- News Category
- Accountability/Accreditation
- Charter Schools
- Child Nutrition
- Construction/Bond Issues
- Governance
- Grants
- Health/Safety
- Joe's Commentaries
- Legal
- Legislative
- National News
- Newspapers
- Personnel
- Property Tax
- Risk Management
- School Finance
- Special Articles
- State Board of Education
- SuperSearch Page
- Technology in Education
- TexasISD General News
- Transportation
- Preventive Law
TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products
TexasISD.com
Advertising
TexasISD.com
Quick Links
Congratulations to the following New Supers
70
Superintendent Vacancies
Click to expand 
| Vacant | Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly LuskINFO | Vacant | Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESCINFO | Vacant | Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Blooming Grove ISD; Search by: Blooming Grove ISD Board of Trustees & Gary MartelINFO | Vacant | Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Sabinal ISD; Search by: Richard W Grill & Sabinal ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | La Gloria ISD; Search by: La Gloria ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Dickinson ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO | Vacant |
Pineywoods Community Academy (Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO |
Vacant | Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Grape Creek ISD; Search by: Grape Creek ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Maria ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Vysehrad ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO | Vacant | Early ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Gorman ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant |
Doss CCISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
Vacant | Dew ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Brock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Richland Springs ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Hereford ISD; Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant |
Region 10 ESC Executive Director; Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant |
Pettus ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and DBU Educational Leadership Consulting Corporation.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Spurger ISD - Jeff Burnthorn, Director,Silsbee ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESC (Short Timeline)INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Roby CISD - Kenny Border, Assistant Superintendent,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cotulla ISD - Dr. Ramiro Nava, Assistant Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO |
| Lone Finalist | McAllen ISD - René Gutiérrez, Superintendent,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ponder ISD - Dr. James Hill, Director of Operations,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hale Center ISD - Jance Morris, Superintendent,Savoy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rocksprings ISD - Justin Del Bosque, Principal,Georgetown ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated); Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Johnson City ISD - Ben Eubanks, Superintendent,Glasscock County ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Duncanville ISD - Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent,Caddo Parish Public Schools; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hamlin Collgiate ISD - Dr. Chanda Bloch, Director,San Marcos CISD; Search by: Collegiate Edu-Nation, Dr. Nelson CoulterINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff BallardINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Greenville ISD - Joe Lopez, Superintendent,Kermit ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Weimar ISD - Chase Seelke, Assistant Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Mason ISD - Sean Leamon, Superintendent,Winters ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Normangee ISD - Justin Vercher, Principal,Hillsboro ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Abilene ISD - Dr. John Kuhn, Superintendent,Mineral Wells ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pflugerville ISD - Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent,Victoria ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lufkin ISD - Dr. James Hockenberry, Assistant Superintendent,Longview ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Willis ISD - Dr. Kimberly James, Deputy Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Panhandle ISD - Dr. John Sherrill, Principal,Archer City ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Claude ISD - Brent Kirkland, Principal,Panhandle ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody JohnsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lorenzo ISD - Dr. Greg Nelson, Assistant Superintendent,Lamesa ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Wilson ISD - Wesley Jones, Principal,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rogers ISD - Duana Brashear, Assistant Superintendent,Royal ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Whitehouse ISD - Dr. Casey Whittle, Assistant Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Royse City ISD - Dr. Amy Anderson, Interim Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Clyde CISD - Bryan Allen, Superintendent,Breckenridge ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Tenaha ISD - Jerrod Campbell, Principal,Timpson ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Elkhart ISD - Kyle Johnson, Assistant Superintendent,Westwood ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lumberton ISD - Dr. John Mathews, Assistant Superintendent,Celina ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Olton ISD - Michael Michaleson, Principal,Lockney ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Muenster ISD - Matthew Quick, Principal,Tatum ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pewitt CISD - Lee Ann Corbin, Assistant Superintendent,Red Water ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Anton ISD - Freddie Tobias, Principal,Anton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Navarro ISD - Mandy D. Epley, Assistant Superintendent,Comal ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | Hedley ISD - Tracey Bell, Principal,Vega ISD; Search by: Hedley ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Nathan Maxwell, Associate Exec. Dir.INFO |
