapp and a Lewisville ISD committee looking into efforts to become more efficient. Closing or consolidating 20 campuses will be one possible result, said Rapp, to “right size” the district. In a school committee meeting this week, Rapp told stakeholders that the district’s enrollment decline would result in millions less from the state.
Fort Worth Pascal High School alum charged after threatening to ‘shoot up’ homecoming parade
(NBC DFW) A former student at Pascal High School in Fort Worth has been charged after allegedly making threats of violence at the school’s upcoming homecoming parade, police say. According to the Fort Worth Police Department, officers were notified by the Meta Law Enforcement Response Team about a potential shooting threat made in an Instagram story post on Sept. 26. Police said the post contained a screenshot of a flyer for the parade with the caption, “I’m shooting that b**** up.” The suspect told police that the threat was a joke among friends, She was later arrested on a charge of making terroristic threats and released on a $7,000 bond.
Itasca ISD provides update on football player injured during game
(KWTX) Itasca ISD provided an update on football player Aydan Villarreal, who was injured during their game against Dawson Friday night. The district says doctors diagnosed Aydan with spinal shock. Spinal shock is described as the sudden, temporary loss or impairment of spinal cord function, according to information found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Itasca ISD says there is no evidence that Aydan suffered a concussion, any fractures or permanent spine damage. The medical team told Itasca ISD that they’re optimistic about Aydan’s recovery and hope for a full return to health.
Edgewood ISD Superintendent Gets Raise While Students Are Failing
(Texas Scorecard) Elected trustees in Edgewood Independent School District are coming under fire after extending the superintendent’s contract and increasing his salary despite a vast majority of its students failing academic performance.
Houston ISD using new software to track AED, CPR certification
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD just launched new software to track staff certified at performing CPR, using automated defibrillators and performing Stop The Bleed techniques, and the district aims to have multiple staff members certified at every campus by Oct. 31. Officials discussed ongoing AED improvements, HVAC upgrades and school threat assessments at its first security committee meeting of the semester Friday afternoon, two months after Marshall Middle School student Landon Payton died after suffering from a medical emergency in the school’s gym.
New center offering mental health, support services to Tarrant students set to open in 2025
(Fort Worth Report) The $5.5 million project will serve as Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County’s Center for Student Support’s new headquarters and a hub for resources aimed at supporting thousands of at-risk students and their families throughout Tarrant County.
Keller ISD’s new theater policy prompts parent petition against alleged censorship
(KERA) Parents protested at Keller ISD’s Timber Creek High School over the cancellation of the play “The Laramie Project” last February. A new petition pushing back on Keller ISD’s policy for student plays and musicals has more than 600 signatures.
Community members organize ‘exit interviews’ from former HISD employees to board
(Houston Chronicle) With little data available regarding why employees were quitting their jobs in the Houston ISD, a parent decided to do her own digging. Community members shared the written testimonies of HISD employees who left.
Texas reading program allows children to hear the voice of their incarcerated mother
(KERA) The Women’s Storybook Project connects incarcerated moms with their children through storytelling. The Austin-based program sends volunteers to prisons across Texas, where they record incarcerated mothers reading a book aloud and then send the recording, along with a copy of the book, to the child. Last year, the program served over 400 mothers and sent out 6,200 books to almost 900 children.
Navasota High School looks to rebuild Career and Technical Education building following fire
(KBTX) After Navasota High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) building went up in flames Thursday, teachers and staff have set their sights on rebuilding. Four departments were affected: ag mechanics, auto tech, animal science and floral design.
The American Dream: Waco ISD teacher shares his experience with DACA
(KXXV) One Waco ISD teacher shares his experience using DACA, the federal program that helps immigrants with higher education. He is also using what he’s learned to help make a difference in his own classroom.
Groesbeck ISD launches air purification system
(KCEN) Officials say this is making a significant difference for their most vulnerable students.
Laredo schools address boil water notice
(KGNS) Laredo’s schools and universities are adjusting to the onset of the boil water notice. Many decided to continue business as usual so that students may face little interruption to their studies. United ISD has stated that classes will commence on Tuesday, October 15, and schools will be providing bottled water and disinfectant to their students. They have also assured that school meals will be prepared using purified water. Laredo ISD will have the same protocols in place as UISD and will also continue classes on Tuesday as well.
Dallas College Creates 3 Career-Focused Programs for Students With Disabilities
(Inside Higher Education) The community college will support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with career readiness skills and certification for increased employment opportunities.
Protest against local church sweeps College Station
(Batallion) A protest against The Network, a nationwide group of non-denominational churches accused of grooming and concealing sexual assault, was held outside their local branch in College Station on Saturday. The Battalion previously reported on allegations of spiritual and sexual abuse and manipulation surrounding Christland members who recruited students from campus.
UT Austin releases new AI teaching and learning tools
(Daily Texan) A generative artificial intelligence guide and AI tutor are the University’s latest additions in its effort to promote ethical AI use on campus, UT announced. When released, UT Sage will allow instructors to customize a tutor to their specific course and teaching style. Students will be able to ask UT Sage questions and receive an output from the tool, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
University Medical Center’s electronic health record systems restored over two weeks after ransomware attack
(Everything Lubbock) University Medical Center in Lubbock announced it restored its electronic health record system across all of its locations as well as its Find-a-Physician page on its website.
Houston-area library moves Indigenous history book to fiction section
(LoneStar Live) A Houston-area public library reclassified a nonfiction children’s book about Native American history as fiction, after the title was reviewed by citizens, not librarians. “I can only assume it is because it is a telling of the history of Indigenous people that they do not approve of,” said Teresa Kenney, a Montgomery County resident and founder of the Village Books store.
Rice Student Association Labor Commission proposes $15 student minimum wage
(Rice Thresher) The Student Association’s Labor Commission advocated for a $15 minimum wage for student workers during a Student Association meeting Sept. 30, based on results from a student wage survey. Currently collecting signatures for a petition, the Labor Commission said that raising the minimum wage for student workers would reduce financial burdens for students.
Oct. 14, 2024
Students burned when teacher makes them bear crawl on hot track, Texas officials say
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A Texas teacher was placed on leave after school officials said students were burned during a punishment, news outlets reported. Thirteen cheerleaders suffered from first and second-degree burns after officials said their coach punished them by making them do “bear crawls” and “crab walks” on a hot outdoor track, according to Lubbock’s KLBK. The cheerleaders were students at Evans Middle School in Lubbock, KCBD reported. The track was hot because of high temperatures that day, according to South Plains Live.
Appeals court overturns contempt finding, removes judge in Texas foster care lawsuit
(AP) A federal appeals court has ordered the removal of a federal judge and overturned her contempt finding and $100,000 a day fine against the state of Texas in a lawsuit over the state’s struggling foster care system.
US Court ruled Allen ISD provides appropriate education for autistic children against parents’ claim
(KRLD) An Allen couple has lost their fight over their autistic child’s education. The argument was whether the Allen school district was giving the child a “free appropriate public education.”
Keller ISD launches fundraiser to pay school lunch debts after district says some students would be served alternative meals
(WFAA) Keller ISD is hoping to offset lunch debt for students following the district’s announcement that it would begin serving “alternative meals” to students who have unpaid meal charges. As of now, that policy will remain in place. In partnership with Community Storehouse, the district has launched a “Keller ISD Lunch Fund.” The district describes it as an opportunity for the community to chip in to “help clear meal balances and fight against childhood food insecurity.”
The headmaster of this Houston private school earns more than $1 million a year
(Houston Chronicle) The faculty and staff of the Kinkaid School, one of Houston’s most expensive private schools, regularly rub shoulders with some of the city’s wealthiest people. And Kinkaid head of school Jonathan Eades may count as one himself. In 2022, according to the school’s most recent tax filings, he earned a compensation package worth just more than $1 million. Eades, formerly the head of St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, was hired by Kinkaid in 2020 after a nationwide search. But his pay is not out of line with that of many peers, who often make many times more than principals, their public school counterparts.
Why have Houston ISD’s special education complaints increased despite better compliance?
(Houston Chronicle) HISD sees increase in TEA special education complaints under Mike Miles.
HISD’s school board approved Mike Miles’ first annual evaluation. How would you rate his performance?
(Houston Chronicle) The evaluation passed without discussion in an 8-1 vote, with board member Adam Rivon as the sole member to vote against the motion. Incentive payment for Miles will be finalized in November, which is when HISD will release the total payment Miles was eligible for and the actual amount he received, a HISD spokesperson said. Miles currently earns an annual salary of $380,000, according to his contract.
Killeen ISD student searches: Are they random or routine?
(Killeen Daily Herald) At Harker Heights High School, Assistant Principal Jesus Uranga in late September sent an email to parents and guardians which said: “Beginning Monday, September 30, 2024, it is mandatory that every student place their cell phone, earbuds, and/or smartwatch in their Yondr pouch during the day. Random spot checks for compliance will be conducted. If your child is in violation of the policy by not having their phone, earbuds, and/or smartwatch secured in the pouch, they are subject to the appropriate consequences.” Parents who question the district’s right to search their student’s belongings has become a touchy subject for KISD administrators.
George Dawson Middle School in Texas Banned Book Written by Eponymous Author?
(Snopes) Claim: At George Dawson Middle School in Texas, an autobiography co-authored by George Dawson, the grandson of an enslaved person, was banned. Factual rating: False.
Denton ISD wants to boost diversity in honors programs by identifying talent and potential early
(KERA) Despite rising numbers of Hispanic, Black and economically disadvantaged students across Denton ISD, district leaders say those students aren’t well enough represented in high school honors courses.
Smart Kids University to bring advanced extracurriculars to Katy
(Community Impact) Smart Kids University, a new kind of after-school program targeting gifted individuals, is coming to Katy. The business will bring after-school classes for gifted students aimed to build upon their knowledge and connect them with their peers, owners Gerta Shema and Omri Shafran said.
The Conservative Crusade To Take Over Public Library Book Reviews In Montgomery County
(Houston Press) A Montgomery County commissioner’s request this week to consider revising the public library system’s book review policy fell on the deaf ears of his fellow commissioners, who appear resistant to such changes.
Former Waco Teacher Charged for Inappropriate Relationship Between Educator and Student
(Texas Scorecard) A former Waco charter school teacher has been arrested and charged for an improper relationship between an educator and student. Octavio Sanchez, 53, has a documented history of sexually harassing women and was previously arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a child. After his first arrest, a former student came forward and told detectives Sanchez inappropriately touched her and touched himself in a sexual manner in front of her. Sanchez previously worked for Premier High School in Waco—a public charter school not affiliated with Waco Independent School District.
When DEI is gone: A look at the fallout at one Texas university
(ABC News) Universities across the country have transformed at the command of anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) legislation. At the University of Texas-Austin, the legislation led to resource cancellations, office closures, and staff firings — pushing some students to create alternatives to their school’s defunct diversity programs.
