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Friday, May 8, 2026
Cyberattack potentially affects thousands of schools across Texas during finals

(KLTV) A cyberattack against the popular cloud-based classroom digital hub Canvis is causing chaos for students at thousands of schools as they study and take finals. “Shiny-Hunters” posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed. Students and teachers are still locked out of their Canvas courses. Related:

Martha Aguirre, former El Paso ISD interim superintendent, resigns as CFO as district finds ‘key financial challenges’

(El Paso Matters) El Paso Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre, who served as interim superintendent last year, resigned this week as the district said it had discovered “key financial challenges.” The district issued a news release late Thursday afternoon that lacked details but indicated that a recent review had raised questions about the district’s fund balances, a key indicator of financial health.

Austin ISD will cut 215 educator salaries for next school year as it faces a $181 million deficit

(KUT) Superintendent Matias Segura said the positions could possibly be vacant, but it is not yet clear how many. Austin ISD is set to cut 215 full-time educator salaries — 85 for elementary schools, 51 for middle schools and 79 for high schools — as it faces a $181 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. These cuts are in relation to newly proposed teacher-student ratios, Superintendent Matias Segura said on Thursday.

Censured Judson ISD trustee regains access to campuses through court order

(San Antonio Express-News) Weeks after fellow trustees barred him from district property, Judson Independent School District Trustee José Macias has regained access to campuses – with some rules in place.

Staff cuts shift instructional work to Lake Worth ISD principals under state takeover

(Fort Worth Report) The new Texas-appointed superintendent received temporary hiring authority as managers reshape staffing in the 3,200-student district.

Amid $46M deficit, San Antonio ISD superintendent continues district-funded cross-country travel

(KSAT) Jaime Aquino — San Antonio Independent School District’s outgoing superintendent — went on at least 36 district-funded trips during his tenure, according to records reviewed by KSAT Investigates. In 2024, KSAT Investigates found SAISD spent $21,000 on Aquino’s 22 trips at the time, which included conferences in tropical destinations, celebrity speakers and “rightsizing research trips.” New records reviewed by KSAT Investigates show the spending and travel hasn’t stopped.

Plano ISD anticipates $44M budget shortfall next fiscal year

(Community Impact) Plano ISD is anticipating a $44 million deficit budget for fiscal year 2026-27, Chief Financial Officer Courtney Reeves said during a May 6 board of trustees meeting.

United ISD emphasizes wearable tech restrictions under state law

(KGNS) Smart glasses among devices prohibited during school day under House Bill 1481.

East Texas A&M launches innovative effort to help address Texas teacher shortage

(North Texas e-News) East Texas A&M University is taking aim at the teacher shortage in Texas with a new initiative designed to help working adults and paraprofessionals become certified educators. Through a partnership between the university’s College of Innovation and Design and the College of Education and Human Services, East Texas A&M will launch a fully online, competency-based teacher preparation program supported by a $416,555 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation. The program is set to begin in fall 2026.

More schools banned nonfiction books in 2024-25 school year, new report finds

(Houston Chronicle) A new report found that schools across the nation are banning more nonfiction books, especially those with themes of activism and social movements. Among the 3,743 unique book titles that were banned last school year, more than 1,000 of them were nonfiction, according to free speech nonprofit PEN America. That’s a 15% increase from the year before, which the organization said “underscores the rising influence of anti-intellectualism in public spheres.”

ICE detains Austin ISD high school senior weeks before graduation

(KXAN) An Austin Independent School District high school senior was detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement while driving home from his job at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen early Friday, according to his family and others familiar with the situation. Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria, 18, is a senior and the goalie on the varsity soccer team at Northeast Early College High School. Cabrera Chavarria was set to graduate in June, according to his sister and soccer coach. Government records show he is now being held at Karnes County Immigration Processing Center.

