Texas Schools May Be Flouting Law on Registering Students to Vote

Hundreds of Texas high schools are likely flouting state requirements that they register eligible students to vote, new data suggests.  Fewer than 4 percent of the state’s 3,709 high schools had asked the secretary of state for voter registration applications as of Sept. 13, according to agency data compiled by the Texas Civil Rights Project.  That's despite a long-standing Texas law — geared at bolstering civic participation among youngsters — that requires principals or other designated registrars to distribute registration forms and notices to eligible high school students at least twice each year. view article  

Congratulations to Arlington’s Cavazos Wins Superintendent Of The Year In Texas, Thanks To Mom And Okra

Marcelo Cavazos, the man who leads Arlington’s schools system, was named Texas Superintendent of the Year this afternoon. The honor came at the annual Texas Association of School Boards conference in Houston – and it includes a $5,000 prize. The five finalists also included another North Texan, DeSoto superintendent David Harris. view article  

New From TEA

• 2015-2016 Near-Final Summary of Finances
• More than 400 campuses earn all possible distinctions in 2016 accountability ratings (9-14-16)
• 24 school districts, charters earn postsecondary distinction (9-14-2016)
• Educators discuss ways to turn high poverty schools into high achieving schools (9-12-2016)
• Learning Roundtable - Educating the Children of Poverty: Transforming high-poverty schools into high-performing schools 9-6-2016)
• Information for Districts, Campuses, and Charter Schools with Areas of Need Identified through the 2016 State Accountability System

November 2016 Bond List

Bond Election Data collected by TexasISD.com for public school bonds in the upcoming November 2016 election cycle.

Preventive Law: Delete This! – Social Media and Records Retention

Does your district have a Facebook page? A Twitter feed? How about an Instagram or other social media account? How about your sports teams? Your individual campuses? Chances are that your district has at least some official social media presence, even if it’s not actively managed or maintained – and chances are that you’re forgetting something important when it comes to each and every official post made by your district. So I have just one more question (and I promise that this isn’t a joke): are you maintaining records of those social media posts in accordance with the state’s record retention schedules?

2016 Tax Ratification Elections/Results

Election information related to all Tax Ratification Elections in 2016

South Carolina:  Volunteer firefighter credited with stopping South Carolina school shooter

A volunteer South Carolina firefighter was being hailed as a hero after being able to subdue a teen gunman who opened fire at an elementary school Wednesday.  According to Fox Carolina, authorities said a 14-year-old opened fire on the Townville Elementary School playground just before 2 p.m. Two male students and a female teacher were struck by the gunfire.  Anderson County Emergency Management Director Taylor Jones said that a teacher called 911 and Townville firefighter Jamie Brock was one of the first to arrive on the scene. Jones said Brock engaged the gunman and “took him down,” and held him until deputies arrived.  A minute later, the gunman was in custody. view article  

Outgoing Lawmakers: Boost Public Ed Funding to Fix School Finance

Read!  Texas House budget and public education leaders said Wednesday that the best way to overhaul the state’s school finance system is to increase the base amount of money it gives to each district per student.  While costly, boosting the “basic allotment” — currently $5,140 per student — would help ease systemic funding inequities among the state’s 1,200 school districts and reduce the growing number of wealthier districts that are required to send money to the state to help buoy poorer ones, according to state Reps. John Otto of Dayton and Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen. The two Republicans, who are both retiring before the 2017 legislative session, chair the House Appropriations and Public Education committees, respectively. view article  

26 Texas schools receive 2016 national Blue Ribbon honors

26 Texas schools receive 2016 national Blue Ribbon honors

The Brief: House Panels Shine Spotlight on Education Funding

The state's complex system of funding public schools was in the spotlight onWednesday as the Texas House's budget writing committee and panel with oversight of public education examined ways to fix how the state pays to educate students.  The committees' chairmen offered their conclusion that the best way to rebuild the state’s school finance system is to increase the “basic allotment,” or the base amount of money given to each district per student. Currently, the state’s wealthier districts are required to send money to the state to help poorer ones to survive, under a more than 20-year-old system of recapturing and redistributing local property tax dollars better known as Robin Hood. Increasing the basic allotment — which is currently around $5,140 per student — could help ease funding inequities and lower the amount of money the state is required to send to a small number of school districts every year. view article  