Inside look at Baylor’s new development centers
(KXXV) The Fudge Football development center and the Foster Pavilion offer the latest technology and equipment in advancing athletics.
Leander ISD prepares for mounting budget shortfall ahead of FY 2025-26
(Community Impact) The district is projected to adopt a $29.88 million shortfall for FY 2025-26, assuming the district does not make any budget adjustments from previous fiscal years, which LISD does not plan to do, Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape said.
Minor accused in connection with possible Center ISD threat
(KTRE) According to a post from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, they were informed of the threat by the FBI. Law enforcement arrived at the suspect’s address and made the arrest around 8:30 p.m. according to the post. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office stated the suspect was charged with terrorist threat and released to juvenile probation. No further information has been reported.
Spring ISD starts 2024-25 school year with fewer student infractions
(Community Impact) Spring ISD is on track to reduce student disciplinary infractions by 10% before 2027 thanks to initiatives rolled out for the 2024-25 school year, district leaders said during a board of trustee meeting Oct. 3. SISD’s discipline and equity plan focuses on “prevention, sustainability and monitoring,” according to an Oct. 3 presentation from program leaders. SISD leaders also applied for an exemption last year that included creating a Second Chance Program in the 2024-25 school year for students caught with vapes, said Nigel Simmons, a student success coordinator, on Oct. 3.
Boil Water Notice closes most Laredo schools
(KGNS) Due to the citywide boil water notice, most schools in Laredo closed on Friday, October 11. Laredo ISD, Harmony Public Schools, and United Day School are all closed and will reopen on Tuesday, October 15.
Secretary of State Reverses Guidance Allowing Non-Citizen IDs for Voting
(Texas Scorecard) In a major reversal from her guidance just days ago, Secretary of State Jane Nelson now says non-citizen driver’s licenses may not be used as a form of voter identification.
Tarrant County College abruptly closes beloved day care. Parents are still asking why
(Fort Worth Report) With only a few days notice, parents with children enrolled at the Tarrant County College Children’s Center Laboratory School in Hurst found out that it was abruptly closing its doors. The final day of operation for the center, which weeks ago celebrated its 50-year anniversary, was Friday, Oct. 11.
UT Arlington Indigenous Peoples Day event honors strength, connects with community
(KERA) Connecting to community and honoring strengths are some of the themes that the Native American Student Association at the University of Texas at Arlington will highlight on Indigenous Peoples Day. UTA is commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day by having a community fair on campus.
New facilities at TSTC’s Harlingen campus on schedule to open in fall 2025
(myRGV) The building projects include a nearly 84,000-square-foot technology facility for the Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs, a 7,000-square-foot building for the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, and renovation of an existing building that will house the Biomedical Equipment Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology and Wind Energy Technology programs in a 34,000-square-foot space.
UTRGV rocket group launches students to new heights
(myRGV) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Rocket Launchers passion for aerospace engineering has kept the nonprofit growing since its inception in 2015 while also doing community outreach to future engineers.
Humble Middle School debuts new outdoor obstacle course, fitness area
(Community Impact) The course was designed by Cunningham Recreation and was inspired by the obstacle challenges seen on “American Ninja Warrior.” This is the third new outdoor obstacle course and fitness area completed in HISD. Other district middle and high schools will receive these enhancements by 2027 as part of the $775 million bond package approved by voters in May 2022.
Oct. 11, 2024
Critics of Excessive School Administrator Salaries Suggest Legislative Solutions
(Texas Scorecard) Conservative fiscal policy advocates are pushing for legislation to protect tax dollars.
At least 2 killed and dozens injured after leak at a Texas oil refinery; shelter in place lifted
(Houston Chronicle) A release of the chemical hydrogen sulfide at a Pemex refinery in Deer Park on Thursday killed at least two refinery workers and injured a minimum of 35 other people, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents that lasted much of the evening, authorities said. Throughout the evening, police flares and blockades on Texas 225 warned travelers of possible danger. The traffic was dense as drivers, including a La Porte Independent School District bus carrying students, hurried to find alternate routes.
Advocates Say a Side of ‘Stigma and Shame’ Comes With Keller ISD Alternative Lunches
(Dallas Observer) Students who have accrued $25 or more of unpaid meal debt will no longer be given the cafeteria’s advertised meal choices.
No Kid Hungry: It’s Time To Make Meals Free For All In Texas Schools | Opinion
(KFMX) Some Texas school districts have already adopted a “free for all” approach to meals served during school hours. And that’s beautiful. But it also begs the question: why isn’t this the standard across our state?
EPA final rule will require replacement of lead pipes delivering water to schools within next decade
(K-12 Dive) Lead pipes that cause harmful toxins to seep into drinking water in schools and homes must be replaced within 10 years, according to a final rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday. The rule is estimated to cost between $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually, although EPA said the benefits of requiring drinking water systems to replace lead service lines outweigh the costs.
Brewster County deputies charge two adults in hoax bomb threat at Big Bend High School
(MyTexasDaily) Brewster County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Big Bend High School on Thursday morning following electronic communications about a bomb threat. The investigation identified two adults, Annica Paige Herrera and Caitlin Ayami Staib, as suspects in the hoax. Both Herrera and Staib were charged with false alarm or report, a state jail felony, and booked into the Brewster County Jail, according to the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office. As a precaution, the school was evacuated, and Deputy Holguin deployed explosive detection K9 Dori to conduct a sweep. No explosive residue or items were found.
The stabbing of a student has parents at Austin middle school concerned about threats
(CBS Austin) It was a chaotic situation Thursday morning at Covington Middle School at 3700 Convict Hill Road in Southwest Austin on Thursday. A smoke bomb, fire alarm, stabbing, and evacuation happened within minutes of each other in the school’s art wing. The stabbing incident at the school sent one student to the hospital on Thursday. The student’s injuries are reported to be potentially serious but not life-threatening. Officers with the Austin Independent School District apprehended another student who was involved in the stabbing. Classes at the school continued Thursday, but the art wing, where the stabbing happened, remained closed so officers could finish their investigation.
Central Texas student arrested for firearm threat at school
(MyTexasDaily) A student at Sam Rayburn Intermediate School was arrested after allegedly making a verbal threat about bringing a firearm to school, according to a joint press release from Bryan Police and Bryan Independent School District. The incident occurred on October 10, 2024, at approximately 10:15 a.m. The juvenile student was removed from campus, arrested, and transported to the Brazos County Juvenile Detention Center, where they were booked for Texas Education Code 37.125, which involves the exhibition, use, or threat of firearms.
‘No trust. No bond:’ HISD sees near-record number of speakers at board meeting before bond election
(Houston Chronicle) After more than three hours of public comment, the Houston ISD Board of Managers unanimously approved the list of members and charter for the bond oversight committee early Friday morning in its last scheduled meeting before Election Day. Before the vote, more than 160 HISD parents, students, state representatives and other community members registered to speak, with many expressing their opposition to the bond during public comment after rallying outside the meeting with signs reading “Vote no for the bad HISD bond” or “Beep Beep. Bad bond.”
More principals left Fort Worth ISD last year than in any year since 2017
(Fort Worth Report) More principals left Fort Worth ISD last school year than in any other year since at least 2017, according to data from two open records requests filed by the Fort Worth Report. Educators say that the exit of a principal can lead to a lack of stability that students expect when they arrive on campus each day. The role includes building relationships with teachers and fostering connections between parents and school staff.
Q&A: Spring ISD’s new civic engagement coordinator on boosting voter turnout through schools
(Houston Landing) Spring’s new civic engagement coordinator, Dajauneke Minor, talks about how she encourages students and parents to make their voices heard.
UT is becoming the face of Texas’ higher education failures. That must change | Editorial
(Daily Texan) The recent publication of a survey of Texas faculty is as clear-cut as it is concerning. According to a Sept. 5 American Association of University Professors (AAUP) survey, Texas faculty are dissatisfied with the conditions and direction of higher education in Texas. 61% of those surveyed would not recommend Texas for a faculty position to out-of-state colleagues, and 26.3% plan to interview elsewhere next year. Top concerns for faculty include the state’s political climate, academic freedom, salary, and diversity, equity and inclusion issues.
UT student starts petition to improve restroom accessibility on campus for disabled community
(Daily Texan) In her petition, Fabiola Amaya, a disabled social work senior, demands the University ensure all on-campus accessible restrooms meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA requirements include a turning space of 60 inches within stalls, toilet bowls 17 to 19 inches above the ground (from top of the seat) and sinks no more than 34 inches above the floor.
Neither oldest or closest but Duncanville-DeSoto is the best rivalry in Texas HS football
(Dallas Morning News) Duncanville-DeSoto isn’t the oldest rivalry in the big leagues of Texas high school football. Denison-Sherman started near the turn of the last century. “Battle of the Ax.” First-rate trophy, too. Nor is Duncanville-DeSoto the closest rivalry. A mere two miles separate Lincoln and Madison, hosts of the “South Dallas Super Bowl.” Probably not the bitterest, either. Might be Odessa Permian-Midland Legacy, steeped in the West Texas maxim, “Raise families in Midland; raise hell in Odessa.” But the best rivalry going in Texas’ biggest classification? Duncanville-DeSoto, if titles matter.
‘Deaf people can do anything’: How a Bryan HS volleyball player inspires unity
(KBTX) The Bryan High School junior varsity volleyball team is a great example of unity, and it’s thanks in large part to junior Sienna Leon. She hasn’t let being deaf slow her down, and her kindness has brought the team together.
SpaceX wants to go to Mars. To get there, environmentalists say it’s trashing Texas
(Texas Public Radio) Starship is the largest rocket ever built. Elon Musk hopes it will one day fly humans and other species to Mars, but environmentalists say it’s doing damage to the local habitat around the Texas launch site.
Brite Divinity professor kept graphic child porn in his TCU office, case records show
(KERA) A former Brite Divinity professor accused of possessing graphic images of sex acts with small children is now facing up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Charles Bellinger, 62, was arrested after investigators found the images saved to office devices on the Texas Christian University campus, court documents say.
EPCC | UTEP Engineering Academy welcomes first cohort of 13 students
(KFOX) El Paso Community College and the University of Texas at El Paso on Thursday officially launched the EPCC | UTEP Engineering Academy, a new degree program that will help students accelerate their entry into the field.
Austin Community College students make Austin City Limits Fest their classroom
(KUT) Dozens of ACC students are getting to see what their chosen career path might look like if they worked on large-scale, live music events. Through a partnership between ACC, C3 Presents and Jeff McClusky & Associates, students got the chance to shadow professionals during weekend one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. C3 produces ACL and works with McClusky, who is a promoter.
Texas Tech Business College Offers DEI Course
(Texas Scorecard) The course trains students on how to practically apply DEI in the business world.
TAMIU names Vice President for Finance as acting president
(KGNS) Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp has appointed Juan J. Castillo as the Acting President of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, effective immediately. The announcement comes after the unexpected passing of President Pablo Arenaz last week. Castillo has served as the Vice President for Finance and Administration at TAMIU since 2008 and will now oversee the university’s operations during this transitional period.
