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Congratulations to the following New Supers
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Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Elkhart ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Lumberton ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | 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 | Goldthwaite ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESCINFO | Vacant | Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | 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 | Valley View ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO | Vacant | Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Muenster ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | 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 | Clyde CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Olton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Tenaha ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Pewitt CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Region 14 ESC Executive Director; Search By: Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA)INFO | Vacant | Union Hill 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 |
| Lone Finalist | Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| 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 | Boerne ISD - Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| 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 | Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| 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 | Brooks County ISD - Scott Rogers, Superintendent,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| 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 | Sharyland ISD - Elaine Howard, Deputy Superintendent,Boerne ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | 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 |
| 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 | Rains ISD - Joe Nicks, Assistant Superintendent,Kaufman ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Willis ISD - Dr. Kimberly James, Deputy Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Corsicana ISD - Stephanie Howell, Deputy Superintendent,Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| 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 |
| New Super | White Oak ISD - William Paul, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Midway ISD - Chris Allen, Superintendent,Marble Falls ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster INFO |
| 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 | Knippa ISD - Benny Hernandez, Superintendent,Mathis ISD; Search by: Knippa ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Irion County ISD - Dr. Sara "Nikki" Moore, Principal,Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| 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 | Sam Rayburn ISD - Dr. Dustin Evans, Assistant Superintendent,Bland ISD; Search by: Sam Rayburn ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Burnet CISD - Dr. Aaron J. Peña, Assistant Superintendent,Midway ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | Archer City ISD - Jon Hartgraves, Superintendent,Hico ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super |
Glasscock County ISD - Mallory Marr, Chief Academic Officer,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | Ira ISD - Garrett Luft, Assistant Principal,Lubbock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | Anahuac ISD - Dr. Cody Abshire, Interim Superintendent,Anahuac ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| New Super |
Pilot Point ISD - Shannon Fuller, Chief Instructional Officer,East Central ISD; Search by: Pilot Point ISD & Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, consultant Karen RueINFO |
| New Super | Colmesneil ISD - Sharon Tule, Interim Superintendent,Colmesneil ISD; Search by: Fisher FirmINFO |
| New Super | New Home ISD - Toby Tucker, Director,ESC 16; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Ropes ISD - Dade Cosby, Superintendent,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Lawmaker Seeks to Reject Federal Education Funds After Title IX Rewrite Protecting ‘Gender Identity’
The new version would add “gender identity” as a protected class, which State Rep. Brian Harrison says will put Texas students in imminent danger. With the Biden administration announcing plans to radically change the federal Title IX program to give protections to biological men in women’s spaces, Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison of Midlothian is calling on House Speaker Dade Phelan to conduct interim hearings on removing federal funds from Texas’ schools. On Friday, the Biden administration rolled out a nearly 1,500-page rewrite of Title IX rules—the federal civil rights law originally designed to prohibit sex-based discrimination in education. The new version would add “gender identity” as a protected class, which Harrison says will create a “public education emergency” and put Texas students in “imminent danger”:
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Texas Democrats Lose Latest Attempt to Force Universal Voting By Mail
The U.S. Supreme Court denied Democrats’ request to hear arguments against the state’s age limit for using mail-in ballots. Texas Democrats lost another attempt to overturn the state’s election law that limits no-excuse mail-in voting to voters who are 65 years of age or older. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Democrats’ request to hear arguments intended to force Texas and other states to accept universal voting by mail. Lower courts have rejected their claims multiple times. Under Texas law, only voters 65 or older, disabled, in jail, or outside their home county during an election are eligible to vote by mail. The Texas Democrat Party filed a lawsuit in early 2020 seeking to make voting by mail universal, using fears about the COVID-19 outbreak as an excuse to push their preferred policies.
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Bonham ISD hires new superintendent, Dr. Joy Wilson
The board unanimously approved hiring Dr. Joy Wilson as the new superintendent and approving the superintendent contract. The meeting adjourned amid applause for the new superintendent. Wilson signed the contract after the meeting ended and then stayed for multiple photographs, including one with Audrey Rayford, who was Wilson’s Head Start teacher in Bonham many years ago.