| New Super | Venus ISD - Patrick Torres, Superintendent,Denver City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Yantis ISD - Robyn Derington Deputy Supt. Banquete ISD, Deputy Superintendent,Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett (Short Timeline!)INFO |
| New Super | Morton ISD - Mario Aguirre, Principal,Slaton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Dr. Kyle Wargo, Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Comfort ISD - Dr. Yvonne J. Munoz, Director,San Diego ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| New Super | Coupland ISD - Dr. Earl W. Parcell, Chief Financial Officer,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO |
| New Super | Miami ISD - Krista Solis, Superintendent,Hart ISD; Search by: Interim Supt. Steve Post and Miami ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Liberty-Eylau ISD - Jeff Wright, Interim Superintendent,Liberty-Eylau ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Keller ISD (Short Timeline) - Dr. Tracy Johnson, Chief of Human Resources,Keller ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | New Diana ISD - Marshall Moore, Superintendent,Crowell ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Rockport-Fulton ISD - Dr. Lesley Austin, Deputy Superintendent,Trinity Basin Prep, Dallas; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO |
| New Super | Sharyland ISD - Elaine Howard, Deputy Superintendent,Boerne ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Brooks County ISD - Scott Rogers, Superintendent,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Boerne ISD - Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Brenham ISD - Clay Gillentine, Interim Superintendent,Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Goldthwaite CISD - Dr. Christopher Bailey, Director,Abilene ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Ingleside ISD - Scott Kilgore, Director,Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Woodsboro ISD - Leslie Garza, Principal,Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - Paige Meloni, Chief Financial Officer,Lewisville ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Rains ISD - Joe Nicks, Assistant Superintendent,Kaufman ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Presidio ISD - Carmen Rubner, Interim Superintendent,Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Corsicana ISD - Stephanie Howell, Deputy Superintendent,Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO |
| New Super | Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| New Super | City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| New Super | Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Governor Abbott Directs Texas Universities To Ignore President Biden’s Unlawful Title IX Rewrite
Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to Texas' public university systems and community colleges directing them to not comply with President Joe Biden's recent revision of Title IX and to refrain from implementing any new system-wide policy related to this revision.
"As I have already made clear, Texas will not comply with President Joe Biden's rewrite of Title IX that contradicts the original purpose and spirit of the law to support the advancement of women," reads the letter. "Last week, I instructed the Texas Education Agency to ignore President Biden's illegal dictate of Title IX. Today, I am instructing every public college and university in the State of Texas to do the same.
I signed laws to ensure the safety of our students on campus and provide a process for adjudicating reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault with adequate due process for all parties involved, as well as laws to protect the integrity of women's sports by prohibiting men from competing against female athletes—and I will not let President Biden erase the advancements Texas has made."
view article 
May 2024 Bond List
Bond Election Data collected by TexasISD.com for public school bonds in the upcoming May 2024 election cycle.
Preventive Law: DOI-ng it Right: Exemptions to Consider in Optimizing Your Local Innovation Plan
At this point we don’t need to impress upon you the meaningful impacts that a well-written District of Innovation (“DOI”) Plan can have on school operations. After nearly ten years of the DOI experiment, it’s no secret that these plans are powerful tools—especially if properly drafted. Whether your District is seeking to adopt a plan for the first time, to renew an expiring plan, or to amend an existing plan, you must ensure that you carefully consider including the latest and greatest exemptions. This quick article will address some of the most popular and emerging innovations worth considering.
Austin ISD officials aim to support teachers amid nationwide burnout with new program
Many La Porte ISD residents were affected by strong storms on Thursday. Because our priority lies with our families, we are canceling school on Friday. We will reopen on Monday, May 20.
Live updates: Many schools closed as Houston wakes up to widespread storm damage
Many schools across the Houston area are closed Friday after a severe thunderstorm left a trail of destruction through the Houston region Thursday evening. At least four people are dead and hundreds of thousands of people are still without power. Here are the latest updates.
view article
Business manager embezzled Trinidad ISD funds for Disney spree
An Orange man has pleaded guilty to stealing money from the Trinidad Independent School District.
On Wednesday, Brandon Delane Looney, 38, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds while serving as business manager for Trinidad ISD.
Federal law makes it a crime for someone to steal from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds annually. According to court documents, Looney embezzled more than $300,000 between 2017 and 2023 while working for Trinidad ISD in Henderson County. Looney used the funds for trips to Walt Disney World and spending sprees at The Disney Store.
view article
Multiple school districts closing all campuses Friday after storms leave widespread damage
After severe storms left widespread damage in the City of Houston Thursday, Houston ISD has announced they are closing all campuses and canceling classes on Friday. Soon after, other districts followed.
“HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17,” an email from the district read.
view article
Celina council denies request for downtown swim school
Celina City Council members denied a request to rezone 1 acre on the outskirts of downtown for a My Swim Buddy swim school during a May 14 meeting. The school would be located on Malone Street, which is in a unique position due to its proximity to downtown, Director of Development Andy McAfee said. The land is also surrounded by both existing and planned development, including Celina ISD properties and an incoming mixed-use neighborhood.
view article
Austin ISD officials aim to support teachers amid nationwide burnout with new program
Cowan Elementary School teacher Devon Whipple sits in a circle with her fourth grade students on May 9. She puts on a hat shaped like a white bear and instructs her students on what to do next.
“Take a deep breath in, arms all the way up, and show me that bear growl,” she says, and in response, about 10 fourth graders give their best growl, finishing off what is a normal occurrence of yoga in Whipple’s classroom.
Whipple said yoga is a way to break up the classroom and help motivate her students, a tool she learned through a program called Breathe for Change.
The program was introduced to the Austin ISD community to help retain staff as nearly 70% of teachers statewide face burnout and consider leaving the profession, as previously reported by Community Impact. This spring, about 30 AISD teachers across 10 campuses went through the program.
view article
Hernandez v. Texas: A 1954 landmark case helped Mexican Americans
Days before the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, another landmark Supreme Court decision granted Mexican Americans in Texas the right to serve on a jury — and opened doors to more civil rights battles. Why it matters: The Hernandez v. Texas ruling in May 1954 affirmed that Mexican Americans were protected under the 14th Amendment and couldn't be excluded from jury duty under Jim Crow laws and practices in Texas. Zoom in: The case involved murder, death threats against attorneys, lawyers forced to use segregated restrooms, and Gus Garcia, the case's star attorney, getting drunk the night before Supreme Court oral arguments. Flashback: Garcia of San Antonio and John J. Herrera of Houston sought to use an alleged murder in Jackson County, Texas, in 1951 as a test case to challenge racist jury policies in Texas. They represented Peter Hernandez, a Mexican American cotton picker accused of fatally shooting another man. Jackson County labeled Mexican Americans as white, and its leaders argued that having an all-white, non-Hispanic jury wasn't discrimination. Between the lines: During a hearing in the murder trial, a judge asked Garcia and Herrera if they would need an interpreter. "No, sir, judge...If you can't understand English or Spanish, perhaps one of my colleagues can interpret for you," Garcia shot back. Still, Garcia and Herrera failed to get Mexican Americans on the jury. The lawyers were also forced to use a restroom outside the courtroom with a sign that said "Hombres Aqui" — a term that became a rallying cry. The all-white jury sentenced Hernandez to life in prison.
view article
HISD to close all campuses Friday after powerful storms knock out power
Houston ISD closed all campuses on Friday, May 17 due to the widespread damage across the city. Schools will reopen on Monday, May 20th In addition, Spring Branch, Cy-Fair and Sheldon Independent School districts announced they will cancel classes Friday as a result of the storms. "HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17," an email from the district read. In addition, Spring Branch, Cy-Fair and Sheldon Independent School districts announced they will cancel classes Friday as a result of the storms. "HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17," an email from the district read.
view article
Help ProPublica and The Texas Tribune report on your community’s school board and bond elections
We want to hear about how heated elections affect the people learning, teaching and living in districts across Texas.
view article
HISD to close all campuses Friday after powerful storms knock out power
Houston ISD closed all campuses on Friday, May 17 due to the widespread damage across the city. Schools will reopen on Monday, May 20th. In addition, Spring Branch, Cy-Fair and Sheldon Independent School districts announced they will cancel classes Friday as a result of the storms. "HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17," an email from the district read.
view article
23 storm damaged Katy ISD schools will not open today
Due to weather-related power outages, the Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) will close several storm-damaged campuses today, Friday, May 17.
In a press release distributed late Thursday night, the school district said that students, staff, and families assigned to these schools or student support facilities should refrain from reporting to the buildings.
view article
Leon Alcala, PLLC
WEBINAR: THE NEW TITLE IX REGULATIONS: WHAT DO ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO KNOW TO BE READY?
Join us for our upcoming webinar
Date: June 10, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Webinar
Cost: $175 per participant
Presented by: John Janssen
Read more and register here...
.png)
Join us!
