Reported Elsewhere
Latest Headlines Are Posted on the Home Page.
Former Uvalde schools police chief indicted for role in Robb Elementary shooting response
(Texas Tribune) Pete Arredondo, the former chief, and former officer Adrian Gonzales face felony charges of abandoning or endangering a child.
Bexar County DA’s Office drops terrorism charges against Uvalde shooter’s cousin
(San Antonio Current) Nathan Cruz, 18, was arrested after a family member alleged that he said he wanted ‘to do the same thing’ as his cousin. However, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office dropped the charges after witnesses failed to come forward, according to a joint statement the office released with SAPD.
Mansfield ISD Staff Will Notify Parents if Their Kid Is Transgender
(Dallas Observer) The Mansfield Independent School District approved a policy this week that requires staff to notify parents if their child asks to use a pronoun or bathroom that doesn’t correspond to the gender on their birth certificate. The measure passed despite efforts to delay the vote, a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the presence of people who came to the board meeting to speak against the policy.
Texas Education Agency investigates claims Fort Bend ISD electioneered in November 2023 VATRE bid
(Community Impact) The complaints allege FBISD “unlawfully incentivized students and staff to vote” in the voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, as well as engaged in electioneering.
San Benito passes $133.4M budget; planning to boost student numbers
(MyRGV) School district officials are planning to boost student numbers to help offset state funding cuts under a new $133.4 million budget coming with employee raises and full health insurance coverage.
Canutillo ISD approves $2.75 million budget deficit, no pay raises
(El Paso Matters) The Canutillo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a $67.9 million budget with a $2.75 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year, with no pay raises for most of its employees.
Fort Davis ISD raises state allotment from $70K to $1.5M through private, early childhood school partnerships
(Big Bend Sentinel) Fort Davis ISD’s state aid dramatically rose from $70,000 to an estimated $1.5 million this past school year due to an enrollment increase from 170 to 486 students made possible by new partnerships with private, early childhood schools. The partnerships involve the exchange of paperwork, rather than hundreds of students, between the public school district and private schools. The $1.5 million the district is estimated to receive from the state this year will be split 50-50 with its partner organizations.
Independent examiner hears case of union leader slated for dismissal from HISD
(Houston Chronicle) An independent examiner heard the case of Houston Education Association President Michelle Williams this week regarding Houston ISD’s attempts to dismiss Williams from her position as a third-grade math teacher, in part, over her social media activity, which Williams believes was done in retaliation for her public criticism of district leadership.
HISD principals say $4.4B bond proposal would ‘greatly benefit’ campuses, provide crucial upgrades
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD campuses have urgent infrastructure needs, including mold growth, broken air conditioning systems, and extensive cracks in classroom walls, that the district’s proposed $4.4 billion school bond could address, several principals said during tours of their schools this week.
Conroe ISD trustee fined for failing to disclose PAC funds
(Houston Chronicle) According to the order issued by the commission June 20, Conroe ISD Trustee Melissa Dungan Dungan failed to report notice received from political action committee Texans for Educational Freedom Political that accepted or made expenditures for her or her campaign; failed to disclose in-kind contributions from the Texans for Educational Freedom and state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands; and failed to disclose the dates of contributions and the full name and address of the person making the contribution.
Austin ISD renews contract with Austin Voices for family resource centers at five campuses
(Austin American-Statesman) The decision comes after staff in April postponed a decision on the contract over concerns the two applicants — both long-established and well-known nonprofits in the Austin school community — violated rules about communicating with board and staff members ahead of the vote. Austin Voices and Communities in Schools of Central Texas had applied for the contract.
Dallas schools delay roll out of parenting sessions in response to discipline problems
(Dallas Morning News) While Dallas ISD officials still want to provide such sessions to families, they won’t implement them until October.
CFISD Transportation Plan released early after KHOU 11 calls about parent concerns
(KHOU-11) Budget cuts are forcing district leaders to make changes to bus routes next school year. Some parents are concerned there are not enough sidewalks for their kids.
Christian-based nonprofit threatens to remove Fort Worth ISD trustees over “pornographic” books
(CBS News) The content of 90 books is not sitting well with members of a nonprofit founded out of Fort Worth’s Mercy Culture Church. They call the literature inappropriate and pornographic.
Floresville ISD votes unanimously to randomly drug test students
(KSAT) All failed drug test will stay on a student’s record until they graduate, the district said. Students subject to random drug testing include those who are in contests, UIL competitions, athletics, extracurricular/co-curricular activities, and student organizations, as well as those who have a permit to drive/park on campus.
Slaton ISD mourning school police officer, who protected young athletes across West Texas
(KCBD) On Thursday, the Slaton Independent School District announced it is mourning the loss of school police officer Dave Smith. The district told families he was working as security for a construction crew in Odessa on Wednesday when he collapsed.
The first legal objection to the $2.8B NCAA antitrust settlement plan comes from Houston Christian
(AP) A small Texas university has gone to court to object to the $2.77 billion settlement proposal that would erase a set of antitrust claims against the NCAA and the nation’s largest conferences and clear the way for schools to begin steering millions of dollars directly to athletes as soon as fall 2025.
Dallas, Collin colleges look to tackle nursing shortage
(Community Impact) Earlier this year, Dallas College launched a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that will begin training its first batch of students this summer. That coincides with increases in enrollment at Collin College’s associate and bachelor’s nursing degree programs, said Amy Wilson, director of nursing at Collin College.
Tired of waiting on a Texas drivers license appointment? This North Texas teen has a solution
(WFAA) Frisco student Sowmya Nandyala founded her company, DriveIt, to help drivers book faster DMV appointments based on cancellations.
Texas is one of just 10 states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act—but little is known about the impact
(Texas A&M Health) New study finds the ACA facilitated a shift in hospital payer mix from uninsured to insured in Texas.
When Teachers Can Teach
(UT Austin) Texas needs great teachers. That’s why the THRIVE program in the College of Education, powered by an investment from Jeanne and Mickey Klein, helps UT students grow into effective, compassionate and long-term educators.
Texas added more Hispanic, Asian and Black residents than any other state last year
(AP) The Lone Star State led all others in new Hispanic, Asian and Black residents in 2023. Among U.S. metro areas, Houston added the most Hispanic residents, and Dallas the most Asian and Black residents, according to population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. Texas also the biggest jump last year in the overall population, adding 473,000 people.
Spring Branch ISD claims they’re caught in Title IX legal crossfire, advocates say otherwise
(Houston Chronicle) The Spring Branch ISD board voted this week to reject new Title IX regulations designed to protect nonbinary and transgender students, a move that was met with stark criticism from the community but that trustees called necessary because of conflicting state and federal guidance. Critics said the resolution, which passed unanimously at Monday’s regular board meeting alongside the 2024-25 employee compensation plan, is a slap in the face of students’ rights.
Justice Department to help reform Uvalde Police Department after school shooting ‘failures’
(UPI) The Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, said it will help reform the police department to rebuild trust between Uvalde officers and the Texas community they serve after its Critical Incident Review earlier this year called the school shooting response “a failure.”
Travis County Attorney drops charges against 79 more UT-Austin protesters
(Texas Tribune) The arrests were the result of the second police crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations at UT-Austin. The first protest, on April 24, resulted in 57 arrests, which were also dismissed.
Texas Takes Big Step Towards Sequentially Numbered Ballots for Election Integrity
(Texas Scorecard) A recent Secretary of State advisory is another step towards safeguarding election integrity and ballot secrecy.
Fixing Texas’ ballot secrecy problems won’t be easy, experts say
(Texas Tribune) The burden will fall on local officials to determine which records they’re obligated to release or redact.
Harlingen school district passes $215.3M budget amid enrollment drop
(myRGV) The school district’s new $215.3 million budget, described as one of the tightest in years amid soaring costs and dropping student enrollment, is coming amid tax cuts along with $1,100 bonuses to full-time employees and full health insurance coverage.
Clear Creek ISD to contribute more toward health care premiums as costs increase for staff
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD will contribute $11 more toward monthly health insurance premium plans for staff members after the board of trustees approved the increase at its June 24 meeting. However, based on district data, officials expect employees to pay a total of $1.7 million more in premiums compared to last year, bringing the new total for premiums paid by employees to $11.7 million, documents show.
Judson ISD activates ‘disaster pennies,’ approves surprise 1% raise
(San Antonio Report) The Judson Independent School District board of trustees voted late Tuesday night to approve a 1% raise for teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses. The board also moved to reclassify several employee positions and reinstate programs previously stripped out of next year’s budget. At the same time, they made an unusual move to approve “disaster pennies,” or the levying of extra tax dollars allowed by the state under extreme circumstances.
Celina ISD officials to use fund balance in $87.82M budget for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Celina ISD officials are expecting to dip into the district’s fund balance for the fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
Plano ISD projects $35M budget shortfall for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Plano ISD officials adopted the district’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget of $669.8 million, which includes a $35 million shortfall.
McKinney ISD officials OK $392.82M budget with $21.79M potential shortfall
(Community Impact) While $273.36 million in expenditures is budgeted for in the general fund, district officials expect actual expenditures to be $267.35 million—a variance of $6 million. To address the budget shortfall, $21.79 million will be reallocated from the district’s reserve fund balance.
Liberty Hill ISD looks to award teachers financially through incentive allotment
(Community Impact) Some teachers in Liberty Hill ISD may receive thousands of dollars in additional pay in the coming school year.
Lockhart ISD providing free school supplies for 2024-2025 school year
(KXAN) In addition to the free school supplies, funds from the budget will go toward the “expansion of the Communities In Schools program to all campuses, $300,000 dedicated to fine arts programs, as well as $200,000 in additional investments to support special education, $265,000 for campus social workers, and a $130,000 investment to start an Early College High School program,” the release said.
Houston Community College approves $465M budget, allowing salary increases and maintenance
(Houston Chronicle) Houston Community College’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved an operating budget that is $66 million higher than this fiscal year’s, an increase that will help the institution catch up on maintenance and increase salaries that have lagged behind inflation.
Laredo teacher indicted for child pornography
(KGNS) Roberto Ortiz Jr., a 41-year-old teacher from Laredo, has been indicted on charges of possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography.
Former Point Isabel ISD employee faces new charges of soliciting minor during school hours
(KVEO) A former Point Isabel Independent School District employee pleaded not guilty to new child sex charges Wednesday. Court documents accuse him of soliciting a minor during school hours. Omar Vera was arrested in February after allegedly distributing harmful material to a minor.
Texas school district agrees to remove ‘Anne Frank’s Diary,’ ‘Maus,’ ‘The Fixer’ and 670 other books after right-wing group’s complaint
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) The superintendent of a school district in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas recently agreed within minutes to a conservative group’s demands to remove 676 books, including some seminal texts about the Holocaust and antisemitism. Now, weeks later, Carol Perez has been removed from the district she led, just as the Republican governor of Texas appeared to endorse the book removals on social media.
Young mariachi singers bring their talented voices together to learn from the masters
(Texas Public Radio) “We have a golden cast of maestros and maestras who have come together here in San Antonio to teach the students,” recital producer Cynthia Muñoz explained, “and they are the real attraction for the camp.”
‘I’m so proud of Sha’Carri’: North Texas coach plans to cheer on her former athlete at Paris Olympics
(NBC DFW) Dallas ISD track coach Coach Lauren Cross watched her former athlete, Sha’Carri Richardson, win the 100-meter race at the Olympic trials to clinch her spot in the 2024 games in Paris.
Texas doesn’t fund special education enough — and it’s hurting districts’ pockets
(KERA) Plano is one of many school districts in Texas faced with hard decisions because of funding shortfalls. Disability advocates say special education funding in Texas falls short by about $2 billion — leaving school districts to foot the bill. And even wealthy districts are struggling to come up with the missing funds.
Conroe ISD board rejects resolutions, waits for legal decision on Title IX Changes
(Community Impact) Board President Skeeter Hubert said the board would be waiting until a decision is handed down by a higher court, as a federal court issued an injunction against Title IX enforcement in Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration in an attempt to block the changes.
Texas A&M University places dozens of scholarships on hold due to DEI ban
(KBTX) A total of 57 scholarships are on hold pending a review from the system audit office. The scholarships cannot be awarded until they comply with SB 17. University officials said the hold is not impacting students since scholarships have not been distributed yet.
EPISD approves $18.5 million budget deficit, no employee pay raises
(El Paso Matters!) The El Paso Independent School District will need to tap into its reserves to cover a multimillion-dollar deficit for the 2024-25 school year after its Board of Trustees voted to adopt a $542 million budget Monday without giving employees a raise.
Parents push back: Here’s the latest on Cy-Fair ISD’s proposed library policy revisions
(Community Impact) Under the revised policy, the board of trustees would have ultimate authority over approving books librarians want to add to their collections. CFISD General Counsel Marney Collins Sims said at the June 13 work session this language is consistent with the law and was added to clear up confusion.
Overspending is what hinders Texas public education | Opinion
(Texas Public Policy Foundation) We don’t have a funding problem; we have a spending problem. Texas teachers do deserve a pay raise. What they do not deserve is for their administrators to regularly misuse funds and keep asking for more money to make the same mistakes over and over. That’s a disservice to teachers, students and taxpayers. We all deserve better.
San Antonio ISD trustees approve budget that spends $53.7 million more than expected revenue
(Texas Public Radio) SAISD’s board of trustees approved a $538 million budget for the general fund on Monday — nearly $54 million more than the district’s expected general fund revenue. But Superintendent Jaime Aquino said money from another fund will be allocated to cover the deficit.
Clear Creek ISD approves $1.3M for new transportation program
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD at its June 24 meeting approved nearly $1.5 million for projects — the bulk of which will go toward a program meant to help the district upgrade its busing and transportation capabilities.
Spring ISD trustees approve balanced FY 2024-25 budget with potential tax rate election funds
(Community Impact) The budget includes $20.4 million in potential voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, revenue, which would potentially cover the district’s anticipated budget shortfall and pay for 2% raises for staff.
Lockhart ISD adopts balanced budget with raises for teachers, free student supplies
(CBS Austin) Included in the budget is an Employee Compensation Package providing teachers and librarians with a 4.6 percent raise. They’re not alone in getting more money. Other district staff will receive a three percent raise, while substitutes will get a 26 percent raise.
‘A really tight budget’: Dripping Springs ISD adopts $100.39M budget with $2.77M shortfall
(Community Impact) Dripping Springs ISD officials adopted an operating budget of $100.39 million with a shortfall of $2.77 million for fiscal year 2024-25.
