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Nov. 11, 2026
Election News
Who could replace Mike Morath? What we know about who Gina Hinojosa could tap to lead Texas schools
(Houston Chronicle) Gina Hinojosa has promised to fire Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day, and her team is interviewing replacements, saying only that the pick must be an “educator.” School leaders interviewed say the ideal candidate has experience running large organizations, such as a big-city superintendency, and can work with a Republican-controlled Senate, the State Board of Education, and more than 1,000 superintendents. The job pays $220,000, which may mean a pay cut for sitting superintendents, and some, including Austin’s teachers union president, would prefer someone with recent classroom experience.
State spending review to proceed despite Austin ISD’s objections, Huffines says
(KVUE) Texas Comptroller Don Huffines said a state spending review will continue with or without Austin ISD’s cooperation. In a Nov. 6 letter to the comptroller’s office, the district raised concerns about the review’s timeline, legal authority and scope. It questioned why investigators sought records related to libraries, sex education and student identification and whether they could require employee interviews. “I have news for the leadership of AISD,” he said. “You can run, but you can’t hide. Our review will continue, and a full report will be published with or without your cooperation.” On Oct. 5, Huffines selected Austin and three other school districts – Barbers Hill, El Paso and Prosper – for the review, which Gov. Greg Abbott requested in August.
Texas lawmakers file more than 1,260 bills. Here’s what could change
(KHOU) Texas lawmakers have already filed more than 1,260 bills ahead of the next legislative session, offering an early look at the issues they want to tackle under a new balance of power following last week’s elections.
November election won’t change North East ISD’s school closure timeline
(San Antonio Express-News) As Texas school districts await coming changes under Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, the November election will not affect North East Independent School District’s recommendation to close three elementary schools. Trustees will still vote on whether to close Dellview, Oak Grove and Montgomery elementaries on Nov. 16. While Hinojosa campaigned on Texas public education reform and is expected to make that a priority when she takes office in January, North East ISD officials said Monday that any hope of increased funding is too far away to stave off potential closures, due to the district’s multimillion dollar budget shortfall.
Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin taps bipartisan transition team as she prepares to lead a GOP-majority Senate
(Texas Tribune) A week after unseating GOP incumbent Dan Patrick, the Austin Democrat announced a team that included Patrick’s former rivals on both sides of the aisle, along with several registered lobbyists.
James Sullivan, recently defeated Texas Supreme Court justice, nominated to federal bench by Trump
(Texas Tribune) The Republican jurist lost his seat on Texas’ highest civil court in last week’s Democratic wipeout.
Also Reported
Pilot Point ISD Superintendent reinstated, police chief resigns, according to release
(WFAA) Superintendent Shannon Fuller is back on the job, and Police Chief Eric Dortch has resigned. Both had been on paid leave after Fuller placed Dortch on leave and Dortch filed a complaint. An outside investigator found Fuller followed board policy. Officer Dee Carter will serve as interim chief, and some parents say the district hasn’t explained enough.
North East ISD sergeant waited 12 hours to escalate report of school shooting threat, records say
(San Antonio Express-News) Records detail a bungled response by North East ISD police after a man allegedly told an AI chatbot that he was planning a shooting at Serna Elementary. NEISD fired two police sergeants and suspended three other officers.
External review found leadership, training concerns at Leander ISD Police Department
(KXAN) A third-party review of the newly-created Leander ISD Police Department revealed absent leadership, “questionable” office interactions by sergeants, troubled relationships with outside law enforcement agencies and “underdeveloped” procedures and training. The findings follow a state investigation into improper officer vetting that led to Chief Shā Rogers’ firing. The district and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement say they are working to fix the problems.
State finds no evidence of wrongdoing after investigating Judson ISD Board President Monica Ryan
(San Antonio Report) The Texas Education Agency cleared Judson ISD Board President Monica Ryan of wrongdoing after three trustees accused her of abusing her power. A separate investigation into the district’s fired former superintendent is still open. Ryan has called on her accusers to resign, but the divided board keeps fighting, and she already faces a challenger for her seat in 2027.
Austin ISD turns to teacher residents as it races to certify educators
(Austin Current) Austin ISD is training teachers through year-long residencies with UT Austin and Texas State, because a 2025 state law bars uncertified teachers from core classes by 2029-30. New state funding pays for the effort.
