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Congratulations to the following New Supers
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Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Timpson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | 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 |
Pettus ISD - Jesus Hernandez III, Chief of Staff,Southwest ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and DBU Educational Leadership Consulting Corporation.INFO |
Vacant | University of Texas High School Special Purpose District; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Scurry-Rosser ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Huntington ISD; Search by: Kelli Karczewski, Fisher FirmINFO | Vacant | Granger ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bremond ISD; Search by: Bremond ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO | Vacant | Queen City ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Gonzales ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte Baker,INFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of Trustees INFO | Vacant | Bells ISD; Search by: Bells ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Gustine ISD - Coy Barker, Principal,McCamey ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Comstock ISD; Comstock ISD Board of Trustees and O.K. Wolfenbarger IIIINFO | Vacant |
Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Art (Houston) ; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Webb CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Moulton ISD; <p>Search by: Region 3 ESC, <a href="mailto:mlyon@esc3.net">Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon</a></p>INFO | Vacant | Hidalgo ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Rick AlvaradoINFO | Vacant | Priddy ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Sweeny ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Ramirez CSD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Mart ISD; Search by: Mart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Abernathy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Kingsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Groom ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant | Clarendon ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Spring ISD; Search by: Spring ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Centerpoint ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Huffman ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Jim Hogg County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hart ISD; Search by: Juan Dominguez and Hart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Hitchcock ISD (Interim Search); Search by: Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Laredo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Premont ISD; Search by: Doug Arnold & Arte AlmendarezINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Lago Vista ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO | Vacant | Goose Creek CISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO | Vacant | Howe ISD; Search by: Howe ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | El Paso ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Bynum ISD; Search by: Bynum ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Canutillo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Ingram ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Lamesa ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | West Rusk CCISD; Search by: Lawrence Coleman & West Rusk CCISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Era ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Clarksville ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Stafford MSD; Search by: Stafford ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Newcastle ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waco ISD - Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent,Buna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lueders-Avoca ISD - Dr. Joe Alcorta, Superintendent,Dalhart ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Albany ISD - Daryl Stuard, Superintendent,Bremond ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Victoria ISD - Shelia Collazo, Deputy Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and Saul HinojosaINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hawkins ISD - Jeff Hutchins, Director of Operations,Van ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Monte Alto ISD - Rashad Javed Rana, Assistant Superintendent,Donna ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Utopia ISD - Joshua Ham, Principal,San Saba ISD; Search by: Utopia ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Buna ISD - Dr. Julie Motomura, Superintendent,Schulenburg ISD; Search By: Buna ISD Board of Trustees INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Splendora ISD - Dustin Bromley, Deputy Superintendent,La Porte ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Mount Calm ISD - Jay Underwood, Deputy Superintendent,Anna ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deer Park ISD - Dr. Tiffany Reagan, Assistant Superintendent,Deer Park ISD; Search by: Deer Park ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seminole ISD - Glen Teal, Superintendent,Jim Ned ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Needville ISD - Dr. Paul Drake, Superintendent,Chester ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Compass Academy Charter School (Odessa) - Mark Dominguez, Principal,Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD; Search by: Kathy Killingsworth, Interim Superintent assisted by Larry Lee, Leadership Consultant with Region 18INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bonham ISD - Lance Hamlin, Assistant Superintendent,Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waxahachie ISD - Rebecca “Becky” McCutchen, Superintendent,Levelland ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ennis ISD - Greg Bradley, Deputy Superintendent,Prosper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Forsan ISD - Michael Valencia, Superintendent,McCamey ISD; Search by: Region 18 ESC, Dr. Dewitt SmithINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Edgewood ISD (Region 7) - Scott Tyner, Superintendent,Martins Mill iSD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Jim Ned CISD - Will Brewer, Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Palmer ISD ; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hallsburg ISD - Dr. Staci Coleman-Kirk, Principal,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Slidell ISD - Dr. Christopher M. Heskett, Superintendent,Covington ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seguin ISD - Dr. Jack Lee, Superintendent,Bullard ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Royal ISD - Dr. Megan Pape, Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Socorro ISD - James Vasquez, Interim Superintendent,Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gunter ISD - Dr. Brandon Enos, Superintendent,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Trevor Edgemon, Superintendent,Happy ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Millsap ISD - Harper Stewart, Superintendent,Hamilton ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Conroe ISD - Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Texans for Excellence in Education, President, John Petree, 432-557-6581INFO |