A First: Texans to Elect Appraisal District Directors in May
Voters in Texas counties with a population of 75,000 or more will elect three new members to their appraisal district board of directors. On May 4, many Texans will have their first opportunity to elect representatives to the governing boards of their local appraisal districts, making the agencies that assess property values for tax purposes more accountable to citizens. A new property tax relief law, passed last year and approved in November by voters statewide, included a provision for voters in counties with a population of 75,000 or more to elect three new members to their county appraisal district board of directors. The three elected board members will serve alongside the five appointed directors and the county tax assessor-collector, who will become an ex-officio board member. Directors elected in May will take office on July 1 and serve a term that expires on December 31, 2026.
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Some Texas Republicans float trans teacher ban after Gov. Greg Abbott slams cross-dressing in school
Gov. Greg Abbott suggested over the weekend that Texas public school teachers should not be allowed to dress outside of traditional gender norms, sparking calls among some GOP leaders to ban transgender educators from the classroom. “A man, dressing as a woman, in a public high school in the state of Texas, he’s trying to normalize the concept that this type of behavior is OK,” Abbott said at the Young Conservatives of Texas convention in Dallas, according to a report by Texas Observer correspondent Steven Monacelli. “This type of behavior is not OK and this type of behavior we want to make sure we end in the state of Texas.”
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Houston ISD’s teacher evaluation system offers on-the-spot training and evaluations, but is it making a difference?
HOUSTON – As the school year comes to an end, we can’t help but discuss the plethora of changes across the Houston Independent School District campuses, starting with the appointment of Superintendent Mike Miles. The Texas Education Agency said its goal was simple, to improve teacher effectiveness and better prepare the kids of HISD for the future. The problems in the district didn’t go unnoticed as several campuses were “underperforming” for years. But since the state takeover, has much changed? ‘I am concerned for my now former colleagues:’ Former HISD principal shares what he’s learning from employees
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Gov. Abbott wants to end property taxes, but is that realistic?
AUSTIN, Texas — After months of delay, a plan to cut your property taxes is on the fast-track. On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed a key portion of an $18 billion package that would help both homeowners and businesses. What You Need To Know On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed a key portion of an $18 billion package that would help both homeowners and businesses While Democrats joined Republicans in passing the bills, they raised concerns about a lack of new money for schools One even criticized House leadership for removing a Senate-backed amendment to give teachers a bonus, which Republicans say that will be addressed in the next special session The full property tax relief package is expected to be voted on and sent to Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday While Democrats joined Republicans in passing the bills, they raised concerns about a lack of new money for schools. One even criticized House leadership for removing a Senate-backed amendment to give teachers a bonus. Republicans say that will be addressed in the next special session
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Property Tax Relief and Higher Ed Reform Among Patrick’s Charges Ahead of Next Session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced his interim charges for the Senate, a set of 57 issues he is calling on Senate Committees to investigate and research ahead of the legislative session next year. The list of charges runs the gamut of issues conservatives have called on the legislature to address, including property tax relief, protecting Texas land from hostile foreign ownership, and strengthening laws preventing electioneering by school districts and other political subdivisions. “The Senate’s work to study the list of charges will begin in the coming weeks and months. Following completion of hearings, committees will submit reports with their specific findings and policy recommendations before December 1, 2024,” said Patrick.
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 priorities
Examining charitable bail organizations and banning Delta 9 were also among Patrick’s priorities in the next legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put improving housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on college campuses and examining charitable bail organizations among 57 items on a to-do list for senators before the next legislative session begins in January. Patrick, who oversees the Senate and wields tremendous power over bills passed into law, said the list was whittled from hundreds of ideas submitted from the state’s 31 senators, which the lieutenant governor reviewed with his staff. “Come January 2025, the Senate will hit the ground running at the start of the 89th Legislative Session,” Patrick said in a statement. “The priorities of the conservative majority of Texans will be accomplished, including school choice, continued property tax relief, and strengthening the power grid.”
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Lufkin ISD taps James Hockenberry as superintendent finalist
James Hockenberry is now the lone finalist for the job of superintendent at Lufkin ISD, positioning him to be appointed once the state’s 21-day mandatory waiting period elapses. The Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to nominate Hockenberry as the lone finalist during a special meeting Monday. Wayne Haglund, the Lufkin ISD legal counsel, said that based on state law the board must wait 21 days after announcing a superintendent candidate before entering into a contract. Hockenberry has served for the last four years as assistant superintendent of Longview ISD, part of his 29 years of work as an educator. He also served as superintendent of Center ISD and Chireno ISD for a total of 13 years, said Lufkin ISD Board president Kristi Gay as she introduced Hockenberry. She also noted his experience as a teacher — including four years as a high school science teacher.