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Former East Texas school district business manager stole $300,000 for trips to Disney World
A former East Texas school business manager pleaded guilty to stealing over $300,000 and using the money to fund trips to Walt Disney World. Brandon Delane Looney, 38, of Orange, entered a guilty plea on Wednesday to theft from a program receiving federal funds while he was working at the school, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
view article
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board Votes to Censor Science Textbooks
It seems germane to preface the following bizarre installment in textbook censorship that Cy-Fair ISD is facing a $138 million budget shortfall for the 2024-2025 academic year. What should have been an innocuous item on textbook adoption after several hard budget decisions took an unexpected turn when a single board member, Natalie Blasingame, led a charge to remove 13 chapters from proposed textbooks covering biology, environmental science, earth systems, health science theory, and principles of education and training. All these textbooks have been adopted by the State Board of Education (a much more conservative body than in years past) and reviewed by district curriculum and instructional staff. The chapters removed by a 6-1 vote included “controversial” topics such as climate change, vaccines, and cultural
view article
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD student arrested for taking gun to school
A student in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District was arrested for taking a gun to a school campus. According to a news release, the Schertz Police Department was informed by school officials that a student had brought a gun Monday to Allison Steele Enhanced Learning Center.
view article
Houston-area school districts cancel classes Friday after deadly storm rips through Houston
The Houston Independent School District canceled school Friday due to the deadly and destructive storms that tore through the Houston area Thursday. "Due to the widespread damage across Houston, HISD has coordinated with the city of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17," the district said in a statement. "Schools will reopen Monday, May 20."
view article
Burton ISD cancels classes Friday following storms, floods
Following severe storms on Thursday, Burton ISD in Washington County has canceled classes for Friday. Superintendent Rob Barnwell tells KBTX that trees are down on several bus routes and some areas of campus are flooded. A tornado-warned storm pushed through the area Thursday evening and then continued southeast to Brenham and the rest of the county before moving into the greater Houston area.
view article
Round Rock ISD announces new interim police chief, Lauren Griffith
The Round Rock Independent School District revealed Thursday its police department is under new leadership.
Chief Dennis Weiner had been with the department since August 2020 but is no longer with the department.
view article
Houston area school districts closed on Friday, May 17 due to widespread storm damage
Due to widespread damage across Houston, HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17. Schools will reopen Monday, May 20th.
Any additional school closings will be included in the list below if and when they are announced.
view article
Round Rock ISD serves healthy summer meals
Twelve Round Rock ISD campuses will provide children 18 years and younger and students with disabilities up to 21 years old with healthy, no-cost breakfast and lunch through Aug. 2. Through funding made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program, the Seamless Summer Option provides nutritious meals in school cafeterias from June 3 to Aug. 2. The program aims to bridge the gap left by the unavailability of free and reduced-price school meals during the summer months.
view article
Photos show destruction after severe storms roll through Houston area
Tornado warnings were issued Thursday amid damaging wind and rain. Severe storms caused widespread damage throughout the Houston area Thursday evening, with the destruction ranging from downed trees and power lines to blown out office building windows in Downtown.
view article
HISD Superintendent Miles denies allegations of illegal financial practices at former charter network
HISD's appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and leaders of his former charter network, Third Future Schools, are vehemently denying reports that the network illegally used money from its Texas campuses to subsidize its schools in Colorado. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath also said Friday that he had referred the issue to the Texas Education Agency's complaint team, but that initial reports did not show evidence of wrongdoing.
view article
‘Leadership disaster’: Humble ISD superintendent placed on leave in wake of mounting legal fees
Humble ISD trustees placed Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen on paid administrative leave Tuesday in a split vote, just a month after details surfaced of a costly Title IX investigation involving her husband, who recently resigned as the district's athletic director. The board voted 4-2 to approve putting Fagen on leave, with trustee Marques Holmes abstaining. Once she left the room, the board voted 6-0 to name Deputy Superintendent Roger Brown as interim superintendent. The board did not discuss the motion to place Fagen on leave or the decision to tap Brown as the interim, but, after the meeting, the board president said Fagen was placed on leave due to "a personnel matter." Trustee Robert Sitton, who voted against the motion, expressed frustration.