Oct. 10, 2024
‘Same sex kissing’ concern launched ‘Oklahoma!’ controversy in Sherman, report finds
(Dallas Morning News) A third-party investigation report sheds light on how the former superintendent pressured staff to remove a transgender student from his role in a high school theater production.
4 Spring ISD staff members placed on leave amid investigation into claim that preschool teachers were giving kids sleeping aids
(KHOU) Four Spring Independent School District staff members were placed on leave as investigators looked into allegations that they were giving preschool students sleeping aids. KHOU 11 News reporter Matt Dougherty had the story on Tuesday night when he talked to parents of preschool students at a Spring ISD elementary school who claimed teachers gave their children sleeping aids. An email from Northgate Crossing Elementary School’s principal on Tuesday had said two staff members were put on leave after allegedly providing sleeping supplements to students. The email also said the Spring ISD Police Department is investigating.
Here’s why students support this Arlington ISD high school’s approach to cell phones
(Arlington Report) Seguin High School in Arlington ISD requires students’ cell phones to be “powered down and out of sight” during instructional time, Seguin Principal Billy Linson said. Unless teachers permit exceptions, students keep their phones in their bags, pockets or at classroom charging stations, then they catch up on texts and social media between classes or during lunch.
Effort to censure Edinburg school board members fails
(myRGV) Three Edinburg school board members requested to vote on censure resolutions for trustees Luis Alamia and Dominga Vela Tuesday, but failed to pass them with a split 3-3 vote on both. The censure against Alamia stemmed from an incident at an Edinburg football game on Sept. 6 involving Alex Rios, a candidate for the upcoming school board elections. Alamia didn’t follow proper procedures and received a sidelines pass which was given to Rios, who was detained and asked to leave the sidelines. The censure against Vela also stemmed from an alleged overstep when she asked an employee of the district at the last minute to do the coin toss at the beginning of a game to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a state final coached by her husband Robert Vela.
Credible or not, threats of violence cause disruptions and fuel anxiety in Austin-area schools
(KUT) When Austin High School went into lockdown last month, students started texting their parents, sending some into “panic mode” about the situation and the lack of information available. If it feels like Austin-area schools are facing more threats this year, it’s because they are. And Austin isn’t alone. The increase is part of a nationwide trend.
Reset (Fort Worth ISD) | Opinion
(Fort Worth Weekly) If Mayor Mattie Parker went after Abbott and his voucher lovers instead of FWISD’s super, maybe the district would finally thrive.
Got a letter from your appraisal district asking you to reapply for a homestead exemption?
(Dallas Morning News) This is no scam. Under a new state law, every one of the state’s 254 appraisal districts must audit its homestead discounts. Letters get mailed out, and if the ID doesn’t match the property address, recipients must mail in a copy of their ID. If they don’t and lose their exemptions, their property taxes will jump by hundreds and even thousands of dollars. I worry that low-income neighborhoods will feel the brunt of this new law. The letters are written in legal language. Plus, I am upset that the letters are not going out in Spanish or Vietnamese, only English. “There’s going to be collateral damage,” property tax consultant Glenn Goodrich says.
Houston council drops tax hike after Abbott sends $50 million for Beryl debris removal
(Houston Public Media) After Governor Greg Abbott announced additional funds for storm recovery, including an expected $32 million for Houston, city council accepted Mayor John Whitmire’s recommendation to keep the property tax rate flat. Four members had pushed for a 6% increase.
13 Investigates: HISD sees biggest rise in uncertified teachers among 15 area districts
(KTRK) 13 Investigates reached out to the 15 largest school districts in the Houston area and found HISD had the biggest increase in uncertified teachers this school year compared to last school year. Of the 15 school districts, all but one had some uncertified teachers. Katy ISD told us it has zero uncertified teachers, but when we asked them how they achieved that, they said, “The district will not be providing a statement.”
Longtime North Texas high school football coach dies, district says
(WFAA) Denton Ryan defensive coordinator Aaron De La Torre has died, Denton Independent School District officials said Wednesday. The circumstances surrounding his death were unknown Wednesday, but the news shocked the Denton Ryan community. On Tuesday, Hickory Creek police closed an investigation that allegedly involved De La Torre assaulting a minor, according to the Denton Record Chronicle. The child’s parent did not press charges, and Denton ISD released a statement. “Given that local law enforcement has closed its investigation regarding an alleged incident involving an employee with no charges being filed, the district’s involvement in the matter is also complete.”
NCAA to Scrap the Need for National Letter of Intent
(Sports Illustrated) On Wednesday, news came out that the NCAA Division I Council is making yet another change to high school and college athletics by agreeing to scrap the use of the National Letter of Intent (NLI), per On3’s Pete Nakos. Instead, it looks like they will pivot to just using financial aid, scholarship agreements and similar agreements going forward. Additionally, Nakos states that because of the introduction of revenue sharing in 2025-26, a new binding agreement for student-athletes and college was needed.
Texas Fourth Court of Appeals hears case regarding man convicted of killing United ISD coach
(KGNS) For the third time, the case involving Jorge Rodriguez, convicted of killing United ISD coach Rolando Ramos in 2018, is being heard in court. Rodriguez was initially sentenced to 50 years in prison in 2020. However, in 2023, the decision was appealed, reducing his sentence to 40 years. A key issue now under debate is whether Rodriguez should serve his sentences consecutively or concurrently.
Texas A&M vs. Texas ticket prices are more expensive than Super Bowl LVIII
(USA Today) Ahead of the Saturday, Nov. 30 game in College Station, Good Bull Hunting’s Robert Behrens first reported that through Seat Geek, ticket prices for Texas A&M vs. Texas are now higher than last February’s Super Bowl LVIII rematch between Kansas City and the San Francisco 49ers, averaging anywhere between $759-$5,447 compared to $283-$1,171 for the NFL matchup.
Texas A&M-Fort Worth lands yet another big gift for construction downtown: $2 million
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The Leo Potishman Foundation has pledged $2 million to support the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus, the Texas A&M University System announced Oct. 9. The gift will go towards the development and construction of the campus.
Immigrants brought to U.S. as children are asking judges to uphold protections against deportation
(AP) Immigrants who grew up in the United States after being brought here illegally as children will be among demonstrators outside a federal courthouse in New Orleans on Thursday as three appellate judges hear arguments over the Biden administration’s policy shielding them from deportation.
Learning Curve: Search where Houston high school grads go to college by district, campus
(Houston Landing) A Landing analysis of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board data shows nearly 60 percent of Greater Houston high school graduates enrolling at a Texas higher education institution from 2018 to 2022 went to a local community college. In fact, community and junior colleges make up half of the 10 most-popular landing spots for graduates. A mix of local universities and flagship state institutions compose the other half.
The top private schools in Houston and Texas for 2025, according to a new ranking
(Houston Chronicle) Two Houston private schools topped national charts in the recently released private school rankings from the widely used school finder, Niche.
Wylie ISD, Collin College in discussions for new CTE building
(Dallas Morning News) Wylie ISD officials are considering a partnership with Collin College to build a new career and technical education building at the Collin College Wylie campus. The new facility would support the district’s career and technical education and dual credit programs, according to Wylie ISD official.
Amid child sex abuse by North Texas clergy and caregivers, don’t overlook these predators
(Dallas Morning News) Research overwhelmingly points to sexual abuse taking place in the home with the likeliest predator being a family member or a known, trusted visitor. These stories often aren’t reported to authorities, much less in the news.
Fair Park First audit finds $5.7M in ‘misallocated’ donor funds
(KERA) Fair Park First — a nonprofit that manages the park on behalf of the City of Dallas — misallocated $5.7 million in restricted donor funds managed by Oak View Group, according to an independent audit released Wednesday.
‘Deeply flawed’: A&M Faculty Senate speaker opposes provost initiative to end 52 minors, certificates
(Battalion) The Speaker of the Faculty Senate Angie Price emailed President Mark A. Welsh III and Provost Alan Sams on Oct. 2 to advocate for the end of the process currently being used to axe 52 minors and certificates, according to an email obtained by The Battalion. “After hearing from many faculty, as well as administrators and students, the inescapable conclusion that I have come to is that the development of the process and its implementation were deeply flawed and lacked meaningful input from many stakeholders,” Price wrote in the email.
UTRGV ends graduation ceremonies in Brownsville, cites student feedback
(MyRGV) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates from Edinburg and Brownsville are set to graduate together as the university has decided to move all commencement ceremonies to the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.
Texas Tech receives first-of-its-kind real estate donation
(KLBK) The Texas Tech University System became part of the 3 Rivers Ranch located in Crowelly. The 6,000-acre ranch was gifted to Texas Tech by the 3 Rivers Foundation for the Arts and Sciences (3RF) and Dr. Fred Kochm, a graduate of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The first-of-its-kind property gift was the largest donation of real estate to the TTU System.
Las Vegas Man Indicted For Cyberstalking Two UT Austin Employees Via Social Media
(U.S. Attorney’s Office) A Las Vegas resident made his initial appearance Tuesday for allegedly sending thousands of messages, including threatening messages, via Instagram to two employees of the University of Texas at Austin. According to allegations contained in the indictment, beginning on or about June 6, 2024, to September 16, 2024, Brian Patrick Solomon, 38, sent direct messages threatening to injure two high level employees of the school. In May and June of 2024, Solomon requested a total of $450 via CashApp from a victim. A records check of Solomon revealed that on July 26, 2023, he was arrested in Austin for burglary of vehicle and criminal mischief.
Oct. 9, 2024
Houston ISD said it overpaid about 4,000 employees, leading to recent drops on pay stubs
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD said it overpaid about 4,000 employees and opted to dock their recent paychecks to recoup the money. The district said in a Tuesday statement that it notified all impacted employees and plans to take back the overpayment in equal installments over the remaining contract year. The sudden decrease on pay stubs caused confusion among employees earlier this week. The Houston Federation of Teachers, representing about 7,000 employees, is waiting for its lawyers to inform them whether there is a legal action the union can take. Corina Ortiz, the federation’s chief of staff, said what happened to employees is not ethically or morally right.
Uvalde city officials release missing footage from officers responding to 2022 Robb Elementary shooting
(Texas Tribune) The new videos largely affirm prior reporting and investigations that detailed law enforcement’s failures to confront the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers.
North Texas school districts have same message for lawmakers: more state funding
(KERA) A resolution passed in Keller ISD this spring calling on the state to increase school funding has made the rounds in a handful of other North Texas districts in recent weeks.
These 2 charts show rise in Texas children facing justice referrals for threats
(Dallas Morning News) The number of referrals for “terroristic threat” is growing.
Texas parents alarmed by rise in teacher-student misconduct as school year starts
(WOAI) With students just headed back into the classroom not too long ago, there have been several teachers arrested, and many people are wondering when this will end. The symbolic resolution requests that Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas lawmakers increase the state’s basic allotment to allow for higher teacher pay and better funded schools.
