The Homepage For Texas School Officials
About TexasISD.com | Advertising Info | Contact Us 


Last Updated: Mar 11th, 2010 - 09:32:35 

Today's News 
TexasISD General News
SuperSearch Page
Accountability/Accreditation
Construction/Bond Issues
Central Office
Governance
Grants
Health/Safety
Legal
Legislative
Child Nutrition
National News
Personnel
Property Tax
Risk Management
School Finance
Special Articles
The Lone Finalist
State Board of Education
Technology in Education
Transportation
Charter Schools
Newspapers
Joe's Commentaries
Preventive Law




TexasISD.com
Endorsements

TexasISD.com
Services

TexasISD.com
Quick Links


Today's News


"TEA Challenges Fox News" by Joe Smith - Good Morning - March 11, 2010

Yesterday TEA challenged Fox News for repeatedly broadcasting highly inaccurate information and rightly so.  Today Fox News is backtracking from yesterday’s highly spiced up news cast but continues to miss many points and focus on sensational topics instead. 

The bond list is growing…..updated 9:52am

New! April 1  - 10:00 AM - Paytek - Free Check Recovery - Go To Meeting - This is a great opportunity get more information in a very informal setting. - Registration


Congratulations to the following New Supers:
 
Kay Waggoner, Superintendent of Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, has been named New Super of Richardson ISD.
Steve Burleson, Assistant Superintendent of Frenship ISD, has been named New Super of 
Tahoka ISD.
Jacquelyn Smith,  Secondary Principal at Maud ISD, has been named New Super of Avinger ISD.
Eric Stoddard,
Superintendent of Loraine ISD, has been named New Super of San Vicente ISD.
  Mar 11, 2010, 09:00

New From TEA
  • New!   The Texas Education Agency released the accreditation status of public schools
  • 2010-2011 National Board Certification Federal Subsidies
  • Early College High School Designation Application available. Email echs@tea.state.tx.us  for information .
  •  Assignment of District Accreditation Statuses
  • Notice: Review all TEA Correspondence to Districts.  Letters on various topics sent to school districts from the Texas Education Agency
  •   Mar 11, 2010, 08:40

    Texas’ social studies fight in national spotlight
    AUSTIN — Scores of Texans brought their conflicting versions of history before the State Board of Education on Wednesday, and before national news media drawn to the board's months-long struggle to define how religions and human actors shaped the nation and world — or shaped them enough to mention in public school textbooks. The 15-member board debated high school world history late into the night, sometimes showing the frustration evident at a public hearing earlier in the day. Some speakers had wanted textbooks to cast a brighter shine on U.S. achievements. Some wanted more Hispanics mentioned. Some blasted the board for proposing too many “liberal communists” for students to study. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:39

    Fox News show gets a flunking grade from Texas Education Agency
    AUSTIN -- It's pretty safe to say Fox & Friends didn't make any new friends Wednesday at the Texas Education Agency. The agency put out a statement about noon, trying to clear up "inaccuracies" it said the Fox News show had broadcast that morning. Among them was the idea that Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Independence Day and Veterans Day would be removed from textbooks, the news release said. No, the TEA answered, that's not the case. First of all, the curriculum standards, not textbooks, are what's before the State Board of Education. Second, all those items are still in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as they stand. The show also apparently made reference to the deletion of Christmas from the social studies TEKS. No, again, the TEA said. A recommendation to delete Christmas from a list of world religion holidays and leave Easter was immediately rejected by the board. Christmas was restored months ago. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:38

    State Board of Education nears vote on social studies revisions
    AUSTIN -- The State Board of Education neared the finish line on its revision of social studies curriculum standards Wednesday, but not before hearing from several people urging it to retain references to Judeo-Christian influences on the Founding Fathers, while others accused it of ignoring minority contributions. Board members began making amendments to the proposed Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills about 6 p.m. and continued until about 9 p.m. The changes will not only determine what the state's more than 4.7 million schoolchildren are taught, but will also influence what's included in textbooks that are marketed nationwide. Work on the standards has gained national attention, with critics accusing conservative board members and the teachers on the reviewing committees of trying to insert their own slants. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:38

    Texas Education Agency: Fox News is lying
    A highly unusual press release from the Texas Education Agency accuses the Fox News network of distorting the truth in the contentious textbook debate among members of the State Board of Education. You can familiarize yourself with Fox's coverage of what it dubbs the "Texas Textbook Wars" on their Web site. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:38

