Retired teachers feel pinch of health plan changes

Those under 65 must pay for larger part of care in order to prop up fund -  Two car crashes in a two-month span left Cherlyn Glanville with debilitating headaches and bouts of vertigo, forcing her into early retirement from the Houston Independent School District in 2011. Glanville, a former French teacher, now needs 10 medications and regular treatments to ease her pain and stay functional. This year, she expects her health care costs to total about $4,800 out of pocket, a manageable amount for her.  But next year, Glanville will face a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $7,150, the result of recent changes to the state's retired teachers' benefits fund, a drain on her $21,000 yearly pension.

East Chambers ISD’s Campbell named Region 5 Superintendent of the Year

Citing his strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education at his district, and his commitment to public support and involvement in education, the Region 5 Education Service Center named East Chambers ISD's Scott Campbell the 2017 Superintendent of the Year.  Campbell, who has been the district superintendent since 1997, was hailed for being directly involved with parents and students as stress from the state's standardized testing mounted, according his nomination letter.  Here is the news release from Region 5: view article  

TRS 403(b) Informal Rulemaking Conference

TRS staff will be holding an informal conference in Austin on June 28th at 10:00 a.m. in Room E345 to obtain the opinions and advice of interested persons on proposed 403(b) rule amendments. A copy of the notice that will appear in the June 23rd edition of the Texas Register may be viewed here. Information on the proposed rule amendments may be found on the TRS website. Comments regarding the proposed rules may be submitted in writing to 403b@trs.texas.gov. Written comments must be received by TRS no later than July 17, 2017.

EDITORIAL: New, readable, individualized STAAR report card boon to parents

Pronounce us not only impressed but even astounded at the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness Report Card that parents of school students receive this month. While some of the infighting over education in the Texas Legislature this past spring must surely discourage parents, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the Texas Education Agency staff have produced a document that not only better communicates to time-pressed parents how their children did on STAAR testing but how parents can help them strategically improve.  view article  

New From TEA

• LEAs with Schools Identified as Priority and/or Focus for school year 2017–2018 6/27
• Open-Source Instructional Materials6/27
• Special Education Data Sharing Request - Eligibility for Reimbursement 6/20
• School Year 2015–2016 (Fiscal Year 2016) Final IDEA-B LEA MOE Compliance Reviews 6/20
• 2017-2021 Commissioner’s List of Approved Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Assessment Instruments 6/20
• Risk assessment level for school year 2017–2018 (fiscal year 2018) 6/20
• News from the Grants Administration Division: Updates to New EDGAR FAQ Now Available6/5
• NIFA Online Application is Now Open 6/1

2016 Tax Ratification Elections/Results

Election information related to all Tax Ratification Elections in 2016

Gov. Abbott praises Texas lawmakers pushing for ‘bathroom bill’ in special session

A pair of Texas lawmakers who plan to carry so-called "bathroom bill" legislation into the special session set for July have the backing of Gov. Greg Abbott. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, and Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, used the terms “privacy, safety and dignity” to describe the reasons for the bill, which would establish statewide guidelines to use a restroom that matches the gender on a person’s birth certificate. Kolkhorst filed the controversial original version of the bill back in January, but it failed to pass during the legislature's regular session that ended in May. view article  

Minutes of Operation-Updates to House Bill (HB) 2442

The regular session of the 85th Legislature has ended and there are changes to the implementation of minutes of operation. Listed below are the significant updates for the 2017–2018 school year:  To receive full funding, school districts and charter schools are required to provide 75,600 minutes of operation. The exceptions to this requirement are: view article  

Fredericksburg: THE ‘SILENT STATE TAX’

Our public school finance system in Texas has been broken for the past three decades, yet no meaningful solutions have been passed and implemented. Is this because the people that we elect to do our bidding in the legislature do not have the capacity or resources to come up with a solution or is it because they simply do not care about public education and the 5.3 million students in Texas Public Schools? If you listen to their words, they will say that they care and that they are supportive of Texas public education, but if you look at their actions or in this case, their inaction, then you will find the answer. view article  