Unicorn Stadium to temporarily host Long Creek High School games, approved for new turf
(Community Impact) While its stadium undergoes construction, Long Creek High School’s football games will temporarily be played at New Braunfels High School’s Unicorn Stadium.
Meet Jackal, the robot learning to roam UT-Austin with the help of AI
(Austin American-Statesman) The little rover is part of a project at the University of Texas’ Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory, teaching robots to navigate outdoor terrain using artificial intelligence.
Beaumont ISD board approves proposal for 5% pay raise for employees
(KBMT) If the proposal is approved by voters, all full-time employees will receive a 5% raise that would take effect in December 2024.
Lake Travis ISD considers policy banning K-8 student cell phone use
(Community Impact) Prekindergarten through eighth grade students in Lake Travis ISD may not be able to use cell phones on campus next school year following a recommendation by the School Health Advisory Committee.
SAISD launching ‘STAAR improvement plan’ in response to test score
(San Antonio Express-News) SAISD plans to transition from paper to online assessments, helping students adjust to technology-based formats. It will ensure every student in second grade and above has a laptop and is trained in keyboarding. It will work time management and technology-based question formats into daily instruction — teaching how to take a test, which is different from “teaching to the test.” The district also will offer “extended day/week opportunities” for students and educator professional development, with additional support on campus from district staff.
Indictment: Transgender care ‘whistleblower’ never filed complaint against Texas hospital
(Austin American-Statesman) A Texas doctor who is accused of leaking patients’ medical records to a conservative activist never filed an ethics or misconduct complaint against Texas Children’s Hospital despite receiving extensive training to report suspected malfeasance, according to an indictment obtained by the American-Statesman.
Texas A&M baseball coach’s vow to stay with school goes viral as reports say he’s leaving for rival
(Fox News) The Texas A&M Aggies dropped the decisive Game 3 of the College World Series on Monday night to Tennessee, 6-5.It was the Vols’ first-ever baseball title, and after the game, Aggies head coach Jim Schlossnagle said he went to College Station “to never take another job again.
Women Leading STEM
(D Magazine) Dallas’ female STEM leaders are paving the way for more women to enter this growing field.
West Dallas residents are exposed to more air pollution than rest of county, study says
(Dallas Morning News) West Dallas residents are exposed to 11 times as much air pollution and have asthma rates four to five times higher than the rest of Dallas County, according to a new study conducted by the Texas A&M School of Public Health.
SMU students focus on South Dallas history with new program
(KERA) The Dallas Media Collaborative awarded the university a $3,000 grant to form new story ideas, which the journalism department proposed this multi-dimensional storytelling project as part of their summer intercession feature writing class that collaborates with publications like Dallas Free Press, Texas Metro News, and Dallas Doing Good.
Teen struck by lightning on Siesta Key graduates high school
(WFTS) Jacob Brewer was visiting Florida from Fort Worth, Texas, in July of 2020. His family noticed the sky turning dark, so they decided to leave the beach. Seconds later, Jacob was struck by lightning and suffered cardiac arrest. Nearly four years later, Jacob graduated from high school. He gave a speech to his classmates as the Salutatorian.
Data breach exposes info for 64,000 Neiman Marcus shoppers
(Dallas Morning News) Dallas-based luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus has become the latest target of hackers as they managed to access part of a company’s database that contained the personally identifiable information of 64,000 customers.
Small East Texas school districts report positive results from 4-day school week
(Longview News-Journal [via CBS 19]) School administrators in Overton, Laneville and Leverett’s Chapel ISDs say the recent adoption of a four-day school week had a positive impact on students, faculty and the community, and they intend to keep the schedule with minor adjustments.
Conservative groups show support for Carroll ISD’s lawsuit over Title IX changes
(Fox 4 DFW) The Carroll ISD school board didn’t comment on the status of the lawsuit against the rewrite of Title IX in Monday’s meeting. But many people thanked the board for standing up to a change that they say threatens the future of women’s sports.
Texas schools stuck in middle of federal, state fight over LGBTQ+ student protections
(Houston Landing) Texas school districts are caught in limbo as state and federal leaders issue opposing guidance on new protections for LGBTQ+ students.
New state curriculum’s biblical content could expose districts to legal challenges; Denton ISD waits to weigh in
(KERA) Denton ISD leaders said they prefer to wait to comment until after the state board votes on the materials but have been paying attention to the curriculum and the broader discussion around it.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD adopts FY 2024-25 budget without staff, teacher raises
(Community Impact) Grapevine-Colleyville ISD trustees unanimously approved the proposed fiscal year 2024-25 budget at their regular meeting June 17. Included on the revenue side is an additional $6 million, if voters approve it in November.
Austin ISD spending on key special education contracting jobs triples in just two years
(Austin American-Statesman) As Austin school officials slogged through a crippling backlog of overdue special education evaluations, the district almost tripled its spending on contract services for special education professionals — from $3.5 million to $10.1 million — in just two years, according to records obtained by the American-Statesman.
TEA replaces lead conservator overseeing Houston ISD’s work to improve special education compliance
(Houston Chronicle) Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told HISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and Board of Managers president Audrey Momanaee in a letter Monday that, effective immediately, Lesa Shocklee, the state-appointed monitor of Austin ISD’s special education program, has replaced conservator Molly Cordeau, due to her resignation after more than three years in the role.
HISD bond proposal includes $580M for ‘co-location’ of 15 schools, raising concerns for some
(Houston Chronicle) Under the historic bond plan — which will be on the ballot in November pending approval by HISD’s appointed Board of Managers — eight schools would be relocated to seven nearby, existing campuses, which would be renovated or rebuilt to accommodate the incoming students and rectify preexisting building needs, in moves known as “co-location.” The total cost of relocating, renovating and rebuilding those 15 schools would exceed $580 million.
Several HISD District Advisory Committee members don’t show up to meetings. Should they have to?
(Houston Chronicle) Despite being appointed or elected to their roles, more than one-third of the members of Houston ISD’s District Advisory Committee have largely not attended the organization’s meetings so far this year, according to the Chronicle’s review of meeting minutes.
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD approves 2% raise for teachers, staff
(Fort Worth Report) The starting salary for a new teacher during the 2024-25 school year will be $61,404. Most teachers will see a raise of about $1,200.
Former Denton ISD Coach Arrested for Online Solicitation of a Minor
(Texas Scorecard) A mother from another school district says she tried to warn Denton ISD of an inappropriate encounter her daughter had with district employee Justin Wallace Carter.
Judge Blocks Clock-Hour Rule for Career Prep Programs
(Insider Higher Ed) A Texas judge issued a national injunction Friday blocking a federal rule that dictated the clock-hour length for career training programs.
Don’t Be Fooled By ‘School Choice.’ It’s a Trojan Horse for Privatizing Education | Commentary
(US News and World Report) Vouchers don’t just rob Peter to pay Paul. They rob all taxpayers to pay a privileged few.
Transphobic Dress Code Prompted Turmoil in Agriculture Department, Emails Show
(Texas Observer) The Texas agency’s policy may be ripe for a lawsuit.
‘He’s afraid to leave his home’ | Arrests made after mother says teenage son was attacked on Pflugerville ISD school bus
(KVUE) Two adults were arrested and charged in the incident, while two juveniles involved were also arrested, according to the school district. The charges include injury to a child, engaging in organized criminal activity and assault with bodily injury.
Infant mortality rate rose 8% in wake of Texas abortion ban, study shows
(AP) In the wake of Texas’ abortion ban, the state’s infant death rate increased and more died of birth defects, a study published Monday shows.
Texas to relaunch Longhorn Network as streaming service upon school’s move to SEC
(The Athletic) The Longhorn Network, the 24-hour television channel that has covered University of Texas athletics since 2011, will relaunch as a reimagined free streaming service on July 1, the university announced Monday.
Austin ISD offers paid experience through summer internship program
(KXAN) According to an Austin ISD website post, the program offers 36 students work experience, skill development, and community engagement. For many of these students, it’s their first time in the workforce.
Fort Worth ISD planned to offer child care at Morningside Elementary. It’s up in air now
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The Fort Worth Independent School District’s plans to provide infant and toddler care at its Morningside Elementary campus have been put on pause amid an ongoing facilities study, which is expected to result in school closures within the district.
A Tarleton State University instructor complained about parking fees. He said it cost him his job.
(Texas Tribune) The university’s faculty senate said the administration’s decision “resulted in a widespread impression of a retaliatory environment.”
In San Antonio, where mariachi music is ‘El Rey,’ formal education programs are on the rise
(San Antonio Report) Since 1969, educator Belle Ortiz’s pioneering effort has grown into dozens of mariachi education programs in middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the San Antonio area, now serving more than 2,000 students in 17 schools in the San Antonio Independent School District alone.
Letters from American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, student protesters address University disciplinary notices
(Daily Texan) The University asked students to provide written statements during their disciplinary proceedings, and the students responded with a joint letter on June 18 addressing questions from the University as well as the actions taken against them.
Texas A&M University Wins eVTOL Drone Competition
(Electric VTOL News) For the overall competition scoring—which included the combined scores from the technical report, team presentations and flyoff performance—Texas A&M took home the first place prize and $2,750 (including $500 for best fly-off performance) with their impressive biplane tailsitter aircraft.
The Woodlands Pride Will Open A Community Library Featuring LGBTQ & Other Narratives
(Houston Press) What does one organization do when pro-censorship advocates and special interest groups spearheading widespread book removals in local-area school districts permeate into public libraries? It opens its own library.
Austin Community College fall enrollment up 23% from last year across all campuses
(Community Impact) Officials said the community college district, which has 11 campuses around the Austin metro, has seen a surge in fall enrollment growth just one month after registration opened May 13.
Commission on Presidential Debates officially cancels forum at Texas State University
(Austin American Statesman) Weeks after President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump publicly criticized the Commission on Presidential Debates, opting instead to participate in media-produced forums, the organization officially canceled its planned debates for the general election, including one at Texas State University.
Retired Marine One Finds Permanent Home at Presidential Library and Museum
(George & Barbara Bush Foundation) The library and museum, located within the Texas A&M University campus, welcomed Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) members, Bush family members, donors, and supporters to the grand opening of a new pavilion that now houses the retired Marine One.
Texas woman charged with attempted capital murder for allegedly trying to drown child
(Texas Public Radio) According to a statement from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Elizabeth Wolf, 42, allegedly approached the child’s mother — who was dressed in a hijab — with racist interrogations before jumping in the pool and leading the three-year-old and her six-year-old sibling to the deep end of the pool.
Klein ISD student accused of orchestrating cyber attack that disrupted STAAR testing charged with 3rd-degree felony
(Click 2 Houston) The 18-year-old Klein Forest High School student who was responsible for the cyber attacks that STAAR testing for thousands of students in the district appeared in court Friday morning. Keontra Lamont Kenemore has since been charged with electronic access and interference, which is a third-degree felony.
Texas DPS fighting Uvalde victims’ families in court to keep school shooting evidence a state secret
(KENS 5) Despite early pledges from Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw to publicly release evidence from the Uvalde massacre, his legal team has quietly worked for more than a year to keep it a state secret.
State lawmaker gets emotional seeking harsher penalties for sex crimes against children
(KHOU-11) The move comes after the founder of a north Texas megachurch resigned following sexual abuse allegations.
South San ISD will have school marshals this fall — but they won’t be teachers
(San Antonio Express-News) The district of 7,400 students is encouraging its security officers — personnel who guard the parking lots but do not carry firearms — to get their school marshal licenses.
Austin ISD approves $1.2 billion budget with $41 million deficit. Here’s what will be cut
(Austin American-Statesman) The frustration was clear in some Austin school board members’ voices Thursday night when they unanimously approved a $1.2 billion budget with a $41 million deficit, which would include slashing administrative staff and hinges on Austin voters approving a property tax rate increase in November.
Brownsville ISD adopts $561.5M budget
(myRGV) On Thursday, BISD announced the 2024-2025 budget’s approval, saying it also includes a 2% pay raise for all employees.
Prosper ISD officials project $20.3M shortfall in FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) “We’re looking at a $20 million deficit, which is hard to swallow,” PISD Chief Financial Officer Michele Seese said. In spite of budget restraints, district officials approved a 3% raise for teachers and staff in FY 2024-25.
Keller ISD adopts balanced 2024-25 budget without teacher pay raises, layoffs, district said
(Fort Worth Report) Keller ISD is cutting costs every which way.
Keller ISD Rejects Biden’s ‘Extreme’ Title IX Rewrite
(Texas Scorecard) Trustees in Keller Independent School District unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the Biden administration’s recent rewrite of Title IX, the federal civil rights law designed to protect women from sex-based discrimination in education. A federal court already struck down the 1,500-page revision, which added “gender identity” as a protected class.
GPA discrepancies resolved after software updates, Austin ISD says
(KXAN) “We are happy to report that we have completed the software updates required to resolve the inconsistencies and have verified that the software is now working as intended,” the district said.
End-of-year recalculation changes Hallsville High School valedictorian, salutatorian rankings
(Longview News-Journal [paywall]) Hallsville ISD have voted to recognize two students as the highest-ranking graduates for the Class of 2024 after an end-of-year calculation determined the valedictorian and salutatorian should have been switched in rankings.
Houston ISD’s lack of communication on summer school confuses parents: ‘A real big problem’
(Houston Chronicle) Some Houston ISD parents said they’ve struggled to navigate summer school with little or late communication from the district, inciting some confusion after a tumultuous first school year under state-appointed leadership.
Houston ISD parent files complaint against administrator who made ‘scoreboard’ remarks at meeting
(Houston Public Media) A Houston ISD parent filed a formal complaint this week against a high-level district administrator who seemed to taunt community members by repeatedly saying “scoreboard” during a recent school board meeting that became contentious.
These Fort Worth school districts are most impacted by static state education funding
(Fort Worth Report) Growing districts are among the most impacted by the Texas Legislature not increasing public education funding in 2023, according to a Texas A&M University school finance expert. The others? Small districts in urban areas and rural school systems.
The family you never had: How a program at UNT is guiding former foster care students down a path of success
(WFAA) “There are tons of former foster youth that all they need is a program like PUSH to help them get to the finish line,” said (former foster child) Anastasia Price.