    TribBlog: History Hearings Off to Hot Start
    Public testimony on the state's social studies curriculum has started here State Board of Education meeting. It's easy to tell from the banks of cameras and scribes, college students with bright yellow "Save Our History" t-shirts on and people from civil rights and conservative groups itching to testify. Board president Gail Lowe, R-Lampases, just told the large crowd that they would only have two hours to give public testimony. That's an extension from the standard 30 minutes, but I suspect some in the crowd, many who traveled, will be irked. The first two speakers were state Reps. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, and Wayne Christian, R-Center, who spoke to the importance of maintaining references to the Judeo-Christian influences in the founding of the country and giving students a proud, patriotic view View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:38

    SBOE circus comes to town
    The actual debate over the social studies curriculum standards at the State Board of Education on Wednesday could not compete with the sideshow. A gaggle of television cameras, including several from Fox News and its affiliates, jammed into the meeting room to chronicle the Texas Textbook War, as the news network had dubbed it. The war pits defenders of traditional values who say American history is under attack by politically correct revisionism against board critics who are calling for a “smarter State Board of Education.” The news network has helped to fan the fire over the social studies standards that will serve as the framework for the state’s future history, government and economics textbooks and lessons. As a result, the much-hyped meeting had become “probably one of the top news stories in the nation,” state Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, observed. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:37

    State Board of Education continues debate over standards for social studies
    AUSTIN – State Board of Education members resumed their volatile debate over social studies standards Wednesday as the panel neared its first vote on what Texas students will be taught in U.S. history, government and other classes over the next decade. The board postponed the consideration of several U.S. history proposals expected to divide members, working instead on a long list of amendments to the curriculum standards for other social studies subjects written by teams of teachers and academics. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:37

    Public schools face funding freeze
    “The ice age is here.” These words greeted San Antonio area school superintendents last week when briefed by Omar Garcia, the state's leading expert on Texas public school funding. He was referring to the state's current funding formulas, which freeze school district (local and state) revenue at the level (per student) available to each district in 2005. The freeze has exacerbated both equity and adequacy issues. Regarding equity, the 1,000-plus districts across Texas are “frozen” at significantly different maximum revenue levels, depending on their economic status in 2005. That same year, the Texas Supreme Court narrowly avoided labeling the entire Texas school funding system as unconstitutional. Texas is now on the brink of exhausting its total fiscal capacity for education spending. Our funding system can best be described as an unconstitutional and inadequate state imposed tax with only the barest illusion of local school board discretion. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:36

    How does the state deficit affect local schools?
    Texas lawmakers are looking at a multi-billion dollar deficit for education, even with their rainy day fund. All across the state, programs and personnel are being cut. But local districts like Amarillo and Canyon should be able to side step those cuts, at least for now. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:35

    Novice ISD is warned by TEA
    Novice Independent School District’s state accreditation was put on warning status Wednesday by the Texas Education Agency, but the tiny school system has implemented changes in hopes of heading in a new direction. The district of about 100 students 35 miles south of Abilene is one of 20 districts or charters in the state that didn’t receive full accreditation status Wednesday, and the only one in the Big Country. TEA reports 1,198 received full accreditation status. While some districts like Novice just got a warning or probation status, the state outright denied accreditation for three charters and one school district for the first time since the state accreditation system was implemented in 2006. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:35

    TX: Texas' influence on textbooks could wane
    As a giant in the textbook market, Texas and its education officials have left fingerprints on the classroom readers used far beyond the Red River. The long reach of the State Board of Education has attracted outsized national attention for years as board members engaged in pitched battles over textbook content from evolution to the Founding Fathers. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:35

    Performance bonus upheld for Dallas ISD teachers with lower attendance rates
    More than 100 Dallas teachers are expected to get long-awaited performance bonuses in the next few days, after an appeal by teachers who missed too many school days to qualify for the 2007-08 awards. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:32

    Editorial: Moving school start dates is a slippery slope
    Local control issue...Just when Texas families have settled back into a more traditional summer schedule, school districts are grumbling again. Some districts remain miffed that the state has mandated a late-August start date. And when lawmakers convene next year, lobbying for local calendar control is likely to follow. But this is one area where firm guidance from the state is needed. The Legislature should reject calls for a return to a start date free-for-all. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:31