Cy-Fair ISD adopts tax rate decrease, discusses $88M projected shortfall
(Community Impact) Cypress-Fairbanks ISD adopted a property tax rate of $1.0369 per $100 valuation, three cents lower than last year, after voters rejected both a tax rate increase and a $1.63 billion bond on Nov. 3. Lower-than-expected enrollment has pushed the district’s projected 2026-27 shortfall to $88 million. Officials plan to cut travel and overtime, study boundary changes, and present fuller plans by February.
Clear Creek ISD postpones Bluebonnet Math vote
(Community Impact) Clear Creek ISD trustees on Nov. 9 unanimously postponed a vote on the 2026-27 Bluebonnet Learning Math transition plan because it was posted on the day of the meeting. The district missed TEA’s pre-school-year deadline but says it hasn’t lost any state funding. The board will vote on whether to adopt the plan at its Nov. 16 meeting.
Fort Worth ISD knew of South Hi Mount Elementary structural issues in 2025. Parents question relocation
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD estimates $1 million in repairs and promises to reopen the school, but families say they still have unanswered questions.
Ellison High School’s future sparks emotional reactions as Killeen ISD weighs multimillion-dollar changes
(KWTX) Two Ellison graduates speak out about preserving their school’s legacy as Killeen ISD considers consolidation options, seeks parent feedback and begins the process of selling three district properties.
Rains ISD to search for new athletic director, head football coach as Bryan Oakes leaves positions
(CBS 19) Bryan Oakes, the athletic director and head football coach for the Rains Independent School District has left his positions, according to a letter by RISD Superintendent Joe Nicks. Oakes has been the head coach for four years with a 7-33 record. Before coming to RISD, he was the head football coach for Quitman.
Lufkin ISD athletic director resigns from position
(CBS 19) Lufkin ISD announced that Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Carl Abseck gave his resignation. In a statement released Tuesday, Lufkin ISD said it’s committed to supporting Lufkin’s student-athletes, athletics staff and affected campuses.
Carlos Lynn out as head football coach at Crowley ISD after four seasons
(Dallas Morning News) A Crowley ISD official confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that Lynn is no longer the head coach for the program following a 3-7 season. Lynn was hired as Crowley head coach in 2023 and went 21-24 in four seasons. He went 7-4 and 8-3 over his first two seasons.
Football season ends in court: Liberty Christian removed from TAPPS playoffs, judge rules
(WFAA) The season is over for one of the state’s top-ranked high school football teams. A Denton County judge has denied Argyle’s Liberty Christian School’s request for a temporary restraining order, allowing the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) to move forward with its decision to remove the team from the 2026 Division I football playoffs.
Jasper ISD HS student charged with setting fire in wood shop ‘putting hundreds in danger’
(KFDM) An 18-year-old Jasper ISD High School student has been arrested on a charge of arson, accused of starting a fire inside the school’s wood shop that investigators say created an extremely dangerous situation and potentially placed hundreds of students and staff members in serious danger, according to Jasper ISD Police Chief Joshua Hadnot.
UT Austin sees drop in on-campus drug violations since 2018
(Daily Texan) Drug violations at UT Austin fell more than 80%, from 72 in 2018-19 to 11 last year. Alcohol violations went up and down over the same period, peaking at 145 in 2021-22 before falling to 82. Penalties range from counseling to suspension, and most leave a disciplinary record.
Lone Star College System retains 135 classes on 2026-27 required curriculum list
(Community Impact) Lone Star College System kept all 135 of its core curriculum courses for 2026-27 after a review required by Senate Bill 37, a 2025 state law. By contrast, the University of Houston cut 133 core courses in August. Under SB 37, governing boards of higher education institutions must review their core curriculum lists every five years, with the first review due by Jan. 1, 2027.
Your doctor is an hour away. $281 Million is about to change that for rural Texans
(KPRC) Greg Abbott announced this week that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will receive $281 million in federal funding for year two of Rural Texas Strong, a five-year initiative designed to rebuild healthcare in communities that have been struggling for decades.
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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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Budgeted Pay and Employee Counts - Part 4:
Special Student Populations - Part 5:
Statewide Enrollment Data - Part 6 (Final):
ISD and Charter Enrollment Rankings