Mental health support for toddlers has lagged in Texas. That’s now changing
(Texas Tribune) Lawmakers and child care centers are pushing for a statewide mental health system for toddlers.
Karen Molinar named Interim Fort Worth ISD Superintendent
(NBC DFW) Molinar is a longtime Fort Worth ISD leader, serving as deputy superintendent for many years. The school district also said Molinar, the district’s second-ranked leader, would apply for the job permanently.
Did far-right groups get 121 books pulled in Fort Worth ISD? These families think so
(LoneStar Live) Parents and students in Fort Worth are pushing for a more transparent book review process after the school district restricted over 120 titles following backlash from far-right groups, including Libs of TikTok. While 90 of the 121 books were ultimately returned to library shelves, the North Texas community coalition now hopes to prevent similar removals from happening again.
Lewisville ISD latest North Texas district to consider school closures to address budget deficit
(CBS News) Lewisville Independent School District is facing a $4.5 million budget deficit. The district tasked a committee with analyzing enrollment trends, building capacity, operational costs and staffing to determine ways to optimize efficiency. On Monday, they presented the school board with a preliminary list of 20 campuses to review for possible boundary adjustments and/or closure.
Spring ISD parents claim preschoolers were given ‘sleepy stickers’ by teachers
(KHOU) Parents of preschool students at a Spring ISD elementary school said teachers have been giving their children sleeping aides. They said their children told them they were given “sleepy stickers” that would make them fall asleep. An email from Northgate Elementary School’s principal on Tuesday said two staff members were put on leave after allegedly providing sleeping supplements to students. The email also said the Spring ISD Police Department is also investigating.
Keller ISD students with lunch debt of $25 or more to be served alternative meals, district says
(WFAA) Beginning Oct. 21, the Keller Independent School District said it will begin serving an alternative meal to some students who have unpaid meal charges. The district said this applies to students across all grade levels with unpaid lunch balances greater than $25. The district said for breakfast students will receive a SunButter and jelly sandwich and the lunch entree will be a turkey and cheese sandwich. Both meals will be served with fruit and the student’s choice of white or chocolate milk, according to Keller ISD.
Houston-area students aren’t offered the chance to ride the bus. Why not?
(Houston Landing) In Houston ISD, the region’s largest school district, only 5 percent of students ride the bus on a daily basis. Cy-Fair ISD, the area’s second largest district, provides bus rides to slightly less than half of students. Here’s why many students don’t ride the bus, how the state determines funding for transportation services and what some Houston-area districts provide their students.
$30M approved to expand child care for low income families across Harris County
(KTRK) Thanks to an additional $30 million in funding, the Early Reach program can now add another 800 to 1,000 slots for children under 4 years old. Proponents of the Harris County Early Reach program spoke in commissioners’ court Tuesday, and they said the program is more than just a safe place for a child to receive care. The Early Reach program started in 2023, allowing parents to enroll children 4 years of age or younger in select facilities at no cost so they can work and go back to school.
Crandall High School student arrested after bringing two guns to school
(Fox 4 KDFW) A Crandall High School student was arrested on Tuesday after bringing two handguns onto the school’s campus. A letter to parents obtained by FOX 4 says that Crandall ISD Police are investigating the incident and the student will be “charged to the full extent of the law.”
14-year-old Willis ISD student arrested for alleged gun threat claims he never said he had an AK-47
(KTRK) A 14-year-old Willis High School student who was arrested for allegedly saying he had a gun, claims he never made the remark. Kenji King Jr., a freshman football player at the school, said he was in disbelief when he was taken aside and placed in handcuffs Wednesday.
Iola ISD addresses elementary student’s ‘inappropriate remark’
(KBTX) Iola ISD said it was looking into “public concerns” of an “inappropriate remark” made by an elementary student on a school bus. The school district said it notified the school resource officer and local law enforcement. The district did not release any specific details about the investigation.
Snyder ISD mother alleges daughter punished for frequent bathroom use
(KTXS) A Snyder ISD mother claims her daughter, who’s in the first grade and has gallbladder issues, gets punished for using the bathroom too much at Snyder Primary School.
Forney ISD Issues Statement Regarding October 3rd Fight At Forney High School
(in Forney) “We had multiple students involved in altercations on campus yesterday [last Thursday], and our administrators and Forney ISD Police Department are still conducting a full investigation,” stated a release to parents. “Due to the incidents involving minors and FERPA laws, we are only allowed to notify parents of students involved in isolated incidents. However, we want to remind everyone we will be prosecuting students to the fullest extent of the law as well as administratively per the student code of conduct.”
Residents urge San Antonio ISD not to sell land for Missions ball park development
(San Antonio Current) During a marathon San Antonio ISD meeting on Monday, roughly 100 people railed against developer Weston Urban’s plan to demolish an affordable apartment complex downtown to make way for a new minor league baseball park.
Plan for new link between Texas grid and neighboring states gets boost from the federal government
(KUT) The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced it will put $360 million toward a project to create a new link between the Texas power grid, which operates independently from its neighbors, and other grids in the Southeast. Despite what it may sound like, the interconnection proposed by Pattern Energy’s Southern Spirit Transmission line would not fully unite the Texas grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, with neighboring grids.
Dallas students arrested at pro-Palestinian UTD campus protest avoid suspension
(KERA) The University of Texas at Dallas students arrested at an on-campus encampment protesting the war in Gaza were given written warnings instead of harsher proposed discipline, according to two of the arrested students. But the protestors still face criminal charges in Collin County after the university called law enforcement to intervene at the May campus demonstration.
Texas State University condemns antisemitic graffiti, launches investigation
(CBS Austin) Texas State University officials strongly condemned antisemitic graffiti discovered on its San Marcos campus, launching an immediate investigation and removal effort. The university did not provide details about the specific nature of the antisemitic graffiti or its location on campus.
Texas Tech Health IT outage continues, all ‘electronic resources’ down
(KVIA) All “electronic resources” are unavailable for staff and patients at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center as an IT outage continues.
TAMU-Commerce Offers DEI Certificate Under Different Title
(Texas Scorecard) Texas A&M-Commerce is offering an undergraduate justice, equity, diversity and inclusion certificate in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Man accused of allegedly harassing women at TAMIU detained
(KGNS) A man who had allegedly been roaming the grounds of Texas A&M International University has been caught and cited by campus police.
Oct. 8, 2024
How school shooting fears led to a 10-year-old boy with autism being handcuffed in Frisco
(Dallas Morning News) The boy’s arrest and criminal case underscores a complex consequence of school shootings.
Texas arresting dozens of students after a surge in school threats
(Dallas Morning News) At least 40 students were arrested in September alone, the same month as a deadly school shooting in Georgia.
How States Use Tax Credits to Fund Private School Choice: An Explainer
(Education Week) Twenty-one states currently have tax-credit scholarship programs, according to Education Week’s private school choice tracker, making it the most common form of private school choice program.
U.S. Supreme Court lets stand a decision barring emergency abortions that violate Texas ban
(Texas Tribune) Without detailing their reasoning, the justices kept in place a lower court order that said hospitals cannot be required to provide pregnancy terminations that would violate Texas law.
Texas Earns Financial Grade of ‘C’ From Watchdog Group
(Texas Scorecard) The newest report from Truth in Accounting graded all U.S. states’ financial positions, placing Texas at 26 out of 50 states and giving it a financial grade of “C.” According to the report, Texas did not have enough assets to cover its debts in 2023.
Columbia-Brazoria ISD bus driver receives citation after crash with dump truck
(Click 2 Houston) A Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District bus driver received a citation for disregarding a construction flagger’s stop sign following a collision between a school bus and a dump truck on Thursday morning. According to Columbia-Brazoria ISD, the bus driver has been released from the hospital, and the student is expected to be discharged later Friday. Dash cam footage from the bus shows how the incident happened.
Some HISD employees are seeing lower hourly rate on pay stubs, teachers union says
(Houston Chronicle) The Houston Federation of Teachers has been fielding calls all Monday regarding missing pay on HISD employees’ pay stubs. Houston ISD employees are calling to say they see lower hourly rates on their pay stubs, the union’s Chief of Staff Corina Ortiz said. “There’s no rhyme or reason why this is happening,” Ortiz said. Employees including teachers and paraprofessionals are seeing varying decreases. HISD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Former teacher sues Wimberley ISD, county officials for wrongful arrest and prosecution
(CBS Austin) A former Wimberley Independent School District teacher filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against seven officials, alleging wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution. David Schachter, 55, was arrested in Sept. 2022 on charges of Class C Misdemeanor offensive touching. According to his attorney, Rebecca Webber, he was acquitted by a jury on Sept. 26, 2023. The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Sept. 25, 2024, names officials from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the Hays County District Attorney’s Office and Wimberley ISD as defendants.
Fort Bend ISD could slash plans for new elementary school as bond projects remain $57M over budget
(Houston Chronicle) Fort Bend ISD could nix several plans promised in its 2023 bond proposal — including a new elementary school and transportation facility — as several projects remained millions of dollars over budget Monday.
‘This is not a walking city’ | Cy-Fair ISD families plead to school board to reinstate more bus routes after 3 students hit by vehicles
(KHOU) Cy-Fair ISD parents are demanding a change to bus routes after three students were hit by vehicles last week. This comes a couple of months after the district eliminated nearly 80 bus routes due to budget cuts. Now, families are demanding accountability and calling the injuries unacceptable. The bus routes cut impacted students who live a mile or two miles away from their school.
Cy-Fair ISD board approves use of disaster pennies to increase tax rate, bringing in $34M in revenue
(Houston Chronicle) Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees approved a disaster provision Monday that allows for a one-time, 2-cent tax rate increase that will help the state’s third largest school district offset a budget deficit. The tax increase, allowed after tornadoes hit the region in January 2023, will generate $33.9 million in revenue for the district, which made drastic cuts to librarians and busing to balance its budget for the 2024-2025 school year.
McAllen ISD invests in helping dyslexic students while celebrating success
(myRGV) With October marking Learning Abilities and Dyslexia Awareness Month, the school district’s efforts here to provide crucial assistance to dyslexic students is reaping the rewards through a combination of support from trained individuals and an emphasis on student-teacher collaboration.
Cause of death revealed for 19-year-old Texas cadet found dead at U.S. Air Force Academy
(WFAA) An autopsy revealed a 19-year-old cadet from Taylor died from a bacteria that can cause sepsis in rare cases. Avery Koonce graduated from Thrall High School before enrolling at the U.S. Air Force Academy this year.
Humble ISD officials break ground on new facility for young adults with disabilities
(Community Impact) Humble ISD trustees and community members celebrated an Oct. 3 groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility designed to support young adults with disabilities as they transition out of high school. HISD acting Superintendent Roger Brown said the facility will serve as a permanent location for students enrolled in the district’s Mosaic program, which serves students ages 18-22 who received special education services through the district and qualify for educational services after high school.