    Kerrville: Error Discovery Refunds $400,000
    A $400,000 windfall has come to the Fredericksburg Independent School District from an unlikely source -- the State of Texas. At Monday night’s Board of Trustees meeting Superintendent Marc Williamson told board members that a state expert who specializes in examinations of local and state tax appraisals and payments discovered errors in state property appraisals in the district’s favor. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:30

    Superintendent Vacancies

    62

    Superintendent Vacancies
    Not including Lone Finalists

    62

    Vacant Dayton ISD - Search by Arrow Educational Services Click for More Info!
    Vacant Post ISD - Search by Arrow Educational Services Click for More Info!
    Vacant Lexington ISD - Search by Arrow Educational Services Click for More Info!
    Vacant Kermit ISD - Search by Arrow Educational Services Click for More Info!
    Vacant Lancaster ISD - Search by Arrow Educational Services Click for More Info!
    Vacant Redwater ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Grapevine-Colleyville ISD - Search by Search by School Executive Consulting, Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson
    Vacant Wellman-Union ISD - Search by Wellman-Union ISD Board of Trustees Notice
    Vacant Tulia ISD - Search by Tulia ISD Board of Trustees Brochure
    Vacant Crosby ISD - Search by Don Hendrix Announcement
    Vacant Goliad ISD - Search by Goliad ISD Board of Trustees Brochure
    Vacant Buna ISD - Search by Buna ISD Board of Trustees Brochure
    Vacant Beeville ISD - Search by Bob E. Griggs & Associates
    Vacant Sanger ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Quanah ISD - Search by Dale Thomas, Region 9 ESC
    Vacant McMullen Co. ISD - Search by McMullen Co. ISD Board of Trustees Brochure
    Vacant Ballinger ISD - Search by Ballenger ISD Board of Trustees
    Vacant Warren ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant London ISD - Search by Texas School Solutions Carol Ann Moffett
    Vacant Corsicana ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Calvert ISD - Search by Calvert ISD Board of Trustees
    Vacant Region XIII ESC, Executive Director - Search by The Board of Directors of Education Service Center Region XIII Info
    Vacant Midland ISD - Search by School Executive Consulting, Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson
    Vacant Highland Park ISD (Region 16) - Search by Highland Park ISD Board of Trustees
    Vacant Baldwin County Public Schools, Bay Minette, Alabama - BWP Associates George McShan, Nolan Estes & Harold Dodge Info
    Vacant Gonzales ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Little Elm ISD - Search by Horn, Smith, Wood & Preston
    Vacant Henderson ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Crowley ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Midlothian ISD - Search by Horn, Smith, Wood & Preston
    Vacant Lovelady ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Muenster ISD - Search by Muenster ISD Board of Trustees Notice
    Vacant Nederland ISD - Search by Wells, Peyton, Greenberg, & Hunt, L.L.P. Notice
    Vacant Borger ISD - Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Vacant Colorado ISD - Search by Colorado ISD Board of Trustees Timeline Brochure
    Lone Finalist Roxton ISD - Trevor Rogers, Frmr. Prin. Grand Saline ISD; Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Lone Finalist Hamilton ISD - John Craft, HS Prin. Mansfield ISD; Search by Bob E. Griggs & Associates
    Lone Finalist Bellville ISD - Mike Coker, Asst. Supt. Prosper ISD; Search by: Jim Vinson & Fred Rush; DRV Educational Consultants Info
    Lone Finalist Irving ISD - Dana T. Bedden; Supt. Richmond Co. Schools, Georgia; Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    Lone Finalist Rockwall ISD - Jeff Bailey, Asst. Supt. RISD; Search By Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees
    Lone Finalist Carrizo Springs ISD - Dr. Deborah F. Dobie; Search by Carrizo Springs Board of Trustees
    Lone Finalist Richardson ISD - Dr. Kay Waggoner, Supt. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD; Search by Horn, Smith, Wood & Preston
    Lone Finalist Benavides ISD - Dr. Daniel Ceballos, Area Admin. Mathis ISD; Search by University Associates: Jim Walter, Don Rogers and Raul Prezas
    New Super San Vicente ISD - Eric Stoddard, Supt. Loraine ISD; Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    New Super Tahoka ISD - Steve Burleson, Asst. Supt. Frenship ISD; Search by Tahoka ISD Board of Trustees Brochure Updated Timeline!
    New Super Dallas Christian School - Dr. Colleen Netterville, Supt. Weimar ISD; Search by Horn, Smith, Wood & Preston
    New Super Mission CISD - Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez, Supt. Tuloso-Midway ISD Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    New Super Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - Dr. Greg Gibson, Supt. Crowley ISD; Search by TASB Executive Search Services
    New Super McKinney ISD - Dr. J.D. Kennedy, Supt. Midlothian ISD; Search by School Executive Consulting, Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson
    New Super Bastrop ISD - Steve Murray, Supt. Little Elm ISD; Search by School Executive Consulting, Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Julian Trevino
      Last Updated:3/11/10
      Click Here for More Vacancies & Details!
     

