If you’re one of the many Texas school districts operating under a District of Innovation (DOI) Plan, you’ve already embraced flexibility and local control. But with each legislative session, it becomes increasingly important to reevaluate whether your plan still fits within the legal boundaries.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A group of Dallas-area families and faith leaders have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new Texas law that requires copies of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the measure is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state.  Texas is the latest and largest state to attempt a mandate that has run into legal challenges elsewhere. A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a similar law in Louisiana. Some families have sued over Arkansas' law.  The plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit are a group of Christian and Nation of Islam faith leaders and families. It names the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants.  “The government should govern; the Church should minister," the lawsuit said. "Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.” view article

The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. view article

A group of parents is suing Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for allegedly violating the state open meetings laws ahead of a vote earlier this year to permanently close four schools. The lawsuit alleges trustees and district officials abandoned community recommendations for their own benefit and discussed a consolidation plan in private as they moved ahead with closing Central, Furneaux and McCoy elementaries and Long Middle School, and redrawing attendance zones. view article

An army of advocates worked with lawmakers to protect students from sexual abuse and exploitation.  Parent advocates are praising a series of reforms designed to protect Texas children from sexualization and sexual predators in public schools, making education officials live up to their frequent claim that “student safety is our top priority.”  An army of grassroots activists, parents, and survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of educators worked with state lawmakers before and during the 89th Legislative Session to ensure passage of measures to keep kids safe in taxpayer-funded schools.  Gov. Greg Abbott has now signed the bills, adding his stamp of approval to the measures. view article

The Court found that the law is a constitutionally permissible exercise of the state’s authority to protect children from sexually explicit content.  In a win for protecting children from the harmful effects of pornography, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification to access X-rated content online.  Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the 6-3 opinion finding that the state’s age verification law, known as House Bill 1181, does not unconstitutionally burden First Amendment-protected free speec view article

Two women accused in the abuse of multiple disabled Longview elementary students are asking their charges be tried separately. Cassandra Renee James, 51, of Hallsville, and Linda Kaye Brown Lister, 63, of Longview, are each charged with 18 counts related to child abuse. They are two of six people accused of abusing 11 students at J.L. Everhart Elementary from 2019 to 2021. view article

Head coach and athletic director Andrew Harvey was arrested by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. He’s charged with online solicitation of a minor sexual conduct, sale/distribution/display of harmful material to a minor and solicitation of prostitution person under 18. Howe ISD said in a release to parents that Harvey was placed on administrative leave immediately after they were notified of the charges, and he is not permitted on district property, nor is he allowed to have contact with students or faculty at this time. view article

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s directive follows a June 4 ruling that illegal aliens cannot receive in-state tuition in Texas. view article

Coach Devin Anderson was charged last year with having an illicit sexual “relationship” with a female student. view article

Some parents and teachers are calling on Dallas ISD to adopt a policy barring ICE agents from the district’s campuses.   It comes after masked agents were seen stopping traffic in the street near two DISD schools on June 20.  In a packed meeting of the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees on Thursday night, the majority of public speakers shared a unified message to the district.  “Do whatever is necessary to keep any and all ICE presence out of DISD schools,” said Veronica Alvarez, a DISD parent.  Last Friday, DISD teacher Cynthia Longoria took a series of pictures showing the street between Pancho Medrano Junior High and Joe May Elementary.  The pictures showed four law enforcement agents stopping a driver, with one of the agents wearing a face covering. view article

In less than 90 days, Karmelo Anthony was indicted for first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf during a Frisco ISD track meet, and officials call for patience and justice over emotion. It was 83 days, to be exact, from the day Frisco police said Austin Metcalf was killed at that track meet until Tuesday, when Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced the indictment. "Earlier this spring, our community was shaken by what happened at a school track meet in Frisco, the violent loss of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf," Willis said. view article

A Winnsboro ISD coach was arrested on Monday after court documents revealed he attempted to hide the sexual relationship between another coach and a student. According to the arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, on May 28 officers were alerted about an improper relationship between an educator and student that involved a Winnsboro High School coach during the 2024-2025 school season. view article

A federal judge has been asked to let groups intervene in the settlement that ended the Texas Dream Act view article

“U” visas are intended to grant temporary legal status and work authorization to illegal aliens who are victims of certain serious crimes. view article

The Winnsboro ISD school board considered firing Winnsboro ISD Police Chief Heath Guy on Monday after he was placed on administrative leave recently. KETK was at school board meeting on Monday were many Winnsboro residents had showed up to voice their concerns. Earlier in June, former Winnsboro ISD assistant football coach Nicholas Gabriele was arrested arrested after allegedly admitting to having a sexual relationship with a student. view article

The Centerville ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday to pay for the legal expenses of Superintendent Carole Dickey, who is currently under criminal investigation. According to the board, the investigation is regarding alleged misconduct regarding actions or inaction stemming from her employment within the district, but specifics of the allegations have not been shared publicly. During the meeting, Trustee Tuffy Loftin said the district believes paying for her legal defense is in the public’s interest. view article