The Daily Texan’s 125-year history moves our work forward
(Daily Texan) Today, The Daily Texan begins its 125th year of publication. On Oct. 8, 1900, The Texan circulated for the first time. Thirteen years later, the student body voted to make it a daily publication. Since then, the paper has served as a reliable source of information for the University. The Daily Texan has never shied away from the uncomfortable or controversial, going head-to-head with University administration numerous times, even during its first 50 years.
Demolition of UT Social Work building begins despite opposition from preservation group
(Daily Texan) The university began demolition of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work on Sept. 23 to build a new football training facility. Prior to housing the School of Social Work, the building was home to University Junior High School, the first fully integrated public middle school in Austin.
New RWRC directors bring ‘hot girl walks’ to Rice campus
(Rice Thresher) With new initiatives like “Hot Girl Walks,” menstrual cups and the revival of a gender-focused zine, the Rice Women’s Resource Center’s new directors say they’re making sure Rice’s women feel supported on campus.
Texas A&M AgriLife modernizes cattle database tool
(High Plains Journal) To support the beef industry and producers in making these critical financial decisions and toward rebuilding the depleted Texas cattle herd, a Texas A&M AgriLife team is modernizing a database program that has already aided cow-calf producers in the southwestern United States for the past three decades.
Girls Inc. of Tarrant County’s new STEM lab to empower students for science careers
(Fort Worth Report) Jennifer Limas, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County’s president and CEO, described the space as a place where girls have the opportunity to experiment, take healthy risks and learn about STEM.
University Medical Center continues working through IT outages, hoping to make ‘substantial progress’
(KCBD) Lubbock’s UMC is continuing to work to restore services across its network after a recent cybersecurity incident. “IT outages” also impacted the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. Officials have not confirmed if they are connected.
Forensic nurse details dangers of child grooming as El Paso Children’s Hospital clinic works to provide help
(KFOX) “Unfortunately, we see child abuse way more often than people would like to admit,” said Deenayy McDaniel, a forensic nurse with El Paso Children’s Hospital C.A.R.E.S. clinic.
Lufkin barber school hosts bilingual classes, supports Hispanic community
(KTRE) An East Texas barber school is helping break barriers for the Hispanic community. Stepping inside the classroom, one can find textbooks in English and Spanish.
With greater use of drone applications in construction, UTA launches drone flying course
(Fort Worth Report) For the first time this semester, UTA is offering this drone course to its upper-division civil and architectural engineering students. UTA is building a $2.3 million outdoor netted drone facility at its research institute, UTARI, in north Fort Worth, which will help in the testing and training of drone projects.
Hope Squads stand ready to prevent teen suicide in Harlingen
(myRGV) Students across the Harlingen school district have come together as Hope Squads to give classmates a familiar presence to relieve them of that isolation and walk with them toward that Hope and the light that beckons struggling travelers toward Hope.
Texas General Land Office Takes Ownership of Alamo Cenotaph
(Texas Scorecard) The Cenotaph, which means empty tomb, is a memorial honoring those who defended the Alamo. It also marks the Texas Centennial. The Cenotaph, located outside of the structure, became the center of controversy when former Land Commissioner George P. Bush unveiled plans to reimagine the Alamo, which included relocating the Cenotaph. Plans to move it prompted outrage from citizens and elected officials. Once elected as Land Commissioner, Buckingham made well on her promise to restore and preserve the Alamo instead of “reimagining” it.
What Led a High School ‘Miss Irresistible’ to Kill 4 of Her Friends? Examining the Infamous Clear Lake Murders
(People) The 2003 quadruple murder went unsolved for years before a tip led investigators to the killers.
Rapoport Academy teaches local kids to combat drugs & violence with L.E.A.D. program
(KXXV) “They are extremely eager to learn when they get down here every week,” said Cierra Shipley with the Waco Police Department. Shipley was one of the driving factors in bringing the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence program, or L.E.A.D, to Rapoport Academy. L.E.A.D is a nationwide nonprofit aiming to bring awareness on drugs and violence in local schools.
Oct. 7, 2024
Concussions, bruises, bite marks: San Antonio special education teachers say they often get hurt at work
(Texas Public Radio) A 77-page grievance obtained by Texas Public Radio alleged that the death of Fred Jimenez was part of a widespread pattern of student-caused injuries at Northside ISD, especially in self-contained special education classrooms. Sprinkled throughout the exhibits were photos of different teachers with black eyes, bruises, and bite marks.
Here’s why Fort Worth ISD has to pay former superintendent more than half a million dollars
(WFAA) The board voted 8-1 to accept Dr. Angelica Ramsey’s resignation on Sept. 24, and her resignation went into effect Tuesday. Between the buyout and the salary for her new role, Ramsey stands to make over $900,000 over the next year from the district. (See the article for details)
Ruling that found part of Texas vote harvesting law unconstitutional temporarily blocked
(Texas Tribune) The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday temporarily blocked a federal judge’s ruling that said part of a Texas law that enacted new voting restrictions was unconstitutional by being too vague and restricting free speech.
These 7 charts help explain what’s straining Texas school budgets
(Dallas Morning News) Texas school finances are stretched. Closing campuses and staff cuts are among the tough decisions officials face to address shortfalls.
Judge denies an order sought by a Black student who was punished over his hair
(AP) A federal judge on Friday denied a request by a Black high school student in Texas for a court order that the student’s lawyers say would have allowed him to return to his high school without fear of having his previous punishment over his hairstyle resume.
Austin ISD teacher fired, charged for allegedly forcibly pinning 6-year-old to a wall
(Fox 7 Austin) An Austin ISD elementary school teacher has been fired and is facing a felony charge for unlawful restraint. Travis County court documents revealed on Sept. 10, Reilly Elementary School first-grade teacher Luis Erasmo Resendiz Alvarado forcibly pinned a six-year-old student to the wall with the classroom door using his body weight, resulting in a state jail felony charge.
Cy-Fair ISD’s focus on libraries followed flood of book challenges by two trustees’ inner circles
(Houston Public Media) Board member Todd LeCompte, his wife, his campaign treasurer and the wife of trustee Lucas Scanlon accounted for 52 of the 58 book reconsideration requests submitted during the 2022-23 school year, according to records obtained from the Houston-area district.
Comal ISD teacher arrested for improper relationship with student, sheriff’s office says
(KSAT) Jennifer Massey, 51, is a teacher at Davenport High School, the Comal County sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. At 6 p.m. Thursday, deputies arrived at an under-construction home in the 22000 block of Citadel Point in Garden Ridge for reports of a suspicious person. Deputies eventually made contact with Massey and an underage boy. A preliminary investigation found the two engaged in sexual conduct, the sheriff’s office said.
Former Bastrop ISD teacher sentenced to 2 years community supervision
(KXAN) A former Bastrop ISD teacher was sentenced to two years of community supervision following incidents involving students in 2021 and 2022. Roy Franks Sr. pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault by contact in June, according to court documents. He was sentenced to two years of community supervision. Two charges of improper relationship between educator and student were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Former Northside ISD teacher sentenced to 16 years for distributing child pornography
(News 4 San Antonio) A former Northside Independent School District teacher Thomas Mckinley Koog Jr., 63, was sentenced to 192 months in prison on Friday for distribution of child pornography. According to court documents, Koog Jr. uploaded a one minute video on a social media website of two minors engaged in sexual acts. Documents reflect that Koog had additionally distributed three videos of child pornography to six different recipients on multiple days in 2019. Koog was employed as a guidance counselor at a NISD elementary school.
Bellaire HS teacher arrested for having a stolen gun and minor’s social security card, police say
(KTRK) Lorenzo Grey Graise Jr., 26, is charged with misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, which is a felony. Houston Independent School District’s website identifies Graise as a Career and Technical Education teacher at Bellaire High School. The arrest followed a traffic stop of Graise’s car for running a stop sign across the street from the high school.
The criminal charge was dismissed; now ex-KISD music teacher is sued in federal court, along with district
(Killeen Daily Herald) The criminal case against a former Killeen Independent School District music teacher was dismissed in August, but now he is facing a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in Waco against him and the school district. Makalani Jones, 51, was accused of assaulting a third-grade girl in a janitor’s closet at Alice Douse Elementary School in 2022. He was a music teacher at the school. Kenyatiah Holloway, as “Next Friend of a minor child,” filed a 19-page complaint in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, in Waco on Aug. 12 — one day before the Bell County District Attorney’s Office filed its motion to dismiss the charge against Jones. Judge Wade Faulkner signed an order to dismiss the case on Aug. 13, the same day the motion was filed.
Two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD come forward reporting an assault at the hands of a substitute teacher
(KENS) Schertz Police are investigating claims a substitute teacher assaulted two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC ISD). This report comes nearly a week after a substitute teacher was arrested by Cibolo Police. Yorllin Hernandez, 42, is accused of injuring two students at Barbara Jordan Intermediate School.
Police urge other potential victims to come forward after former NEISD teacher is accused of ‘inappropriate relationship’ with student
(KENS) A physical letter and electronic communications revealed a potential sexually-charged relationship between a former North East ISD high school teacher and 15-year-old student, according to an arrest affidavit. The investigation led to the arrest of John Ghrist III and now, Castle Hills police are urging other potential victims to contact authorities. Ghrist, 36, was arrested Tuesday night for online solicitation of a minor, a third degree felony that carries a prison sentence of two to 10 years.
Rosebud-Lott ISD temporarily bans backpacks at middle and high schools
(KCEN) On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Rosebud-Lott ISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Rosebrock sent an email to parents stating that backpacks would temporarily not be allowed at the district’s middle and high school campuses on Thursday and Friday. “Rosebud-Lott ISD is not immune to threats that other school districts have been receiving,” the letter reads. “Out of precaution, backpacks will not be allowed at the RL Middle School/High School tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 3 and Friday, Oct. 4.” The school district says that backpacks will be allowed again on Monday Oct. 7.
Bell Textron tax deal could bring $13.4M to Northwest ISD over 10 years starting in 2029
(Fort Worth Report) Northwest ISD is projected to receive millions of dollars as part of negotiations for a proposed Bell Textron Inc. $429 million advanced aerospace manufacturing plant that could be located in the Alliance area of Fort Worth. Under the Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act passed by state lawmakers in 2023, Fort Worth-based Bell Helicopter seeks to reduce the taxes it pays during a 10-year period as part of a proposal to use a 447,373-square-foot building at 15100 N. Beach St.
Republicans, Democrats agree HISD’s $4.4B bond approval is not in best interest of Harris Co. voters
(KTRK) Both Republicans and Democrats made it clear this isn’t the start of a great partnership between the two opposing parties, but they can agree on one thing: A multi-billion dollar bond is wrong for Harris County voters.
Here’s how Houston ISD would upgrade school security if voters approve its $4.4B bond this November
(Houston Chronicle) HISD’s school bond proposes spending $384M for safety improvements at 263 schools.