| Lone Finalist | La Pryor ISD - Cody Miller, Director,Northside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deweyville ISD - Grady Welborn, Principal,Bridge City ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Marlin ISD - Alphonso Bates, Assistant Superintendent ,Lamar CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rusk ISD - Mid Johnson, Superintendent,Timpson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Martin's Mill ISD - Derek Driver, Principal,Harts Bliff ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Snook ISD - Kimberly Giesenschlag, Assistant Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Killeen ISD - Dr. King Davis, Interim,Killeen ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Nederland ISD - Dr. Steven Beagle, Assistant Superintendent,Nederland ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Munday CISD - Andrew Eudy, Director,Forsan ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Plains ISD - Scott Mills, Principal,Quannah ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | San Benito CISD - Alfredo Perez, Interim Superintendent,San Benito ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Industrial ISD - Michael B. Colvin, Director,Comfort ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte BakeINFO |
| New Super | Dilley ISD - Kelli Dubose, Interim Superintendent,Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Kermit ISD - Oscar Muniz, Superintendent,Ralls ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Bowie ISD - Dr. Donna Hale, Assistant Superintendent,Perryton ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Frost ISD - Leroy Joffre, Principal,Cedar HIll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Waskom ISD - Chris Guastella, Principal,Ferris ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Cedar HIll ISD - Dr. Maria Gammel, Chief HR Officer,Cedar Hill ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks. The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions -- including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers -- to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands. The Republican president blamed the situation on Democrats and suggested voters shouldn't reward the party during next year's midterm elections.
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- Northwest - 2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A)
2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A) Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election to provide voters with the opportunity to decrease class sizes in exchange for a 3-cent increase to the tax rate. Because of continued tax rate compression, voter approval of the measure would still result in a tax rate decrease from 2024. Combined with a $40,000 increase to the homestead exemption, most homeowners are expected to pay less in property taxes in 2025.
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Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers. Texas voters on Tuesday are on track to approve Proposition 14, the constitutional amendment that both establishes a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) and authorizes the spending of $3 billion to set up the fund. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the effort this past legislative session to create DPRIT, modeling the center on the state’s cancer research fund. Senate Bill 5, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, was passed earlier this year and effectively created the institute. Now that the constitutional amendment has passed, the institute is to be funded with $3 billion in surplus state revenue. After this first year, the institute will see up to $300 million appropriated each year.
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Preventive Law: The False Claims Act and Civil Rights – What You Don’t Know Could Cost You
In case you are running low on things to worry about this semester, never fear. This article is dedicated to the False Claims Act (FCA), another tool the federal government appears happy to point in the direction of public schools.
Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school board
The North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD.
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Teacher’s Aide Admits ‘Intimate Relationship’ With Student
Andrea Rodriguez worked for Runge ISD in South Texas. Andrea Melba Rodriguez worked as an educational aide for the Runge Independent School District in Karnes County. The Karnes County Sheriff’s Office learned on Friday of an alleged “improper relationship” between a Runge ISD employee and a “middle school aged student,” according to a statement released Monday by Sheriff Steven Bailey. Middle school students are typically 11 to 13 years old.
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Local dementia researchers celebrate Texas investing billions into brain health
Steven Weisberg is interested in how unique one person’s experience physically navigating the world is from others. While working in Florida, he began exploring how day-to-day life is affected by the decline in cognitive function associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “Now that you’ve lost certain ways of representing the world, now what is it that you do? How do you navigate? How does this affect your daily life?” Weisberg said. “These are the sorts of themes that I’m planning to build on here at UTA.”
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Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Galveston ISD for not displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Galveston Independent School District on Friday for not following a new state law requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms while the legislation is challenged in federal court.
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Grieving Families Sue Camp Mystic after July 4 Flood Tragedy
Three lawsuits were filed on Monday related to the catastrophic flood. Families of flood victims filed a lawsuit against Camp Mystic and its owners. The petition features charges including gross negligence and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” The Eastland family has long owned the camp, which experienced catastrophic floods on July 4, resulting in the deaths of 20 girls and two teenage counselors. Camp Mystic sits on 725 acres in the Texas Hill Country on the Guadalupe River. It was founded in 1926 and purchased by the grandparents of Richard Eastland in 1939. The estate of Richard Eastland—who died while attempting to save campers—is named in the lawsuit.