Austin: AISD stands to lose most if lawmakers don’t reverse ‘Robin Hood’ law

State lawmakers are tackling school finance during hearings at the Capitol this week, and there are some big opinions about the program known for stealing from the wealthy and giving to the poor. The Austin Independent School District stands to lose more than any other district in the state. Due to Austin's high property appraisal rates, AISD pays the most through the Recapture Law, also known as the "Robin Hood" plan. view article  

Central Texas districts push for change to school finance system

Several Central Texas school districts are pushing for changes to the state’s school finance system, saying state government relies too much on local tax revenue to fund education. Under the state’s school finance system, districts with high property values — including Austin and several smaller districts in the city’s western and northern suburbs — must send a portion of their property tax revenue to the state to subsidize districts in other parts of Texas, where property values are low.  The state contributes about 41 percent of the total funding for schools in Texas, while local revenue from property taxes accounts for 48 percent. view article  

Lawmakers begin groundwork for possible school finance overhaul

Changing the way Texas funds its public schools would have huge ripple effects through the state's economy because the tax structure can affect where people live and how business is conducted, experts told a panel of lawmakers. view article  

State steps in to run Marlin ISD

MARLIN, TX (KXXV) - According to a letter from the Texas Education Commissioner, the Texas Education Agency will be taking over Marlin Independent School District, appointing a new board of managers and promoting the current monitor to a conservator.  The school district failed to meet the academic accountability ratings for the fifth year in a row, causing the state to step in. Last year, the district made an agreement that if they failed the accountability ratings again, the state could appoint a board of managers.  Dr. Michael Seabolt became superintendent of Marlin ISD a little over a year ago, while the district was struggling to meet state standards. view article  

Why is special education enrollment so low in Dallas? Superintendent Hinojosa wants to know

The rate of students in special education in Dallas ISD has dropped in the past decade — from about 8.2 percent to just below 7 percent — but leaders can’t say why.  Most other large, urban districts throughout the country have significantly higher rates. Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said Wednesday he wants a third-party review to get answers.  This comes after reports from the Houston Chronicle that suggest the state is keeping students out of special education programs by setting an enrollment cap of 8.5 percent per district. The newspaper implies that districts — including Dallas — are withholding services from students in need. view article  

With ‘Super Lice’ in Texas schools, a call for more parent education

Lice are a part of life. Here in Texas, the state urges school districts to keep children in school, even if they have the parasites. But as lice become more resistant to over-the-counter treatments, parent frustration is rising with the number of cases in their children’s classrooms. view article  

Texas schools must test for lead in drinking water and address problems

During the past year, the nation has watched a tragedy unfold in Flint, Mich., where the drinking water was severely contaminated by lead. Since kids returned to school last month, it's important to know that lead in drinking water is also a major problem in schools across the country, including right here in Texas.  Lead exposure, especially for children, can cause very serious health problems, including decreased bone and muscle growth, damage to the nervous system and kidneys, and developmental delays. In adults, lead exposure can cause kidney failure and high blood pressure. view article  

Texas business group adds voice to chorus opposing ‘bathroom bills’

The Texas Association of Business, arguably the most powerful business lobbying group in the state, said this week that it does not support so-called “bathroom bills” that some Texas lawmakers are pushing.  The controversial legislative proposals have received support from prominent Texas conservative politicians such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. These proposals have been vigorously opposed by Texas civil rights groups, who note that similar legislation in North Carolina also nullified living-wage and nondiscrimination laws in that state, and business advocates, who fear economic repercussions in Texas should such a law pass. view article  

Bryan:  Superintendent Wallis’ status still uncertain

Bryan schools Superintendent Tommy Wallis was absent during Wednesday night’s special school board meeting, where trustees met behind closed doors for more than four hours to discuss his contract. Wallis has been on personal leave from his position since Thursday, and the following day the matter was the sole item placed on the agenda. The board consulted with the school district’s attorney, various district administrators and “external counsel” about issues pertaining to Wallis’ contract, according to board President Douglas Wunneburger. No action was taken at the conclusion of the meeting, and no additional details were revealed by the board. view article  

Three East Texas Schools receive national Blue Ribbon honors

Three East Texas Schools have been named in the National Blue Ribbon honors program. view article  

United ISD Hwy 359 Schools Elementary #28 and Middle School #10 Official Groundbreaking

Official Groundbreaking team for Hwy 359 Schools, Elementary #28 and Middle School #10 consisting of school Board Members, Juan Roberto Ramirez, Ricardo Rick Rodriguez, Ramiro Veliz III, Superintendent of Schools, Roberto J. Santos, United ISD Management, Eloy and Bonnie Garcia Family, contractors, engineers and Architect leading projects and student representatives from Antonio Gonzalez Middle School and Zaffirini Elementary School.