A Pair of Billionaire Preachers Built the Most Powerful Political Machine in Texas. That’s Just the Start
(ProPublica) Oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks have pushed the Texas statehouse to the far right by funding relentless primary campaigns against other Republicans.
UT’s iconic tower will undergo historic restoration beginning in November
(KVUE) UT says the planned restoration work will mark the first meaningful investment in the Tower since it was completed in 1937.
How the University of St. Thomas plans to curb mounting financial losses that have panicked some staff
(Houston Chronicle) After six straight years of operating losses at the University of St. Thomas in Houston – during which time the private Catholic institution overspent by more than $33 million – administrators are making a concerted effort to turn around the college’s finances, Board of Directors Chairman Robert Corrigan said.
Texas students with immigrant parents lost out on college aid because of FAFSA glitch
(Texas Tribune) The glitch kept the students from submitting the form on time, which put them last in line to receive aid this year.
Millions of Texans woke up to a Blue Alert. DPS didn’t appear to follow its own guidelines.
(KUT) The Department of Public Safety’s alert early Friday about a suspect in the Panhandle went statewide – and riled some sleepy Austinites.
USDA Awards $425,000 to Texas to Improve Fraud Prevention, Detection in SNAP
(USDA) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service awarded the Texas Health and Human Services Commission a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Fraud Framework Implementation Grant. This investment will help the state improve and expand recipient fraud prevention, detection and investigation efforts using the procedures, ideas and practices outlined in the SNAP Fraud Framework, a toolkit designed to help states prevent and detect fraud and sharpen their investigative techniques.
JUST IN: Texas high school football team forfeits game due to unplayable conditions
(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) DCTF has learned that Cedar Hill TLC has been awarded a forfeit victory over Dallas Gateway due to unplayable field conditions.
Ex-Fort Worth theology professor accused of possessing child pornography
(NBC DFW) Brite Divinity School professor Charles Bellinger is out of a job and facing a felony, accused of possession of child pornography, police say. He was arrested Wednesday after authorities, including the Fort Worth Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and United States Secret Service, executed search warrants at his home in Arlington and an office in Fort Worth. Texas Christian University representatives clarified that while his office was on their campus, he was not employed by TCU, and the theology school is not a unit of the university.
Texas A&M International University president dies
(Texas Tribune) Pablo Arenaz died unexpectedly Thursday night, according to a university statement. He served as president of the university in Laredo for eight years.
Oct. 4, 2024
Willis HS students disciplined for using belts to hit opponents after victory in football game
(KTRK) Following their 77-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians at last Friday’s game, some members of the Willis Wildkats are seen on video slightly smacking the backsides of Indians players with belts. It’s part of a viral TikTok challenge, but some say it crossed a line. Willis ISD said the students involved won’t be allowed to take part in the first half of Friday’s game and will have to perform community service. The district also said it’s in touch with the University Interscholastic League.
Fort Worth-backed fundraising effort for new Uvalde elementary school nears $60M goal
(Fort Worth Report) “We are near the finish line,” said former state Sen. Beverly Powell, who assembled a coalition of Fort Worth philanthropic organizations to build a new school for Uvalde.
Darryl George leaves Barbers Hill amid legal battles, ISS placement
(Houston Chronicle) The Barbers Hill ISD student who challenged the school district’s grooming and dress code policy has left the district after he was again suspended because of the length of his hair. “After just two days of school, Darryl was placed in ISS and told he’d have to spend another year there,” Allie Booker, George’s attorney, told the Chronicle. “This led to an emotional breakdown and we couldn’t keep sending him back. He had no choice but to withdraw, but he’s not giving up on returning.” Rather than repeat another year outside of the classroom, George transferred to another school district.
New dashcam video | School bus driver disregarded stop sign held by flagger before crash involving dump truck, Texas DPS says
(KHOU) Columbia-Brazoria ISD school bus was involved in a crash with a dump truck in Brazoria County Thursday morning, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Texas DPS Sgt. Woodard told KHOU 11 that after reviewing the video from the bus, it’s been determined the driver disregarded a stop sign held by a flagger. Columbia-Brazoria ISD in a brief statement said the bus driver and one student were evaluated and airlifted to an area hospital. There were 34 high school students on board at the time of the crash.
Barbers Hill ISD elementary student hit by school bus, hospitalized
(Fox 26 Houston) The school district says the incident happened around 7:40 a.m. on Sapphire Lagoon Street in the Joseph’s Cove subdivision. School officials say the Elementary School South student was taken to a Houston-area hospital by emergency services to be assessed, but their injuries were non-life threatening.
Former Texas A&M Vet, Professor Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty
(Inside Higher Ed) A Texas jury took only about an hour to unanimously find former Texas A&M University faculty member and veterinarian Ashlee Watts guilty of felony cruelty to a livestock animal, Brian Baker, the first assistant district attorney for Brazos County, said. Sentencing is set for Dec. 6. The magazine, The Chronicle of the Horse, reported that the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners revoked Watts’s veterinary license earlier this year after an investigation into her using a cattle prod on a horse named Allie. A Texas A&M spokesperson said this incident occurred in December 2019 at the university’s veterinary teaching hospital.
Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law
(Texas Tribune) The attorney general argues that the popular short form video app has not complied with a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active online.
Making The Grade: How Central Texas schools mitigate effects of dreaded flu season
(KWTX) Local schools said they are doing their best to keep track of what’s making students sick and trying to minimize the spread.
Waco High student in possession of firearm arrested
(KWTX) An 18-year-old Waco High School student was arrested on Oct. 1, 2024, after the student was found to be in possession of a firearm, the school district confirmed to KWTX. A Waco ISD police spokesperson said that “initial findings indicate a procedural failure at the point of entry into the school.” “The employee who was responsible for screening students at the entry point for midday arrivals has been placed on administrative leave without pay and further administrative action will be taken based on investigative findings,” the spokesperson said.
‘It’s a pit in your stomach’ | Amidst rising threats at Central Texas school districts, parents strive to have conversations with kids
(KVUE) School districts across Central Texas are hoping to put an end to the rise in threats against schools on social media.
College Station ISD, police looking into alleged threat at school campus
(KBTX) The alleged threat said someone may bring a gun to the Oakwood Intermediate School campus on Friday.
Inside Dallas’ state-of-the-art career centers, an inspiration for HISD’s $425 million plans
(Houston Landing) The Dallas initiative not only represents Texas’ most sweeping approach to career training — but also offers a look into what may soon be coming to Houston ISD. If HISD voters approve a historic $4.4 billion school bond next month, the district would use $425 million to build a career and technical education model that closely resembles Dallas’.
Convicted Asst. City Manager shows up to work after pleading guilty to drug charges
(KVEO) Less than 24 hours after pleading guilty to federal drug charges, Progreso Assistant City Manager Frank Alanis showed up for work. Alanis plead guilty to helping drug smugglers Tuesday and the next morning showed up to work like a normal day at the city hall as the second highest salaried employee earning $96,000 a year. Alanis served as school board president from May 2016 to May 2024. During that time, prosecutors indicted him for working with drug organizations to ship cocaine from Brownsville to Houston. He reportedly used his mom’s house to stash the cash.
United ISD full-time employees to receive one-time payment
(KGNS) All full-time employees of United Independent School District (UISD) will see an extra boost in their paychecks this Friday, October 4. The one-time payment, approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees during their June 6 board meeting, will provide full-time classroom teachers with $1,500, while all other full-time employees will receive $1,100. Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all employees for their dedication to the students, schools, and UISD community.
Socorro ISD scrutinized over monitoring teacher-student app communications
(KFOX) Police documents reveal that communication between a Socorro Independent School District teacher and a 12-year-old student began on the school-sanctioned app, SportsYou. Records indicate that Captain Walter E. Clarke Middle School Math Teacher Llojan Almaraz is charged with several offenses, including improper relationship between an educator and a student, child grooming, indecency with a child, and sexual performance of a child. KFOX14/CBS4 has been working to get answers from the Socorro Independent School District regarding how they monitor communication between faculty and students on their apps.
Acting superintendent praised as Socorro school district pauses search
(KFOX) The Socorro Independent School District has paused the search for a new Superintendent. The district has operated without a Superintendent since Dr. Nate Carman announced plans to leave the district and take a job in Arizona. In March, controversy ensued when an audit revealed the then-superintendent Dr. Nate Carman had allegedly steered SISD contracts in favor of a company he had a relationship with. The school board placed Carman on leave after the allegations and named James Vasquez as the acting superintendent in April. The same month the Texas Education Agency appointed two conservators for the district to help the board restructure.
North Texas author begins trek to schools in bookmobile with faith-based literacy
(CBS News) Trinity Basin Preparatory became the first school for author Franklin Edwards to test out his bookmobile. The 24-year-old has written 16 faith-based books in three years. Edwards, known as “Franklin the Helper,” sells his books for $10, mentors young authors, and does speaking engagements. He is now adding “The Franklinmobile” to his arsenal. On Thursday, he parked his first iteration of the bookmobile in front of the West Ledbetter school, set up a makeshift library, and read two of his books to elementary school students. There are plans to get a colorful wrap for the vehicle.
Magnitude 3.2 earthquake rattles West Texas in growing trend
(MySA) A decent scale earthquake shook West Texas Wednesday night, October 2, according to the latest information from the United States Geological Survey. The shock measured at a Magnitude 3.2, marking a trend of stronger earthquakes rocking much of West Texas.
Waco ISD’s Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy students prepare for future with drones
(KXXV) Waco ISD’s Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy is teaching its inaugural drone class to local students. They are learning the ins-and-outs of a new technology, getting ahead of the career curve in what is projected to be a booming career field.
Temple ISD student-run thrift shop helping both students and community members
(KCEN) Temple ISD has opened Thrifty Wildcats, a community thrift shop that offers affordable goods and supports students transitioning into the workforce.
Here’s what to know about Rice University’s ‘Momentous’ strategic plan
(Houston Chronicle) Rice University President Reginald DesRoches unveiled on Tuesday his strategic plan for the 112-year-old institution, directed toward making it the “world’s premier teaching and research university.” Here are some takeaways from the 60-page document.
Oct. 3, 2024
Fort Worth ISD to pay more than $940K to outgoing superintendent
(NBC DFW) Former Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angelica Ramsey will receive nearly $550,000 and will be paid her full salary and benefits through August 2025 as part of her resignation agreement with the district, according to paperwork obtained by NBC 5. Ramsey’s total compensation is expected to be just above $942,000. The document also said neither side is allowed to boast about winning in this deal, but several people who have read it pointed out Ramsey is walking away with significantly more money than the district would have paid her if she was still superintendent.