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Preventive Law: Blackhole Consequences of Shooting STAAR
We see it every year: parents trying to opt their child out of STAAR testing. Some claim it’s against their religious beliefs, some claim it’s bad for their children’s mental health, and some have no problem stating they just don’t want to participate. Below we’ll discuss the constellation of consequences that students may face for their parent’s choice of opting out, and what issues your school district might encounter if more and more parents begin to follow this trend.
Bonham ISD names superintendent lone finalist by MyParisTexas March 21, 2024
Bonham ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Joy Wilson as the lone finalist for Superintendent of Schools for Bonham ISD at their Mar. 20, 2024, meeting. After the state-required 21-day waiting period, Dr. Wilson is set to become the district’s next leader following the retirement of current BISD superintendent, Kelly Trompler. Dr. Wilson is delighted to return to Bonham ISD where she began her education, attending kindergarten at Stephenson School. Her mother, a class of 1969 Bonhi graduate, is thrilled to have her daughter serve as the next superintendent at her alma mater.
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PARENT: Allen ISD Principal Berates Students After Active Shooter Drill
After a few students made noise during the drill, the principal allegedly yelled at the 5th grade class until they cried and then took photos of them. ALLEN—According to a parent, a lockdown drill at her daughter’s elementary school quickly got out of hand when a substitute teacher and principal overreacted. After the experience, Brooke Wilcox pulled her daughter out of the school. Texas Scorecard offered Allen ISD the chance to respond to Wilcox’s allegations. Their response is printed in full at the bottom of this article.
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Texas State Board of Education faces takeover by GOP challengers backed by influential donors
For more than 20 years, Fort Worth Republican Pat Hardy has been a reliably conservative voice on the State Board of Education. Hardy has fought for Moses to be included in social studies standards, advocated for presenting creationism alongside evolution in science textbooks and said she was an early voice to call for the banning of critical race theory from the state’s public schools. But in 2024, Hardy is not conservative enough for Republican voters: She lost her primary election earlier this month against Brandon Hall, a former youth pastor who has pitched himself as a fighter for Christian conservative values. In addition to Hardy’s outright loss, two other Republicans on the board — Pam Little and Tom Maynard — were forced into runoff elections against opponents pitching themselves as stronger conservatives. All three challengers received heavy financial support from Texans for Educational Freedom, a right-wing advocacy group that cut its teeth trying to sway local school board elections but has turned its attention to overhauling the state board, spending more than $300,000 this year.
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Court order puts Texas law allowing police to arrest migrants who cross illegally back on hold
A federal appeals court late Tuesday issued an order that again prevents Texas from arresting migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect. The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes weeks after a panel on the same court cleared the way for Texas to enforce the law by putting a pause on a lower judge’s injunction. But by a 2-1 order, a panel of the appeals court lifted that pause ahead of arguments before the court on Wednesday. Texas authorities had not announced any arrests made under the law. Earlier Tuesday a divided Supreme Court had allowed Texas to begin enforcing a law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the border illegally as the legal battle over the measure played out. The conservative majority order rejected an emergency application from the Biden administration, which says the law is a clear violation of federal authority that would cause chaos in immigration law. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had praised the order clearing the way for the law that allows any police officer in Texas to arrest migrants for illegal entry and authorizes judges to order them to leave the U.S.
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Low property values could cost Coleman ISD $500,000 in state funding
COLEMAN, Texas — Coleman ISD could lose up to $500,000 in state funding this year. The State Comptroller on all school district property values recently released its report for the Property Value Study conducted for Coleman ISD. The results from that study estimates the school district will lose $500,000 in lost revenue for 2024. State law requires values to be at least 95% of sales prices but the report shows values are much lower than that requirement. The Coleman County Central Appraiser, Eva Bush, said the state's appraisal of the district came in higher than her appraisal which resulted in the shortfall.
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CLAY GILLENTINE NAMED LONE FINALIST FOR BRENHAM ISD SUPT.
Acting Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine was named as the lone finalist for the Superintendent position at the Brenham School board meeting Thursday night. Trustees voted at their last meeting on February 19th to reopen the search for superintendent to internal applicants only. The School Board now has 21 days to wait before it can vote to formally name Gillentine as the next Superintendent of Brenham schools.