Former Ezzell ISD principal sentenced to probation in theft case

(Crossroads Today) A judge sentenced former Ezzell ISD principal Jody Mildred Thompson to four years probation after she pleaded guilty to stealing school funds. Records reflect that Thompson used her position as principal to steal about $7,400, including money raised by the school to help pay for the burial of a young man killed in a construction accident in February 2025. Thompson must also surrender her Texas teaching license, pay $7,400 in restitution to Ezzell ISD, pay a $2,500 fine and serve 15 days in county jail. She faces a 2-to-10 year prison term if she violates her probation.

Birdville ISD Haltom HS band teacher resigns, turns himself in for allegations of having improper relationship with student, school officials say

(CBS Texas) A Haltom High School band teacher is accused of having an improper relationship with a student. Joseph Nguyen, 23, was booked into the Tarrant County Corrections Center on Wednesday, May 6, on a charge of improper relationship between educator/student after turning himself into the Haltom City Police Department.

Franklin High School softball coach resigns as El Paso ISD reviews concerns

(KFOX 14) he El Paso Independent School District said on Thursday that Franklin High School’s softball varsity coach, Leslie Miritello, has resigned from her coaching duties amid concerns from parents. In a statement to KFOX14/CBS4, EPISD confirmed Miritello has resigned from her coaching position and that the district is aware of concerns raised about the softball program involving students and employees.

Teen suspect, victim identified; park shooting stemmed from planned Beaumont ISD fight

(KFDM) Beaumont police revealed late Thursday night the arrest of a teenage suspect in a homicide at Perlstein Park in the Amelia neighborhood that stemmed from a planned fight involving Beaumont ISD students that escalated into violence. Sgt. Haley Morrow identified the suspect in custody and charged with murder as Jean Harrell, 18. Morrow says charges were dropped against a second teen who had been taken into custody and was later released when detectives uncovered additional evidence.

Man arrested for alleged sexual abuse confirmed as former United ISD educator

(KGNS) A man recently arrested on allegations of sexually abusing a teen girl has been identified as a former Laredo educator. United Independent School District confirmed May 6 that the individual, Eric Thomas Ambrose, is a former district employee whose last date of employment was in May 2024.

Gov. Abbott, higher ed agency order North Texas Muslim school to stop operations

(Dallas Morning News) Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that the Texas American Muslim University at Dallas, a North Texas school that offers bachelor’s programs with Islamic studies courses, must cease operations. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board said the school is offering higher education courses and degrees without a proper certificate of authority, violating Texas laws for operating a higher education institution. 

Texas Tech students, faculty hold mock funeral for academic freedom

(KCBD) Some students and faculty held a mock funeral outside the Texas Tech University System building on Thursday, after they say academic freedom was “murdered.” The protest was ahead of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents meeting. The board, alongside Chancellor Brandon Creighton, approved course restrictions earlier this year.

New immigration rule for Texas occupational licenses leaves some beauty professionals in ‘limbo’

(KERA) A new immigration rule to renew an occupational license is causing concern among migrants who are afraid they will lose their job or business due to not having legal status.

Austin reports first measles case since last year

(KUT) An unvaccinated adult male has tested positive for measles in Travis County, Austin Public Health said Thursday. The patient was exposed to the virus while traveling internationally, health authorities said.

Texas Secretary of State sends scathing letter to Bexar County officials, drags feet on new voting system

(San Antonio Current) In a letter one county commissioner describes as a ‘go to hell,’ Secretary of State Jane Nelson said she won’t fall in line with Bexar County’s implementation timeline, and it could impact November’s election.

Texas reaches deal allowing summer camps to open despite fiber optic internet requirement

(News4SA) Dozens of Texas youth camps will be able to open this summer after state health officials reached an agreement Thursday that temporarily waives a fiber optic internet requirement many rural camps had no way to meet. The Texas Department of State Health Services agreed that camps with multiple broadband internet connections can operate this summer even without a fiber optic connection. The deal, which applies to all licensed youth camps statewide, lasts through March 1, 2027.

Brownsville ISD officer honored after saving 7-year-old choking student

(ValleyCentral) On April 24, Officer Salinas performed the Heimlich maneuver on a 7-year-old girl who was choking. Officer Salinas then cleared the obstruction and restored the student’s ability to breathe.

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