Leon|Alcala, PLLC

Congratulations to the following New Supers

 

85 Superintendent Vacancies Click to expand

Vacant Rusk ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Martin's Mill 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 East Chambers ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
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 Frost ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Cedar HIll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Bowie ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
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 Marlin ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Deweyville ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Vacant Centerpoint ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO
Vacant Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
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 Snook ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
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 Killeen ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike MosesDavid Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO
Vacant Premont ISD; Search by: Doug Arnold & Arte AlmendarezINFO
Vacant Executive Director
Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO
Vacant Nederland ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Vacant West Hardin Co. CISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Vacant Lago Vista ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO
Vacant Goose Creek CISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike MosesDavid 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 Munday CISD; 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 Graham ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
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 Waskom ISD - Chris Guastella, Principal,Ferris ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
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 ESCDr. 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
New Super Plains ISD - Scott Mills, Principal,Quannah ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super Olney ISD
(Young Co.) - Dr. Matt Caffey, Principal,Olney ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
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 Whitney ISD - Todd Southard, Superintendent,Pilot Point ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Dilley ISD - Kelli Dubose, Interim Superintendent,Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
New Super Muleshoe ISD - Scott Bicknell, Superintendent,Jayton-Girard ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
New Super New Home ISD - Julia Stephen, Director,Amarillo ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super Lubbock-Cooper ISD - Aaron Waldrip, Superintendent,Abernathy ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
New Super Levelland ISD - Dr. Don Heseman, Superintendent,West Hardin CCISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO

Preventive Law: Legislative Update on School District Construction - Bills Passed During the 89th Legislative Session Affecting School District Construction/Procurement

September 1008:35 AM
 

During the 89th Legislative Regular Session, the Texas Legislature passed several bills that impact school district construction projects and procurement of construction-related services. Although this session was not particularly heavy on construction-related legislation, the following bills may have significant effects on procurement processes, conflicts of interest in bidding on and awarding of projects, hiring restrictions due to contractor/subcontractor conduct, audits, and defect claims.

Texas passed laws to address historic flooding. We asked a flood expert if they’ll work.

September 1608:45 AM
 

After historic floods on the Fourth of July killed more than 130 people in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott vowed state lawmakers would pass transformative legislation, designed to “make sure communities are better, more resilient, and have the resources that they need.”Just two months later, on Sept. 5, Abbott held a bill signing ceremony surrounded by families who’d lost loved ones in the tragedy. That day, the governor signed a package of flood-related measures into law, including one tightening restrictions for overnight youth camps.  “They wanted laws to be passed so that other parents would not experience the hell that have been through,” Abbott said. “They pleaded for camp safety.” view article  arw

‘Don’t call my teachers DEMONS’ | Texas superintendent posts viral rant on social media about the state of public schools

September 1608:33 AM
 

Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn posted a lengthy rant addressing the state of public education amid newly-passed legislation, coupled with his frustration towards social media commenters calling his teachers "demons," which had gone viral and been shared thousands of times as of this writing. view article  arw

Calallen ISD Police Chief John Garcia resigns

September 1608:25 AM
 

The Calallen Independent School District will soon be looking for a new police chief. On Sept. 8, Chief John Garcia resigned from his position as the top officer with the school district. view article  arw

Huntington ISD student taken into custody after weapon located in vehicle

September 1608:23 AM
 

According to the Huntington ISD superintendent, a student was taken into custody by school district officers on Monday. The incident, according to Dr. Carolyn Fiaschetti, happened around 10:30 a.m. The HISD police department was notified of a possible weapon located in a student vehicle in the PRIDE alternative campus parking lot. view article  arw

Archer City ISD baseball coach on leave for alleged inappropriate communication

September 1608:20 AM
 

A teacher with the Archer City Independent School District was placed on administrative leave after district officials said they were notified of inappropriate communications between him and high school students on Saturday. In a letter to parents, Archer City ISD Superintendent Jon Hartgraves named Craig Coheley as the teacher placed on administrative leave. view article  arw

Former Brownsboro ISD teacher pleads guilty to injuring elementary student

September 1608:18 AM
 

A former behavioral specialist for Brownsboro ISD has pleaded guilty to two charges of injuring a child. Kyle Lee Rocha, 40, of Chandler, entered open guilty pleas in court Monday. He has been accused of injuring a 7-year-old by knocking over the student’s desk in class while he was leaning it back. Rocha could face 2-10 years for each charge, but the defense has said there are no offers on the table yet. A judge is set to decide Rocha’s sentence on Dec. 9, following a pre-sentence investigation and report. view article  arw

Former Westfield valedictorian and now Harvard grad makes history in Spring ISD

September 1608:12 AM
 

A former Westfield High School valedictorian who went viral years ago is now making history in Spring ISD. We first covered Da’Vion Tatum back in 2021 after he was accepted to seven Ivy League schools. The only one he wasn’t accepted to was Dartmouth…because he decided not to apply. Tatum ended up attending and graduating from Harvard. view article  arw

Commerce Elementary Teacher Resigns Over ‘Incident’ With Student

September 1605:07 AM
 

Police are investigating an unnamed elementary school teacher in Commerce Independent School District who resigned over an “incident” involving “improper physical restraint” of a special education student.  Commerce ISD posted on social media that administrators were alerted on September 8 to “an incident involving a teacher.” view article  arw

“Our girls are still dead”: Camp Mystic parents pushed for laws to protect kids at camp. But their pain remains.

