Waco ISD inspiring students to learn outside the classroom with summer learning program

"We're getting ready to start them thinking and sparking their imagination," said Miranda Unger, a first grade teacher at Waco ISD. Summer is very different from the school year, but that doesn't mean there isn't any learning going on. "We learned today that digit is a fancy word for a number, and you can say, 'Oh look, here's the digit 12' — and just trying to get that academic language here at school and carry it over to school," Unger said. view article  

Longview ISD releases contract details, First 100-Day Plan for new Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard

Dr. Marla Sheppard's official contract with Longview ISD includes an annual salary of $275,000 and is effective from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.  Terms of the contract include providing professional development and other benefits, including reimbursement for moving expenses and the requirement that Dr. Sheppard reside within the district. More information about Dr. Sheppard's contract is available on the district website: w3.LISD.org/leadership July 8, 2024 also marks Dr. Sheppard's first official workday as Superintendent and the new chief is not wasting any time! Her First 100-Day Plan outlines some of the immediate goals of her administration toward developing a long-term strategic vision for the entire district.  The plan emphasizes building transparent relationships with the board, fostering community engagement, and enhancing academic excellence, as well as fostering trust and buy-in within the greater Longview community.  Community members are encouraged to review the plan on the district website: w3.LISD.org/leadership For more information please contact LISD Communications at ask@lisd.org or call 903-381-2235.  

UPDATES: More than 1 million without power as Beryl thrashes Houston

An elevated weather station near the Houston Metro (located at an elevation of 226ft - so fairly high up there) has gusted to 81 mph at 6:15am. Anyone in a high-rise in the Metro, please do not go out on balconies and stay away from windows. This Post is from about 1 hour ago.

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Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Matagorda

More than 530,000 CenterPoint Energy customers are without power Monday morning as Beryl pushes through Southeast Texas.  If new estimates from ERCOT are correct, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick say Texas needs “an immediate review of all policies concerning the grid.”  With the state facing another round of extreme heat, recent polling revealed that most Texans believe an electrical grid failure could happen again this summer.  ---- Beryl reached Texas shores around 4 a.m. Monday morning as a category 1 hurricane, with wind gusts reaching up to 89 mph and maximum sustain winds hitting around 80 mph according to Matt Lanza of Space City Weather. Beryl reached Texas shores around 4 a.m. Monday morning as a category 1 hurricane, with wind gusts reaching up to 89 mph and maximum sustain winds hitting around 80 mph according to Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.  view article  

SpaceX pushes ahead with a second tower launch site in South Texast

Later this month, SpaceX wants to carry out the next test flight of its Starship rocket from Boca Chica. And while SpaceX currently has just one Texas launch site to choose from for the upcoming fifth launch, another is on the way. view article  

4th of July

SBOE Clears Pathway for Four New Charter Schools, Recognizes Outstanding Educators and Students

AUSTIN, Texas – July 1, 2024 – The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) took no action against recommendations made by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, opening the door for four new charter school operators at its regularly scheduled meeting June 25 – 28. Subject to clearing contractual contingencies, the following applicants will open new charter schools and begin serving Texas public school students in the 2025-2026 school year:  view article  

Fort Worth Uses Taxpayer Dollars for LGBT Event

The event celebrating sexual identities was held on city property and included paying an LGBT group for a musical performance.  view article  

Essay: Life on the trail with Kinky

You come to see What you want to see Yeah you come to see But you never come to know — Kinky Friedman, “The Wild Man of Borneo” view article  

University of North Texas names Harrison Keller as next president

University of North Texas names Harrison Keller as next president.  The University of North Texas Board of Regents has named Harrison Keller, Texas’ higher education commissioner, the next president.  Keller will succeed Neal Smatresk, who announced in February that he would step down after 10 years at the helm of the system’s flagship university, which has 47,000 students. A vote in June from the Board of Regents kicked off a 21-day mandatory waiting period before the formal action on Monday that appointed Keller as president. He takes office Aug. 1. view article  

Thousands of homeowners are about to get slammed with higher monthly payments

Last year, when Jennifer Hernandez received notice that the mortgage payments on her Houston home would jump about $2,000 per month, she was stunned. Hernandez refinanced her home loan in 2016 using an adjustable-rate mortgage loan, which has a low introductory rate for a fixed initial period. Unlike the more popular fixed-rate mortgage loans, ARMs can offer temporary relief for homebuyers who want to avoid paying higher mortgage rates — however, they also come with risk. After the fixed introductory period ­— usually five, seven or ten years ­— the rate on an ARM loan adjusts periodically based on current market conditions. view article  

Fort Bend ISD under investigation by TEA for electioneering, violating Open Meetings Act

Fort Bend ISD is under investigation for electioneering and for allegedly violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, according to a statement from the district. The statement issued last week said that FBISD is being investigated by the Texas Education Agency after allegations that the district incentivized staff to vote in last year’s tax rate election. This goes with another TEA investigation into the Texas Open Meetings Act. view article  

