Mexia ISD announces services for Mexia High School football player Micah Kirven

Mexia ISD announced services for Mexia High School football player Micah Kirven who passed away after suffering cardiac arrest last week. Services for Micah will be held on Friday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Mexia High School Auditorium. Additionally, a Final Horn Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Mexia High School football stadium. Mexia ISD announced that the “Battle of the River” pep rally that was scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11 has been cancelled to let the community focus on the life of Micah. view article

Texas Earns Financial Grade of ‘C’ From Watchdog Group

The newest report from Truth in Accounting graded all U.S. states’ financial positions, placing Texas at 26 out of 50 states and giving it a financial grade of “C.” view article

The Day Amarillo ISD Took My Son’s Phone: What Parents Need to Know

When it comes to a teenager and their phone, it's like taking away their breath when you take away their phone. I swear that it's somehow attached to them physically. Right before school started this year Amarillo ISD said they were going to start enforcing the cell phone policy. Read More: Amarillo ISD Cell Phone Policy is Enforced: Ask Me How I Know | https://thebullamarillo.com/aisd-phone-policy-enforced/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral view article

Eanes ISD ranked the No. 1 school district in Texas, No. 7 in America

The school district behind one of the most famous high schools in the country now stands alone as the best in the state. Not only that, the school district known for producing some of the nation's best athletes was ranked among the Top 10 best in the country. view article

Texas charter school network petitions court to release A-F school ratings

IDEA Public Schools told a Travis County district court that blocking school ratings hurts charter school networks like them.  The largest charter school network in Texas is intervening in a lawsuit that has temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing academic accountability ratings for the 2023-2024 school year.  "We are standing up for the right of Texas families to access information they need to make decisions about their children's education and for the public's right to hold schools accountable for their performance," IDEA Public Schools CEO and Superintendent Jeff Cottrill said in a statement released Thursday evening.  IDEA is petitioning the court to allow TEA to release the ratings, which gives schools and districts A-F letter grades based on the agency's calculation of their academic performance. view article

Fort Worth ISD to Pay Former Superintendent Nearly $1 Million

Fort Worth Independent School District will pay former Superintendent Angélica Ramsey nearly $1 million total until she officially resigns as an employee on August 30, 2025. view article

Community discussion on Austin ISD tax rate election to be held at Sunset Valley Elementary

Community members will have the chance to ask questions and learn more about the proposed tax rate increase for Austin ISD on the ballot this November on Oct. 8. The gist: Any member of the public can attend the event on Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at 3000 Jones Road, Austin. view article

Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law

The attorney general argues that the popular short form video app has not complied with a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active online.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok on Thursday for sharing and selling minors’ personal information, violating a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active on social media, accusations that the company denied hours later.  The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act prohibits social media companies from sharing or selling a minor’s personal information unless a parent or guardian approves. The law, which was passed by the Legislature last year and partially went into effect Sept. 1, also requires companies to create tools that let verified parents supervise their minor child’s account.  Paxton argues in the legal filing that TikTok, a short-form video app, has failed to comply with these requirements. Although TikTok has a “family pairing” feature that allows parents to link their account to their teen’s account and set controls, parents don’t have to verify their identity using a “commercially reasonable method,” as required by Texas law. The minor also has to consent to the pairing. view article

Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law

The attorney general argues that the popular short form video app has not complied with a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active online.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok on Thursday for sharing and selling minors’ personal information, violating a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active on social media, accusations that the company denied hours later.  The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act prohibits social media companies from sharing or selling a minor’s personal information unless a parent or guardian approves. The law, which was passed by the Legislature last year and partially went into effect Sept. 1, also requires companies to create tools that let verified parents supervise their minor child’s account.

Colin Allred narrows gap in Texas Senate race, but can he win?

The Democratic congressman is polling closer to Sen. Ted Cruz in his challenge this year, and independent race rankers are noticing.   Democrats are closing the gap in their uphill campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, with polls showing improvement for Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and national Democrats’ spending in the race a month ahead of Election Day.  For the first time this race, Allred pulled ahead of Cruz in a statewide poll last month, and he continues to poll within a margin of error with Cruz. National Democrats announced Texas would be included in a multi-million-dollar ad buy last week. Allred is consistently outraising Cruz, bringing in more than $1 million in a day twice in the third quarter. view article

Here’s why Fort Worth ISD has to pay former superintendent more than half a million dollars

Fort Worth ISD will have to pay more than $500,000 to buy out outgoing Superintendent Dr. Angelica Ramsey. The board voted 8-1 to accept Ramsey's resignation on Sept. 24, and her resignation went into effect Tuesday. As a part of the resignation agreement between Ramsey and the district, Fort Worth ISD will pay her two installments of $247,961.58, the first of which will be paid out this week. view article