September 1605:00 AM
 

Matthew Childress arrived at Matt’s El Rancho, an Austin restaurant, on Sept. 4 with mixed feelings of anticipation and grief. He greeted the other parents with hugs.  This group had largely been strangers two months earlier, before they learned that their children at Camp Mystic were missing after a massive flash flood, before many waited all night for answers about whether search crews had found any kids alive, before parents had to do the unimaginable and identify their child’s body.  Now, in their torturous sadness, they shared a bond. Over the past several weeks, these parents had pushed their ideas for summer camp reforms through the state Legislature with remarkable speed.  The moms and dads were gathering in Austin from Beaumont, Dallas, Bellville and other Texas cities. One family came from Alabama. The next day, they expected the Texas governor to sign the bills that they championed.   The changes would require kids’ camps to move overnight cabins out of floodplains, to follow weather warnings with radios and install alert systems, and to train staff on emergency plans including where to move children to higher ground if needed. view article  arw

How San Antonio-area school districts are implementing Texas’ new parental consent law

September 1605:00 AM
 

School district administrators across the San Antonio area are either developing or have already established guidelines to comply with aspects of Senate Bill 12 and its so-called “parental rights” provisions.  The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, requires schools to obtain parental consent before administering certain health services to students. view article  arw

TEA reviewing 180 complaints over educators’ Charlie Kirk assassination posts

September 1605:00 AM
 

Education commissioner says he will recommend suspending educators’ certification for those who ‘call for and incite further violence’Education commissioner says he will recommend suspending educators’ certification for those who ‘call for and incite further violence’ view article  arw

More than half of Texas’ counties are below kindergarten MMR vaccination rate needed for herd immunity

September 1605:00 AM
 

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than half of Texas’ counties have MMR vaccination rates among kindergartners below the threshold for what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is needed for herd immunity.  The CDC says most people are protected from measles, mumps and rubella through herd immunity, also known as community immunity, when more than 95% of people in that community are vaccinated.  As of the 2024-25 school year, kindergarten students in 139 counties did not meet that threshold — 55% of the state’s counties — according to Texas Department of State Health Services data collected and analyzed by NBC News in partnership with researchers at Staford University  Just a decade ago, only 42 counties were below the threshold. view article  arw

Angelina County hires outside firm as lawsuits, records demands pile up

September 1605:00 AM
 

Threatening biblical plagues, demanding new taxes and firing off requests in foreign languages, Angelina County resident David Stua has turned Texas’ open records law into a weapon that county officials say is draining resources and costing taxpayers.  Stua is not a public official, but he has become a fixture in county government through an unrelenting campaign of public information requests and legal threats. In the past few months alone, officials say he has filed hundreds of records requests, some seeking searches of thousands of email addresses, others written entirely in Italian.  Stua has recently filed three new lawsuits against Angelina County in district court. To handle the cases, commissioners formally hired the Austin law firm Allison, Bass & Magee. Under the retainer approved Tuesday, Aug. 26, principals will bill at $400 per hour, associates at $300 per hour and paralegals at $150. view article  arw

Texas legislative committees will study freedom of speech on college campuses in wake of Charlie Kirk killing

September 1508:40 AM
 

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday announced the formation of committees to study bias and free speech at universities amid a firestorm of criticism from conservative lawmakers on statements made by university faculty and students.  The House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were formed “honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk,” according to a press release. Kirk, a Christian conservative activist who frequently traveled to college campuses to discuss controversial politics, was shot and killed on Wednesday at Utah Valley University during one of his events.  In the wake of Kirk’s death, Republican lawmakers and activists in Texas and across the state have harshly criticized online commentary mocking Kirk and his killing. Several lawmakers have called for the removal of school teachers, professors and public officials who criticized Kirk, which Burrows said highlighted the necessity of the committee. view article  arw

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State Board of Education OKs Texas-heavy social studies plan, setting stage for clash over history lessons