Austin School District career fair draws hundreds for support roles
(CBS AUSTIN) Career fair leaders say there was a line out the door at 8:30 a.m., with over 350 prospective employees RSVPing to the event.
The Gatehouse nonprofit celebrates first graduates of new program
(NBC DFW) The Gatehouse’s Education Track program removes some of the barriers to college success for women and single mothers. Women can stay at the Gatehouse for up to two years while they attend school, graduate, and start their careers.
College Station man sentenced for invasive visual recording
(KBTX) A College Station man will be serving five years in the state jail after being sentenced on Friday for five counts of invasive visual recordings. Peter Baty, a former Texas A&M transportation employee, was arrested in May of 2019 after he was caught hiding a video camera inside a women’s restroom at Transportation Service’s Transit building located on Agronomy Road. According to the university, the restroom was not open to the public and was used by employees.
Raymondville sports camp a hit with students
(myRGV) The annual sports camp at the Raymondville Independent School District has attracted more students and is offering new activities.
Three Valley high school mariachis perform at Carnegie Hall
(myRGV) High school mariachi groups from McAllen, Edcouch-Elsa and Rio Grande City this week graced the stage at one most prestigious performance halls in the nation. The inaugural Viva El Mariachi! Homenaje a la Musica Mexicana, presented by Texas Music Festivals Enterprise, was held June 18 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Texas team uses AI to prevent power outages
(The Engineer) Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed an AI model that could help prevent power outages by rerouting electricity in milliseconds.
Texas Nonprofit Works With Volunteer GIS Expert to Map Broadband Need
(Daily Yonder) Since the pandemic in 2020, Bastrop County Cares, a nonprofit organization, has been working to bring broadband to more individuals and families in rural Texas.
Violation levels system approved as part of EISD 2024-25 student code of conduct
(Community Impact) The five levels span various offenses and provide disciplinary action for each category. Language has also been added to acknowledge the district’s new police department and its role in enforcing the code of conduct.
Honoring history: AFT Retirees celebrate Juneteenth
(American Federation of Teachers) The group, part of the AFT Retiree Legacy Initiative (RLI), had planned to participate in Opal’s Walk Campaign, inspired by Opal Lee, who at age 89 began her journey in 2016 by walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday—a dream realized in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed it into law. The group was hosted by members of Texas AFT Retirees Plus.
‘Who do we vent to?’: A portrait of Black fathers creating their own community in San Antonio
(San Antonio Report) ManCave SA recently hosted an event focused on the mental health of Black men, an “Adopt-A-Son” Day, where members “adopted” 13 boys who have absent fathers. They used that day to teach them about Black history in San Antonio as well as life choices, like going to school and being a good father in the future.
Borger school resource officer honored at Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards
(KFDA) Darrell Fisher, a Borger school resource officer with the Borger Police Department, was given a Public Service Award at the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards Ceremony.
From TCC to Tarleton, academic programs in health care expand to meet workforce demands
(Fort Worth Report) With safety-shielded syringes and proper calibration techniques, the students in Tarrant County College’s nuclear medicine technology program learn how to use small amounts of radioactive substances to both diagnose and treat disease.
3rd suspect wanted in gunning down of Carencro High student arrested in Texas
(KADN) The third suspect wanted in the shooting death of a Carencro High student in March has been tracked down and arrested in Texas, according to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Why Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is resurrecting push to display Ten Commandments in schools
(Austin American-Statesman) With a sense of disbelief, Patrick, who presides over the Texas Senate, expressed his anger on X, formerly Twitter, that a Louisiana law, signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday, became the first successful legislation in the nation to mandate that the Ten Commandments be posted in a legible font in each of that state’s public classrooms.
After decades of lobbying by Christian conservative donors, school voucher legislation may finally have the votes
(Texas Tribune) Gov. Greg Abbott succeeded in his campaign against Republicans who defied him on school vouchers. Now he may finally get the votes he needs to pass a bill.
Fewer Texas students seek financial aid for college after this year’s bungled FAFSA rollout
(Texas Tribune) According to data through June 7, Texas high school graduates’ FAFSA completion rates fell by 8.8 percentage points, or by almost 30,000 students, compared to this time last year. The decline is sharper than the one the state saw in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlicensed Teachers Now Dominate New Teacher Hires in Rural Texas Schools
(Dallas Observer) Thanks to changes in Texas law, the state’s schools now hire more unlicensed new teachers than licensed ones.
A Houston-area school banned male students from having long hair. A student is now leading an appeal
(Houston Chronicle) Lawyers for Darryl George, a Barbers Hill High School student, have started the appellate process for a new trial after a judge ruled the district’s dress code prohibiting male students from having long hair did not violate the CROWN Act.
Conroe ISD Trustees Swat Titles Off Classroom Shelves Again Amid Charges of A “Racist” Policy
(Houston Press) It may sound like the beginning of a joke: The former Montgomery County poet laureate, a Montgomery County Memorial Library System collection development coordinator and a district parent walk into a school board meeting. But Tuesday night’s punchline was nothing but disappointing for those who wanted to see certain Nobel Peace and Pulitzer Prize-winning books restored to Conroe ISD classrooms.
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Texas woman who claims she was arrested out of political retribution
(Texas Tribune) The ruling gives plaintiff Sylvia Gonzalez, 76, another chance to pursue her retaliation claim against the San Antonio suburb of Castle Hills. Gonzalez was arrested in 2019 for allegedly stealing a government document soon after taking office as city council member.
South San ISD passes 2% raise, increasing deficit as state takeover deadline looms
(San Antonio Report) Just months from a deadline to adopt a balanced budget and avoid a state takeover, the South San Antonio Independent School District board of trustees passed a 2% raise for teachers. The board also approved larger raises for bus drivers and child nutrition specialists, pushing its projected deficit to $6.2 million.
A potential tax increase, $41M deficit and no staff pay raises: What you need to know about Austin ISD’s budget
(Community Impact) Austin ISD officials approved a Fiscal Year 2024-25 operating budget of $953.99 million and took on a deficit of $41.25 million June 20—with the assumption that voters will approve a tax rate increase in November.
Tomball ISD trustees approve FY 2024-25 budget featuring $9.1M gap
(Community Impact) On June 18, Tomball ISD’s board of trustees approved adopting the district’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget, which features a $9.1 million general fund shortfall amid 19% in inflation increases, district leaders say.
Humble ISD trustees approve 2% on-average raises for staff members
(Community Impact) Humble ISD trustees are moving forward with what will effectively equate to a 2% on-average raise for staff members as well as additional stipends for eligible employees.
Bastrop ISD adopts balanced budget totaling $173M after adjustments
(Community Impact) The Bastrop ISD board of trustees approved an overall $173.12 million budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and will not face a deficit after making $7.6 million in adjustments.
Lubbock ISD board of trustees approves budget for 2024-25
(KCBD) The board approved a deficit budget, including a 2% raise for teachers, counselors, librarians, diagnosticians, nurses, and campus and district administration, and a 6% raise for aides, paraprofessionals, and police officers, approved as part of the district compensation plan in May.
Houston ISD’s $4.4B school bond proposal wouldn’t raise taxes if passed. How does that work?
(Houston Chronicle) Although the bond package to improve the district’s school facilities and infrastructure would be the largest in Texas history, the district says it would be able to implement the proposal without raising taxes, assuming it receives approval from the appointed Board of Managers and voters later this year.
Katy ISD to consider revisions to cellphone, bus policies for 2024-25 school year
(Community Impact) While junior high students at KISD were allowed to access cellphones in the initial proposal made at the April 22 board meeting, the revised changes indicate they will no longer be allowed to use cellphones between class periods. However, the proposal states they’ll be able to access them during lunch based on decisions made by campus leadership teams.
‘Now I have a voice’: Franklin High School grad works to create LGBTQ youth support groups
(El Paso Matters) Lio Valdez, 20, is looking to create the El Paso, Texas, LGBTQAI+ Youth Legal Aid Fund and expand the grassroots organizations he started in high school into official nonprofits to help youth who have experienced harassment or discrimination based on their gender identity or sexuality.
Fort Worth ISD to purchase 15 electric buses with bipartisan infrastructure grant
(NBC DFW) Fort Worth ISD will soon begin transforming its school bus fleet from diesel-burning buses to electric buses, thanks to over $6.1 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program.
UT sends second wave of student conduct disciplinary notices to pro-Palestine protesters
(DailyTexan) This week’s notices mirrored the previous letters said senior Mia Cisco, a student arrested during the April 24 protest. The notices cite rule violations under the University Catalog’s Sec 11-402(18) Disruptive Conduct and 11-402(19) Failure to Comply of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities.
$5,200 for Pok-e-Jo’s barbecue: A look at UT’s expenses for pro-Palestinian protests
(Austin American-Statesman) A protester is taken away by University of Texas police on April 29. Records show that the UT Police Department spent $8,641 on purchases related to the April 24 and 29 pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The largest expense listed was $5,200 for food from Pok-e-Jo’s for officers.
A shot clock in high school basketball? UIL, coaches support idea but cost still a factor
(Dallas Morning News) “If school superintendents support this, [they’re] going to have to purchase shot clocks … do all the electrical work to get them in, find people [and] train them to operate,” UIL deputy director Jamey Harrison said during the June 11 standing committee on athletics meeting.
Nacogdoches ISD to purchase new safety devices, transportation department voices concerns
(KTRE) Nacogdoches ISD school board approved the purchase of wearable panic silent alert buttons Thursday night.They plan to distribute 1,500 devices. Former and current employees raised concerns about personal safety, extended routes due to driver shortage, and their own experiences with what they say is “poor leadership.”
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD students get firsthand look at public safety jobs
(Community Impact) Grapevine-Colleyville ISD high school students in the district’s career and technical education program participated in a one-week public safety camp where members of the Grapevine Police Department and Grapevine Fire Department shared what it’s like to perform various jobs.
Even After the ACLU Stepped In, Princeton ISD Canceled Its Pride Event
(Dallas Observer) The Princeton Independent School District could face litigation from the ACLU of Texas for canceling a Pride month event in the district.
Alvin Community College to offer bachelor’s degrees for business administration and management
(Community Impact) Business administration and management students at Alvin Community College will be able to work toward attaining bachelor’s degrees this fall, according to a June 19 press release from the college.
Socorro school district under scrutiny for overcharging, tightens budget with 10 days left
(KFOX) The Socorro school board has 10 days to finalize its budget for the next school year which involves some changes after mistakes were found in last year’s budget.
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD ends FY 2023-24 with $4.76M deficit
(Community Impact) Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board members unanimously approved the fiscal year 2023-24 final amended budget on June 17, which included a $4.76 million deficit.
Why do so many Austin-area school districts have budget deficits?
(KUT) At an Austin ISD school board meeting back in March, Trustee Candace Hunter shared a sobering message. “There is no rescue coming. There’s no one coming to save us. It’s only going to get worse,” she said.
Tarrant County approves property tax exemption for child care facilities. Providers push for more
(Fort Worth Report) While Tarrant County child care providers were happy to be included, some are still hoping for more action.
Pflugerville ISD student attacked on school bus by adults
(Fox 7 Austin) The attack happened at Dessau Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon when a load of summer school students was being dropped off. At least three adults got on the bus, according to Kelsie Trevino, and started attacking her son Caden, a seventh grader.
Round Rock ISD passes balanced budget for 2024-25 school year
(CBS Austin) The $466 million general fund budget overcomes a previously projected deficit of over $30 million.
Round Rock ISD Uses Taxpayer Money on Sexual Identity Swag
(Texas Scorecard) A public information request revealed that the district spent more than $600 dollars on rainbow fans and stickers.
‘Leveling the playing field’: Texas market for kids’ athletic training grows
(Dallas Morning News) D1′s new Denton facility opened this month and joins 21 other locations in Texas and more than 85 open facilities total. The company, founded in 2001 in Franklin, Tenn., is expanding, with more than 200 additional locations in different stages of development, according to a statement.
Focus on Algebra: Transforming Math Education in New Mexico
(UT Austin Dana Center) The Focus on Algebra series enhances algebra readiness through meaningful professional learning that covers effective instructional practices and algebraic content aligned with New Mexico’s math standards for grade 6–9.
Comal ISD lets bus driver applicants get behind the wheel during ‘Experience the Ride’ event on Thursday
(KSAT) “I think for a lot of them, it, they think driving the bus is going to be the hardest part. And it really is the easiest part for them to get. It’s when you get the kids right, getting to know your kids, building relationships and getting to know where you’re driving, the route itself, I think is the hardest part,” Jessica Fisher, director of transportation, said.
School-based clinics have improved health equity—but they reach only a small number of students
(Texas A&M Vital Record) Students are very satisfied with school-based health centers, but little has been known until now about the public’s opinions.
Texas State, Coast Flight, TAP unite for new aviation science degree partnership
(Texas State University) The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science with a Concentration in Aviation Science will provide a pathway to certifications and licensure required for professional pilots along with the critical thinking, teamwork and leadership skills valued by the commercial aviation industry.
Fort Worth’s latest charter school is first of its kind under new state law
(Fort Worth Report) This campus in Fort Worth focuses on adults 18 to 50 who dropped out of high school. They will earn a full-fledged high school diploma — and even take state standardized tests. They will be put on a path toward a career because every student also enrolls in Tarrant County College.
Former UTA professor Allan Saxe, believed to have donated more than $1M, dies at 85
(Dallas Morning News) Allan Saxe, the frugal Arlington philanthropist and former longtime political science professor, died Tuesday, according to Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons.
Raising Cane’s donates $100,000 to Snoop Dogg’s youth football league
(Dallas Morning News) Some friends pay for dinner as a kind gesture. If you’re Todd Graves, the billionaire founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, which has its operational headquarters in Plano, you donate $100,000 to your friend’s charity instead.
A Federal Judge Rejects the Lame Excuses of Texas Cops Who Kidnapped a Supposedly ‘Abandoned’ Teenager
(Reason) On a Friday morning in October 2018, two officers who worked for a Texas school district kidnapped a 14-year-old girl from her home based on spurious child abandonment concerns. Although Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) promptly determined there was no reason to suspect neglect or abuse, the cops pursued criminal charges against the girl’s mother, leading to a trial in which a jury acquitted her after deliberating for five minutes.
Southside schools celebrate STAAR achievements, draw comparisons to Northside
(San Antonio Report) School districts on the South Side of San Antonio are celebrating continued academic growth, separating them from other districts in the state and challenging stereotypes of poor academic achievement.
