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Ten Commandments posters make Texas a test site for religion in schools
(Washington Post) A Christian group launched a tracker to see which schools have posted them. Other groups are donating alternative posters. Supporters see the posters as a moral fix and are tracking which schools comply, while critics are suing and running for office against it, and many schools are simply trying to stay neutral.
Northside ISD teachers rally outside Stevens High School Monday over steep insurance hikes
(News4SA) Northside ISD teachers rallied Monday at Stevens High School over steep health insurance increases, with some family plans tripling to $845–$1,006 a month. Staff say they’re paying more for less coverage as the district switches to HMO plans. NISD says it hasn’t raised premiums in eight years and blames rising medical costs.
Neighboring East Texas schools mourn Huntington ISD student as district addresses bacterial meningitis case
(CBS19) Neighboring school districts are sharing condolences following reports of a Huntington student’s death as Huntington ISD addresses a bacterial meningitis diagnosis. In an Oct. 31 letter to families, Huntington ISD Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Fiaschetti confirmed that a Huntington Middle School student had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The student was last on campus Thursday, Oct. 29. The district says custodial crews cleaned and sanitized all campuses and buses over the weekend using hospital-grade disinfectant.
Austin ISD seeking outside partners to run three schools, avoid state intervention
(Austin American-Statesman) In a bid to avoid state intervention, the Austin Independent School District could partner next year with a charter or nonprofit to run three campuses with multiple failing state ratings.
South Dallas Parents Fight to Save J.J. Rhoads as District Weighs Six School Closures
(Hoodline Dallas) The Dallas ISD board of trustees is scheduled to discuss a school consolidation proposal at a meeting set for 4 p.m. Thursday, and the list includes the pre-k J.J. Rhodes Learning Center along with five other campuses. The district’s agenda for the meeting does not include information about how the campuses were selected, and Dallas ISD officials declined to comment for the story, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Fort Bend ISD approves turnaround, improvement plans for 16 schools
(Community Impact) Fort Bend ISD approved a turnaround plan for Hightower High School and improvement plans for 15 schools to boost academic results.
High school class rank policies are different in every San Antonio district. A new state law could change that
(San Antonio Report) San Antonio districts grade GPAs wildly differently. A new Texas rule may finaly force them in line.
New restrictions at Texas Tech are changing what professors can teach
(NPR) Texas Tech’s chancellor, Brandon Creighton, has put strict new limits on how professors can teach about race, sex, gender and sexuality. Professors say the rules are vague and scary, so many are cutting material or leaving the university. Faculty have sued in federal court, and students have organized against the policies.
Silent supporters attend Bryan ISD board meeting for assistant coach who was terminated
(KBTX) About two dozen people sat silently through Monday night’s Bryan ISD board meeting in support of Lashala Nicks, a Bryan High assistant basketball coach who said she was fired last week. Most of the boardroom was empty. The group sat together in matching shirts that read, “We stand with Coach Nicks.” They were parents, students and family members. They did not speak during the meeting.
Abilene ISD ‘taking action’ after staff, students report feeling ill due to sewer odor at school
(KTAB/KRBC) Abilene ISD says it’s fixing a cracked sewer pipe under the nearly 100-year-old Woodson Center for Excellence after staff and students reported feeling sick from the smell. Until repairs are done, the district is using air purifiers and odor-control products, and the superintendent has apologized to families.
Rusk ISD student taken into custody after gun, ammo found in vehicle
(CBS19) A 17-year-old Rusk ISD student was arrested Monday after a school drug and firearm dog led staff to a gun, ammunition and drug paraphernalia in his car. He faces weapon and drug charges, and no one was hurt.
Cypress Christian School Fires Two Admins; President Still On Leave
(Texas Scorecard) Culture Director Kris Hogan was terminated following an independent review of unspecified concerns. The school also ousted CFO David Swan, while President Jeff Potts remains on leave.
Texas restricts animal movement across 14 counties to fight parasitic screwworm outbreak
(KBTX) Texas agricultural authorities have placed strict animal movement restrictions on portions of 14 counties as state and federal agencies work to contain a growing outbreak of the parasitic New World screwworm. Under executive director orders issued by the Texas Animal Health Commission, all warm-blooded animals — including livestock and pets — located within designated infested zones are barred from leaving without prior official authorization. The restrictions affect parts of Brewster, Crockett, Edwards, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Schleicher, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Val Verde, and Zapata counties.
Baylor University suing ex-football player who transferred to LSU, alleging breach of buyout agreement
(KWTX) Baylor alleges in a lawsuit filed Friday in 170th State District Court that Sean Thompkins, an offensive lineman from Covington, Ga., owes the university $85,000, plus attorneys’ fees, court costs and interest, after failing to own up to the terms of a settlement agreement mediated in May.
Who can join a PTA in Texas? More people than you think
(San Antonio Express-News) PTA membership in Texas isn’t limited to parents and teachers. Here’s who can join and what local PTAs do.