    How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?

      Mar 11, 2010, 08:30

    State revokes accreditations of San Marcos school, Houston district
    The state is revoking the accreditation of a San Marcos charter school and has warned an Austin charter school that its accreditation is in jeopardy, Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday. The Houston school district is having its accreditation withheld as multiple cheating claims are investigated, agency officials said. The warnings and revocations are separate from the state's accountability system and fall under a 2006 law that calls for reviews of academic and financial performance of public school districts. Three schools and one district — Kendleton, near Houston — will have their accreditations revoked. It is the first time a district or a charter school has lost its status under the law. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:20

    Deficit Looms for Benefits Program
    In testimony before the House Committee on Appropriations, on March 8, Ann Fuelberg, executive director of the Employees Retirement System (ERS), discussed the medical insurance component of the agency, which administers the health benefits for community and technical college educators and retirees.  View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:15

    New national (except for Texas and Alaska) academic standards proposed
    A new set of academic standards that aims to ensure that all American children are learning at the proper pace was unveiled today in Seattle, the Associated Press reports. As you may recall, Texas and Alaska are the only states... View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:15

    Students largely appear to be heeding warnings about traveling to Mexico during spring break
    FORT WORTH -- Students appear to be following warnings to avoid parts of Mexico during spring break. Europe is emerging as a top destination. And some students at Texas Christian University said they plan to spend next week in Guatemala or on South Padre Island off the Texas coast. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:10

    West Sabine: Student Suspended For Having Gun on School Trip
    After taking prompt action last week, administrators at West Sabine Schools have placed a high school student in an alternative learning environment for having a pistol on a school-sponsored trip. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:10

    La Marque: LMISD could close school, cut jobs
    Budget cuts may compel the La Marque school district to shut down one of its campuses and reconfigure others, district officials said Wednesday. The school board also is considering layoffs to cut $4.9 million from next year’s budget. It eventually might hike the tax rate by as much as 10 percent to offset a budget shortfall. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:06

    Proposal would set nationwide standards for schools
    Governors and education leaders Wednesday proposed sweeping new school standards that could lead to students across the country using the same math and English textbooks and taking the same tests, replacing a patchwork of state and local systems in an attempt to raise student achievement nationwide. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:06

    Arlington charter school will close after losing accreditation
    The Jean Massieu Academy in Arlington will close this summer after having its accreditation as a school district revoked, the Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    Bulletin Board

    TexasISD "Events and Opportunities"

    Schwartz & Eichelbaum, Wardell, Mehl and Hansen
    • Legal Issues for Cheerleader and Drill Team Sponsors
      • February 2010
      • For more information or to register online, click here.
    Stephen F. Austin State University
    • You can earn a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Standard Principal Certificate …Online!
      • Stephen F. Austin State University’s Educational Leadership Online Principal Program
        • 6-semesters, 36-hour Master’s Degree Program
        • 18-hour Principal Certification Program (for those who already have a Master’s degree and meet program requirements)
        • Attend face-to-face classes for three Saturdays during the semester for each course offered
        • Complete the rest of the courses online
        • For more program information, please visit
        • http://www.sfasu.edu/education/departments/secondaryeducation/ (Please visit site and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Online Principal Program)
        • For application information, please visit:
          http://www.sfasu.edu/go/ed-leadership/ or contact Dr. Janet Tareilo, Coordinator of the Principal Program, by email at tareiloj@sfasu.edu or 936-468-1592.
    • Web-Enhanced Superintendent Certification Program
      • Attend classes on campus at sites near you
        • Complete some of the class sessions web-enhanced reducing the number of face-to-face classes
        • Complete the Superintendent Certification courses in one calendar year
        • Scholarship money available
        • Receive support to pass the state superintendent exam at no additional cost
        • For application information, please visit: www.sfasu.edu/go/superintendent or contact Dr. Pauline Sampson, Coordinator of the Superintendent Program, by email at sampsonp@sfasu.edu or 936-468-5496.
    Region 14 ESC - Alternative Certification Programs
    • SUPERINTENDENT PRINCIPAL & COUNSELOR
    • Apply now for Summer 2010 cohorts. Complete program in one calendar year (for those who already have a masters)- 20 face-to-face summer sessions and one Sat. a month during fall and spring
    • For more information, please visit www.esc14.net