A mental health program for police officers is now available statewide
(KERA) The Blue Chip program, which provides free mental health resources for law enforcement officers, is expanding statewide. Police chiefs across North Texas say that programs that address diseases like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses could save officers’ lives.
Alex Jones Is Now Trying to Divert Money to His Father’s Supplements Business
(Wired) A Texas bankruptcy court judge brought Infowars back from the brink of death on Friday, a surprising ruling which conspiracy kingpin Alex Jones attempted to use to—naturally—make more money. This time, Jones is promoting a supplement company owned by his father.
Cy-Fair ISD Trustees Uphold Widely-Criticized Move To Gut Science Chapters
(Houston Press) On Monday night, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees backed their prior decision to remove over a dozen chapters of five science and health textbooks, declining to reverse course and reinstate these sections. The chapters will remain in the textbooks but will not be discussed during the courses.
Cy-Fair ISD trustees vote to give themselves prior review of library materials
(Houston Public Media) Board members voted 6-1 on Monday night to update the district’s procedures for acquiring books and other content for its school libraries, which has been the responsibility of campus-level librarians and principals.
HISD’s Mike Miles defends bold moves in front of Whitmire, city council
(Houston Chronicle) In an hour-long presentation centered around his Destination 2035 plan, Miles outlined the last year of his administration, including the overhauled New Education System Program, highlighted his administration on the quality of instruction, and pointed to recent standardized testing (STAAR) results as a way to remove state intervention. “More kids can read today than they did a year ago,” Miles told the body during the economic development meeting. “Our kids are thriving; they made gains.”
Klein ISD moves forward with 2% staff raises despite $36M budget shortfall
(Community Impact) Klein ISD officials are moving forward with 2% on-average raises for all staff members despite trustees approving a budget for fiscal year 2024-25 containing a roughly $36 million shortfall.
Eanes ISD board approves budget, includes pay increase for teachers and staff
(KXAN) The Eanes ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the budget for the 2024-25 school year at its June 18 regular meeting. It provides a 2% pay increase for teachers and staff and adjusts to declining enrollment.
Tyler ISD denounces Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX
(CBS 19) Tyler ISD trustees on Monday approved a resolution denouncing changes to Title IX from the Biden administration regarding sex discrimination protections.
New Braunfels ISD adopts $104.8M budget for 2024-25 fiscal year
(Community Impact) The $104.8 million budget covers the general fund, interest and sinking fund, as well as the child nutrition fund, said Paul McLarty, chief financial officer of New Braunfels ISD. The budget encompasses salary increases for staff and increased contributions to employee health insurance, McLarty said.
North East ISD trustees approve $62.5 million deficit budget
(Texas Public Radio) The North East Independent School District, like many districts in San Antonio and across Texas, is planning to spend millions more dollars than its expected revenue for the 2024-2025 school year.
Edinburg school district projects balanced budget; reviewing raises
(myRGV) The school district is among the rare schools districts in the Valley — and the state — that had little to no trouble getting a balanced budget.
Lorena ISD, school principal April Jewell issue first public statements in Jane Doe lawsuit
(KWTX) In what is known as a Rule 26 report – a road map used by the courts to govern the timing and direction of the suit – Lorena ISD officials denied that they “looked the other way” or took actions that made it easier for former substitute teacher Nicolas Scott Crenshaw to abuse a 5-year-old girl in his classroom during the 2020-2021 school year.
‘Significant water damage:’ Vandalism at Tomball ISD school forces district to seek contract for emergency repairs
(Click 2 Houston) Tomball ISD says vandals caused significant damage to Creekside Park Junior High, forcing the board of trustees to pass a motion for the superintendent to execute a contract for emergency repairs in order for the school to be ready for the upcoming school year. The district passed the motion Tuesday, which will allow for the superintendent to execute a contract for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 pending final vendor quotes.
Texas Ethics Commission will require influencers to disclose when they’re paid for advertisement
(Texas Tribune) The action comes after The Texas Tribune reported that influencers were being paid to defend impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Texas A&M wants to keep emails about Leonard Leo’s $15 million gift secret
(The Intercept) The donation, one of the largest in the school’s history, was made as right-wing megadonor Leo shopped a new law center.
Texas A&M University tops nation in engineering research expenditures
(Houston Chronicle) Texas A&M University held the largest engineering research portfolio of any academic institution in the country last year, nearing half a billion dollars and surpassing Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the top spot, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Women lead majority of Tarrant County’s universities and college systems, defying national stats
(Fort Worth Report) At University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Wesleyan University, Tarrant County College, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, and Tarleton State University Fort Worth, a woman leads the campus efforts.
‘They Came for the Schools’ details how GOP targeted race and identity in classrooms
(PBS News Hour) What started as an earnest effort by the Carroll Independent School District to confront racist rhetoric and bullying devolved into a battle about much more. Conservative parents and activists turned a district cultural competence plan into a fight over protecting their — quote — “traditional way of life.”
Books removed without reviews
(San Antonio Express-News) Forced to comply with a new state law barring sexually explicit content and targeted by pressure campaigns from right-wing and religious groups, local school districts have purged hundreds of books from library shelves, often without the formal reviews available under their own policies.
Staff raises, position reductions approved in Cy-Fair ISD’s 2024-25 budget
(Community Impact) While plans do not include layoffs, the administration cut more than 600 positions and reassigned many employees to other roles for next school year.
Most S.A. school districts can’t afford to raise salaries. Which ones are doing it anyway?
(San Antonio Express-News) School districts statewide are setting salaries for the coming fiscal year amid an ongoing teacher shortage, hobbled by declining state funding, expiring or reduced federal help and inflation. It has put pay raises out of reach – or pushed school boards to gamble with a raise now against the possibility of better future funding, risking cuts and a mass exodus of hard-to-find employees if that doesn’t pay off.
Georgetown ISD passes $150M budget for 2024-25 including staff raises amid shortfall
(Community Impact) Georgetown ISD closed deliberations on its fiscal year 2024-25 budget of $150.39 million with final approval of a financial plan that includes increases to staff compensation amid stagnant state funding and higher operating costs.
Bryan ISD approves 2024-25 fiscal year budget
(KBTX) Officials acknowledge the $6.2 million deficit may sound bad, but they are unwilling to cut staff incentives and bonuses to balance the budget.
Photo of new library layout at HISD elementary school sparks outrage
(Houston Chronicle) The library at Askew Elementary School is being transformed under Mike Miles “New Education System” into a “team center.”
Politicians question HISD’s FEMA delay
(Houston Chronicle) Some Houston politicians are questioning why it took nearly a month for Houston ISD to confirm that it is applying for federal assistance to help repair campuses damaged by the May 16 derecho storms, fearing that HISD leaders are using the damage to try to strong-arm voters into approving a proposed $4.4 billion bond.
Texas active shooter alert system has yet to be activated, DPS says
(KXAN) The Texas Department of Public Safety said it has yet to receive a request for the system’s activation since its creation in 2021, despite its stated goal of “saving lives and preventing mass violence.”
Loved ones remember victims killed in Round Rock shooting as manhunt for suspect continues
(KVUE) Ara Duke, 54, and Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, were identified as the women killed during Saturday night’s Juneteenth Celebration at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Duke was an administrator and founding staffer at the IDEA Runberg charter school campus. Vicknair was an attorney with The Chapman law firm in Austin. Police said both were innocent bystanders in the shooting that left 14 other people injured. None of the victims were part of the altercation. The victims’ ages range from 10 to 62 years old.
UT Austin lays off communications staff amid ‘crises’ following protests, DEI changes
(KUT) UT Austin has let go nearly two dozen employees responsible for communications and marketing after a turbulent academic year, according to multiple sources who described the news as abrupt. Their last day is Aug. 31.
Public university touts highest faculty pay in DFW
(Dallas Business Journal [via WFAA]) The University of Texas at Dallas had the highest average faculty pay among DFW colleges and universities last year, with full-time instructional staff earning $125,185 per year on average.
Who Trains the Trainers in the ‘Science of Reading?’
(EdWeek) The sprawling, suburban Katy Independent district in Texas needed a plan that could work at scale for 46 campuses. Katy switched to a new reading curriculum in 2022, prompted in part by state legislation that mandates that all teachers and principals who teach kindergarten through 3rd grade be trained in evidence-based reading instruction.
White House canceled ‘party’ for NSF grant in El Paso amid UTEP concerns
(El Paso Matters) University of Texas at El Paso leaders were dismissive of plans for a celebratory launch party by the White House meant to recognize the school and its partners for being awarded several significant grants, including a major National Science Foundation grant, El Paso’s congresswoman said. They cited concerns that it would appear political in an election year, according to U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, whose office was supposed to help coordinate the event.
The federal government puts warnings on tobacco and alcohol. Is social media next?
(Texas Public Radio) Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, published an op-ed in the New York Times calling for social media warning labels like those put on cigarettes and alcohol, in order to warn young people of the danger social media poses to their mental wellbeing and development. He cites the success of the tobacco and alcohol labels that have discouraged consumption.
New Mavs owners with casino ties preach patience on gambling in Texas as they plan for new arena
(AP) New Dallas Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, part of the two families with casino ties that bought the club late last year, says the timing is uncertain for when legalized gambling might come to Texas.
Study shows learning challenges in Fort Worth child care centers
(Fort Worth Report) Workforce challenges are impacting outcomes for young children enrolled in Fort Worth’s early education programs, according to a new report from Southern Methodist University.
Texas A&M Announces Nation’s First Academic Coffee Certificate
(Texas A&M Today) The one-of-a-kind educational experience prepares Texas A&M students for success in the burgeoning coffee industry.
From Austin to Alaska: How high school teacher inspired her former student to bike across country
(Daily Texan) The impact of an altruistic high school teacher can go far, but for Avery Wong, a neuroscience and Plan II sophomore, the impact went extremely far — over 4000 miles, to be exact.
North Texas high school students hope to change the world one pair of shoes at a time
(CBS Dallas) A group of North Texas high school students is tackling a global problem: footwear poverty.
Weslaco ISD ‘Bus Stop Cafe’ provides free nutritious meals during summer break
(KVEO) The bus, packed with food, travels to three different parks across Weslaco.
131 college scholarships put on hold or modified due to Texas DEI ban, documents show
(Dallas Morning News) The affected scholarships comprise 80 at Texas A&M University institutions, 45 at University of Texas-affiliated campuses and six at three other public universities.
Socorro ISD admits to overtaxing homeowners last year
(KVIA) Socorro ISD says it charged taxpayers more than it should have last year. In a letter sent out to faculty, the district said that its state conservators found the Maintenance and Operations tax rate exceeded the maximum rate allowed by the Texas Education Agency.
EPISD expects $12 million deficit, no raises amid school closures and consolidations
(El Paso Matters) The El Paso Independent School District has joined the growing list of Texas schools expected to face a revenue shortfall in the 2024-25 school year as it prepares to adopt a $542 million budget with a $12.1 million deficit. On top of that, the district is expecting to end the current 2023-24 school year with a $14.1 million deficit.
La Joya ISD laid off 175 employees to trim budget deficit
(myRGV) “The number of employees impacted is 175 and I don’t say that lightly,” Superintendent Marcey Sorensen said during Thursday’s meeting. “I say that sadly. I say that with a really heavy heart. But we knew for years and years and years and years that we were overstaffed.”
Austin school board nears decision on budget and scorecard amid financial woes
(KEYE) The Austin Independent School District is one step closer to getting approval on its budget and scorecard. he AISD Board of Trustees is meeting weekly this month to fine-tune these two major items, both of which will determine how AISD operates in the coming years.
Alvin ISD trustees adopt balanced budget for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) AISD will have $366.6 million in both revenue and expenses. That total is nearly $7 million more than FY 2023-24’s revenue and expenses, according to district documents. The additional revenue could nearly all be attributed to a projected 700 new students, officials said.
Eligible remote staff at UT could face ‘limited’ opportunities after end to remote work
(Austin American-Statesman) After University of Texas staff were told almost all remote work would end by August, human resources guidelines say that eligible staff who choose to work remotely “may have limited career and promotion opportunities.”
George Strait sets record with largest ticketed concert in U.S. history at Kyle Field
(News 4 SA) The “King of Country” played for a crowd of 110,905 enthusiastic fans, breaking the all-time attendance record set in 1977 when the Grateful Dead played to 107,019 fans at New Jersey’s Raceway Park, according to Billboard.
Texas Supreme Court halts Harris County ‘Guaranteed Income’ program
(Center Square) In a 12-page ruling, Justice Jimmy Blacklock delivered the opinion for the court, granting the state’s motion to halt the program and ordered all payments “prohibited pending further order of this court.”
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair: there are ‘64 reasons’ why Democrats will have a say in deciding House leadership
(WFAA) Dozens of Republican members of the Texas House have made it clear they will not support the longstanding practice of appointing committee chairs from the opposing party, in this case, Democrats. But the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus says they have numbers too.
Almost $2.8 billion NCAA settlement has TCU connection
(KERA) TCU women’s basketball player Sedona Prince has been a star on the court and in the courts. She was a lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits that sparked the nearly $2.8 billion NCAA settlement agreement that paved the way for colleges to directly pay their student athletes.
UNT pharmacy school tops state in percentage of students matched with residencies
(Fort Worth Report) The doctoral pharmacy program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth scored the highest residency match rate in the state, at 95%.
TSTC’s TECHcelerate conference is eye-opening for high school counselors, CTE teachers
(myRGV) Texas State Technical College recently welcomed more than two dozen high school counselors and career and technical education (CTE) teachers to experience the college’s technologies and hands-on labs during its second annual TECHcelerate, a weeklong technical education conference with two different sessions at TSTC’s Harlingen location.
As disabled Texans wait for services, low caregiver wages exacerbate staffing shortages
(San Antonio Report) The state of Texas manages a waiting list of residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities seeking services that currently has close to 130,000 people on it. Many wait for a decade or longer to get into a group home or day program.
Judge allows Alex Jones to liquidate personal assets to help pay $1.5 billion to Sandy Hook families
(Houston Public Media) Alex Jones was ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the families of the Sandy Hook massacres after he falsely claimed the shooting was a hoax. Jones’ bankruptcy case will now be converted to a liquidation, which means most of his personal assets — except for his primary home in Austin — will be sold off.