September 1508:32 AM
 

The State Board of Education on Friday approved a social studies teaching plan that will dedicate more time across school grades to Texas and U.S. history while placing less attention on world history and cultures.  The Republican-dominated board voted 8-7 in favor of the proposal, which marks only one step in a longer effort by the group to revise Texas’ social studies standards and set new guidelines for what students should learn before they graduate. Republicans Evelyn Brooks and Pam Little joined Democrats in opposition to the plan.  The final tally was a reversal from a preliminary vote on Wednesday, when a board majority signaled support for a different teaching plan that included what educators considered a more inclusive approach. view article  arw

Commerce Elementary Teacher Resigns Over ‘Incident’ With Student

September 1508:30 AM
 

Police are investigating an unnamed elementary school teacher in Commerce Independent School District who resigned over an “incident” involving “improper physical restraint” of a special education student.  Police are investigating an unnamed elementary school teacher in Commerce Independent School District who resigned over an “incident” involving “improper physical restraint” of a special education student.  Commerce ISD posted on social media that administrators were alerted on September 8 to “an incident involving a teacher. view article  arw

Klein ISD fires employee for ‘senseless and completely unacceptable remarks’ on Charlie Kirk’s death

September 1508:28 AM
 

The Klein Independent School District on Friday announced it has fired an employee for making "senseless and completely unacceptable remarks" on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. "Effective immediately, this individual's employment with Klein ISD has been terminated," the district wrote on social media. "This conduct does not reflect the values, standards, or expectations of our school district and will never be tolerated." view article  arw

Wylie ISD teachers resign following controversial Charlie Kirk social media posts

September 1508:28 AM
 

The Wylie Independent School District confirmed that they have accepted the resignations of two teachers. These resignations come after controversial posts they made online regarding the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. view article  arw

Celina lowers property tax rate, adopts $382M budget

September 1508:22 AM
 

Celina City Council voted Sept. 9 to lower the city’s property tax rate, continuing a four-year trend, while adopting a $382 million budget to support the community’s rapid growth.  The new property tax rate of $0.576401 per $100 valuation is just over 3% lower than the current rate of $0.598168 per $100 valuation.  What you need to know  Despite the lower tax rate, the average Celina homestead owner will see an increase of about $124 from last year on their city property tax bill due to increasing property values, according to city documents.Celina officials have continuously lowered the city’s property tax rate since fiscal year 2020-21 as the city continues to experience rapid growth. view article  arw

Frisco ISD will discuss closing campuses today

September 1508:20 AM
 

Frisco ISD will discuss closing campuses today. Parents and teachers are concerned that the change will harm students view article  arw

Klein ISD ranked as best workplace for educators in Texas

September 1508:19 AM
 

Klein ISD was named as the top education employer in Texas by Forbes based on feedback from employees, families in the district and other educators. The northwest Harris County school district with more than 53,000 students was named the best workplace for educators back in August, and was also listed as the 33rd top employer statewide. view article  arw

Lawsuit Against ‘Texas Foreign Land Ban’ Pending in Federal Court of Appeals

September 1505:06 AM
 

Texas’ foreign land ban is being challenged in a federal court of appeals. The lawsuit was filed by the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance, a New Jersey-based nonprofit.  The ban, also known as Senate Bill 17, prohibits foreign adversaries—such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—and entities from those nations from acquiring real estate in Texas. It also includes provisions to allow the attorney general to investigate violations and initiate divestment actions in court. view article  arw

Providing basic care to students does not violate Texas’ parental consent law, state guidance to schools says

September 1505:00 AM
 

The guidance comes in response to confusion over a new state law requiring schools to notify parents whenever students need health care services.  Texas’ new parental consent law does not prevent nurses from administering basic health-related services like providing Band-Aids or checking a student’s temperature, according to updated state guidance sent to school district administrators on Thursday.  The Texas Education Agency’s revised guidance came in response to widespread confusion about Senate Bill 12, a sweeping state law that includes a requirement for schools to obtain written approval from parents before offering to students routine health assistance and medication or conducting medical procedures.  School districts are required to take disciplinary action against any employees who provide such services to students without parental consent. Some districts had interpreted the law as requiring consent for every non-emergency, health-related circumstance. SB 12’s authors last week urged education officials to clarify that the extreme levels of caution exercised by some districts were not necessary for what the lawmakers consider “common sense” practices. view article  arw

Abbott Signs Law He Says Will Ban ‘Sharia Compounds’ in Texas

September 1505:00 AM
 

Gov. Greg Abbott ceremonially signed legislation in McKinney aimed at tightening property protections in response to a controversial Islamic residential development proposed for Collin County.   Abbott has framed the issue as “banning Sharia compounds,” though the legislation does not especially mention any specific religion.  House Bill 4211, authored by State Rep. Candy Noble (R–Lucas) and carried in the Senate by State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney), creates a framework for regulating “business entity-owned residential arrangements,” an ownership model critics say was used to sidestep state property law in the East Plano Islamic Center’s (EPIC) planned “EPIC City” and “EPIC Ranches” projects. view article  arw