Grand Prairie ISD superintendent’s future unclear after mysterious school board vote

The board refused to reveal what the allegations were, frustrating community members. One trustee promised the results of an investigation into Dr. Jorge Arrendondo would be made public, but it's unclear when. view article

Two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD come forward reporting an assault at the hands of a substitute teacher

Schertz Police are investigating claims a substitute teacher assaulted two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC ISD). This report comes nearly a week after a substitute teacher was arrested by Cibolo Police. 42-year-old Yorllin Hernandez is accused of injuring two students at Barbara Jordan Intermediate School. view article

United ISD unveils remodeled Clark Elementary School

United Independent School District (UISD) has opened a new school on its campus, Clark Elementary. The building, which dates back to the 1980s, has been fully remodeled to include a new multimedia area with computer labs and two playgrounds for students. Clark Elementary will serve 600 students and features 27 classrooms. The renovations were made possible by funds approved in 2013. view article

Elementary school student struck by Barbers Hill ISD school bus

An elementary school student is recovering at a Houston hospital after being struck by a Barber Hill Independent School District bus Thursday morning, according to the district. The crash happened at 7:40 a.m., just before school, on Sapphire Lagoon Street in the Joseph’s Cove subdivision. view article

Former Barbers Hill ISD student at center of hair dispute asks court for relief to return to district

A federal judge has ruled that Darryl George, the student suspended from Barbers Hill ISD for the length of his hair, can pursue a temporary restraining order that would allow him to go back to class. The student spent the majority of his junior year serving an in-school suspension while the case played out. view article

Public education takes center stage at Houston lawmakers discussion

Public education took center stage as three Houston lawmakers Wednesday discussed the state’s takeover of the Houston school district and the prospect of the Legislature creating subsidies for private school tuition next year. view article

Bastrop ISD seeks help naming 9th elementary school after Oct. 1 groundbreaking

Bastrop ISD officials are asking for help to name its ninth elementary school, which broke ground Oct. 1. BISD Communications Director Cassandra Balderas said submissions to name the school will be accepted through Oct. 11. view article

El Paso ISD Board approves bond strategist

The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees announced the selection of bond strategist services from IN2 Architecture Incorporated. $2.09 million has been allocated for bond strategist services. The district says the strategist services will focus on essential preparatory work such as community engagement, research, and the creation of strategic designs. view article

College Station ISD, police looking into alleged threat at school campus

College Station ISD and College Station police say they’re looking into a possible threat that was made on Thursday. The alleged threat said someone may bring a gun to the Oakwood Intermediate School campus on Friday. view article

Monday, Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote in the November election

To check voter registration status, click here. Registered voters can update their address and other information online or contact their local voter registrar.  If Texans still need to register, they must submit a paper application. Individuals can download the application here, which must be printed, signed and mailed to a county’s election office. Texans can also contact or visit their local election office for information about in-person registration.  Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless individuals are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card through the Texas Department of Public Safety.   view article

Austin ISD teacher charged after pinning 6-year-old student against wall

Austin ISD police arrested Luis Resendiz Alvarado for how he allegedly restrained a student. view article

How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schools

Gov. Greg Abbott felt vindicated when nine Texas Republican lawmakers who helped block a school voucher program he championed last year lost their seats in the March primary. The governor portrayed their removal from office as clear evidence that Texans wanted a way to use public funds to send their children to private schools.  “Republican primary voters have once again sent an unmistakable message that parents deserve the freedom to choose the best education pathway for their child,” Abbott said back then, before helping unseat six more lawmakers in the May runoff elections.  But Marilyn Snider got a different impression while talking to voters outside the election administration office in Coldspring during the primary season. There, she worked under a tent campaigning for Janis Holt, the Abbott-backed candidate she supported and who eventually defeated state Rep. Ernest Bailes in Texas House District 18, lodged in between Houston and Beaumont. view article

Approval for Increasing Tax Rates

School district trustees in Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos have all put voter-approval tax rate elections on the November ballot.  Unlike a bond, a VATRE raises the maintenance and operations tax rate and does not incur debt. view article

Preventive Law: Election Season is Upon Us

Watch Houston-area lawmakers discuss the 2025 legislative session’s key issues

Public education took center stage as three Houston lawmakers Wednesday discussed the state’s takeover of the Houston school district and the prospect of the Legislature creating subsidies for private school tuition next year.  State Reps. Charles Cunningham, R-Humble; Christina Morales, D-Houston; and Armando Walle, D-Houston, discussed those topics in a Texas Tribune event moderated by politics reporter James Barragán at Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.  The Houston school district, the state’s largest public school system, was taken over by the Texas Education Agency because of low-performing schools for about a year and a half. view article

Educators concerned as math test scores continue to decline in Austin ISD, statewide