    Texas Superintendents’ Certification Institute

      • A blended online program designed by superintendents, for aspiring superintendents.
      • Attend face-to-face sessions in San Antonio (ESC20) and Austin (ESC13) once every six weeks.
      • Conveniently complete coursework online, while interacting with the other participants and the course facilitator.
      • Visit the TSCI website to apply.
    Region 4 ESC
    • Region 4 Education Service Center is pleased to offer the Aspiring Superintendent and Education Leadership Academy beginning September 2009.  The Academy will include six sessions beginning in September 2009.  <Download Info>

    The University of Texas at Tyler - Principal & Superintendent Course Now ONLINE!
      Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    Kendleton ISD accreditation status revoked
    The news was not good for Kendleton Independent School District in Fort Bend County as Texas Education Agency officials released the results of the Agency’s annual accreditation report. This is the first time a district or charter has lost its status as a public school under the accreditation system implemented in 2006 under new legislative requirements, according to a TEA officials. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    National School Lunch Breakfast Week Highlights Importance of Nutritious Morning Meals

     AUSTIN - Anyone keeping score knows breakfast is for champions, and thanks to schools across the state more young Texans can be winners. As the nation celebrates National School Breakfast Week, March 8-12, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples encourages more children and parents to take advantage of school breakfasts.

    View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    Raymondville: RISD contract allegations aired at school board meeting
    Allegations of irregularities in contracts with a financial consultant hired by school Superintendent Johnny L. Piñeda were aired Tuesday before the school board. Local resident Joe Torres said school officials refused to place the issue on the meeting agenda, so he was forced to raise the issue in the meeting’s public forum period, which limited him to a five-minute presentation. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    Texas sales tax deduction is extended
    The Senate vote Wednesday approving a bill extending numerous tax breaks included a provision important to Texas that continues the deductibility of state sales taxes on income tax returns for another year. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 08:00

    Common U.S. standard sought for English, math classes
    The nation's governors and state school chiefs will propose standards today for what students should learn in English and math, from kindergarten through high school, a crucial step in President Barack Obama's campaign to raise academic standards across the country. The blueprint aims to replace a hodgepodge of state benchmarks with common standards. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 07:57

    Friendswood: FISD may see more than budget cuts
    Friendswood’s largest employer may be forced to lay off employees.Friendswood Independent School District, the city’s largest employer with nearly 700 workers, is facing a $700,000 deficit which could force the district to cut jobs.“The teachers already know about this. They already know we’re cutting the budget. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 07:57

    Ft. Bend: FBISD eyes cost-saving measures
    Fort Bend ISD continues to analyze data from every service area to determine all available options to eliminate a proposed $18 to $20 million deficit and produce a balanced budget for the 2010-2011 school year. At a board budget workshop Monday, Ben Copeland, Chief Auxiliary Services Officer, presented trustees with several strategies that collectively would reduce bus transportation costs by approximately $2.2 million next year. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 07:57

    Bryan school board approves calendar
    Bryan school board members have approved the 2010-11 school year calendar. Under the adopted calendar, school will begin Aug. 23 and end May 19. Spring break is scheduled the same week as Texas A&M's, which is March 14 through March 18. View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 07:51

    Texas education board takes up social studies texts
    The Texas State Board of Education was set to get down to work Wednesday afternoon on the social studies curriculum standards that determine what more than 4.7 million Texas schoolchildren learn and what's included in textbooks. But first, they were taking about two hours of public testimony on the revisions to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. More than 50 people had signed up View Article ]   Mar 11, 2010, 07:51


    Our Sponsors
    Our Sponsors