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July 8, 2026
El Paso ISD approves final round of layoffs ahead of new school year amid budget crisis
(KFOX) With only weeks left before students return to class, the El Paso Independent School District board has approved another round of staff reductions as the district works to recover from a budget crisis. The school board voted to approve the termination of several positions across more than a dozen campuses after the district declared a financial exigency last month. The cuts include probationary teachers in subjects such as English, math, science, social studies and physical education. Related:
Shepherd ISD still struggling academically despite years of state intervention
(KTRK) In 2019, the Texas Education Agency took over Shepherd ISD, citing academic failure. When the state takes over a district, it promises to improve it, but that hasn’t been the case in Shepherd.
Beaumont ISD recruiting new teachers through resident teacher program
(KBMT) Beaumont ISD launched a resident teacher program to fill vacancies and support new educators as the district reorganizes after a state takeover and staff departures. Related:
How much attrition will Austin ISD lose to school vouchers?
(CBS Austin) The district did not provide an exact figure but stated that the budget passed for the 2026-27 school year reflects approximately 1,200 fewer enrolled students than last school year. The district said that estimate is a “conservative” number.
Anderson-Shiro CISD hears public opposition to Terafab tax break ahead of July 14 board vote
(KBTX) Iola ISD and Anderson-Shiro CISD have until July 15 to approve JETI agreements granting SpaceX’s Terafab project a decade of school property tax breaks, with both boards voting July 14 and final approval also needed from the governor. At Tuesday’s required public hearing in Anderson-Shiro, all seven residents who spoke opposed the deal.
Which Texas school districts start earliest in 2026-27?
(Houston Chronicle) Several Texas school districts are starting the 2026-27 school year earlier than usual, with some students back at their desks by late July.
Texas teachers voice fear over new Bible curriculum ahead of 2030 rollout
(WFAA) Educators say the state’s new required Bible lessons, plus growing scrutiny of teachers online, could worsen an already severe Texas teacher shortage.
Advocates say Judson ISD hair policy could be discriminatory against Black students
(Texas Public Radio) Advocacy groups say a change to Judson ISD’s dress code requiring hair to be “neat and clean” could expose Black students to discriminatory discipline.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles publishes 200-page book about ‘how to transform school systems’
(Houston Chronicle) The 200-page book, titled “By Design: How to Transform School Systems,” lays out how to design a “coherent” school system, establish the conditions for change and operate a “New Education System.” Miles said he wrote the book to help simplify the transformation process for district leaders.
Fort Worth ISD wants to teach pre-K students at high schools. Here’s why
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Fort Worth school officials want to serve more 3-year-olds through the district’s pre-K programming. Here’s what parents need to know.
Former Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar named Rev Partnership’s first CEO
(Fort Worth Report) Rev Partnership announced Tuesday that Karen Molinar started Monday as the regional education nonprofit’s first CEO, four months after she left FWISD as the district moved under state-appointed leadership. Founded in 2022, Rev Partnership connects 17 Tarrant County school districts around shared priorities, including teacher quality and early learning. Its work impacts about 750,000 students across the county, according to the organization.
Winnsboro ISD names third interim superintendent amid abuse cover-up allegations
(KLTV) Winnsboro ISD trustees on Monday approved naming Chris Trotter as its third interim superintendent within roughly seven months since allegations of covering up child abuse back in January.
Martin’s Mill ISD maintenance director arrested for indecency with a child
(KETK) The maintenance director at Martin’s Mill ISD was taken into custody on Tuesday for an outstanding warrant from Dallas County charging him with indecency with a child. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Larry Plant was taken and booked into the Van Zandt County Jail on Tuesday.
Karmelo Anthony’s attorneys ask for new trial, new judge in Frisco track meet murder case
(NBC DFW) The attorneys say Anthony, convicted of fatally stabbing fellow student-athlete Austin Metcalf, was denied his constitutional rights; they also asked that the judge be removed from the case. Karmelo Anthony’s legal team has filed motions seeking a new trial and asking that the judge be removed from post trial proceedings. The filings challenge several aspects of the trial, while a legal expert says overturning a conviction remains a high bar.
Texas A&M president’s five-year contract includes $1.25 million in base pay
(Texas Tribune) Texas A&M University’s new president could earn more than $1.7 million a year under a five-year contract as the state’s largest public university tries to steady itself after years of political scrutiny and leadership turmoil.
Lawsuit: Former West Texas A&M University professor claims school punished him for backing drag show ban
(KFDA) President Walter Wendler will have one more lawsuit to wrangle with for the remainder of his time at West Texas A&M University before his planned retirement. Wendler is one of 15 people named in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Texas’ Amarillo division federal court by Dr. Abraham Carr, a former professor at WTAMU.