In 2023, less than half of Texas students met grade level standards on the standardized math assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted previously existing issues with math education, experts say, including insufficient training for teachers and a lack of intervention for struggling students.  Low math achievement rates were widely reported even before COVID-19, said Gabe Grantham, an education policy adviser for nonpartisan think tank Texas 2036.  At Austin ISD, officials said they saw achievement fall amid learning loss and workforce turnover. view article

Fort Worth ISD to pay outgoing superintendent over $500K severance in contract buyout

The Fort Worth Independent School District will pay more than $500,000 in salary, benefits and retirement funds to buy out the contract of outgoing Superintendent Angélica Ramsey, whose resignation as leader of the district was effective as of Tuesday this week. The resignation agreement was released to the Star-Telegram by the district on Wednesday in response to an open records request. It shows that Ramsey will receive two installments of about $247,962 — with the first to be paid this week and the second within the first two weeks of 2025 — as a severance payment. The total of the severance payment is equivalent to one year of salary and benefits. Ramsey also is receiving about $48,540 in unused vacation, sick and personal time. In addition to the severance, Ramsey began serving as the district’s “ambassador for public relations” as of Tuesday and “shall be placed on school related leave with pay and benefits” during this period, which will continue through Aug. 30, according to the agreement. The agreement states she will continue to receive her full pay and benefits in accordance with the terms outlined in her contract during this employment. Her salary in the contract is $335,000 per year. Ramsey will be allowed to work outside the district during this time span. If Ramsey decided to resign her employment before Aug. 30, the board would accept her early resignation without penalty and future salary payments would stop but she would not lose the severance payments, the agreement states. view article

Central Texas School Districts Seek Voter Approval for Increasing Tax Rates

Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos all have a VATRE proposition on the ballot to increase school district funding.  School district trustees in Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos have all put voter-approval tax rate elections on the November ballot. Unlike a bond, a VATRE raises the maintenance and operations tax rate and does not incur debt. view article

Celina ISD faces soaring student enrollment

Tommie Dobie Bothwell Elementary School welcomed its first group of students in August. It’s the first in a wave of upcoming schools for the district.  Located in the Cambridge Crossing neighborhood, Bothwell Elementary is Celina ISD’s fourth elementary school. The new campus will soon be followed by CISD’s fifth elementary school expected in fall 2025 and its second middle school in fall 2026. Even more campuses, including future high schools, are on the horizon with bond conversations starting as the district sees fast growth that mirrors the city.   Bothwell Elementary Principal Kristen Aune said opening a new school is filled with high energy as staff work together for the first time with students and parents.  “We’re doing everything to make sure that students are safe and learning, but there’s so much excitement to that,” Aune said. view article

Fort Worth ISD to pay Angélica Ramsey $500K+ as part of superintendent resignation

Fort Worth ISD will pay former Superintendent Angélica Ramsey $544,463 to buy out her contract, according to her exit agreement with the school board. The 12-page agreement, obtained by the Fort Worth Report through an open records request, outlines that the district will pay Ramsey two major lump sum payments and set aside retirement funds for her. It also details the educator’s new role as the district’s public relations ambassador, and she was immediately placed on leave with full salary and benefits. view article

Grand Prairie ISD says suspended superintendent violated policy

There are new developments in the investigation into the Grand Prairie Independent School District’s superintendent. Dr. Jorge Arrendondo was placed on administrative leave last month after only being on the job for a few months. view article

As Fort Worth ISD’s superintendent search approaches, here’s what attorneys say to expect

As the Fort Worth Independent School District’s school board soon determines how it will conduct its search for a new superintendent, North Texas school attorneys say the opening could be well sought-after even in the midst of the school year. Superintendent Angélica Ramsey’s last day with Fort Worth ISD was Monday after she resigned from her post amid scrutiny of the district’s academic performance. Her resignation agreement states that she’ll receive more than $500,000 in severance and will remain employed by the district until next August as its “ambassador for public relations. view article

Harris County Democratic, Republican Parties oppose $4.4 billion Houston ISD bond

With less than five weeks until the election, both the Harris County Democratic and Republican parties have publicly come out in opposition to Houston ISD's $4.4 billion bond proposal. The proposal was first drafted in July and will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. If passed, $2.05 billion would go towards rebuilding over 40 aging campuses and renovating many others. $1.35 billion would be spent on safety and security upgrades. This would include removing lead and mold, replacing HVAC systems, and designating a single point of entry for all HISD school buildings. view article

Happy ISD discusses transition to 4-day school week

School districts in the Texas Panhandle are coming up with new ideas to help with teacher and student burnout. Happy ISD is joining Dimmitt, Channing and several other school districts by transitioning to four-day school weeks. In previous years, Happy ISD would alternate between four-day and five-day weeks. This is the first year that the school has fully transitioned into four-day school weeks. view article