view article
Northwest ISD faces $14 million deficit, discusses raising tax rates
Northwest ISD may soon be forced to cut programs and reduce teacher hiring. Without additional funds, the district faces a $14 million deficit in its 2024-25 budget, Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Pastusek told trustees during a May 6 board meeting. Superintendent Mark Foust and board President Steve Sprowls aren’t confident that the Texas Legislature will provide those funds come 2025. “Texas is sitting on a surplus of funds, and because (legislators) let the politics of private school vouchers get involved in the mix with public school funding, funding never got passed,” Sprowls said. In a bid to overcome escalating financial challenges, Northwest ISD is considering placing a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot to increase the district’s property tax rate. If approved, the initiative would secure $15 million in additional funding, Pastusek said. “Our goal is to continue providing excellent educational experiences and staff support without compromising our financial stability,” he said. Weekend Worthy (728 x 90 px).png Northwest ISD officials are discussing raising one of two smaller rates that form the overall property tax:
view article
Controversy over Fort Bend ISD ranking policy leads to valedictorian switch-up
Controversy over Fort Bend ISD ranking policy leads to valedictorian switch-up The graduation shakeup is the latest controversy surrounding the 2019 policy that sprang from what was seen as unfair advantages to some students who enrolled in schools they were not zoned to. This was usually done to meet academic needs or wishes, like technical courses or early college programs. But district leaders started to notice that some high school seniors from schools with very competitive rankings would transfer to another school where they could be ranked higher — even in the top 10, said community advocate and Marshall PTO president Stephanie Brown. In Texas, students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class are guaranteed admission to any public university in the state. Under a new policy that began when the class of 2024 were freshmen, gaming the system in such a way was not possible. All high school students must be ranked at the high school where they are geographically zoned, even if they attend another school. The Fort Bend ISD board of trustees has already done away with the policy, starting with the class of 2028. However, students will continue to be ranked at their zoned campuses for the next three years, outgoing board President Judy Dae said last week.
view article
Miles shouldn’t solve HISD budget shortfall by cutting ‘wraparound’ lifeline for poor and homeless students | Editorial
Miles shouldn’t solve HISD budget shortfall by cutting ‘wraparound’ lifeline for poor and homeless students | Editorial
view article
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to allegations he diverted Texas school funds to his Colorado schools
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles is calling allegations that he diverted Texas school money to his charter schools in Colorado “irresponsibly inaccurate.” His Thursday response comes after a report by Spectrum News that resulted in calls for a federal investigation by the Houston Teachers Federation, a coalition group of parents, teachers, and students, and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Miles is also enduring tumultuous backlash from some parents and teachers after widespread job cuts to close a $450 million budget gap, along with a growing number of teachers and principals finding out they will not be asked back next year.
view article
‘It’s denial’: Southlake parents disappointed by Carroll ISD school board’s response to Dept. of Education findings of student discrimination
Southlake parents urged Carroll ISD board members to begin negotiations with the Dept. of Education following a years-long investigation that found the district violated students’ civil rights. Parents urged action from the board during Tuesday night’s board meeting. It was the school board’s first public meeting since the Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights upheld four student discrimination complaints last week.
view article
Conroe ISD considers gender identity policy, prompting chaotic discussion during board meeting
Conroe ISD trustees have tabled a motion to consider drafting a policy similar to a controversial gender policy in Katy ISD, which is now under an ongoing federal civil rights investigation. Trustee Misty Odenweller proposed to create a policy related to parental authority and gender fluidity matters. "This is a bully-like approach; we just keep picking on the same group of folks," Trustee Datren Williams said during the meeting.
view article
Austin ISD Budget Woes Take a Turn for the Worse
Austin ISD officials promised the community last month that they would do everything in their power to spare classrooms from the district’s planned budget cuts. But that was before they learned that next year’s deficit had increased a whopping 50%. The district announced on May 9 that its estimate of the 2024-25 budget deficit skyrocketed from $60 million to $89 million. School officials had used the $60 million figure as the basis for a package of cuts designed to halve the deficit to $30 million, which is about as much debt as the district can carry without damaging its credit rating. Now, if those same $30 million in cuts are approved, the deficit will only come down to $59 million, essentially the same number the district started with.
view article
TEA conservators outline partnership approach with Socorro ISD
The two conservators appointed by the Texas Education Agency to oversee the Socorro school district spoke to the media for the first time to explain their role. The Socorro Independent School District accepted a conservatorship back in March due to multiple issues facing the district, including a $33 million deficit.
view article
Child Protective Services, Tomball ISD investigating ‘unprofessional behavior’ allegations against former special education teachers
Child Protective Services is leading an investigation into allegations made against multiple elementary school teachers in Tomball ISD’s structured learning lab, a program designed for students with autism spectrum disorders, officials said.
In a letter to families on Tuesday, the school district said it launched its own investigation into the undetailed allegations made against the teachers. Those staff members are no longer employed by the school district.
view article