Grand Prairie ISD board votes to separate from superintendent Dr. Jorge Arrendondo after months on the job
(WFAA) After a lengthy closed-doors session, the Grand Prairie ISD board voted 4-2 to move forward with the separation from Superintendent Dr. Jorge Arrendondo. The vote by the board alleged Arrendondo violated a policy that prohibits discrimination and harassment. It’s unclear now whether a separation from Arrendondo could mean a firing or resignation. Arrendondo was put on leave in early September, just three months into the job, pending an investigation. GPISD board members say the results of that investigation by a law firm were revealed to them at Wednesday’s board meeting.
These 7 charts help explain what’s straining Texas school budgets
(Dallas Morning News) A confluence of factors made this year particularly challenging for many schools. Here’s a look at how these issues impact schools.
Can Democrats Keep the Texas House Anti-Voucher?
(Texas Observer) Four years after a failed attempt to flip the lower chamber, the minority party has set its sights on a more modest objective.
Texas Dems think they can flip a San Antonio state House seat by campaigning against school vouchers
(San Antonio Express-News) The race could be pivotal in deciding the fate of Gov. Greg Abbott’s private school voucher proposal that would give parents taxpayer funds to send their kids to private schools.
Westwood animal cruelty case headed to County Court at Law
(Palestine Herald-Press) An animal cruelty case against a Westwood Independent School District teacher will be heard in the Anderson County Court of Law. District Attorney Allyson Mitchell said she presented the case against Emily Benner to the Anderson County Grand Jury for it to decide whether it is a felony or a misdemeanor, and it was recommended as a Class A misdemeanor for “cruelty to non-livestock animals.” According to the school website, Benner was a teacher in the Westwood High School Agricultural Animal Science Career Technical Education program.
3 takeaways as HISD spells out policies on leave and absences with inaugural employee handbook
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD unveiled what the administration is calling its inaugural employee handbook covering policies on leave, absences, termination and various other points.
Houston schools crack down on illegal suspensions following Landing investigation
(Houston Landing) Many of the largest Houston-area school districts recently have rolled out new policies and practices to prevent staff from issuing illegal suspensions to homeless students, months after a Houston Landing investigation revealed thousands of instances of the banned practice across Texas.
Austin first-grade teacher arrested, charged with unlawful restraint
(CBS Austin) A first-grade teacher at an Austin elementary school was arrested on charges of unlawful restraint, prompting the school district to initiate termination proceedings. Luis Erasmo Resendiz Alvarado, who taught at Reilly Elementary School, faces a state jail felony charge, according to Austin Independent School District officials. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, district officials said they are limited in what they can share about the specific allegations and the arrest.
Teen arrested in connection to threat at Lake Travis High School, second this week
(CBS Austin) A 16-year-old male from Harris County was arrested on Wednesday by the Lake Travis ISD Police Department and charged with making a terroristic threat against Lake Travis High School. This arrest marks the second related incident in just two days, as authorities continue to investigate a similar threat made against Hudson Bend Middle School.
Socorro school district addresses employee arrests for student sex crimes
(KFOX) The Socorro Independent School District is addressing the three arrests of its employees who were allegedly charged with sex crimes involving students. KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with SISD Chief of Police George Johnson about what the policies and protocols are when a situation between a student and a district employee unfolds.
Fewer teachers are leaving Arlington ISD amid recruitment, alternative certification efforts
(Arlington Report) The district saw 14% of teachers leave at the end of 2023-24 — lower than the numbers seen in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teacher resignations dropped in Fort Worth ISD last year. Some educators remain concerned
(Fort Worth Report) Teachers quit at a lower rate in 2023-24 than years past. Educators say the district needs to address lingering workload and support issues.
UT College of Liberal Arts dean says Hartzell is blocking her from second term in post
(Austin American-Statesman) University of Texas President Jay Hartzell will not allow the dean of the College of Liberal Arts to pursue a second term in the leadership post, according to an email obtained by the American-Statesman. In a Wednesday afternoon email, Dean Ann Stevens told college leaders that Hartzell told her “I did not have a grand enough vision for the college,” which she disputed.
Keller ISD approves plan to pay down debt, save estimated $3.4M
(Community Impact) Keller ISD board members voted unanimously to authorize defeasance, or paying down the principal, of debt at their Sept. 26 meeting. The move should save the district an estimated $3.4 million. Keller ISD has saved more than $35 million through debt refunding over the last six years.
Arlington ISD bus drivers revved up for $15.5M facility remodel
(Arlington Report) The project, which will cost an estimated $15.5 million, will combine functions from the complex’s biggest departments — the bus driver’s break room included — into a central new building, said Kelly Horn, Arlington ISD’s assistant superintendent of facility services. After a few months of bidding for the project, demolition and construction is expected to begin in January 2025 for a planned completion in May 2026.
Trophy Club parents pledge to wait until 8th grade for smartphones
(Fox 4 KDFW) As more data reveals the negative impacts of kids carrying smartphones, parents at schools across the country are signing a pledge to “Wait Until 8th.” Parents at Northwest ISD’s Beck Elementary School say they’re the first public school in North Texas to have active pledges from parents in every grade. The parents hope the pledge will help with peer pressure and improve their kids’ social and emotional well-being.
MSU Texas introduces new flexible music degree
(KAUZ) Midwestern State University has announced that a new music degree offers a broad foundation in music plus flexibility in courses that make different career paths possible. The Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from the Fain College of Fine Arts’ Department of Music is now available for students who are interested in studying music but whose goal is not teaching or performing.
Man who attempted to steal $2 million from Houston-area college sentenced to federal prison
(Houston Public Media) A 45-year-old man accused of running a sophisticated cyber-security operation and attempting to steal nearly $2 million from a Houston-area community college was sentenced to serve seven years in a federal prison. Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, in April pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He’s accused of operating a business email compromise scam, which targets the trust businesses and institutions place in their daily operations. In 2018, a Houston-area community college wired more than $1.9 million to a bank account operated by Adeagbo. The college thought the payment was a legitimate business transaction for services they had requested to a construction company, according to court documents.
Texas Educators Need Education
(RiskManagers.us) “I sat in a health insurance workshop this weekend at my conference in San Antonio. There were some really frustrated folks in the room………………. asked the presenter (a TASB rep) if he had heard of many schools using ICHRAs. He didn’t know what I was talking about.” – Texas School District Superintendent.
Record enrollment at San Antonio colleges as ‘Promise’ programs expand access
(San Antonio Report) New buildings, programs and expanded financial aid offerings have more students pursuing higher education across San Antonio, despite the botched rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid depressing the number of students filling out the form.
More than 25 teenagers have died because of gun violence in Dallas so far this year
(Dallas Morning News) More than 150 people have been killed in homicides in Dallas through the first nine months of 2024. Of those victims, 26 — about one in every six — have been teenagers, according to data kept by The Dallas Morning News.
Eanes ISD ranked the No. 1 school district in Texas, No. 7 in America
(MySA) Eanes ISD in Travis County took the No. 1 spot on Niche’s 2025 report for the best school districts in Texas, beating out districts like Carroll ISD, Allen ISD and Katy ISD as the top district in the Lone Star State. Additionally, Niche ranked Eanes ISD as the No. 7 best school district in America, jumping ahead of Palo Alto United School District in California to clinch its ranking. You’ve probably seen its alumni playing in the NFL.
Oct. 2, 2024
Spring Branch ISD board blasts Harris County DA Kim Ogg over threats: ‘Your office is not acting’
(Houston Chronicle) Spring Branch ISD and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg have been at odds since SBISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge and Superintendent Jennifer Blaine sent a letter to the DA’s office on Sept. 16 expressing disappointment in Ogg’s decision to not charge a student accused of making a threat. Ogg, an SBISD alum herself, spoke out against the claims that her office has been too lenient, saying her attorneys are spread thin, just like the school district.
Bee Cave Middle School student arrested over social media threat
(CBS Austin) The arrest stems from a Snapchat post made on Friday, Sept. 27, which read: “The pep rally? The perfect time to shoot up the school, but NO they got my *ss locked up in heyer.” Lake Travis ISD officials said the student was quickly identified and removed from campus after the post was discovered.
Former Progreso school board president admits to ‘financially backing’ drug smugglers
(Valley Central) The former president of the Progreso school board confessed Tuesday to “financially backing” drug smugglers. During a hearing on Tuesday morning, a federal prosecutor said Francisco “Frank” Alanis, 41, of Progreso provided a drug trafficking organization with financial support. The cash allowed smugglers to buy tractor-trailers, which transported cocaine from Progreso to other parts of the United States. The case against Alanis is part of a federal investigation that revealed links between drug smugglers and politicians in Progreso.
Fort Worth ISD operating without a single leader after superintendent’s resignation
(NBC DFW) The board is waiting more than a week to name an interim leader in a move education experts call very unusual.
More North Texas schools close amid budget shortfalls
(Axios) Declining enrollment and budget shortfalls have forced several North Texas school districts to close campuses.
Tomball ISD to test artificial intelligence classroom content tool
(Community Impact) Tomball ISD has partnered with an education software company to pilot an artificial intelligence tool for teachers to use to build classroom content, according to a Sept. 26 news release from the district.
Fort Bend ISD trustee threatens legal action as social media rumors swirl over abortion clinic lawsuit
(Houston Chronicle) Fort Bend ISD Trustee David Hamilton is threatening legal action against a parent who resurfaced a decade-old lawsuit accusing him of interfering with a woman at an abortion clinic, causing a social media firestorm among constituents.
Thousands Sign Christian Petition Against Teaching Bible in Public Schools
(Newsweek) A Christian petition against teaching Biblical lessons in Texas public schools has garnered thousands of signatures in the past two weeks. Faithful America, an organization of Christians supporting social justice causes while opposing “Christian nationalism,” posted a petition on September 13 opposing a proposal from the Texas Education Agency for elementary school teachers to include the Bible in their state reading and language arts lessons.
Dallas police arrest man accused of assaulting school bus driver earlier this year
(KRLD) After the attack in February, police released the picture of 28-year-old Corvonta Brooks hoping to get his name and track him down. Now police say they have him in custody. Shortly after the attack, Richardson ISD bus driver Danny Senkow told our partners at NBC-5 that he was driving kids home that day when they became too rowdy and he had to pull over. He says that’s when a man forced his way on the bus and attacked him. Brooks is now charged with injury to an elderly person.
What students should know about FASFA after last year’s chaotic new rollout – including when to apply
(Houston Chronicle) Federal officials have said they are committed to righting the process this year. Here’s what you need to know.
For Houston superintendent, there’s nothing piecemeal about school turnarounds
(K-12 Dive) Turning around a school district is no small feat — especially when that district is the largest in Texas and eighth largest in the U.S. But Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles doesn’t shy away from bold, wholesale change.
The 50 highest-paid public school principals in the Houston area for the 23-24 school year
(Houston Chronicle) Salaries for Houston’s highest-paid public school principals during the 2023-2024 school year ranged from $153,000 to just over $200,000. Atop the list is Mark Smith, a former Houston Independent School District administrator who became an interim principal in Spring Branch ISD. Smith makes $201,086 in his current position, which he’s occupied since July of 2022.