PREMONT ISD HIRES ARROW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The board of trustees of the Premont Independent School District has contracted with Arrow Educational Services, Inc. to assist them in their search for a new superintendent. Arrow president/CEO Dr. Russell Marshall and lead consultant/COO Jim Dunlap will conduct the search. Updates will be available on TexasISD.com and arrowsearchinc.com as the search progresses.    

Midland ISD Interim Superintendent Lays Out Plan to Improve Schools

Nearly one month in office and Midland ISD interim superintendent Rod Schroder has his eyes set on improving all campuses. Schroder presented his vision to school board members at their most recent meeting. He says there are three areas he'd like to focus on. Those include: creating a growth mindset, meaning making all students believe they can be successful. He also wants to create a no excuses philosophy inside all classrooms and improve upon the current instructional process. view article  

Bryan superintendent Wallis absent from board meeting; few details revealed by trustees

Bryan schools Superintendent Tommy Wallis was absent during Wednesday night’s special school board meeting, where trustees met behind closed doors for more than four hours to discuss his contract. view article  

West Oso superintendent agrees to resign for $145K

An agreement that will allow West Oso ISD's superintendent to resign instead of possibly being terminated has been reached, according to Tony Resendez, the district's legal counsel.  A $145,000 settlement was reached and Elizabeth Saenz's resignation will go into effect Oct. 4, Resendez said. The Caller-Times requested a copy of the agreement.  Saenz was placed on administrative leave in July and was facing termination because of financial mismanagement and spotty attendance, among other allegations listed in documents about her potential firing. Trustees had a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the matter and voted to approve the resignation agreement, Resendez said. view article  

Local Democrats Another Shot at Education Board

Texas State Board of Education candidate Judy Jennings just wants to get out of the 1600s. The local Democrat and North­west Austin resident is mounting her third challenge for a spot on the statewide education board to – as she puts it – get teachers and students into the current century. view article  

Trustees to vote on campus plans to aid struggling elementaries

The Fort Bend ISD school board will vote in October to approve state-mandated intervention plans for the district’s two schools that did not meet state standards during the 2015-2016 school year. view article  

It’s A.L.I.V.E.: Mesquite ISD program seeks to showcase district to community

Mesquite ISD’s A.L.I.V.E. (Active Leaders Inspired by a Vision of Excellence) program annually gives community members an insight into the daily operations of the city’s largest employer. view article  

Denton ISD’s eighth middle school named for Rudy and Rosemary Rodriguez

After a lenghty open meeting, board members deliberated into the early morning hours Wednesday during closed session and voted unanimously to dub the building the Dr. Rudy and Rosemary Rodriguez Middle School. The name honors a local couple who share a passion for education and have contributed to Denton schools since the 1970s. view article  

Van Alstyne ISD to become a “district of innovation”

Districts of innovation were recently introduced to Texas schools, granting more freedoms to local school boards. view article  

Leander ISD checks all school visitors against sex offender registry

 Three are in the hospital following a school shooting in South Carolina, and KXAN wanted to know what changes local districts have made to help keep your children safe. view article  

Nine Dallas-area schools earn national Blue Ribbon status

The Dallas-Fort Worth area schools recognized are: Cross Timbers Elementary School, Azle ISD. Rosemeade Elementary School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. George Bannerman Dealey International Academy, Dallas ISD. George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Vanguard, Dallas ISD. School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell  Townview Center, Dallas ISD. Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Fort Worth ISD. Hillside Academy for Excellence, Garland ISD. Legacy Christian Academy Lower School in Frisco, private. Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano, private. view article  

THOUSANDS SIGN PETITION CALLING FOR LESS HOMEWORK IN KATY ISD

One high school sophomore is on a crusade for less homework and he's asking students/parents in his district to join him. Cinco Ranch High School student, Luke A. started an online petition calling for Katy ISD to reduce homework. More than 4,00 people signed the petition within a few hours and right now it has nearly 7,500 signatures.   view article  

Charge dropped against second adult who had sex with Conroe ISD student

A former high school referee who had sex with a Conroe ISD student will not face a charge of improper relationship with a student as an educator. view article