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Houston Illegal Alien Arrested After Stealing the Identity of a Texas Minor
Antonio De Jesus Moreno Escobar secured seven jobs in three years with the falsified documents. An illegal alien has been arrested after stealing a Texas minor’s identity, causing the minor to lose healthcare benefits. Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest on Wednesday, saying the theft was first discovered after the victim’s mother received notification that her son’s Medicaid benefits were being discontinued due to fraudulent income being reported in his name.
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https://texasscorecard.com/local/teachers-aide-admits-intimate-relationship-with-student/
A summary of the November 11, 2025 NISD Board Meeting Dr. John Craft reported to the Board:
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Crosby ISD school bus shortage pushes change in school start time, district says
School district leaders are pushing back school start times, citing a bus driver shortage across Crosby ISD. District leaders say they conducted a parent survey that found 45% of parents were ok with students starting school later, beginning in January, to help alleviate school bus delays. They say 44% weren't ok with making the shift, and the other 11% answered they weren't sure.
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Medina Valley ISD elementary student found with loaded magazine, district says
A Medina Valley Independent School District elementary student is facing disciplinary action after a school marshal found a loaded .22-caliber rifle magazine linked to the student, according to a letter obtained by KSAT. In the letter, Ladera Elementary School Principal Laura Davila stated that a school marshal discovered the magazine Tuesday in one of the school’s bathroom, which prompted an immediate investigation.
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Blackshear families speak out ahead of Austin ISD’s final consolidation plan
With Austin ISD just days away from releasing its final consolidation plan, families at Blackshear Elementary gathered Wednesday night to share their thoughts about the proposal that could merge two East Austin schools.
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
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Half-Day Seminar: Effectively Managing Bond Construction Projects From Concept to Completion
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16th family seeks to join lawsuit over alleged child abuse at Midland ISD
Fifteen families representing 16 children are now part of a civil lawsuit against Midland ISD and several former employees after details of alleged child abuse at South Elementary emerged in September.
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Amid Austin ISD investigation, superintendent stands by school consolidation plan
Austin school district leadership launched an internal investigation into key staff in part over concerns about noncompliance with a directive to evaluate all community feedback on a comprehensive plan to close schools and redraw attendance boundaries, Superintendent Matias Segura told the American-Statesman’s Editorial Board on Tuesday.
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Laneville ISD cancels classes due to widespread illness
Laneville ISD has cancelled classes for the week of Nov. 10 due to widespread illness. Laneville Independent School District announced Monday that it is canceling classes across the district due to abundant illness among the students and staff. According to the district’s announcement, “an uptick in a variety of sickness and ailments among students and staff,” began last week and the decision to cancel classes was made when the reports of sickness continued Monday.
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Austin ISD student arrested for bringing gun to campus
According to a letter to Crockett Early College High School families, principal Shana King said someone had reported that a student who got in a fight had a weapon.
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Eanes ISD urges DA to charge former teacher to ‘fullest extent’
The Eanes Independent School District sent a letter to the Travis County District Attorney urging to charge a former teacher “to the fullest extent allowed by the law” regarding the teacher’s arrest on allegations of online crimes against children.
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Conroe ISD Police Department vehicle involved in deadly crash
An investigation is underway after a Conroe ISD Police Department vehicle was involved in a deadly crash on Tuesday evening.
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Authorities investigating allegations involving Godley ISD staff member, district says
The Johnson County District Attorney's Office confirmed it's investigating allegations involving a Godley ISD staff member. A spokesperson for the Johnson County District Attorney's Office said they were made aware of the allegations last week and are "in the early stages of the investigation."
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McKinney ISD employee arrested after drugs found in vehicle
McKinney ISD said police discovered the narcotics at McKinney Boyd High School on Monday during a routine safety sweep by local law enforcement. A drug-detection dog alerted on the employee’s vehicle.
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Long-awaited new sport planned for Wichita Falls ISD
Wichita Falls ISD is taking steps toward a major addition to its athletic programs with a plan in place to add wrestling to sporting opportunities for students.
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Alaska’s Public Schools Serve as Emergency Shelters. Those Buildings Are Also in Crisis.