Stephen F. Austin University to phase out Early Childhood Lab over next 5 years due to financial constraints
(KLTV) The leadership of Stephen F. Austin State University has announced that they will begin phasing out the Early Childhood Laboratory over the next five years.
Former Texas Tech professor pleads guilty to running fentanyl trafficking conspiracy
(KCBD) Former Texas Tech University marketing and supply chain management professor Daniel Taylor, 51, pleaded guilty to his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, federal prosecutors announced. Taylor worked as an assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management at the Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business. In total, Taylor admitted to causing at least eight overdoses on fentanyl powder he had supplied.
Austin Community College employees wanted raises to match inflation. Trustees approved 2%
(Austin American-Statesman) Trustees approved Austin Community College’s $583 million budget and a 2% employee raise and stipend amid grim concerns about the college’s shrinking revenue.
Texas Southern University Launches Comprehensive Campus Master Plan
(PR Newswire) Texas Southern University has launched a Campus Master Plan that establishes a framework for campus development, facility improvement, enhanced learning delivery and learning environment, and capital infrastructure investment as the University advances Ascend 2030 and prepares for its Centennial. The plan outlines an approximately $1.7 billion campus investment and more than 20 phased projects over the next decade.
Alamo Colleges District launches one-stop hub for workforce training programs
(San Antonio Report) The Alamo Colleges District has launched the Alamo Technical Institute, a new one-stop hub that streamlines access to short-term workforce training, career coaching, financial aid, and employer partnerships for adults seeking new or better-paying careers.
New AI track launched at UT Permian Basin for fall 2026
(KMID/KPEJ) The University of Texas Permian Basin is expanding its Computer Science Program with a new AI track. The program will start in the fall of 2026, and students will be able to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Ken Paxton vowed to crack down on “illegal voting.” He may have violated Texas election law
(San Antonio Current) The Texas attorney general appears to have used an address where he did not live while voting in six elections in the past two years — despite his warning voters that “it is illegal to misrepresent your residence on election records.” Related:
Abbott orders investigation into South Texas hospital over alleged ‘birth tourism’ packages
(High Plains Pundit) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to immediately investigate Mission Regional Medical Center following reports that the South Texas hospital markets “birth packages” to foreign nationals.
Texas Medical Association proposes age limit on prediction markets to prevent gambling ‘addiction’
(KERA) The Texas Medical Association wants state lawmakers to implement more regulations and safeguards on “prediction market platforms” that pediatricians say contribute to gambling addictions. Prediction markets, like Kalshi, allow people to place money on the specific outcome of an event – like the round of 16 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Egypt.
All Dallas public library branches will be closed during city staff furlough days
(KERA) All Dallas Public Library locations will be closed during three city staff furlough days, with the first closure on Friday.
Toyota’s San Antonio expansion expected to bring 2,000 jobs — but they come at a cost
(San Antonio Current) Millions in city, county and state tax abatements for the automaker could add up to $150,000 per job created.
Bexar County approves first-in-Texas Crisis Nursery Program to protect children during family emergencies
(KENS) The 24-hour program will allow law enforcement officers to place children with trained caregivers while parents deal with immediate crises such as arrests, evictions, mental health episodes, or substance abuse treatment. Once the situation has stabilized, children can be safely reunited with their families.
Former TSTA leader elected vice president of National Education Association, the country’s largest labor union
(TSTA) Noel Candelaria, a former public school teacher from El Paso and former president of the Texas State Teachers Association, has been elected vice president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest labor union with nearly 3 million members.
Houston-area youth pastor charged with multiple counts of child porn possession, deputies say
(KTRK) The Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office says that a Houston-area youth pastor was arrested after an extensive investigation that originated from an online tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Noel Walker, 20, has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession of a child-like sex doll, according to court records.
Former juvenile probation officer sentenced for soliciting sex from minor in Wylie
(Fox 4 KDFW) A former juvenile probation officer was sentenced to 15 years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting sex from an 11-year-old child. 51-year-old Steven Dale Criddle drove to Wylie with the intent of molesting the child after conversing with who he thought was her mother on the dark web. Child pornography was also discovered on Criddle’s phone after his arrest.
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TexEdNews Article Archives
SY 2025-26
PEIMS Articles:
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ISD Superintendent Total Pay Rankings - Part 2:
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Special Student Populations - Part 5:
Statewide Enrollment Data - Part 6 (Final):
ISD and Charter Enrollment Rankings