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What you need to know about threats at schools
Texas lawmakers have mandated new school safety policies including armed guards at every public school campus, classroom panic buttons and more staff training. In response to the deadliest school shooting in Texas, lawmakers have upped legislation concerning gun and school safety. House Bill 3 passed late last year, which created the requirement for an armed security guard to be present on all campuses and also ramped up mental health resources for students. In Texas, the responsibility for establishing the guidelines for public school safety belongs to the Texas Education Agency and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office along with the TxSSC. These rules have been updated since the 2022 tragedy in Uvalde, but some experts worry that parents and guardians still don’t know the intricacies of school safety policy.
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Why Are Students Camping on University Lawns?
A new wave of campus protests has hit institutions from California to Massachusetts, many emboldened by arrests at Columbia University. Since Columbia University shut down an encampment last week where pro-Palestinian protesters were demonstrating for divestment from companies with ties to Israel, students on other campuses have set up their own encampments, making similar demands. At more than a dozen institutions across the country, students have set up tents and sleeping bags on central quads or thoroughfares, where they are spending nights, hosting teach-ins, reciting prayers, and waving signs and Palestinian flags, in an effort to get administrators to hear out their demands.In some cases, proximity seems to have fueled the spread of encampments; students at three private institutions in the Boston area—Emerson College, MIT and Tufts University—all pitched tents this week.
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Another Houston-area school district considers cuts to avoid nearly $70 million budget shortfall
No decisions were made during the meeting, but district leaders made it clear cuts will have to be made ahead of next school year. CYPRESS, Texas — Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has a budget problem. District leaders held a special meeting Monday night to figure out how to close a $68 million budget shortfall. No decisions were made during the meeting, but district leaders made it clear cuts will have to be made ahead of next school year. They said several factors have contributed to this problem. District leaders said inflation has driven up costs, but the state has not increased funding for students in five years.
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Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks Harris County’s guaranteed income pilot program
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging the program, saying it violates the Texas Constitution. The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Harris County officials from sending financial assistance to needy families under a new program — though the first round of checks may already be out the door.
Justices granted Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request Tuesday to halt the payments while a legal fight over the county’s guaranteed income pilot program plays out. About 1,900 households residing in the county’s poorest neighborhoods would receive monthly, no-strings-attached cash payments of $500 — drawn out of $20.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds — for 18 months.
“It’s unfortunate the court would take such an extraordinary step to block a program that would help people in Harris County — even temporarily,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement after the ruling.
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Fort Worth ISD to return some banned books to libraries after over 100 pulled for review
The Fort Worth Independent School District is in the process of returning books back to library shelves that were pulled eight months ago for review of sexual or violent content. Although the district removed more than 100 books, it’s unclear how many of them will be returning. District officials confirmed this week that “the book review process was completed, and books are in the process of being returned to appropriate campuses based on the decisions made regarding age/grade level appropriateness,” according to Fort Worth ISD spokesperson Jessica Becerra. The books have been unavailable to students since the beginning of the 2023-24 school year after they were transferred to the district’s professional library to be reviewed for “developmentally appropriate” content by a committee of master-certified librarians, officials said.
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Chicago-based Foxtrot to close all locations nationwide
Foxtrot, a Chicago-based coffee shop and corner store, closed all stores nationwide April 23. The curated convenience store and cafe combo opened four highly-anticipated Austin locations throughout 2023: 1804 S. First St., Austin 4800 Burnet Road, Bldg. F, Austin 301 W. Second St., Ste. 100 2270 Guadalupe St., Austin "We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts,” Foxtrot representatives said in a statement. “We understand this news may come as a shock, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause. We genuinely appreciate your understanding during this challenging time.”
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urges TCEQ to halt permits for cement plants
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked Texas’ environmental agency April 16 to immediately stop issuing permits for cement production plants until state lawmakers can weigh in during the 2025 legislative session. In a letter to Jon Niermann, who chairs the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Patrick cited concerns about a proposed 600-acre cement kiln in Grayson County, north of Dallas. “There is simply too much risk to the county and its citizens” to approve the project, Patrick wrote.
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Liberty Hill ISD introduces artificial intelligence into the classroom
Teachers and students in Liberty Hill ISD have been exploring new ways to learn through the use of artificial intelligence, or AI, this school year. District teachers and staff said AI has enhanced students’ learning experience and prepared them for future careers as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in many industries. “We are trying to prepare students for jobs that don't even exist,” LHISD instructional coach Jennifer Norris said. “We don't want students to be thinking for today. We want students to be thinking for the future.”