Critics Fear New Texas Law Giving SBOE Wide Discretion Over Textbooks

In past legislative sessions, a bill this momentous would have been major news. But in the “worst Legislature ever,” it received almost no press coverage at all — elbowed out by bathrooms, vouchers, “show me your papers” legislation, religious freedom carve-outs and new restrictions on abortion. Senate Bill 801, authored by Senator Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 9, gives the controversy-plagued State Board of Education (SBOE) the authority to reject textbook content it deems not “suitable for the subject and grade level for which the instructional material was submitted.” That may not be as innocuous as it sounds. view article  

Troup:  TISD eyes election

Serious business will be on the table for consideration by the Troup ISD Board of Trustees on Monday, July 10. A public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. where trustees and attendees will hear a presentation and discussion of the upcoming school year’s tax rate. The regular board meeting will follow where trustees will take on the task of circling the wagons and working together with the community to ensure adequate funding for Troup’s schools that the Texas Legislature failed to do this year. view article  

Beaumont: Calvin Walker was paid with nutrition program funds

Highlighting the district's lack of internal controls and the alleged shortcomings of a former auditing firm, Beaumont ISD's systems operator testified for more than four hours Tuesday about incidents ranging from a 2013 FBI raid of district offices to how former contract electrician Calvin Walker was paid with Child Nutrition Program funds. Jillian Gohlke's testimony came on day two of a five-day hearing in Austin to determine if Gayle Botley will keep his professional accountant's license. Botley, who reached a $750,000 settlement with BISD last month in a negligence suit, was hired to conduct annual audits of the district from 2009 to 2013. Gohlke testified on Tuesday that no one from Botley's Port Arthur firm requested documents to perform audits following a 2013 FBI raid of Beaumont ISD offices. That raid led to the eventual convictions of former Beaumont ISD chief financial officer Devin McCraney and Sharika Allison, the district's former comptroller. McCraney and Allison, who stole millions from the district, pleaded guilty in April 2014 to federal conspiracy and embezzlement charges. view article  

Dallas County Schools Drivers Voice Frustration as Cuts to Pay, Benefits Discussed

Some bus drivers for Dallas County Schools vented their frustration at administrators Wednesday after learning their pay and benefits may be slashed as the century-old agency struggles to recover from a financial mess.  The DCS Board is trying to close a gap on a huge budget deficit that put the agency in danger of collapse, but drivers said they shouldn't be forced to pay for the bad decisions made by administrators. view article  

Judge declares mistrial in Denton ISD discrimination case

Judge Steve Burgess declared a mistrial in a discrimination case against a local school district after one juror wound up in a hospital the day of opening arguments in 158th Judicial District Court. Kenneth Lyons, a former Denton ISD substitute teacher, is suing the district because he believes he was fired for reporting discrimination against African-American employees. A jury of eight women and four men were selected Tuesday and set to hear arguments Wednesday morning. After one woman juror failed to show up to court Wednesday morning without notice, court officials began calling local hospitals, said Randy Stout, an attorney for Denton ISD. Though he wasn't sure what her ailment was, Stout said she was admitted to a local hospital that morning. view article  

Bryan: Wallis hearing; Journalists won’t have to testify, hearing continues Thursday

Former Bryan ISD Superintendent Dr. Tommy Wallis appeared in a Travis County courtroom Wednesday in an effort to learn who leaked confidential documents to KBTX and The Eagle. Wallis is wanting the person, or people responsible to be either jailed or fined, and is seeking a monetary award. 419th Civil District Court Judge Orlinda Naranjo approved a request by media attorneys to quash subpoenas for KBTX News Anchor Rusty Surette and The Eagle Editor Kelly Brown. view article  

State appoints monitor to troubled South Texas school district

The Texas Education Agency has appointed a monitor to oversee the Donna Independent School District after an investigation found the school district lacks internal controls as a result of trustees who repeatedly abused their authority, the agency said. The education agency on Tuesday notified Donna ISD that Linda Romero was appointed monitor of the district, following a special accreditation investigation.  A monitor reports to the education commissioner on a district’s financial status and assists with oversight of the financial management and governance of the district to ensure compliance with state and federal law. The monitor also recommends any actions necessary to comply with state law. view article  