A Carroll Independent School District employee was placed on administrative leave after the district became aware of their arrest, the district confirmed. The arrest does not involve any Carroll ISD students, other staff, or district facilities, the district said in a statement to parents. view article

A federal voting rights lawsuit against Keller ISD is moving forward, as attorneys for plaintiff Claudio Vallejo filed a brief opposing the district’s attempt to dismiss the case.  The June 12 filing argues that Keller ISD’s at-large voting system for school board members violates the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution by diluting the political voice of Hispanic voters.  Keller ISD declined to comment on the latest filing, citing pending litigation.  Vallejo, a Hispanic parent with two children in the district, claims the current election system prevents minority residents from electing trustees who represent their interests — despite Hispanic students making up nearly 25% of Keller ISD’s enrollment. view article

Paxton threatened further legal action if the city did not bring its contract with WEX Bank into compliance with state law.  Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a stern warning to the City of Austin, demanding that it immediately cease contracting with companies that discriminate against the firearms industry.   Paxton’s letter, sent directly to city officials, threatens legal action if Austin does not comply with state law prohibiting such business relationships. view article

The company announced this week that it would discontinue use of harmful color additives in school lunches by summer 2026, expanding the ban to all of its products by 2027.  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has secured an agreement with food manufacturer General Mills to remove petroleum-based artificial colors from its products.  On Wednesday, General Mills announced plans to remove the artificial dyes from its U.S. cereals and foods served in K-12 schools by summer 2026. It also plans to eliminate the dyes from all U.S. retail products by the end of 2027. view article

The court split 6-3 along ideological lines on a case from Tennessee. About two dozen states have similar bans in place. view article

The dismissal marks a formal end to one of the most high-profile and politically charged prosecutions in Texas history.  The dismissal marks a formal end to one of the most high-profile and politically charged prosecutions in Texas history. view article

A Medina ISD educator was arrested on a charge of an improper relationship with a student, according to Kerr County jail records. The district said Bradley Love worked as a teacher, and he is currently listed as a head basketball coach on the district’s staff directory. view article

A man facing charges of improper relationship between an educator and a student and possession of child pornography was in the 124th District Court on Tuesday for a status hearing. Devin Ryan Anderson, 26, of Manor, was indicted in February. He was a coach at Elgin ISD. He is accused of having an improper relationship with a student while working for the district. On Tuesday at the Gregg County Courthouse, attorneys speaking to Judge Alfonso Charles stated they believe the victim’s phone may contain evidence pertinent to the case. view article

The secretary of state identified 33 potential noncitizens who may have illegally voted in Texas elections in 2024. view article

The president of a Wharton County school board was arrested Tuesday, accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, according to jail records. Jerry James Svatek, Jr., 59, was taken into custody Tuesday morning. The jail website showed the charge against him was possession of child porn for a child younger than 10 years. view article

The president of the Boling Independent School District board is facing a felony charge. Authorities arrested Jerry James Svatek Jr., 59, Tuesday on a charge of possession of child pornography involving a victim under the age of 10. The investigation was led by the Department of Homeland Security, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, Department of Public Safety, and the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office. view article

A former elementary school teacher in the Judson Independent School District was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of a child. Ryan Patrick England, 39, was convicted by a Bexar County jury in April. view article

Several families are suing Millsap ISD in Parker County over alleged abuse of special needs students, including a nonverbal autistic boy. Three former Millsap ISD staff members, including the superintendent, were arrested in connection with the investigation and no longer work for the district. The lawsuit claims district officials attempted to cover up the abuse, and more families have come forward with similar allegations. + view article

Judge Franklin is accused of telling a defendant he had better accept the plea deal because “dead men can’t testify.” view article

Boerne Middle School North Principal Daniel Owen resigned Wednesday, following his arrest last week for driving while intoxicated, according to school officials. A letter from Superintendent Dr. Kristin Craft addressed to "BMSN families and staff" told of Owen's resignation after he'd been placed on paid administrative leave Monday. "Under Mr. Owen's guidance, BMSN has continued to excel academically and foster a supportive, student-centered environment," Craft wrote. "His commitment to excellence and to building a strong campus culture has been evident in the success of our students and staff." view article

A judge on Tuesday ruled that the PSJA ISD school board can censure a trustee as long as that person is provided three-day notice and a proper resolution for the action. The judge also extended a temporary restraining order prohibiting the censure until June 16. School board member Cynthia Gutierrez filed the lawsuit against board president Diana Serna, and fellow trustees Carlos Villegas and Yolanda Castillo on May 27. view article

A Boerne Independent School District principal accused early Friday of driving drunk has bonded out of the Kendall County Detention Center, according to reports. Boerne Middle School North Principal Daniel Owen, 48, is charged with driving-while-intoxicated-second offense and unlawful carrying of a weapon, officials said. view article

Wood County investigators say that a former teacher and coach of Winnsboro ISD has been arrested for having an improper relationship with a student. Nicholas Gabriele was employed as an assistant football coach and economics teacher at Winnsboro High School during the 2024-25 school year. Sometime during the school year, he began a relationship with a high school student. Investigators got information and evidence that Gabriele had been having sex with the student, including information and concerns from members of the community. view article