Alpha School to bring new AI-based academies to the Austin area
(Community Impact) This fall, Alpha School will open GT School for Gifted and Talented in Georgetown, Esports Academy in Northwest Austin, and Lake Travis Sports Academy in the Hudson Bend area. The private school aims to expedite students’ learning process and academic growth using artificial intelligence, co-founder MacKenzie Price said.
Texas High School State Rodeo Finals: state champions win in phenomenal ways
(KTAB) There were some fast times and hard falls at this year’s Texas High School Rodeo State Finals.
With addition of charter grads, Alamo Promise eyes another record: 12,645 for tuition-free college
(San Antonio Report) An estimated 12,645 students will be attending community college tuition-free in San Antonio this fall, a record number participating in the Alamo Promise program, which expanded last year to include all high school graduates in the region.
Here’s what a revamped Bexar Appraisal District board can do this property tax season
(San Antonio Report) Three newly elected members will join the now nine-member board of directors for the Bexar Appraisal District — overseeing the agency that sets property valuations.
UT Tyler launches new department in cooperation with U.S. Dermatology Partners
(KLTV) Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine founding dean, said dermatology clinics have trouble hiring in smaller towns, and offering a local training program will help meet this need.
Houston ISD’s state-appointed board, with 5-4 vote, approves $2.1 billion budget for 2024-25
(Houston Public Media) With a 5-4 vote, the managers’ closest yet since they and Miles were appointed a year ago by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, the board signed off on a budget for the 2024-25 academic year that includes an expansion of Miles’ New Education System (NES).
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD considers changing its library materials policy to give conservative board the ultimate say
(Houston Chronicle) After voting to remove content from state-approved textbooks in May, the Cypress-Fairbanks school board is now considering overhauling its library collection policy to give trustees a first look at book title acquisitions and the final say on book challenges.
On Curriculum and Literacy, Texas Gets It | Op Ed
(American Enterprise institute) The bottom line: If you think Bible stories are inappropriate in a public school ELA curriculum, let Texas’s important new OER curriculum be your come-to-Jesus moment.
San Antonio ISD gets advice on how to repurpose recently closed schools from realtor association
(Texas Public Radio) The San Antonio Independent School District hosted a team of realtor consultants the first week of June to get expert advice on how to repurpose the 13 school buildings left vacant by the district’s rightsizing plan.
Ysleta ISD approves budget with deficit, no employee pay raises
(El Paso Matters) The Ysleta Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 5-2 Wednesday to approve a $408.2 million budget with a $17.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year, which included a $550 stipend but no pay raises for its employees.
WIllis ISD projects balanced budget for fiscal year 2024-25
(Community Impact) “The most important takeaway is that we are projecting a balanced budget,” said Garrett Matej, the assistant superintendent of business and finance. “This summer will shift as we refine the budget throughout the summer, but this is a strong foundation.”
Friendswood ISD trustees extend service with autism therapy program
(Community Impact) Friendswood ISD’s board of trustees approved an additional $35,000 with KYO Autism Therapy, which is a program that offers behavior support services for school districts, extending the service through August at its June 10 meeting.
Texas Teachers adds Tallvine to infrastructure manager lineup
(IPE Real Assets) Teacher Retirement System of Texas has added Tallvine Partners Management to its infrastructure manager by issuing a $154m (€143.4m) commitment to the manager. Texas Teachers also said it placed $150m into the Macquarie Infrastructure Partners-managed Tython Limited Partnership, which also targets US value-add investments.
Deep East Texas teachers learn new skills with ‘externships’
(KTRE) The program has 15 middle and high school teachers from 11 school districts match with 13 businesses across the region for a week of learning, observing, and job-shadowing.
Proposed Dallas ISD policy could keep students out of alternative schools
(KERA) Under a proposed change to the district’s code of conduct, some students facing discipline could opt for community service instead of alternative school.
Texas court decision signals trouble for Title IX LGBTQ+ protections
(K-12 Dive) A district court said the Education Department overstepped its authority in 2021 guidance that told states how to interpret the anti-sex-discrimination statute.
Blue Bird Announces Standard Lap/Shoulder Seatbelts on All School Buses
(School Transportation News) Blue Bird is the first school bus builder to install three-point seat belts and a bus driver air bag as standard equipment, starting in the fall of 2024.
This Texas high school is tackling the officiating crisis head on
(Corpus Christi Caller-Times) Flour Bluff Independent School District announced in a press release Thursday that it will offer a sports officiating class for the 2024-2025 school year. The class will be offered to juniors and seniors as an elective course.
The remarkable story of Boys Ranch, Texas high school football’s Last Chance U
(Dave Campbell’s Texas Football) At Boys Ranch, a home for at-risk youth is home to Texas high school football’s most extraordinary team.
Content platform ‘Passes’ inks massive deal with Texas One Fund
(Longhorns Country) The Texas athletic department is collectively making history; the Texas One Fund, an “name/image/likeness” (NIL) organization for Longhorns athletes, has signed the first-ever collective NIL content creation deal with Passes, a groundbreaking platform in the space.
McCombs apologizes after ‘error’ asks non-admitted applicants for enrollment deposits
(Austin American-Statesman) Graduate applicants who were not admitted to the University of Texas McCombs School of Business received an accidental email Tuesday requesting an enrollment deposit, according to a statement posted by the school.
Voter advocacy groups ask feds to step in after Texas allowed some voters’ ballots to be identified
(Texas Tribune) The request comes as state and local officials undermined ballot secrecy in their bids for election transparency.
Alex Jones faces day of reckoning over what he owes Sandy Hook families
(NPR) A federal bankruptcy judge in Texas is expected to force Jones to liquidate his personal assets, including ownership of his media company, Free Speech Systems, in order to pay families nearly $1.5 billion in damages for spreading lies that the 2012 school shooting never happened.
Regents greenlight UTRGV’s new optometry school
(nyRGV) Marking the first step in the process, UTRGV hopes to become just the third university in the state to have a school of optometry, another game changer for students seeking opportunities and local health care.
New housing authority CEO’s first directive: Rescind notices to vacate
(San Antonio Report) A majority of the roughly 600 notices to vacate sent to public housing residents in April will be rescinded immediately, said Michael Reyes, acting president and CEO of San Antonio’s housing authority, in a statement Thursday.
A Pair of Texas-Based Schools Are on the Leading Edge of Teaching Doctors About AI
(HealthLeaders) University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University College at the University of Texas at San Antonio are offering an MD/MS in artificial intelligence dual degree.
After Uvalde, Texas promised armed guards in every school. It hasn’t happened
(San Antonio Express-News) District leaders who spoke to the newspaper said they struggled to pay for the added security or couldn’t find people to take the jobs.
Humble ISD legal woes rack up another $1 million in fees — and inspire a highly critical poem
(Houston Chronicle) Humble ISD trustees voted narrowly Tuesday night to keep the district’s current general counsel on leave for the two weeks remaining on his contract, a move that could effectively terminate the attorney.
Conservative politics seeps into decision to remove vaccines, climate change from Cy-Fair textbooks
(Houston Chronicle) The former science coordinator at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD was “appalled” as she watched the conservative stronghold on the school board vote to remove 13 chapters from science, health and education textbooks last month, scrapping in just minutes countless hours of work done by both state and local textbook review committees.
Cy-Fair ISD board to consider library policy changes
(Community Impact) A proposal to further revise Cy-Fair ISD library policies is on the agenda for upcoming board meetings June 13 and June 17. This measure comes just weeks after district administration decided to reduce the number of librarian positions districtwide by more than half ahead of the 2024-25 school year.
Kids Count finds Texas failing
(Texas Public Radio) According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Texas went from 43rd to 45th in overall child well-being (based on measures of economic well-being, education, health, and family and community) between 2018 and 2022.
An Extreme Anti-Immigrant Law Could Threaten Undocumented Youth in Texas
(The Nation) SB 4, which the ACLU called one of the most extreme pieces of anti-immigrant legislation ever enacted, would give Texas police the power to engage in immigration enforcement.
Fort Worth ISD adopts $826.6M budget — with $17.7M deficit
(Fort Worth Report) During its June 11 board workshop, the Fort Worth ISD board voted 8-1 to adopt the more than $1 billion 2024-25 budget. The general fund budget, which funds daily operations, shows an estimated revenue of $826.6 million, with anticipated expenses of $844.2 million — a $17.7 million deficit.
United ISD approves pay raises for employees
(KGNS) According to the district, a one-time salary increase of $1,500 was approved for all classroom teachers for the upcoming school year. Meanwhile – all other full-time district employees will get an $1,100 increase.
Brownsville ISD to give all employees 2% pay raises
(myRGV) The Brownsville Independent School District has begun writing next year’s budget to include 2% pay raises for all employees amid an ongoing effort to right-size the district and make good on its pledge to avoid layoffs.
Houston politicians question HISD’s delay in asking FEMA for storm relief
(Houston Chronicle) Some Houston politicians are questioning why it took nearly a month for Houston ISD to confirm that it is applying for federal assistance to help repair campuses damaged by the May 16 derecho storms, fearing that HISD leaders are using the damage to try to strong-arm voters into approving a proposed $4.4 billion bond.
Spring ISD takes next steps in potential tax rate election process
(Community Impact) As SISD faces a $25 million general fund budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25—cut down to $13 million in May—trustees are in the process of considering a $0.05 increase to the district’s tax rate. If called by trustees and approved by voters, the voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) would generate an additional $20.4 million annually for the district, including a 2% raise for all staff.
Pearland ISD trustees approve $2.8M surplus for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Pearland ISD’s board of trustees at its June 11 meeting approved the district’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25, with officials expecting a surplus of about $2.8 million.
Fostering excellence, student growth among Frisco ISD priorities for 2024-25 school year
(Community Impact) Creating opportunities for student growth and fostering excellence are part of three priorities set by the Frisco ISD board of trustees for the 2024-25 school year.
Round Rock ISD police want to respond faster. County partners worry about their plans
(KXAN) Round Rock ISD is withholding data showing its average police response times. Unlike some other school districts in the area, its legal team cites a 2020 Texas attorney general ruling that allows agencies to withhold that information if they believe it could jeopardize public safety.
Klein ISD officials vow to enhance student safety policies, employee training following teacher arrest
(Community Impact) Klein ISD officials have vowed to examine and enhance all safety practices, policies, procedures and training following the arrest of former teacher Kedria Grigsby on charges of child trafficking and compelling prostitution of minors.
Legendary Texas high school basketball coach Robert Hughes dies at 96
(NBC DFW) Basketball Hall of Fame legend and Texas’ winningest high school basketball coach, Robert Hughes has died.
Texas’ push for election transparency met with unintended consequences
(KXAN) Election officials are worried that as ballot transparency increases, information about a voter could be easier to discover by analyzing a combination of information available.
Democrats think they can flip Texas House seats by going after GOP’s education funding and school voucher policies
(Texas Tribune) Texas Democrats are zeroing in on education issues in their bid to flip several state House districts this fall, as they look to blame GOP lawmakers for teacher shortages and school closures and mobilize their base around defeating Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature school voucher policy.
Texas wants federal judge off its long-lived foster care case
(Texas Public Radio) Texas escalated its fight with the federal judge overseeing parts of its foster care system by asking an appeals court to remove her from the case.
Texas Senate panel asks officials about Operation Lone Star: ‘How long can we do this?’
(Austin American-Statesman) Texas has invested $11 billion since 2021 in Operation Lone Star to help stem the tide of migrant arrivals to the state’s southern border with Mexico, but the leading Republican in the state Senate Committee on Border Security is questioning how much longer will Texans be asked to front the cost for the operation.
Texas Joins Lawsuit Against New Federal Rule Advantaging Foreigners in US Agriculture
(Texas Scorecard) If the rule goes into effect on June 28, temporary agricultural workers will be allowed to unionize while Americans can’t.
Alamo Colleges, A&M-San Antonio blaze a tuition-free trail to a four-year degree
(San Antonio Express-News) Alamo Colleges District officials announced a partnership with Texas A&M University-San Antonio as their newest tool to break racial and economic barriers to higher education, pledging to open an affordable “pathway to the middle class.”
Embracing a career that’s never going away: San Antonio College opens a funeral home
(Texas Public Radio) According to the American Board of Funeral Service Education, SAC is the only mortuary science program in the country with a funeral home on campus right now.
UT to end remote work for almost all employees in fall. Why union members are ‘horrified’
(Austin American-Statesman) The University of Texas is ending remote work for almost all staff members in August, President Jay Hartzell announced in an email Wednesday.
Texas A&M students’ training help rescue people stranded in the middle of the Gulf, university says
(ABC 13 Houston) Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets are being credited with helping rescue people stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a university spokesperson.
Rice University scraps ‘Night of Decadence’ tradition after 2023 party marred by alcohol-related hospitalizations
(Houston Public Media) The annual underwear-themed party held at Rice University for more than 50 years has been scrapped by officials at the prestigious Houston private school.
Sex offender in Mesquite kidnapping case found living near parks, schools
(Fox 4 KDFW) It appears Doyle Tipton was not living at the home he reported to state registry officials. Instead, he was living in an apartment complex near parks and schools and just blocks away from where he allegedly kidnapped a 10-year-old girl.
Federal judge strikes down Biden administration guidance meant to protect LGBTQ students
(Dallas Morning News) A North Texas federal judge Tuesday threw out Biden administration guidance saying gender identity and sexual orientation are covered by Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office sued to block the guidance, hailed the ruling.
Texas sues to block new Biden administration rule protecting access to some gender transition care
(Texas Tribune) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the Biden administration over a new federal rule that he says would require states to pay for gender care procedures for transgender people through their Medicaid programs and require health care providers to perform them.
Texas to get $61.5 million as part of Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit settlement
(Austin American-Statesman) Texas receive $61.5 million as part of a $700 million nationwide settlement against Johnson & Johnson over baby powder safety claims, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday.
Abbott appoints first judges to new appeals court for cases involving state government, businesses
(Texas Tribune) The Texas Legislature created the court last year, with proponents saying it would increase efficiency and opponents arguing that it was an effort by Republicans to circumvent Democrat-dominated courts.
In face of a possible $20 million deficit, HEB ISD remains optimistic on budget
(Fort Worth Report) Though Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD faces potential budget deficits of up to $23 million in the future, Superintendent Joe Harrington and trustees say the district is in a better spot than others across Tarrant County.
Arlington ISD approves 4% teacher raise, stays one of DFW’s highest-paying districts
(Arlington Report) The move brings AISD’s starting teacher pay to $64,600, up from $62,500. That makes the district the highest paying among its neighbors for teachers in years 1 to 29 of teaching, and the second-highest paying for teachers who’ve taught 30 years or more, per estimates discussed at the meeting.