On a Sunday morning last month, James Taq’ac Amik was huddled on a small bridge with his girlfriend. At 4 a.m., they had scrambled into an 18-foot aluminum motor boat, fleeing floodwaters from a massive storm surge that inundated Kipnuk, a village of 700 in the heart of western Alaska’s sprawling Kuskokwim river delta. “I couldn’t make it up. I tried, but the wind was too strong to try and go by boat, so we ended up staying on the bridge for five hours,” Amik said. Things only grew more dramatic. “The houses started drifting away around 5:30 a.m.,” Amik said. “There was still lights in them, there was people in them.” When they set out, the couple were heading to Kipnuk’s public school, the largest building in the Alaska Native Yup’ik village. At least that building, they hoped at the time, would be secure.
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Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French Announces Run for Railroad Commission
In his announcement, French said he would bring his “America First” approach to the Railroad Commission.
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Texas lawmakers will hold first hearing Thursday to review college campus speech after Charlie Kirk killing
The legislative panels were created after Republican leaders criticized students mocking or celebrating Kirk’s death. They come amid a push to tighten rules around campus expression. Texas lawmakers on Thursday will hold their first hearing to review speech on public universities after some reactions on campuses celebrating or mocking the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew ire from Republican leaders. Kirk was killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at a college in Utah. State leaders announced the formation of bipartisan committees to discuss campus speech and related policies two days later. The Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education will convene jointly Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Austin and take invited testimony only.
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Here’s what parents need to know about the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD
Texas is now in control of Fort Worth ISD. But what does that mean for FWISD’s 65,700 students, their families and 10,000 district employees? Here are answers to a few questions parents and community members have about Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath’s decision to take over Fort Worth schools.
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Coach in ‘Pass the Trash’ Controversy Resigns From Celina ISD
A North Texas wrestling coach at the center of a “pass the trash” controversy has resigned from Celina Independent School District. Celina High School Principal John Burdett announced coach Neil Phillips’ resignation in an email sent late last week to wrestling parents. Phillips was placed on leave from Celina ISD after an October 31 social media post revealed that nearby Melissa ISD had allowed the coach to quietly resign during the last school year amid misconduct allegations.
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Texas General Land Office To Survey for Cartel Tunnels Along Southern Border
Continuing its efforts to secure the southern border, Texas will begin surveying lands managed by the Texas General Land Office in search of cartel tunneling activity. Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham directed the General Land Office (GLO) to identify lands under their management that could be susceptible to cartel smuggling tunnels. The operation will specifically target land located in high-risk areas, such as Hudspeth County. Located southeast of El Paso, state officials discovered a campsite set up by human smugglers 30 miles north of the border in Hudspeth County in 2023. Buckingham has also instructed GLO field officers to use aerial and drone technology to survey possible tunnel sites while conducting routine land inspections.
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Texas Rangers Join Investigation of Collinsville ISD Coach
Baseball coach Derrick Jenkins has been on leave since October 20 over alleged grooming of students. An investigation into alleged misconduct by a coach in Collinsville Independent School District has expanded to include state law enforcement. Baseball coach and special education teacher Derrick Jenkins was placed on administrative leave on October 20 over allegations that he engaged in inappropriate communications with a student. The Collinsville Police Department announced last week that the Texas Rangers and Grayson County District Attorney’s Office had joined its investigation into Jenkins. The announcement stated that authorities are “actively investigating allegations of grooming” involving a Collinsville ISD staff member and a student.
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La Marque pushing property tax hike due to major budget shortfall
Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxes Citing a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
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Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
John Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
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Paxton sues Harris County over legal support for undocumented immigrants
The county recently allocated $1.3 million to groups that provide immigration legal services amid an uptick in federal enforcement. Paxton called the program “evil and wicked.”
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TribCast: Kate Rogers on her ousting from the Alamo Trust
Kate Rogers, the former president of the Alamo Trust, joins the TribCast this week to talk about her decision to step down from running the Texas’ most beloved historic site amid political pressure from Republican state leaders.Rogers walks Eleanor and guest host Alejandro Serrano through the unexpected controversy over a social media post celebrating Indigenous People’s Day, and her surprise when state leaders started sharing excerpts of her 2023 doctoral dissertation. In the paper, which she had to go back and read herself when it began circulating, she’d written that she wanted the Alamo to “become a beacon for historical reconciliation … but politically that may not be possible at this time.” Rogers was in the midst of overseeing a politically fraught overhaul of the Alamo Historic Site, which has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debates over how to tell the story of Texas’ history. While she maintains there was nothing particularly controversial in her dissertation, she acknowledged that some parts could be read as critical of the Texas Legislature, which is the project’s largest funder.
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