Athens ISD to provide school supplies to all Pre-K through fifth grade students

Athens ISD will be giving parents a helping hand when school starts back in fall. The district will provide Pre-K through fifth-grade students with all the supplies they need, free of charge. view article  

TEA Orders Monitor to Oversee Donna ISD

The Texas Education Agency recommended a monitor be appointed to the Donna Independent School District “because DISD has demonstrated that it lacks sufficient internal controls to allow the DISD Board of Trustees to comply with requirements of state law.” The recommendation was included in a preliminary report issued on June 1. As the school district didn’t request an informal review, the preliminary report is now considered the final report. view article  

Texas Medicaid Cuts Leave Special Needs Kids Without Therapy

Stacey English has modest desires for her 7-year-old daughter Addison: Be able to eat without gagging and move both her arms. But since Addison’s occupational therapist went out of business this winter, the child with a rare genetic disorder has regressed in her fight to do even that much. “I don’t know where to go from here,” said English, who has been unable to find a replacement therapist in their Texas college town of College Station. “How do you continue to help her make progress when you don’t have someone to teach her?” view article  

SB 4: Texas Cities Get Their Day in Court

Hundreds traveled across Texas to gather outside San Antonio's federal courthouse in support of cities fighting anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4, an upcoming law compelling municipalities to comply with ICE deportation requests or face stringent punishment. On Monday, June 26, attorneys representing Austin, Dallas, El Cenizo, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso County requested that U.S. Judge Orlando Garciahalt the so-called "sanctuary cities" law, slated to take effect Sept. 1. The legal team, which includes Austin City Attorney Michael Siegel, argued that SB 4 pre-empts federal law; violates the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth amendments; offers local police no federal guidance or training; and is constitutionally vague.  view article  

Spring ISD buys building to house police department, tax office

On June 26 Spring ISD purchased a former insurance office building on Lockhaven Drive that will be renovated to serve as the headquarters for the district’s police department and tax office. School officials said renovation will begin this summer on the two-story, 42,272-square-foot building, and work will be completed in 2018. “The size and location of this facility on Lockhaven is ideal for our police department—which outgrew its current location years ago—and will allow our tax office to move out of portable buildings, while saving on the cost of new construction,” SISD Chief Operations Officer Mark Miranda said. view article  

STAAR results show gains, losses for ET school districts

Area East Texas school districts saw some gains, but numerous losses, on state-mandated tests at the elementary and middle school levels. However, most area districts also reported at least 60 percent of students who took one of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness earned a passing grade. "We are very proud of the hard work from our students and teachers," Pine Tree ISD Superintendent TJ Farler said. "We will continue to build on our areas of strength and address the areas in need of growth." STAAR scores were recently released for reading tests in grades three, four, six and seven; math tests in grades three, four, six and seven; writing tests in grades four and seven; science tests in grades five and eight; and social studies tests in grade eight. Pine Tree, Hallsville, Spring Hill, Gladewater, White Oak and Tatum ISDs provided scores. Longview ISD was waiting on district trustees to review scores before making the results public, while Kilgore and Sabine ISDs had not responded by Wednesday to a request for scores. view article  

Lexington ISD Hires Arrow Educational Services to Conduct Superintendent Search

The board of trustees of the Lexington Independent School District has contracted with Arrow Educational Services, Inc. to assist them in their search for a new superintendent.  As of this date, the application deadline has not been set. Updates will be available on TexasISD.com as the search progresses.   