Nov. 3, 2026
Nov. 2, 2026
New dashboard lets public track school voucher data. Some key numbers remain unknown
(Dallas Morning News) Texans can now more readily access data on school vouchers through a new dashboard designed to increase transparency. The Comptroller’s Office, which oversees the Texas Education Freedom Accounts, published the website Thursday. Previously, the office released periodic demographic reports, available on its website, but the dashboard provides a count closer to real-time. Currently, it includes information on the number of funded participants, participants with disabilities, low-income participants, students on the waitlist and more.
School redesigns can reset Texas’ accountability clock. Are they working?
(San Antonio Express-News) San Antonio and Judson ISDs are using new campus models at schools that struggled under Texas accountability rules, with mixed early results.
Texas lawmakers consider five-day school week mandate over concerns of academic drop off
(Nexstar) Texas lawmakers are considering whether to require public schools to operate on a five-day week after research showed students in four-day-week districts may experience academic declines. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told lawmakers that Texas students trail Mississippi in reading scores and noted that Mississippi requires a 180-day school year, compared with an average of 169 days in Texas. Research presented to the committee found that four-day weeks can slightly reduce costs and bullying but may contribute to lower academic achievement, increased juvenile crime and food insecurity. Some lawmakers favor placing stricter limits on four-day schedules rather than banning them outright as they prepare for the next legislative session.
Austin ISD approves turnaround plans, weighs $60M in cuts
(Community Impact) Austin ISD trustees approved improvement plans for struggling campuses Oct. 29 and heard early options for cutting at least $60 million from the district’s 2027-28 budget, including reductions to turnaround school funding and arts and PE staffing. Trustees approved six turnaround plans, four targeted improvement plans and 16 local improvement plans due to be submitted to the Texas Education Agency by the end of November, district staff said. Families can follow progress at these campuses on a public dashboard the district launched Sept. 15 to track academic and staffing data at schools with unacceptable state ratings.
About half of Houston ISD campuses report zero library book checkouts this year as library staffing shrinks
(Houston Chronicle) About half of Houston ISD’s schools had zero library checkouts in the first two months of this school year, almost all of them high-poverty campuses, while the wealthiest schools logged thousands. The drop follows deep library staffing cuts under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. The district says the data is incomplete and points to rising reading scores, but literacy experts warn that low-income students without book access will fall further behind. Related:
- Houston ISD asks court to dismiss teachers’ union lawsuit over raises (Houston Chronicle)
Katy ISD approves methods to support strategic school improvement framework
(Community Impact) Katy ISD trustees approved a school improvement framework on Oct. 26 to lift the district’s lowest-rated, highest-need campuses and eliminate D ratings. It adds a $120,000 director of strategic support, $8,000 stipends for lead teachers at struggling schools, and principal bonuses of up to $10,000 per letter-grade gain. The director will be hired this year, and the stipends and bonuses start in 2027-28.
Exclusive: Where Abilene ISD’s salary dollars go
(Abilene Reporter-News) The payroll analysis offers a snapshot of how AISD distributes salary funding across its workforce. While teachers make up just over 41% of district employees, they receive more than half of all salary dollars paid by AISD.
Elgin ISD superintendent arrested on suspicion of DWI, district says
(KXAN) Elgin ISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bailey was arrested late Wednesday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated while returning home from Austin, according to a statement released by the school district. District officials said Bailey informed staff and families about the arrest himself and has taken responsibility for the incident. The Elgin ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet Nov. 5 to discuss the matter.
Former Rio Hondo ISD Teacher Sues District Over Mandatory Prayer
(The Hawk’s Eye) A former Rio Hondo Middle School teacher has sued the school district and two of its top officials, alleging they repeatedly pressured employees to participate in Christian prayers at mandatory staff meetings despite his objections. Juan Antonio Castillo filed the federal complaint on October 28, 2026, in Brownsville, naming Rio Hondo ISD’s superintendent and the board president. Castillo, who identifies as a Humanist, alleges the practice conflicted with his beliefs and ultimately led him to resign. He is seeking damages and a court order stopping the challenged prayer practice. According to the complaint, Castillo taught Spanish at the middle school from August 2023 through June 2026, and now works for Corpus Christi Independent School District, several hours from his home and family.
Leonard Police Department Issues Statement Regarding Arrest Involving High School Principal
(eExtra News) Leonard police arrested Leonard ISD High School Principal Jansen Trotter on October 27, 2026, for allegedly failing to report another educator’s misconduct, a state jail felony under the Texas Education Code. Police say Trotter knew of a recording alleging inappropriate behavior but didn’t notify district leaders or law enforcement. The student involved recently died by suicide, and the separate investigation into the other educator is ongoing. Trotter is on administrative leave and under TEA review. Related:
2 Garland ISD High School students arrested after gun photo puts campus on safety hold
(Fox 4 KDFW) On October 29 at around 9:45 a.m., Garland Police School Resource Officers at Garland High School were made aware of a photo of a student holding a firearm circulating on social media. Garland High School was put on a safety hold during the incident, which restricted hallway movement while regular classroom functions continued. Both students are facing a firearm exhibition charge, while the student holding the weapon was also charged with THC possession.