Bryan police report increase in student arrests for possessing THC-filled vapes
(KBTX) School resource officers arrested 14 people since August for having THC vapes. This time last year, that number was at 11. Arrest reports show several of these students were caught with these devices in school bathrooms.
Mother and grandmother of 10-year-old speak out after alleged molestation by bus driver
(KFOX) “This person we’ve known him for, I’ve known him for a few years because he was their bus driver last year so you know I trusted him,” said the victim’s mother. According to the Socorro Independent School District’s directory, Rodolfo Laureano is listed as a part-time bus driver. He was arrested last week and accused of engaging in sexual contact with a 10-year-old. The report of the incident stated the incident that took place inside a school bus.
City of Killeen touts response to ransomware attack
(Killeen Daily Herald) The Killeen City Council heard a presentation Tuesday on what it called an after-action report on the Aug. 7 “incident” in which the city of Killeen touted what officials considered a successful recovery from the cyberattack. “Despite all the technology defenses that we have, human error remains a significant vulnerability,” Killeen Executive Director of Information Technology Willie Resto said. He said the only financial cost the city of Killeen had to pay was approximately $34,000 for a forensic audit.
Russian hacker indicted in cyberattacks against North Texas businesses, feds say
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Federal prosecutors unsealed the indictment against 31-year-old Aleksandr Ryzhenkov on Tuesday afternoon, having originally pieced together the charges in March. The attacks are the latest ransomware crimes to make headlines in the United States; firms, governments and private citizens across the world have scrambled to and fend off increasingly common and devastating digital assaults.
Edinburg CISD begins migrant recruitment efforts for students
(myRGV) The school district here kicked off its weeklong Migrant Neighborhood Identification and Recruitment Program efforts on Monday, a program designed to identify students returning to the district after working in the agriculture industry.
How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schools
(Texas Tribune) Gov. Greg Abbott said the primary showed Texans want vouchers. In House District 18, an ad blitz and immigration fears may have played a larger role.
This librarian fought censorship in Texas. She just landed in Philly to revive school libraries
(Philadelphia Inquirer) Jean Darnell packed up her life and moved 1,500 miles away to Philadelphia because she believes in the promise of school libraries. It’s a bold move for the nationally recognized educator from Texas, as Darnell has become the first Philadelphia School District library chief in years since the system let its school libraries wither starting in the 1990s.
A&M Students with disabilities allege discrimination, harassment on campus
(Battalion) For almost a decade, Texas A&M students with disabilities have allegedly been harassed and verbally abused when attempting to participate in on-campus traditions. Four Aggies discussed their experiences and difficulties with gaining access to stadiums and regular campus facilities, ranging from lack of wheelchair access to harassment from fans in Kyle Field.
Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Break Ground on New Dallas Pediatric Campus, Announce $100 Million Donation From the Rees-Jones Foundation
(NewsWise) Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center have broken ground on a $5 billion pediatric health campus to replace the existing Children’s Medical Center Dallas. The new campus will encompass more than 4.7 million square feet of construction, including a new pediatric hospital as its centerpiece.
How a ’90s lawsuit against Arlington ISD paved way for homeschooling across Texas
(Arlington Report) Arlington ISD was one of the districts most aggressively against homeschoolers in Texas, said Tim Lambert, a Tarrant County resident who would soon become, and still is, president of the Texas Home School Coalition. The antagonism led to the lawsuit Leeper et al. v. Arlington ISD et al. — the 1994 Texas Supreme Court case that helped establish Texas as one of the country’s most homeschool-friendly states.
San Jacinto College Foundation receives $1.5M anonymous grant for promise campaign
(Community Impact) The Promise campaign supports the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship, which allows graduating high school seniors that live in the college’s taxing district to not have debt while earning a certificate or associate degree at San Jacinto College.
Houston Christian University receives largest gift in school history for new STEM building
(Houston Chronicle) The donation from Sherry and Jim Smith, Sr. will fund part of the $60 million building, which will host new classrooms and labs for students in engineering, science and nursing. The university is chasing an enrollment goal of 10,000 students by 2030, and the student population has continued to rise from its 2021 starting point of roughly 3,800.
Hutto’s Texas State Technical College sees growing number of women enrolling
(Fox 7 Austin) The number of women interested in trade schools is rising, especially at the Texas State Technical College in Hutto.
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024
A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.
(Texas Tribune) A 2019 state law requiring schools to offer full-day pre-K is capturing child care’s most profitable customer base: 3- and 4-year-olds.
School threats impacting classroom learning
(KXAN) Dr. Michael Cardona, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District superintendent, said these threats have to be taken seriously whenever they are received. However, responding to them could mean a day without learning. “You know we just have recovered from COVID which is something we didn’t control, but then you have this issue which we don’t necessarily control and so yes there is learning loss,” he said.
Harlingen teen arrested for bringing unloaded gun to school
(myRGV) The Harlingen Police Department on Monday arrested a 14-year-old Vernon Middle School student after an unloaded firearm was found in their backpack. The Harlingen school district said the gun was found after a tip was sent directly to school administrators.
Loaded gun found at Wylie West Junior High Monday afternoon
(Abilene Reporter-News) A student at Wylie ISD’s Wylie West Junior High was detained after a loaded gun was found in their backpack. In a statement, Wylie ISD said administrators received a tip Monday that a student had a weapon on campus. It was later determined that the loaded firearm was in the student’s backpack.
Alvin ISD police department to host public civilian response to an active shooter event
(Community Impact) The public will be able to participate in a civilian response to an active shooter event, hosted by Alvin ISD’s police department in October.
Mansfield family says son’s class directed to attend religious service at school
(NBC DFW) Jon Luna says his son was instructed to spend his advisory [study hall] period at Lake Ridge HS at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where students were led in prayer. A Mansfield ISD spokesperson said, in response: “Participation in FCA is a voluntary activity for Lake Ridge students who choose to attend. The opportunity to attend FCA during advisory is a recent scheduling change at the campus. Going forward, the teacher will ensure that students understand their attendance at such a meeting is entirely optional, and alternatives will be made clear.”
Coppell ISD to close Pinkerton Elementary against community wishes
(CBS) In a decision that came down late Monday night, Coppell ISD’s school board decided to close Pinkerton Elementary School as part of its controversial budget cuts, as many parents were hoping for a different outcome. Some families left the board meeting in tears — unsure of the future of their kids’ education.
Tax rates are going down while bills go up: Here’s why
(Community Impact) Alvin, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs each adopted a lower tax rate compared to the prior fiscal year, but residents in all three districts could still see an increase in the district’s portion of their tax bills. This result has prompted officials to point at both the county and state, saying they don’t control either property values or the tax rate.
Students advocate for free menstrual products in restrooms at EPISD board meeting
(KFOX) El Paso High School student Sofia Burns, bravely stood in front of the board to address the possible plan to charge $0.25 for feminine hygiene products inside school restrooms. Burns said some of her fellow students simply can’t afford the products. Norma Luna, EPISD’s director of nursing spoke at the meeting and said currently, sanitary pads are available at the school’s nurse’s office, but that the district did not have a written procedure as to when those items are handed out. Currently, El Paso ISD is weighing putting in dispensers in school bathrooms and charging the minimum quarter fee or leaving them accessible at the nurse’s office.
Data reveals high disciplinary rates at EPISD schools, leads to controversial backpack ban
(KFOX) At the start of this school year, Duran elementary school implemented a new school rule that does not allow backpacks to be used by 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. The rule even prevents students from using a clear backpack, mesh bag, or a small purse. A parent said that because of the ban on backpacks, she sends her child to school at Duran elementary with a Walmart bag for her child to carry her school supplies.
Elon Musk’s tunnel system to potentially solve campus crowding
(Battalion) Possible tunnel transportation system recommended in Texas A&M report in order to decrease congestion.
UT, Texas A&M Endowment Funds Leveraged to Promote Leftist Political Agendas
(Texas Scorecard) Five asset managers for the University of Texas and Texas A&M University’s investment management company supported shareholder resolutions to advance leftist ideology.
University of Houston Downtown to expand campus with two new centers
(Community Impact) Officials with the four-year college plan to open a Crime and Urban Issues Data Analysis Center as well as a new Idea Hub and Entrepreneurship Center while increasing academic programming over the next several years.
A&M faculty push back against program inactivations
(Battalion) June 2023 inquiries into the LGBTQ studies minor caused university-wide review that led to 52 programs beginning the inactivation process.
‘Without us, there is no student media’: UT Dallas student paper goes on strike
(Daily Texan) The Mercury, the student-run newspaper at the University of Texas at Dallas since 1980, is on hiatus after the termination of its editor-in-chief on Sept. 13.
Lubbock medical institutions affected by ongoing IT issues impacting patient care
(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) University Medical Center System started experiencing IT issues on Thursday morning, which were confirmed to be a ransomware attack. Four days later, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center confirmed that it was also being impacted by IT issues but did not confirm if they were linked to UMC’s issues. As of Monday evening, UMC is still diverting select patients from its emergency room, and TTUHSC has limited its Tuesday clinical operations while resuming classes.
San Antonio students meet and learn from Congressional Medal of Honor recipients
(San Antonio Report) Ten schools across the city, spanning eight districts, will have visits from Medal of Honor recipients this week — part of a citywide Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention and Celebration.
Waco High School debuts ‘All Pro Dad’ group
(KCEN) In response to rising concerns about student safety, Waco High School has initiated a community-driven approach to foster a safer and more supportive environment for its students. A new group at Waco High School, ‘All Pro Dad’ is looking to connect men with students at Waco High. This is a chapter of the national All Pro Dad org.
Fort Bend County, Lamar Consolidated ISD partner for health worker certification program
(Community Impact) A first-of-its-kind county health care partnership is set to begin between Fort Bend County and Lamar Consolidated ISD this fall, officials said. The program will provide high school students, age 16 and older, the opportunity to receive a community health worker certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services by working with county health workers.
Return of early voting to University of Houston, Texas Southern considered a ‘win’ among students
(Houston Public Media) At a time when some Texas lawmakers want to remove or limit voting on campuses, a total of 12 colleges and universities in Harris County will hold early voting for the November election.
Robstown ISD using gamification to build reading culture in its students
(KRIS TV) Gamification is the process of adding game like elements to a non game setting to make it more interesting. In 2018, Robstown Independent School District implemented a new gamification technology, known as Beanstack, that gave students more freedom in their reading material and fostered an internal motivation to read.
United ISD officials continue to assess damages done to Centeno Elementary
(KGNS) The kindergarten classroom of Gabriella Gutierrez was severely damaged on Friday evening, September 27, after 23-year-old Julian Tijerina left the scene of an assault, drove at a high speed and crashed into the window of the classroom. “We created a wishlist for our classroom of things that we feel need to be replaced. It’s just been tremendous, the outreach, strangers, teachers from UISD that I don’t work with but at other campuses reaching out,” Gutierrez said. Julian Tijerina was charged with assault and criminal mischief and is currently out on bond.
