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March 13, 2026
Texas clarifies voucher rules to help more families access future special ed support
(Texas Tribune) After reporting from The Texas Tribune, the office tasked with handing out vouchers clarified that families who do not complete a special education evaluation this year may have a chance to qualify for more funding in future years. Related:
Proposed Dallas ISD school bond package would be largest in Texas history
(Fox 4 KDFW) The proposed DISD bond package totals $6.2 billion, more than double the price tag of the previous bond. The bond would include a 1-cent tax increase for Dallas homeowners. For a $500,000 home, the average price of a home in Dallas, the cost would amount to $33 a year.
Administration, staff cuts approaching for Judson ISD to manage budget deficit
(KSAT) Judson ISD School Board Vice President Amanda Poteet addressed a burning question in the district amid school closures. “If you are a certified teacher in Judson ISD, you are absolutely still going to have a job with us,” Poteet said. The district is still weighing reductions elsewhere because salaries currently account for 91% of the budget. Poteet and Superintendent Robert Jaklich confirmed the district has a goal of lowering that percentage to 84%.
Spring ISD reports early gains at struggling Dekaney High School as state takeover deadline nears
(Houston Chronicle) Spring ISD has just a few more months to turn around a struggling high school or risk a state takeover of the entire district – but school leaders are optimistic that early test scores show improvements.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Achieves 82% Teacher Designation Rate, Generating Major Economic Impact
(Texas Border Business) Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD has received official approval from the Texas Education Agency following a comprehensive state validation process for its 2025–2026 Teacher Incentive Allotment designations, based on 2024–2025 school year performance data. With 82% of PSJA teachers now designated, over the next five years PSJA ISD is projected to generate more than $222 million in total allotment funding, demonstrating the long-term and economic impact to the Rio Grande Valley.
Houston ISD went against an examiner’s guidance and fired a 22-year veteran teacher. Now he’s suing
(Houston Chronicle) Veteran Houston ISD special education teacher Brian Tucker is suing the district and the Texas education commissioner after HISD’s state-appointed Board of Managers voted to end his employment – despite an independent hearing examiner’s recommendation to hire the teacher back. But HISD’s board ignored that recommendation, and when Tucker appealed that vote to the state commissioner, the state sided with the district. Now, Tucker has filed in Harris County, asking a judge to review those decisions and for his job back.
Allen ISD officials present cost analysis to meet state-mandated school bus seatbelt bill
(Community Impact) The deadline for full compliance with the law is Sept. 1, 2029, but the state is requesting estimated costs from districts by the end of the current school year. It would cost $20.79 million to replace all buses that currently don’t have three-point seatbelts, said Clint Cypert, executive director of support services. It would cost nearly $3.46 million to retrofit buses that don’t have three-point seatbelts.
Records: Suspect at Klein ISD school office armed with gun, taser
(Fox 26 Houston) A man in tactical gear, armed with a handgun and a Taser, slipped through a front door at Zwink Elementary after it failed to latch properly; however, the school’s security lobby prevented him from ever accessing the hallways or students. 39-year-old Kyle Chris, who lives just minutes away from the school, was arrested at his home Wednesday evening. Klein ISD defended waiting 24 hours to notify parents, explaining it was a strategic move coordinated with the FBI and DPS to keep the suspect under surveillance and ensure a safe arrest without tipping him off.
Former Angleton ISD teacher indicted for allegedly assaulting student
(KPRC) A teacher at Angleton Heritage Junior High has been indicted on a criminal charge after a 12-year-old student and her family said he physically assaulted her at school. Samuel Chalmers is charged with injury to a child after a Brazoria County grand jury returned an indictment this week. The student’s mother, Annabell Suarez, says surveillance showed Chalmers tossing her daughter like a rag doll.
Firearm Seized At Everman ISD Joe C. Bean High School – Police Praise Tip That Ended Threat
(Dallas Express) A student at Everman ISD Joe C. Bean High School alerted a school resource officer on Wednesday that another pupil on campus was believed to be carrying a firearm, prompting an immediate lockdown and a swift law enforcement response. The juvenile student was taken into custody without incident, and a handgun was recovered.