Mercedes ISD superintendent firing drags on

The Mercedes school board voted to fire its superintendent in May without saying why, and that process doesn’t appear to be going smoothly. In April, the Mercedes ISD board voted to place Superintendent Maria J. Chavez on administrative leave with pay. Trustees appointed an acting superintendent and, late in May, voted to fire Chavez “for good cause.” view article  

TEA 2024 Spring STAAR results: Beaumont ISD faces challenges, neighboring districts excel

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released the Spring 2024 STAAR results, revealing ongoing challenges for Beaumont ISD and continued success for several other districts within Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin counties. Despite debates over the flaws of standardized testing, it remains the sole consistent metric for evaluating district performance. The following analysis compares scores within the tri-county area of Region 5: view article  

Fewer bus routes and longer walks: Cy-Fair ISD changes its transportation plan to save money

When classes resume in Cy-Fair ISD this fall, some students will no longer be able to ride the bus. The district on June 17 eliminated bus service for most students within a 2-mile radius of their school to save $4 million with trustees' unanimous approval of a new hazardous traffic conditions resolution. It's part of the district's transportation plan for the 2024-2025 school year. view article  

Fort Bend ISD starts new fiscal year with nearly $829 million budget

As Fort Bend ISD enters a new fiscal year, it is doing so with a balanced budget. Other Houston-area school districts, such as Houston ISD and Spring Branch ISD, announced major cuts due to massive budget shortfalls this year. Fort Bend ISD was not among them – but that's because the district made about $39 million in cuts in recent years. view article  

Former Kilgore ISD teacher given prison sentence for improper student relationship

These days, fireworks have all kinds of names: Ghost Dragons, Bombers, Boomers, and while they may look pretty shooting up into the air, they’re just as dangerous as they sound. view article  

Bridgeport ISD adopts deficit budget

Bridgeport ISD’s budget will be in the red for another fiscal year. At the board’s last regularly scheduled meeting, trustees passed a $1,333,276 deficit budget. Total revenues for the 2024-2025 operating budget come in at $21,503,740 while expenditures total at $22,867,016. view article  

Former Kilgore ISD teacher gets 10-year prison sentence for improper relationship with student

A former Kilgore ISD teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having an improper relationship with a student. Phillip Daniel Nix, 38, of Seymour, pleaded guilty on Monday to an improper relationship between a student and an educator in connection and then sentenced to 10 years. According to officials, Nix was arrested in 2022 following an investigation led by Kilgore Police officers and the Kilgore ISD administrators regarding information about a March 1, 2021, incident. view article  

Carroll ISD to accept budget reduction committee applications starting July 22

To address potential budget shortfalls for the 2024-25 fiscal year, Carroll ISD officials have created a budget reduction advisory committee. Community members can volunteer to serve on the committee and the district will begin accepting applications July 22. view article  

Montgomery ISD teachers and staff to get raises despite $4.3M budget deficit for 2024-2

As Montgomery ISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin reflects on his first 100 days with the district, finding ways to continue investing in students and staff remains a top priority. Like many other Texas districts, Montgomery ISD officials project a deficit budget for the 2024-25 school year — after the district received no additional funds from the state due to lawmakers declining to pass a teacher pay raise bill or a comprehensive school funding plan, despite broad support and a record $30 billion-plus budget surplus.  view article  

Chief of improved but shrinking Edgewood ISD is region’s Superintendent of the Year

Eduardo Hernandez, the superintendent of Edgewood Independent School District, has been named the 2024 Region 20 Superintendent of the Year, a recognition that celebrates exemplary leadership in public schools. The Texas Association of School Boards announced 18 education leaders from across the state Monday who are regional nominees in its annual Superintendent of the Year award. view article  

Dallas ISD to allow community service, parenting classes instead of alternative school

Dallas ISD will allow community service and parenting support classes as an option for student discipline to keep kids out of alternative schools, but pushed back when the program will be implemented. Board members said Thursday that although they still plan to offer the new option, it won’t go into effect until October. view article  

Lubbock ISD hopes to fill special education positions with job fair

Lubbock ISD hosted a job fair on Monday, looking to fill special education positions. The fair welcomed candidates at the Monterey High School from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. view article  

Thousands of homeowners are about to get slammed with higher monthly payments

Last year, when Jennifer Hernandez received notice that the mortgage payments on her Houston home would jump about $2,000 per month, she was stunned. Hernandez refinanced her home loan in 2016 using an adjustable-rate mortgage loan, which has a low introductory rate for a fixed initial period. Unlike the more popular fixed-rate mortgage loans, ARMs can offer temporary relief for homebuyers who want to avoid paying higher mortgage rates — however, they also come with risk. After the fixed introductory period ­— usually five, seven or ten years ­— the rate on an ARM loan adjusts periodically based on current market conditions. view article  