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Thousands of Austin employees impacted by Tesla layoffs KXAN 172K
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thousands of Tesla employees in Austin were left scrambling to find a job after recent layoffs. Earlier this month, KXAN reported about the Austin-based company laying off more than 10% of its workforce globally. According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification letter sent to the Texas Workforce Commission, Tesla fired 2,688 of its Austin employees.
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Morning Briefing: 2nd victim dies after truck intentionally rammed into Texas DPS office; Experts weigh in on AG Paxton’s 2020 election case;
2nd victim dies after truck intentionally rammed into Texas DPS office The Texas Department of Public Safety - Southeast Region on Monday reported a second victim has died following an April 12 crash in which a truck was purposely driven into a DPS office. The decedent has been identified as Cheryl Turner, 63, of Brenham. On April 12, a semitrailer driver rammed a stolen 18-wheeler through the front of a public safety building in Brenham where his renewal for a commercial driver’s license had been rejected, killing one person immediately and injuring 13 others.
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Audit Reveals Fort Bend ISD Bond Failures
The audit was conducted following revelations of a $133 million gap between the amount voters approved and the cost of the bond. A new audit has revealed failures in the Fort Bend ISD 2022 bond planning. In February, Fort Bend ISD’s board of trustees received a report from the administration detailing a $133 million gap between the amount approved by voters, $1.2 billion, and the total cost of bond projects. At the time, the district’s deputy superintendent said they would begin a review and that the number could still go up or down. He attributed the shortfall to miscommunication between staff and the construction team, cost overruns, and overall poor planning.
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Police Union Warns Houstonians the City Is Not Safe
Union leaders blame staffing shortages and too many suspected criminals being allowed to walk free. Houston Police Officers’ Union leaders are warning the public that the City of Houston isn’t safe due to police staffing shortages and the city allowing suspected criminals to walk free.
The union’s executive director, Ray Hunt, told Fox News that he’s never seen so many “suspected murderers and capital murderers who are walking the streets of Houston out on multiple bonds.”
“I would not let my wife or my kids walk down the streets of Houston at midnight under any circumstances,” said Hunt. “It is not safe in major cities in 2024, and it’s not safe here.”
Hunt, along with the union’s President Douglas Griffith, is sounding the alarm as the Houston Police Department struggles to recruit and retain officers.
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Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks Harris County’s guaranteed income pilot program
The Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked Harris County officials from sending financial assistance to needy families under a new program — the day before families were slated to begin receiving the money.
Justices granted Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request Tuesday to halt the payments while a legal fight over the county’s guaranteed income pilot program plays out. About 1,900 households residing in the county’s poorest neighborhoods would receive monthly, no-strings-attached cash payments of $500 — drawn out of $20.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds — for 18 months.
“It’s unfortunate the court would take such an extraordinary step to block a program that would help people in Harris County — even temporarily,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement after the ruling.
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Mathis ISD superintendent, athletics director placed on leave with pay
Mathis Independent School District Superintendent Tim Norman and athletics director Roger Masters are both on administrative leave with pay, according to a news release posted to the district's website Monday. The notice, signed and dated by school board president Melinda Barajas states that the move was made pending "investigation into a personnel matter" and is "consistent with established practices."
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Mathis ISD superintendent and athletic director placed on administrative leave
The Mathis school board met Monday night to discuss the employment of its superintendent and athletic director. In a unanimous decision, the school board announced superintendent, Tim Norman and athletic director, Roger Masters will be on administrative leave with pay. The news, causing confusion and upset among the community.
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Longview ISD hopeful voters will approve of $450 million bond to add new buildings, aquatics center
Early voting has kicked off this week ahead of the May 4 election, and Longview ISD has one of the hottest items on the ballot. The district is asking voters to pass a more than $450 million bond proposal. "This is really not just about facilities this election, it’s about how do we answer the question of “how do we spend funds as a district," Wayne Guidry, assistant superintendent of finance at Longview ISD, said.
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Houston ISD parent outraged after child given ‘artwork’ calling her ‘little BLACK monkey’ from another student
A Houston family is still traumatized after their daughter was given a racist piece of art by a student as a birthday gift.
Khloe’ Colvin, an 8th-grade student at the school, says a 7th-grade student gave her a heart-shaped letter with her name on it and the message: “You Little BLACK Monkey.”
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