Large San Antonio school districts approve raises despite deficits, say more state funding needed
(Texas Public Radio) The deadline for teachers to retire or resign without penalty loomed this month, and San Antonio’s three largest school districts all approved modest raises or retention bonuses within the last two weeks.
Friendswood ISD trustees approve pay increases for FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Teachers and nonteaching professionals in Friendswood ISD will receive a minimum $2,000 increase, and all other staff will receive a 1% increase for fiscal year 2024-25 after the board of trustees approved the increases at its June 10 meeting.
Fort Bend ISD trustees adopt 2024-25 budget amid financial constraints
(Community Impact) Superintendent Marc Smith said FBISD administration plans to be active in the upcoming legislative session to plan for potential revenue impacts.
Longview ISD approves 4 percent pay raise for teachers, staff
(CBS 19) According to the school district, teachers will receive a 4 percent pay increase and all other district employees will receive a 4 percent increase in the midpoint as a part of the 2024-25 compensation plan.
Clear Creek ISD trustees approve $444K for facility, transportation projects
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD will be undergoing construction this summer, and additional school buses will be added for the 2024-25 school year after the board approved funding for a few projects at its June 10 workshop meeting.
McAllen ISD educators speak out against cutting planning periods
(myRGV) The district here just like other Texas public school districts have to make hard choices regarding the shortfall on their budgets, and a proposed idea regarding teacher’s planning periods and an additional class is causing district teachers to speak out.
Former Teacher Admits to Downloading Child Abuse Pornography Since 1995
(Texas Scorecard) Corey Westbrook, 69, a former teacher, was arrested in Morton, Texas for allegedly downloading child abuse pornography. According to court documents, Westbrook had been downloading child pornography since 1995—amounting to around three to four terabytes of content. He was initially arrested in early March of this year.
Dallas ISD considers community service, parenting classes instead of alternative school
(Dallas Morning News) Keisha Crowder Davis, the district’s director of student engagement and support, said the idea is to give campus administrators another tool to address behavior problems while still helping kids.
Lone Star College officials forecast $54.4M in added revenue for FY 2024-25 budget
(Community Impact) While public school districts across the Greater Houston area are projecting budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2024-25, Lone Star College officials said they expect a balanced budget for the college system.
Killeen ISD to go ‘phone-free’ in 2024-2025 school year
(KCEN) The plan would require students at all middle schools and high schools to keep their cell phones in a school issued pouch. It would have a locking device similar to clothing security tags, according to the district. The pouches would remain locked until the end of the school day.
IL Texas superintendent responds to criticism over student safety and alleged teacher misconduct
(KBTX) -IL Texas officials are addressing mounting criticism over the school’s handling of student safety and alleged staff misconduct after a former teacher was accused of sexually assaulting a student. The concerns center around Jose Adrian Hernandez Grimaldo, a former Spanish teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a school bathroom and left bruises on a student with special needs in 2022.
UT Austin initiates discipline for student protesters, places hold on transcripts
(Austin American-Statesman) The students, who were arrested during the April protest and received disciplinary letters, also said they cannot access their transcripts or registration due to a nonfinancial hold from the dean of students office on their accounts.
Group demands San Antonio university investigate claims of First Amendment violations
(San Antonio Current) The nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) sent two letters — one in April and another last month — to UTSA President Taylor Eighmy laying out accusations that Dean of Students LaTonya Robinson barred protesters at an April 24 on-campus demonstration from using certain words and phrases.
North Texas mother worried for her deaf children following closure of Plano ISD’s Davis Elementary
(WFAA) Katrina Christensen and her son, Jack, are scared about Davis Elementary School in Plano closing. They moved to Texas specifically for its deaf education program.
At Houston Christian University, almost 1 in 5 new freshmen accepted without a typical application
(Houston Chronicle) Direct admissions is essentially an application in reverse, where students are screened and notified that a university is holding space for them if they meet certain metrics. The students then express their interest, accept the offer and fill out a simplified form.
UT Dallas protesters in legal limbo, banned from campus, degrees withheld
(Dallas Morning News) After Mousa Najjar’s name was called during a May graduation ceremony, he stopped in the middle of the stage in front of the audience, raising a Palestinian flag with the words “divest from death” written on it.
UT to break ground on new McCombs Business building in fall. Here’s what it will look like
(Austin American-Statesman) After more than 10 years of planning, new design details have emerged for the University of Texas’ undergraduate business building, Miriam and James J. Mulva Hall, which is set for groundbreaking this fall and opening in the summer of 2028.
You’ll never guess the price tag for the most expensive ticket to Texas-Texas A&M is. Whatever number you think it is, think higher
(KCEN) Eye-popping ticket prices were shared and went viral on X. A screenshot of a lower bowl pair of tickets on Ticketmaster was selling for a whopping $104,476! The total with taxes and fees for those two tickets: $249,175.26.
Texas Tech Pledges Greater Oversight Following Drag Queen Seminar
(Texas Scorecard) The event was brought to the attention of Texas Tech University leadership after it took place.
Cultural graduation ceremonies are still valuable | Opinion
(Daily Texan) The University is unable to hold these events and has been forced to cut their funding, so it is now up to students to support each other by ensuring cultural graduation ceremonies continue.
The Texas Canon: How a Houston high school band brought in the funk
(Houston Chronicle) The Kashmere Stage Band made music meant to move to and marvel at.
New pediatric unit part of effort to expand youth mental health services in San Antonio
(San Antonio Report) Clarity Child Guidance Center will open eight new pediatric psychiatric intensive care unit rooms in August, part of the nonprofit’s three-phase expansion of youth mental health services in San Antonio.
Advocates for Native American studies pushing for new elective in Texas schools
(KCBD) In Lubbock, this group of supporters called on Aaron Kinsey, a member of the Texas State Board of Education. Kinsey represents both the South Plains and the Permian Basin.
It’s official. Plano ISD will close 4 schools in 2025
(Fox 4 KDFW) Plano ISD said that by closing two elementary schools and two middle schools, it will save about $5 million in operating costs per year.
‘Elephant in the room’: Houston ISD bond plan includes $150M for small, half-empty schools
(Houston Landing) Houston ISD officials are proposing about $150 million in upgrades for low-enrollment elementary schools that are operating at less than 50 percent of building capacity.
HISD outlines plans to slash 200 wraparound positions as some question NES expansion
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD is cutting more than 200 wrap-around specialists — who help Houston ISD’s neediest students access food, clothing, hygienic products and other basics — as part of the proposed budget that started with a $528 million deficit. The 48 remaining wraparound workers split their time among four and seven schools each.
Wheatley High School sparked the HISD takeover. How are students doing one year later?
(Houston Chronicle) “There is additional pressure (on us to succeed) because Wheatley is in the spotlight, but it’s pressure that’s necessary because of the past history and past low-performance of the campus,” Wheatley Principal Sabrina Cuby-King said.
Houston schools show test score growth in first state takeover year
(K-12 Dive) Early signs of success in the controversial and large-scale takeover suggest the district could transition from state intervention sooner rather than later.
Spring ISD leaders make $9.8M in staffing cuts to reduce $25M budget gap
(Community Impact) Spring ISD leaders were able to slash the district’s anticipated $25 million fiscal year 2024-25 budget gap in half, which included about $9.8 million in “position-related reductions,” a district spokesperson said in a June 5 email.
Pearland ISD trustees to consider budget for FY 2024-25, additional personnel
(Community Impact) At its May 14 workshop meeting, district officials and trustees projected the budget should see a surplus of nearly $4.1 million, along with a slight decrease in the overall tax rate.
Mendez Middle School in Austin is chronically failing. Will Third Future charter save it?
(Austin American-Statesman) In an effort to stave off state sanctions, the Austin district in 2022 turned the school over to Third Future Schools, a charter company that operates campuses in Colorado, Texas and Louisiana.
Crowley ISD expects $23M budget deficit for new school year
(Fort Worth Report) “In case you’re wondering, it is raining in the school system. It’s not one of those natural storms. This is a man-made, politically made storm,” Crowley ISD Superintendent Michael McFarland said.
Big change coming to Waco ISD to help combat bus driver shortage
(KXXV) Dr. Ricky Edison is Waco ISD’s Director of Transportation and said, “The last day of the contract for GoldStar Transit is June 30th. So with July 1st Waco ISD will be in charge of its own transportation.”
A triple whammy for public education in Texas | Opinion
(Clay Robison/TSTA) One of the last things Manor ISD needs right now – in addition to the enactment of a voucher law – is another charter school in the neighborhood.
Whistleblower faces federal charges after exposing alleged continuation of gender-affirming care at Texas Children’s Hospital
(Houston Public Media) Houston surgeon Eithan Haim is charged with four counts of criminal HIPAA violations after leaking internal documents that allegedly showed that Texas Children’s Hospital continued to provide gender-affirming services to minors after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion in 2022 stating gender-affirming care was a form of child abuse.
University begins investigations for students arrested during on-campus protests
(Daily Texan) In a letter obtained by the Texan, the University cited sec.11-500 of institutional rules and student services and said the students may have violated UT’s Student Code of Conduct.
UT San Antonio allegedly banned students from chanting ‘from the river to the sea’
(The College Fix) The University of Texas at San Antonio is facing pushback from a free speech organization after allegedly prohibiting pro-Palestine student protesters from using certain words and phrases, including chanting in Arabic.
Southwest ISD school bus slides into ditch due to wet roads, district says
(KENS-TV) The school bus was carrying nine students when it slid off the road and into a ditch. The district says that nobody was injured.
Splendora ISD employees arrested for alleged possession of child pornography
(Fox 26 Houston) On Thursday, Isaac Silva, an employee at Peach Creek Elementary, and Anthony Jackson, an employee at Splendora High School, were arrested on possession of child pornography charges.
National fight over race-conscious programs reaches Bexar County
(San Antonio Report) A Wisconsin-based conservative legal foundation challenged Bexar County’s use of race and gender preferences in awarding pandemic-era relief grants.
FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on June 20 in College Station
(KBTX) The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding a free Open Government Seminar in College Station on Thursday, June 20, 2024, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws.
Law Allows Districts to Take Advantage of Federal Dollars for Employee Healthcare
(RiskManagers.us) The Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) is an employer group solution made possible by federal statute (2019) and regulation. The ICHRA additionally garners federal funds to assist in plan affordability for your employees.
UnitedHealthcare Invests $1 Million to Provide Integrated Health Care Services to K-12 Students in Texas
(Business Wire) Funds have been given to school health provider Goodside Health, who will provide integrated physical and behavioral health visits, non-medical drivers of health screenings, and referrals.
This Texas Community Library Provides ‘Queer Rural Resistance’ to Book Bans
(Rewire News Group) Thousands of books have been banned since HB 900 was signed into law last year, but Carabiner Collections aims to combat the censorship.
Does Texas have the dirtiest city in the US? One study says so
(Austin American-Statesman) Houston is the dirtiest city in the United States – that’s what one study says, at least.
New Microsoft program aims to increase cybersecurity at U.S. hospitals, including those in Texas
(KVUE) In order to help decrease these online attacks, Microsoft has partnered with the White House, the American Hospital Association and the American Rural Health Association to introduce its new Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals.
High school students’ math scores are still lagging, STAAR results show
(Texas Tribune) Partial scores from the state’s standardized test released Friday show high school students are still struggling with algebra, once again raising concerns about young Texans’ readiness to enter high-paying careers in STEM-related fields.
University of North Texas names Harrison Keller as sole finalist for president
(Texas Tribune) Keller has served as the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2019.
Texas Democratic platform supports guaranteed right to abortion, opposes school choice
(Dallas Morning News) Delegates to the Texas Democratic Party’s state convention unanimously adopted a platform Saturday that supports a guaranteed right to abortion and repealing the state’s latest border security law and opposes legislation allowing public money to be used for private schools.
With new rules, the Texas GOP seeks to keep its elected officials in line
(Texas Tribune) The state party plans to limit primaries to registered Republicans and keep elected officials it censured off the ballot. It’s unclear if it can without legislative approval.
Trains still blocking HISD
(Houston Chronicle [via Reddit]) “The train is always there blocking our way home, school and other places that we want to head,” Tista tells the largely expressionless faces of two [Union Pacific] representatives, one in a suit and one in a polo. “This is a problem because some students and other people in our community go over and under, which is illegal and it’s also a safety hazard.”
MAP: Which school districts have increased teacher pay for the 2024-25 school year?
(KXAN) There are 58 districts in the KXAN viewing area, from Mason ISD in the west to Fayetteville ISD in the east. So far, 22 of those districts have announced new salaries for the upcoming school year.
Socorro ISD school board votes no on raises; reduces health plan contributions
(El Paso Matters) The Socorro school board voted Thursday not to give teachers and staff raises for the 2024-25 school year and to require employees to pay for more of their health care costs to combat the district’s ongoing financial crisis.
Clear Creek ISD projects $13.4M shortfall, tax rate decrease for 2024-25 fiscal year
(ABC 13) Clear Creek ISD’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget is expected to have a shortfall of $13.4 million as well as a tax rate decrease of about 0.8%.
Salary Bump Knocks Local ISD’s Budget Off-Kilter
(Dallas Express) Fort Worth ISD’s school board recently approved a 2% salary increase district-wide, creating a budget deficit of millions of dollars. Dallas ISD has also managed to plan a budget that includes a teacher salary hike without campus closures, as covered by The Dallas Express. Similarly, the budget is unbalanced, with a projected shortfall of about $152 million.
Leander ISD projected to adopt $13.1M shortfall for 2024-25 fiscal year
(Community Impact) The district’s budget projections include $448.49 million in revenues and $460.36 million in expenditures, according to district documents. Additionally, the district will transfer $1.23 million to other district funds resulting in a $13.1 million budget shortfall. Unlike previous projections, the shortfall now falls within the district’s budget parameter—set at 3% of revenues—by about $18,000.
‘Waking nightmare’: NEISD trustees face looming deficit in budget talks
(San Antonio Report) One year after the North East Independent School District joined others in the region providing historic pay increases, a new board of trustees is grappling with how to retain employees while also managing a ballooning $38 million budget deficitdue in part tothose raises.