Thousands of homeowners are about to get slammed with higher monthly payments

Last year, when Jennifer Hernandez received notice that the mortgage payments on her Houston home would jump about $2,000 per month, she was stunned. Hernandez refinanced her home loan in 2016 using an adjustable-rate mortgage loan, which has a low introductory rate for a fixed initial period. Unlike the more popular fixed-rate mortgage loans, ARMs can offer temporary relief for homebuyers who want to avoid paying higher mortgage rates — however, they also come with risk. After the fixed introductory period ­— usually five, seven or ten years ­— the rate on an ARM loan adjusts periodically based on current market conditions. view article  

Preventive Law: Thinking About Transportation Policies

Texas school districts are authorized to provide public school transportation. For those that do, motor vehicle accidents are fertile ground for claims against school districts. School districts may benefit from taking the time to review their risk management approach to the provision of transportation services.

Former Valentine ISD Employee Arrested for Financial Fraud Scheme

A former Valentine Independent School District employee has been arrested over allegedly misappropriating school district funds for personal expenses. The United States Attorney’s Office in Western Texas inculpated 42-year-old Ernesto Villarreal of using district-issued credit cards for several unauthorized purchases—including travel, lodging, home improvements, and university tuition payments. Villarreal is also accused of accessing payroll information to direct employees’ and former employees’ payroll payments into his personal bank account by replacing their information with his own bank account information. Now, the Marfa native faces one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and eight counts of wire fraud from the U.S. Attorney’s office. If convicted, he could face up to a decade in prison for the theft charge and two decades for each wire fraud count. view article  

Teachers Union Urges Districts to Uphold Biden’s Title IX Changes

In an open letter to school districts by Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, American Federation of Teachers union affiliate Texas AFT joined a coalition of student activists and more than 30 organizations urging superintendents to support the Biden administration’s radical changes to Title IX. According to the letter released on Wednesday, the groups claim Texas has “wasted taxpayer dollars on frivolous federal lawsuits.” view article  

Texas Democrat Chairman Alleges Election Fraud in South Texas

The chairman of the Texas Democrat Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, says election fraud is taking place in South Texas. This claim is based on a lawsuit filed in Hidalgo County contesting the election for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 1. The certified vote showed Sonia Trevino winning the Democrat primary runoff last month with 4,233 votes, while Ramon Segovia finished second with 4,202 votes. Segovia is currently challenging the election results, with Hinojosa representing him as his lawyer. The lawsuit makes numerous allegations of voter fraud, including: – Numerous votes were allegedly cast illegally by individuals registered at an address that was not their residence or was not a residence at all. – Many voters who cast ballots during early voting and on election day were allegedly assisted in reading or completing the ballot, despite not being eligible for such assistance under the Texas Elections Code. view article  

2024 Houston Primary Runoff Live Election Results

The May 28 primary runoff elections in Houston were especially competitive this cycle, with Democrats vying for open seats in the Texas House and Senate. Elsewhere, Republican primaries in the region and across Texas were also up for grabs. Gov. Greg Abbott was looking to oust the GOP lawmakers who oppose school vouchers, and House Speaker Dade Phelan faced a spirited challenge from Republican David Covey, who was backed by former President Donald Trump. Below, keep track of vote tallies as they come in with our live results tracker. view article  

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan beats right-wing challenger David Covey and secures sixth term

House Speaker Dade Phelan survived an unusually tough and bitter GOP primary challenge Tuesday, positioning himself for a sixth term in the Legislature’s lower chamber and besting far-right activists who led a multimillion-dollar effort to oust him. Phelan narrowly beat right-wing challenger David Covey, an oil and gas consultant, with about 51% of the vote in the Beaumont-area district Tuesday night, according to unofficial returns. Covey had 49%. The difference was fewer than 400 votes. view article  

Source of La Joya ISD’s public office ban a costly mystery for taxpayers

The La Joya Independent School District policy barring employees from holding public office has caused a ripple effect well outside of the district’s boundaries resulting in multiple resignations, prompting cities to call special elections — all at the cost of the taxpayer. The policy, approved in April, prohibits employees who are equal to or above an assistant principal, center office employees that have the responsibility of public funds, and administrators or supervisors of other employees from holding public office. view article  

Lorena ISD parents hopeful after Texas Education Agency opens investigation into alleged misconduct of principal

Lorena Independent School District principal who is at the center of a lawsuit is now being investigated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). April Jewell is the principal of Lorena Primary School, which serves around 400 students pre-kindergarten through second grade. She is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the parents of a pre-k student who was sexually abused by substitute Nicholas Crenshaw at Lorena Primary School. view article  

U.S. Department of Education investigates Katy ISD’s gender policy that led to trans student dropout

Katy ISD's controversial new gender policy requires parents to be notified if students identify themselves as transgender, and it's impact is becoming clearer. Kade Carter is a lot of things: a gamer, a musician, and a son. But, the 17-year-old, who has won awards for his poetry and artwork, is a high school dropout. view article