Seguin trustees united on Guiterrez as new superintendent

Matthew Gutierrez, whose quick-moving education career began in San Antonio in 2002, has been named the sole finalist to succeed Stetson Roane as superintendent in the Seguin Independent School District. view article  

Texas taking the ‘standard’ out of standardized testing

When STAAR End of Course test results arrive in late May, some high school seniors stand at their teachers’ doors in nervous anticipation. They are painfully aware that their scores will determine whether or not they can walk across the graduation stage with their friends. view article  

Denison ISD settles Sexton case for $500K

After multiple open records requests, a law firm representing the Denison Independent School District released that the district settled a May lawsuit for $500,000. view article  

Round Rock ISD holding forms on trustee appointment

Two forums in July are scheduled for the public to learn more about the Round Rock school board’s search for an interim trustee following the resignation of Trustee Paul Tisch in June. The forums, which will allow the public to ask trustees questions about their role in leading the district, are July 20 at the Round Rock High School lecture hall and July 25 at the Round Rock ISD Performing Arts Center. Both forums begin at 6 p.m. view article  

Facilities review predicts Humble ISD future

In the next 10 years, PBK Architects estimates Humble ISD enrollment will grow by about 25 percent. PBK Architects presented its 500-page Facilities Assessment Review booklet fat the Humble Independent School District board meeting on June 13. The purpose of the assessment is to examine the district as a whole and identify the needs and possible facilities based on demographics and projected growth. Rick Blan, partner at PBK Inc., said the predictive study is used to estimate the replacement cost of major building components. "This type of assessment provides data for informed decision-making," Blan said. "Districts use these studies to design road maps to the future." view article  

Time to fill in the cracks: Amarillo ISD to build new tennis centers for Caprock, Palo Duro

Amarillo Independent School District plans to move ahead with new tennis facilities at Caprock and Palo Duro high schools, pleasing some in the community who say the East Amarillo schools have been shortchanged. The district is planning two new eight-court tennis centers to replace six-court facilities currently at each school. Brent Hoover, AISD chief operations officer, said the project will replace cracked playing surfaces, solve drainage issues and add more space for athletes and spectators, bringing the schools up to par with Amarillo High and Tascosa High schools. The district completed a new eight-court complex at Bonham Middle School in 2014 for use by Amarillo High’s tennis program. In 2016, the district finished expanding and upgrading tennis facilities at Austin Middle School for use by Tascosa. view article  

Tyler ISD STAAR results show big improvements, losses

As STAAR results for all grades came in this week, Tyler ISD saw significant gains at its elementary schools, but setbacks among older students. Dr. Christy Hanson, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said the results are indicative of the success they’re seeing as the district has focused on early reading skills. The setbacks are a manifestation of the struggles the district saw before its recent academic turnaround, she said. The good news is end-of-year metrics, which will be used in the Texas Education Agency’s Accountability Ratings, show Tyler ISD might have a shot at getting its three remaining campuses off of the “Improvement Required” list. view article  

Canyon ISD prepping bond election for new high school

Canyon ISD said it needs a new high school, and will be asking taxpayers to make that decision. Staff members said almost all its 15 schools are either at capacity or overflowing with students. Anew intermediate school is under construction now next to Sundown Lane Elementary School to help with some crowding. But all the schools are getting cramped as more people move into the district, with 14 new housing developments going up. view article  

Phillips: Austin ISD decisions need more transparency and independence

Austin school trustees and Superintendent Paul Cruz repeatedly touted a bond package that would include only projects that were critical. Yet the $1 billion-plus package trustees approved Monday includes projects that weren’t deemed critical enough for a November ballot — even by the trustee’s hand-picked advisory board members. view article  

Austin ISD could shutter East Austin schools to keep bond under $1B

The Austin school district could shutter a handful of East Austin schools to bring down the costs of the proposed bond package that trustees are expected to approve tonight. Multiple school properties could be sold in the next five years to lower the bond project costs to under $1 billion, according to district documents obtained by the American-Statesman. view article  

Ector County ISD bond advisory committee to meet

The Ector County Independent School District Community Bond Advisory Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday in the George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa cafeteria, 300 E. 29th St. view article  

Wylie ISD trustees approve 2017-’18 budget

In spite of a few lingering school finance issues to be addressed in a special session of the Texas Legislature next month, Wylie Independent School District trustees last week approved the fiscal year 2017-’18 budget. The approval comes shortly before the start of the WISD fiscal year on July 1. Approval of the property tax rate to fund operations will come after Collin Central Appraisal District certifies property values July 25. view article