The top 20 highest-paid Katy ISD employees: Search our salary database
(Houston Chronicle) Katy ISD Superintendent Kenneth Gregorski was the district’s highest-paid employee in the 2023-24 school year, earning about $429,000 in his fifth year leading the district.
School districts across the Houston region are cutting budgets to cover $857M in shortfalls
(Houston Chronicle) A recent report from the Texas Education Agency shows that state funding has actually decreased over the past 10 years Gov. Greg Abbott has been in office, when accounting for double-digit inflation, according to the TEA.
Bastrop family complains daughters are getting bullied. Here’s how BISD responded
(Austin American-Statesman) The Bastrop school board this week rejected a family’s appeal for additional services after the parents of two high school-age daughters accused the district of failing to stop students from bullying the girls.
United ISD confirms teacher charged with child pornography on administrative leave
(KGNS) According to arrest reports, Jose Hernandez Grimaldo assaulted a 12-year-old in a restroom on the IL Texas campus in College Station in February 2023.
Readers Respond: Dallas Christian School Coach Arrested for Sexual Assault of a Child
(Dallas Observer) Few things can provoke the anger of readers the way the arrest of a Christian private school teacher for child sexual assault did.
‘Hurricane Season From Hell’ Could Make Parts of Texas Uninsurable
(Newsweek) A “hurricane season from hell” this year, as forecasting service WeatherBELL Analytics described it, could upend the vulnerable Texas home insurance market, experts told Newsweek.
Central Texas school districts participate in this year’s Wrenches to Wheels program
(KWTX) The Wrenches to Wheels program is intended to introduce middle school students to technical careers through hands-on bike building. Partnered with community leaders as mentors, students gain mechanical skills, problem-solving abilities and valuable career insights.
Sherman, Pentagon’s tech leader, to leave post for Texas A&M
(Federal Times) John Sherman will leave the government gig to become dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
TEA places UNT educator preparation program on probation for second year in row
(KERA) Ruthanne Thompson, the interim dean of the UNT College of Education, said the probation came as a result of candidate performance.
UTA creates pathway for aspiring teachers
(UT Arlington) Certification will prepare aspiring educators in Arlington ISD and beyond to address national teaching shortage.
Texas is investing in better mental health | Op Ed
(UT System News) The Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium leverages technology to ensure that virtual mental health support with a licensed counselor is available to any public K-12 school district in the state that wants it.
‘I Think It’s Going To Change The World’: Aggie Is Neuralink’s First Brain-Implant Participant
(Texas A&M Today) The device has provided former Texas A&M student Noland Arbaugh a new purpose — and new possibilities — by giving him the power to control a computer with his mind.
Graham ISD Athletic Administrator Has History of Calling for Violence on Social Media
(Texas Scorecard) A facilities coordinator for Graham Independent School District has a history of calling for violence against various people on social media.
UT Austin is investigating students arrested during pro-Palestinian protests
(KUT) Students at UT Austin who were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests in April are being investigated by the university and may face disciplinary action, according to emails sent to students Friday.
New University of Austin to Add $5 Million in Bitcoin to Endowment
(Chief Investment Officer) The school, formed in opposition to what some critics call academia’s leftist mindset, goes against many allocators’ wariness about crypto.
New ransomware attack based on an evolutional generative adversarial network can evade security measures
(Tech Xplore) Researchers at Texas A&M University and Ho Technical University recently developed a new approach to produce adversarial ransomware samples, which they term evolution generative adversarial network (EGAN).
Perryton ISD coach charged after alleged sexual relationship with 15-year-old student
(WFAA-TV) Cole Underwood was arrested after the Perryton ISD superintendent contacted authorities about surveillance video allegedly of Underwood meeting a female student after hours “despite being given a specific directive not to be alone with her,” a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Dallas Man Tied to Camp With History of Abuse Arrested for Sexual Assault of a Child
(Dallas Observer) Matthew Harmon, 46, posted bail after being booked into the jail on May 29. According to police, the warrant for Harmon’s arrest came after a yearlong investigation into a 2007 incident that occurred between Harmon and a student he met while working at the Providence Christian School of Texas.
San Antonio declares overdoses a public health crisis
(San Antonio Report) The crisis declaration sets the issue as a priority for the city, and comes on the heels of nearly $1 million in opioid settlement funds the city got to reduce overdoses through 2025.
Texas is below average when it comes to people finishing their TB treatment
(Texas Public Radio) Only 85% of patients enrolled in programs to treat their TB finished them within a year. The national average for people who complete their treatment within a year was nearly 90%. The CDC’s goal is 99%.
Uvalde families sue two additional companies, FedEx and UPS
(WOAI San Antonio) The families allege that the companies played a role in the incident by facilitating the shipment of weapons to the shooter.
Austin charter school applies for dormancy period to fix building issues
(KXAN) Jubilee Wells Branch, a pre-K through 12th grade public charter school, said it applied for the dormancy so it could fix issues with the building, including the A/C units, leaking roofs and walls. The news came as a shock to parents.
Deep in the heart of Texas the vision of AI being trained to protect our schools
(Fox SA) On South Padre Island 48 superintendents from South Texas saw firsthand the unveiling of the future of security for schools. A system designed not in a major US city but right here deep in the heart of Texas in the small cities of Port Isabel and McAllen.
Ex-boyfriend of Lamar CISD teacher accused of leaking private, explicit videos over a car dispute
(Houston Chronicle) Nicholas Garcia, 29, was charged with unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material after he allegedly threatened to share two videos when he and his former girlfriend were in an ongoing argument about who should take their shared car after their breakup, Harris County court documents read.
Federal judge denies motion to dismiss family’s lawsuit against Lorena ISD
(KWTX) A federal judge in Waco on Wednesday denied a motion from the Lorena school district and the primary school principal to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the parents of a pre-K student who was sexually abused at school by her teacher.
Texas tells local election officials to stop releasing information that exposes how some people vote
(Texas Tribune) The emergency guidance from the secretary of state comes after Votebeat and The Texas Tribune confirmed the choices some voters make can later be identified through legally available records.
FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on June 20 in College Station
(KBTX) This training will help citizens and public officials learn how to use our state’s transparency laws,” said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
Advocacy organization questions UTSA over free speech violation allegations
(San Antonio Report) A nonprofit advocacy organization focused on free speech rights has sent several letters to UTSA in the wake of student protests in recent months, during which students alleged that administrators forbade them from chanting in Arabic or using certain phrases — allegations the university has previously denied.
FBISD Trustees Discuss Putting Superintendent in Charge Of Book Reviews
(Houston Press) The modifications introduced by trustee David Hamilton and backed by fellow trustee Sonya Jones in April would curb the requirement of using a formal reconsideration committee to review a challenged text.
Fort Worth ISD school board OKs $194.6M in purchases. Here’s what they bought
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD schools will soon receive updated reading curricula and school security upgrades, and much more.
Celina ISD officials approve 3% raise for teachers, staff
(Community Impact) Employees will receive a 3% raise at the midpoint of their pay grade. Salaries for starting teachers with zero years of experience will be $56,200—a $1,200 increase from the starting salary of $55,000 in 2023-24.
DATA: See which Greater Houston-area school districts are facing budget shortfalls in FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) Of the 16 Greater Houston-area school districts covered by Community Impact, officials for 10 districts said they are expecting budget shortfalls in FY 2024-25.
Eanes ISD to implement violation levels system to student code of conduct in 2024-25
(Community Impact) Along with the new levels system, which will address varying offenses and provide suitable disciplinary action, the code of conduct addresses the district’s new police department’s role in enforcing the conduct and provides clarification on the misuse of misusing district technology.
Montgomery ISD maintains $4.3M projected shortfall ahead of budget approval
(Community Impact) Montgomery ISD trustees are set to approve the fiscal year 2024-25 budget during their June 25 meeting.
Leander ISD shifts dyslexia services to special education under new state law
(Community Impact) While proponents of the law say the change is designed to improve services for students, Leander ISD officials and some educational organizations have expressed concerns that the changes may put a strain on staff members and result in additional costs for districts.
Texas Girl Scout awarded for LGBTQ+ library project
(KXAN) Girl Scouts of Central Texas recognized Norah S. with a Silver Award for her project creating the Little Rainbow Library. The library includes a “carefully curated selection of books that represent and celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience,” per a news release.
Republican Governors Are Refusing Free Meals for Millions of Kids | Opinion
(The New Republic) Texas, the second-largest state in the country, with 3.8 million children eligible for the program, also opted out of Summer EBT; however, the reasoning seemed more logistical than political.
H-E-B chairman donates $20M to Texas food banks
(KXAN) H-E-B’s donation will support food banks enrolled in the Feeding Texas network, per the release.
UT Austin planning ‘Texas-sized party’ for first-ever SEC event
(KVUE) To celebrate, UT and Texas Athletics have planned a free, all-day event on Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 10 p.m. across the Forty Acres.
TEA appoints conservator to oversee Great Hearts Texas
(San Antonio Report) At the request of the board of Great Hearts Texas, the Texas Education Agency has appointed a conservator to oversee the San Antonio charter school network after a series of mishaps in recent months. The invitation is unique, with past interventions across the state following contentious battles with the agency.
Humble ISD superintendent’s husband accuses board president of sexual harassment, retaliation
(Houston Landing) Troy Kite, a former Humble administrator who’s married to Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen, alleged in his lawsuit that Board President Robert Scarfo made multiple “sexually charged” comments to him and inappropriately touched him over a five-year period.
Texas DFPS reports 386 children trafficked while in conservatorship last year
(KXAN) A report from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in May details how many children in DFPS conservatorships went missing, and how many were victims of human trafficking, during fiscal year 2023.
Ocean Vuong offers to send free copies of his book to Texas following ban
(Boston.com) Acclaimed poet and novelist Ocean Vuong said Wednesday he wants to send free copies of his debut novel to a Texas city where the school district has banned the book. According to an index of book bans compiled by PEN America, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” was banned in Conroe, Texas in the spring of 2023.
A New Bezos Academy Is Planned for Dallas, Offering Free Tuition
(Dallas Observer) Jeff Bezos (yeah, that Jeff Bezos, the guy who founded Amazon) is opening up several tuition-free Montessori preschools, and a new one is set for Dallas.
San Antonio ISD leaders say student calls for more mental health support merits increasing deficit
(Texas Public Radio) “Our students are dying. They’re struggling. So, we have decided to begin increasing our mental health support for our students and their families,” Superintendent Jaime Aquino told the board.
Another LGBTQ+ group alleges discrimination from Princeton ISD
(KERA) The ACLU of Texas administrative complaint accused the school district of violating free speech protections under the U.S. and Texas constitutions by banning Color Splash Out — a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit — and its founder Rev. Yadi Martínez-Reyna from holding events at Princeton ISD.
Here’s how a UIL proposal could change playoffs for some high school sports
(Dallas Morning News) The UIL plans to vote Tuesday on a proposal to drastically restructure the basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball playoffs by splitting them into two divisions, resembling the format for football. Here are the possible consequences of splitting the postseason into two divisions, according to emails and draft proposals obtained by The Dallas Morning News last week through a public records request.
Where’s the whistle? Texas high school football is facing an officials shortage
(USA Today) Texas high school football is huge, so it is noteworthy that the state is facing a shortage of game officials.
House GOP Caucus May Expel Members Who Campaigned With Abbott Against Liberal Republicans
(Texas Scorecard) An inside source says State Reps. Cole Hefner and Jared Patterson are behind the effort to punish conservative members.
Northside School District approves raises, boosting teacher pay over $60,000
(Fox SA) The base compensation will be a 2% increase plus an additional $1,100 stipend for full-time employees, and $550. This will elevate the base pay for all teachers, incoming and returning, to slightly over $60,000 annually.
Here are Tarrant County’s top salaries for superintendents
(Fort Worth Report) At the top of the list is Northwest ISD Superintendent Mark Foust, who earns an annual salary of $372,659. Foust has led Northwest ISD, which stretches from far north Fort Worth in Tarrant County into Denton and Wise counties, since early 2023.
Houston ISD’s state takeover could end sooner than expected, TEA-appointed superintendent says
(ABC 13) “If we keep up growth like this, we’ll be able to transition out into an elected board soon,” Miles said.
HISD High School STAAR Results Show Gains And a Long Way to Go
(Houston Press) Mike Miles had encouraging news on student scores, and as he acknowledged, a long road ahead.
HISD dismisses students for shortest summer yet after state-appointed leaders push for more class time
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD dismissed students for the summer on Wednesday, but they’ll be back in the classroom much earlier than usual after state-appointed school leaders voted to extend the upcoming school year last winter. That leaves HISD students with just a little more than two months of summer break.
HISD parents confused and angered after summer school robocalls: ‘A very serious mistake’
(Houston Chronicle) A mass phone call Friday and follow-up communications from Houston ISD informing families that their students must attend summer school or repeat the grade level sparked widespread confusion days ahead of the last day of school.
Houston ISD community members express skepticism about $4.4 billion bond proposal
(Houston Public Media) District leaders want to renovate and in some cases rebuild aging campuses while also bolstering safety, security and technology and expanding HISD’s pre-kindergarten and career training programs. But the bond package could be a tough sell after a tumultuous first year under state-appointed leadership.
Keller ISD adjusts summer hours as cost-saving measure
(Community Impact) Beginning June 3, district and campus administrative offices and facilities are open Tuesdays-Thursdays until July 29.
Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise
(Texas Tribune) Proposed lesson plans could improve student performance and help teachers, Texas education officials say. Not all district leaders and education advocates are convinced.
H-E-B’s Charles Butt spends big to boost public schools. Why did he cut back before key elections?
(Houston Chronicle) Bill Miller, a founder at the HillCo Partners lobbying firm who represents H-E-B and Butt’s education group Raise Your Hand Texas, said Butt couldn’t keep up with “unprecedented” contributions on the other side, but he would continue to advocate for Texas kids.
Attorney General’s Office Launches Initiative to Protect Citizens Data
(Texas Scorecard) Attorney General Ken Paxton announced today the launch of a new major initiative to protect citizens’ sensitive data from unauthorized exploitation by tech companies and artificial intelligence.
“Why now?”: Biden’s new immigration policy to limit asylum seekers faces quick criticism in Texas
(Texas Tribune) A new plan from President Joe Biden to temporarily stop granting asylum to migrants if illegal crossings pass a certain threshold was met Tuesday with condemnation in Texas from elected officials of both parties, while concern spread among groups that advocate for migrant’s rights about the immediate danger it will present to an already vulnerable population.