Patrick Slams Abbott’s THC Order as ‘State Seal of Approval’ for Dangerous Drugs

September 1505:00 AM
 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing back against Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent executive order on THC, warning that the governor’s actions could legitimize dangerous and unregulated drug sales across the state.  In a fiery statement issued Friday, Patrick said the order issued earlier this week—intended to curb youth access to psychoactive THC products—falls far short of what’s needed and sends a dangerous message to an already emboldened industry.  “This is not a personal fight with the governor,” said Patrick. “It is a disagreement on extremely important policy.” view article  arw

Hundreds of layoffs set to hit Houston amid facility closure

September 1504:01 AM
 

The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring due to a recent acquisition view article  arw

Harris County Officials Approve Property Tax Hike Amid Budget Confusion

September 1208:33 AM
 

Harris County officials voted to raise property taxes, even while sparring over whether a budget deficit exists. view article  arw

“Operation Lone Star 2.0”: DPS arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants across Texas to aid Trump’s mass deportation

September 1207:05 AM
 

The Department of Public Safety has shifted from Biden-era border enforcement to helping expel people from the country, a job once exclusively done by federal authorities.  Texas Department of Public Safety officers have helped arrest more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants across the state this year, according to public records obtained by The Texas Tribune that provide the most detailed glimpse yet of how state police are shifting their focus from the border toward aiding the Trump administration’s mass deportation crusade — an effort that state officials have kept largely under wraps.  From late January through early September, DPS recorded 3,131 previously unreported arrests connected to specialty teams created at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott to help President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, the agency’s records show.  view article  arw

State education board rejects far-right push for more focus on Texas history, less world culture

September 1205:30 AM
 

The Republican-led State Board of Education rejected a proposal favored by conservative activists to overhaul the state’s social studies curriculum by  requiring a heavier concentration of Texas history taught across six grades, instead of the current two.  Instead, after a marathon meeting Wednesday, the board settled on an approach that will more closely integrate state, national and global history, and also focus more lessons on the founding of Western civilization and democracy. Under the plan, Texas history will be the focus of grades three and eight; U.S. history will be the focus of grades four and seven; and grades five and six will center on world history.   Supporters said it would create an “identity” of Texan and American heritage for children at earlier ages.  view article  arw

Houston now has highest poverty rate among America’s most populous cities, new census data shows

September 1205:30 AM
 

Houston has the highest poverty rate among the country’s 10 most populous cities.  About 21.2% of Houston’s population lived below the poverty line last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday. That means more than 500,000 Houstonians made less than the federal poverty income threshold, which is $15,940 for one person and $32,130 for a household of four.  Houston’s high rate put the city just ahead of Philadelphia’s 19.7% and New York City’s 18.0%. Houston’s ranking above Philadelphia fell within the 1.2% margin of error, meaning the two cities' true positions could be swapped.  view article  arw

DOJ Releases Guidance To Protect Parental Rights

September 1205:26 AM
 

Attorney General Pam Bondi warned that school officials will be held accountable if they threaten law-abiding parents. 
 view article  arw

Texas State Terminates Professor Who Called for Overthrow of US Government

September 1205:17 AM
 

Texas State University has terminated the employment of a professor who called for the overthrow of the U.S. government over the weekend.  “After a thorough review was conducted of the video recordings of the statements, it became clear to me that their actions amounted to serious professional and personal misconduct,” Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse stated late Wednesday. “Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University. I cannot and will not tolerate such behavior.”  “As a result, I have determined that their actions are incompatible with their responsibilities as a faculty member at Texas State University,” Damphousse continued.  “Effective immediately, their employment with Texas State University has been terminated.”  Damphousse was referring to Tom Alter, who was previously an associate professor of history at Texas State. view article  arw

Lt. Gov. Patrick Questions Welsh’s Future at Texas A&M

September 1205:16 AM
 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is weighing in on the growing controversy at Texas A&M University, openly questioning the leadership of President Mark Welsh following revelations that a children’s literature course included instruction on introducing LGBT topics to minors.  In a post on X, Patrick blasted Welsh’s handling of the scandal: view article  arw

State education board rejects far-right push for more focus on Texas history, less world culture

September 1205:01 AM
 

The Republican-led State Board of Education rejected a proposal favored by conservative activists to overhaul the state’s social studies curriculum by  requiring a heavier concentration of Texas history taught across six grades, instead of the current two.  Instead, after a marathon meeting Wednesday, the board settled on an approach that will more closely integrate state, national and global history, and also focus more lessons on the founding of Western civilization and democracy. Under the plan, Texas history will be the focus of grades three and eight; U.S. history will be the focus of grades four and seven; and grades five and six will center on world history.   Supporters said it would create an “identity” of Texan and American heritage for children at earlier ages.  view article  arw