Police: Amarillo man’s relationship with former teacher led to daily abuse of child
(KFDA) More criminal charges have been filed against an Amarillo man and his girlfriend, a former Midlothian ISD substitute teacher. Bonds skyrocketed to a combined $8.8M for the couple following a 20-count indictment.
Waco ISD Teacher Charged With ‘Enticing’ Underage Student
(Texas Scorecard) A Waco Independent School District teacher was jailed after allegedly trying to “entice” an underage female student to meet him using an online messaging app. Rathanak Loeung, 45, was arrested and charged with enticing a child. Loeung was an animation instructor at Waco High School’s Career and Technical Education Academy at the time of his arrest.
Armed individual arrested at high school track meet, Judson ISD says
(KSAT) A suspect was arrested and a firearm was recovered after a parent reported suspicious activity during a track meet at Rutledge Stadium last week, Judson ISD officials said.
Ex-Shallowater ISD band teacher accused of child sex abuse
(EverythingLubbock) Former Shallowater ISD band teacher Joseph Maculay Gonzalez, 27, is charged with continuous sexual abuse of two or more children, according to law enforcement. Investigators say a student reported that the teacher coerced her into sending explicit photos and videos over Snapchat beginning in 2024, and also allegedly molested her in the school band hall. A second student victim was also identified by authorities. Gonzalez is being held in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
Former Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD educator arrested for inappropriate relationship with a student, affidavit details
(WFAA) Miguel Caban-Mendez, a former English as a second language teacher at DeWitt Perry Middle School in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, was arrested after a victim spoke up about his actions toward her. The victim told police that Caban-Mendez told her he needed her for approximately 20 minutes, the affidavit said. The victim said that Caban-Mendez used lotion and began massaging her feet. The affidavit stated that three other girls were interviewed as well, and all outcried to at least foot massages from Caban-Mendez.
University of Houston leaders defend course review after academic freedom concerns: ‘We are following the law’
(Houston Chronicle) The University of Houston System’s general counsel defended the dual course reviews underway across UH campuses on Thursday, telling the Board of Regents that top administrators chose an approach that would protect faculty members’ academic freedom. UH is among the state universities reviewing their course catalogues in response to GOP lawmakers’ allegations that left-leaning professors are pushing “ideology” on students. Many faculty deny that charge and say that their schools have instead over-complied with a state law known as Senate Bill 37.
Texas Southern University fires athletic director Kevin Granger, removes jersey amid sexual assault lawsuit
(Houston Chronicle) Texas Southern University has fired athletic director Kevin Granger – and removed his retired jersey from display in the school’s basketball arena – amid an ongoing civil suit accusing the administrator of sexually assaulting a staff member.
During all-night vigil, UT Arlington Muslim students pray, connect and unite in solidarity for Palestinians
(Fort Worth Report) Their prayers between sunset and sunrise are referred to as Qiyam al-Layl — Arabic for “standing in the night.”
Nutrition Advisory Committee Begins Work to ‘Make Texas Healthy Again’
(Texas Scorecard) The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee held their initial meeting in January to establish committee leadership, divide into two internal workgroups, and create a basic timeline for the completion of the report that is due September 1. During their latest meeting on Wednesday, Austin Hood, deputy director of government affairs for the Department of State Health Services, highlighted the importance of their work as the basis for nutrition education and the creation of health guidelines for Texans.
STORM READY: East Texas private school safeguards students with advanced lightning alert system
(CBS19) Knowing the deadly danger of lightning strikes, All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler uses an advanced alert system to protect its community from storm dangers.
$23M nuclear research facility headed to Lockhart, Texas
(Houston Chronicle) A $23-million nuclear research reactor is heading to Lockhart, Texas. The company behind the facility is “dedicated to producing radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine.”
Texas officials warn of unlicensed childcare risks
(KXAN) Texas officials say there are hundreds of childcare providers operating out of their homes without a license, lacking oversight and potentially putting kids a risk. This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost explains why child advocates and licensed providers believe the situation could get worse.
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