As Houston ISD officials look to pass $4.4 billion bond in November, district officials appoint familiar face as advisory committee co-chair
(Houston Public Media) Former HEB President Scott McClelland, who is known for his H-E-B commercials with the Houston Astros, and former Houston Texans J.J. Watt and Brock Osweiler are the three co-chairs of Houston ISD’s advisory committee for the $4.4 billion bond under consideration.
Tyler ISD Embraces ‘Civil Disobedience’ Against Title IX Changes
(Texas Scorecard) Superintendent Marty Crawford declared that Tyler Independent School District will follow Gov. Greg Abbott’s instruction to the Texas Education Agency to ignore the new Title IX rule.
Fort Worth ISD dips into reserves to cover nearly $17.7M in raises for teachers, staff
(KERA) Teachers and all other employees in Fort Worth ISD will see a 2% raise in the 2024-25 school year.
Liberty Hill ISD approves staff stipends amid projected $8.5M budget shortfall
(Community Impact) “It’s difficult news to share,” LHISD Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero said during the board’s budget workshop. “As hard as we’re working to try to cut and try to freeze and try to do everything we can in a manageable way, it still feels out of our control.”
McKinney ISD faces potential $21.9M shortfall in FY 2024-25
(Community Impact) District officials remain optimistic the Texas Legislature will provide additional funding to schools in the upcoming legislative session, Dennis Womack, MISD’s assistant superintendent of business, operations and technology, said.
Budget concerns push Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD toward cautious growth projections
(Fort Worth Report) Nailing Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD’s projected enrollment growth is a top priority for Superintendent Jim Chadwell.
Brownsville ISD works to whittle $20 million from budget
(myRGV) The Brownsville Independent School District is getting closer to determining where its budget can reasonably be cut and still provide the services the community expects.
Magnolia ISD moves forward with efficiency audit ahead of potential VATRE
(Community Impact) An efficiency audit is a requirement for any district considering calling a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Erich Morris said during the special meeting.
Editorial: Schools should resist pressure to place unreasonable restrictions on students’ reading materials
(myRGV) A local religious-based conservative group has been meeting with school officials and addressing school boards demanding that they ban books on their list of almost 700 titles the group doesn’t want Texas children to read. The public at large has a right to comment on their public schools and the resources their taxes buy. School officials should listen to such comments and make decisions they deem best for all students, not a select few. However, they should resist specific groups’ efforts to bully them into making decisions that are not in their students’ best interests.
Records reveal Fort Bend ISD board member is the only person pushing for library books to be removed
(KTRK) More than 30 books from Fort Bend ISD libraries have been challenged this year, and board member David Hamilton is the only person raising concerns.
Here’s A Risk Pool For Texas School Districts That Really Works
(RiskManagers.us) The South Texas Health Cooperative (STHC) in deep South Texas provides affordable health insurance to member school districts since 1998.
Texas A&M president says traditional bonfire will not return as part of renewed Texas rivalry
(AP) Texas A&M’s traditional bonfire, which ended 25 years ago after 12 people were killed and 27 more were wounded when the log stack collapsed during construction, will not return to campus for the renewal of the annual football rivalry with Texas, school President Mark Welsh III announced Tuesday.
Paxton asks Texas Supreme Court to toss state bar sanctions over efforts to overturn 2020 election
(Texas Public Radio) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants the state’s highest civil court to overturn state bar sanctions made against him in the wake of his failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
Mission names interim super as former top admin negotiates separation
(myRGV) After voting on May 27 to place former Mission Consolidated Independent School District superintendent Carol Perez on administrative leave with pay, the school board named Cris Valdez to interim superintendent last Friday at a special board meeting.
Friendswood mom arrested after toilet papering a house with 12 teens
(Houston Chronicle) Sarah Michelle Harding, 42, allegedly provided alcohol to a minor during the spree.
Fort Worth group plans mini libraries to boost books, resource access in underserved communities
(Fort Worth Report) Community Uplift Services, an organization devoted to providing opportunities to strengthen and build community, is working to create mini libraries around North Texas to empower impoverished communities. The first five are planned in Fort Worth and should be open within the next five months.
Former Evadale little league coach to serve 40 years for sexually assaulting players
(KTRE) Adam Dale Isaacks, 40, of Lumberton, pleaded guilty to four counts of transporting a minor for purposes of sexual activity and received 40 years in federal prison in U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on Monday.
Former Dallas private school teacher accused of sexually assaulting child
(Fox 4 KDFW) Detectives say the offense happened in 2007, involving a victim that Harmon met at The Providence Christian School of Texas in Dallas.
East Texas doctor links rise in ADHD diagnoses to increased awareness
(KLTV) UT Health Pediatrician, Dr. James Davis said the increase is due to better awareness and better understanding of what it looks like behind the scenes, which leads to more screenings.
Irving ISD Receives Best Communities for Music Education Award for Second Consecutive Year
(IrvingWeekly) Irving Independent School District (ISD) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for the second year in a row. This recognition, now in its 25th year, is awarded to school districts that demonstrate exceptional achievement in providing music education to all students.
Rice University students launch cost-saving healthcare platform
(KTRK) The group created an online platform aimed to save patients time and money.
Texas A&M-Texarkana creating College of Nursing, Honors College and School of Professional Education
(KSLA) Texas A&M University-Texarkana is welcoming two new colleges and a new school to campus.
Ascension electronic health records restored after ransomware attack
(KXAN) Doctors and nurses at Ascension Seton in Austin can access electronic health records again Tuesday, almost a month after a ransomware attack.
What age can kids stay home alone in Texas?
(KXAN) The short answer, according to Texas law, all boils down to “reasonableness.”
After bruising GOP primary, Dade Phelan faces renewed challenge for Texas House leadership
(Austin American-Statesman) In the fight of his political life, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan last week staved off a challenge from the right wing of his party, but now some GOP lawmakers are revamping their effort to keep the Beaumont Republican from keeping the speaker’s gavel for another term.
The New Apostolic Reformation Wants God’s Government Back
(Texas Observer) A “prophetic” movement, led in part by Texans, is gaining ground—and everyone should pay attention.
Mansfield ISD Passes Resolution Denouncing Title IX Rewrite
(Texas Scorecard) Another North Texas school district has passed a resolution condemning the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX that will force schools to allow boys into girls’ spaces.
Op-Ed: Texas Has a Trove of Money But Districts Like CFISD Are Left to Struggle
(Houston Press) It is clear Governor Greg Abbott and the Republican-led Texas Legislature have fundamentally failed to lead effectively on this issue. In spite of the Texas Constitution’s clear mandate, our state leaders have not been able to ensure an effective and efficient public education system.
How did Pearland ISD end up with a budget surplus while other school districts are facing deficits?
(ABC 13 Houston) When Larry Berger became the superintendent of Pearland ISD two years ago, he knew money would be tight. But he said the main driving force that’s helped keep the district afloat has been the voters.
Houston ISD projects deep cuts to central office spending to rein in budget shortfall
(Community Impact) During a May 23 budget workshop, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles said a sizable portion of spending cuts will come from eliminating jobs in HISD’s central office.
Bryan ISD works through budget as deadline approaches
(KBTX) Those on the board and administration say they need to compensate faculty as much as possible.
The cost of construction: Fort Bend ISD balances closing $73.8M funding gap with fulfilling school bond promises
(Community Impact) Staff and trustees might have to make some “hard choices” in the coming months to bridge the remaining $73.8 million gap, trustee David Hamilton said at the May 13 board meeting, noting that progress on reducing the bond shortfall has slowed.
Alvin ISD looks at balanced budget amid growth, funding challenges
(Community Impact) Amid 19% inflation since the COVID-19 pandemic, federal funds tied to the pandemic running out, and the Texas legislature providing almost no new funding for public schools in their most recent session, preparing AISD’s budget this year has proven challenging, said Daniel Combs, assistant superintendent and chief financial officer for AISD.
Child care deserts in Texas
(Texas Public Radio) Child care deserts are areas where there are insufficient child care options to meet the demand, leaving many families without access to affordable, high-quality care. In Texas, where the population is growing rapidly, the shortage of child care facilities can hinder children’s development and strain working parents, who may be forced to choose between employment and adequate care for their children.
$60M complex at Houston Christian University will support science, nursing programs
(Community Impact) Construction on the Sherry and Jim Smith Engineering, Science and Nursing Complex is set to begin January 2025 and be completed in time for the start of the fall 2026 semester, according to a May 28 news release from the school.
Katy ISD trustees approve termination of teacher charged with possession of child pornography
(Houston Public Media) The unanimous board vote came after no discussion of 53-year-old James Stone, who was arrested and charged with nine counts of child pornography last month.
State lawmakers wade into Kendall County energy storage fight
(San Antonio Express-News) Key Capture Energy, an Albany, N.Y.-based company, has proposed building a battery energy storage system on an 8-acre site near Comfort, a town of about 2,200 people 15 miles northwest of Boerne.
UTA faculty members receive $1.6 million grant to improve reliability of Texas electric grid
(Fort Worth Report) The team of three UTA faculty members received the $1.6 million grant from the Department of Energy, allowing them to explore adoption of behind-the-meter energy devices that can both reduce consumption and provide more energy back to the grid. It also enables participation in wholesale energy markets.
Fort Worth ISD valedictorian gives students her tips on achieving academic success
(Fort Worth Report) Stay organized, avoid procrastination and remain dedicated to your goals.
Belton ISD confirms facilities sustained damage in recent storms
(KWTX) The district says their biggest concern is addressing roof damage and water leaks.
Despite Texas’ “aggressive” well-plugging program, there’s still a backlog of orphaned oil and gas wells
(Texas Tribune) No state has punched more holes in its bedrock than the Lone Star State. The environmental risks are staggering, and so are the clean up costs, especially in the Permian Basin.
Longview High School choir embarks on trip to perform at D-Day observance in France
(KLTV) An eight-hour flight will take them to France where they will represent the state of Texas in commemorations and performances to mark the Allied landings along the Normandy coast, which ultimately led to the liberation of Europe in World War II.
Bastrop ISD issues trespassing warning after mother claims her girls were bullied
(Fox 7 Austin) The mother of two girls at Bastrop High School claims her kids were bullied and that the district is now bullying her.
Greg Abbott has the votes for ‘school choice,’ but that doesn’t mean the fight is over
(Dallas Morning News) Based on last year’s vote, Abbott will need 76 House Republicans on board with his plan. After Tuesday’s primary runoffs he has 77, a narrow margin that leaves Abbott and his allies little wiggle room.
Billions in taxpayer dollars now go to religious schools via vouchers
(Washington Post) Billions in taxpayer dollars are being used to pay tuition at religious schools throughout the country, as state voucher programs expand dramatically and the line separating public education and religion fades.
Former Texas teacher admits to filming explicit videos at school for ex-boyfriend
(KHOU-11) The former teacher accuses her ex of “revenge porn” while admitting that shooting the videos was poor judgment.
UT professors sue Biden administration over new Title IX abortion, gender identity rules
(Austin American-Statesman) Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit, UT professors Daniel A. Bonevac and John Hatfield, in near-identical declarations filed May 13, say they will not excuse class absences for students who get elective abortions and will not honor requests to refer to students by the pronoun “they,” often used as a singular pronoun by nonbinary people.
Judge Rejects Immunity Claim of Lorena ISD Principal Who Ignored Teacher’s Sexual Abuse of 5-year-old Student
(Texas Scorecard) The judge found that Lorena Primary School Principal April Jewell’s lack of action to protect pre-K children from a teacher’s sexual abuse “shocks the conscience.”
Frisco ISD approves 3% staff raise, $963M budget
(Community Impact) Eligible employees will receive a raise that is either 3% of the midpoint of their pay grade or 3% of their base wages, whichever is higher. Employees who received a satisfactory evaluation at the end of their contract year in 2023-24 are eligible for the pay raise. Starting teacher salaries will increase from $59,000 in the 2023-24 school year to $60,500 in the 2024-25 school year.
Fort Worth ISD to provide free school supplies after all in 2024-25 academic year
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD parents won’t have to buy school supplies for their elementary students. The district previously announced it would not provide school supplies for elementary students for the 2024-2025 year. Fort Worth ISD used one-time federal pandemic relief dollars to fund the supplies for the past three years.
Brownsville ISD removes 5 books from libraries, reviews others
(myRGV) On May 16, a group associated with Pastor Luis Cabrera, national director of Latino Faith with the organization Remnant Alliance, met with BISD Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez. In a Facebook post, Cabrera characterized the meeting as “another huge victory for our kids at BISD,” and said the district had started to remove inappropriate books from school libraries.
Have Mike Miles’ strict reforms improved Houston ISD in his first year? Here’s what the data says
(Houston Chronicle) How HISD Superintendent Mike Miles went from Army Ranger to the most polarizing figure in Houston.
How Fort Worth students are earning high school diplomas years after completing classes
(Fort Worth Report) Susan Hyman, Fort Worth ISD’s learning and leading coordinator, said the program was established as a statewide directive to allow former students to obtain their high school diploma if they meet certain criteria.
Search our database for the most expensive public universities in Texas
(Houston Chronicle) For a Texas resident, it costs $28,721 on average to attend an in-state public university over the course of an academic year. Of that, $10,258 goes toward tuition. The remainder is spent on housing, books, travel and other costs. Non-residents face a steeper amount, with an average cost of attendance of $43,115 with $24,652 of that going to tuition.
Bullied middle schooler named Laredo Mayor for a day
(KGNS) In a heartwarming turn of events, Julio Lanatta, a student at Cigarroa Middle School, who previously faced bullying, received a significant honor Friday morning, May 31, as he was named Mayor for the City of Laredo.
Family sues Amarillo Independent School District for negligence after 2023 student death
(KAMR) A parent and grandmother of 11-year-old Emerson Cole, a student from Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School who died after an allergic reaction on campus in January 2023, has filed a lawsuit against the Amarillo Independent School District in the 108th District Court in Potter County for alleged negligence.
Lancaster ISD students benefit from internships and scholarships through Toyota program
(Dallas Morning News) As part of its Toyota Leadership Academy, the corporation will award $20,000 scholarships to four graduating seniors.
Visitors bid farewell as UTSA shutters 50-year home of Institute of Texan Cultures at Hemisfair
(San Antonio Report) A smattering of visitors cast long shadows amid the illuminated exhibits at the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) on Thursday morning as four docents prepared for what was expected to be the final school field trip to the museum.