San Angelo ISD Lake View High School staff member under investigation
(Concho Valley Homepage) San Angelo Independent School District officials confirmed that multiple allegations involving a Lake View High School staff member were reported in October, with one investigation still ongoing.
UT San Antonio student under review for reciting poem about Charlie Kirk’s assassination
(KSAT) A video of a student reading a poem about Charlie Kirk at the University of Texas-San Antonio has caught the attention of university system officials and is under review for “the incitement of violence.” It is unclear if she will face any discipline, and the university declined to comment further on it
Watchdog accuses Texas State of ‘egregious’ First Amendment breach over paid advertisement
(San Antonio Current) School officials removed paid advertisements on news stands after Democrat Gina Hinojosa bought ad space — something they said violates campus policy.
Texas A&M lands $5.4 million federal grant for nuclear waste recycling research that could reshape energy
(KRHD) Texas A&M is receiving a $5.4 million grant through the U.S. Department of Energy for research to recycle nuclear waste.
UT Rio Grande Valley hopes to expand program for trilingual interpreters for the deaf
(MyRGV) UTRGV wants to expand its program that trains interpreters in ASL, Spanish, and English for the Rio Grande Valley’s deaf community. The region has about 10,000 to 12,000 deaf residents but only around 30 certified interpreters. Lecturer Eric Cardenas, who is deaf and grew up in the Valley, wants interpreters to be a regular part of public meetings and local news, as they were during COVID.
DOJ Flags Nearly 831,000 Student Aid IDs In Nationwide ‘Ghost Student’ Fraud Probe
(Dallas Express) Federal investigators say overseas-linked fraud rings used stolen American identities to claim college aid, while new safeguards could affect legitimate applicants. Federal investigators have identified 830,840 potentially fraudulent student aid IDs associated with nearly $130 million as the Justice Department pursues an alleged international scheme that used stolen Americans’ identities to obtain federal college assistance.
North Texas high school football player airlifted after in-game injury
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) A Savoy ISD six-man football player was airlifted to a hospital after being injured during an October 29 varsity game against Campbell. The district said his scans came back clear, he has been told to rest for several days, and it thanked first responders and the community for their support. The game was called off with Campbell leading 29-0, and Savoy, a Class 1A school about 65 miles north of Dallas that is 0-8 this season, took the loss by forfeit.
How two West Texas football players with one arm are defying expectations
(NewsWest9) Two high school football players in the Permian Basin are proving that having one arm does not keep them from competing. Midland Christian High School junior Kylar Childers and Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD Pecos High School senior Josh Carbajal were both born with one arm. Despite the challenges that come with playing a contact sport, both have earned opportunities on the field through hard work, determination and a willingness to find their own way.
Growth of Asian-American population has reached North Texas football fields
(Dallas Morning News) Football fans and teams are starting to reflect demographic changes in Dallas-Fort Worth at a time when Asian-American discrimination is on the rise, according to organizations that track incidents.
Texas AG’s office, Harris County clerk offer different takes on agreement over voter ads
(KHOU) The Texas Attorney General’s Office and Harris County have reached an agreement in a lawsuit over voter information advertisements that the AG said targeted certain audiences on social media. The two sides offered different characterizations of Friday’s agreement. The Attorney General’s Office called it a legal victory, while Harris County described it as an interim agreement. County officials said the audience-targeting settings had already been removed before the agreement was reached and maintained that the county’s voter outreach efforts were lawful.
4-year-old left unattended on West Orange-Cove CISD school bus, mother says
(KBMT) A West Orange-Cove CISD mother is speaking out after her 4-year-old son was left unattended on a school bus. CPS confirmed it is investigating the incident. “I put him on a bus at 6 o’clock this morning, hoping that he’ll make it to school. I did get a call at 9:15 from the bus barn stating that they found my child at the bus barn by himself crying,” Lastrapes said. She said about two weeks before Thursday’s incident, her 6-year-old son, who has autism, was left at West Orange Elementary School instead of being picked up and taken home as scheduled.
San Antonio Mom Says Northside ISD Bus Waits Top Two Hours, Threatens Court Over Absences
(Hoodline San Antonio) A San Antonio mom says her son has waited over two hours for his Northside ISD magnet-school bus, and the missed school has led to warnings that she could be taken to truancy court. The district blames traffic and a shortage of bus drivers, which has forced longer, combined routes. She is thinking about pulling her son from the magnet program and plans to take the issue to the school board and her elected representative. Related:
He was diagnosed with autism at 3. His parents spent years sensing doctors were missing something
(Houston Chronicle) A Tomball boy diagnosed with autism at age 3 was later found to have a rare gene change that may better explain his symptoms.
Dallas ISD program helps students with special needs build skills for life after high school
(CBS Texas) Dallas ISD’s Multiple Careers Magnet Center teaches students with disabilities job and life skills, including running a dry-cleaning shop that serves school bands and the public. The district also places students at more than 60 community job sites, Eastfield College, and Baylor University Medical Center internships to prepare them for work after graduation.
