Frisco school trustees want to negotiate with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office after a recent lawsuit filed against the district claiming it broke state election laws. During an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon, Frisco ISD general counsel Esther Kolni noted the district is in contact with other lawyers across the state who represent schools sued over similar allegations.  Paxton accused Frisco administrators of “using official resources to urge people to vote in favor of a certain policy” ahead of the primary elections last week, according to the lawsuit. view article

Paxton filed his seventh lawsuit against a school district for illegal electioneering. Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Hutto Independent School District, claiming the district used government resources for illegal electioneering. According to a press release published by Paxton’s office on March 4, Hutto ISD promoted political policies on its social media and used government resources to do so. The lawsuit filing states that Hutto ISD’s promotion goes against the Education Code, which prohibits anyone from using official government resources to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party. The filing also claims that the school district used public funds for political advertising, prohibited by the Election Code. view article

Keller ISD officials have hired a law firm to help minimize truancy and investigate root causes of this issue that officials said has been on the rise since the pandemic. view article

An assistant principal in Cibolo had marijuana in his vehicle on campus, police said. Joshua Peters, 45, based at Byron P. Steele II High School, was charged Wednesday with possession of marijuana, less than two ounces, in a drug-free zone and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Guadalupe County Jail without incident. ALSO READ: Police have been involved in two shootings over the last week. Here are the officers identified. view article

Trerosilyn Carston is hoping criminal charges will be brought against a Cypress-Fairbanks ISD substitute teacher who she said pushed her 10-year-old son with special needs to the ground. The incident happened on Feb. 6 at Duryea Elementary School, and it was all caught on school surveillance cameras, but the recording of the video is not fluid. The surveillance camera appears to only capture images every few seconds. view article

Three judges on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals were ousted by candidates endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton, who targeted the court after it ruled against him in a 2021 case. Former Dallas appeals court justice David Schenck, Waco attorney Gina Parker and Richardson attorney Lee Finley were projected to defeat incumbents for the Presiding Judge, Place 7 and Place 8 seats on the state's highest criminal court, according to the Associated Press. This year’s primary presented the first opportunity for Paxton to attempt to oust some of the eight judges who ruled in 2021 the attorney general cannot unilaterally prosecute election law violation cases without district attorney permission. Paxton has decried the ruling for years, arguing the court stripped him of his right to prosecute what he says is rampant voter fraud in the state. view article

On Saturday, the Lago Vista ISD school board unanimously voted to hire a third–party firm to investigate why a “private coach” was not properly vetted before working with its high school runners. In the email to parents, the district said a community member, presenting himself as a “private coach”, approached a group of high school male athletes practicing on their own over the summer. view article

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information following a March 4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court delayed on March 4 a new law allowing Texas law enforcement to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. The law is on hold until at least 5 p.m. March 13 as the Supreme Court considers the case. What's happening? Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s order is the latest in a series of events that began Feb. 29. view article

The attorney general simultaneously announced a lawsuit against Huffman ISD for similar reasons.  According to the lawsuit filed Friday, Aledo ISD Superintendent of Schools Susan Bohn and/or the Board of Trustees allowed an email from the district’s communication account to be sent to Aledo ISD recipients discussing both the budget and how the results of the primary election would impact schools.  Part of the Feb. 20 email reads “that our state leaders, with our governor leading the charge, prioritized taxpayer-funded private/home school vouchers over funding your Aledo ISD schools. This happened even though enough legislators opposed vouchers to vote them down repeatedly for decades and again in 2023.”  The email also read “Bearcats [Aledo ISD mascot] VOTE! Your Aledo public schools are on the ballot starting TODAY!” view article

Following a U.S. District Court ruling last week that halted Texas from enforcing its new border security measure, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the lower court’s decision—allowing the law to take effect. The Supreme Court, however, quickly moved to halt implementation of the law until at least March 13, following an emergency request from the Department of Justice. Texas had immediately appealed U.S. District Court Judge David Alan Ezra’s ruling Thursday in favor of the federal government. While a panel of Fifth Circuit judges granted Texas’ request for an administrative stay, they also granted the federal government’s request to stay Texas’ enforcement of the new measure for 7 days, so that federal attorneys could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. view article

Five books in Fort Bend ISD school libraries contain sexually explicit and anti-Christian material. The Fort Bend Independent School District is housing at least five sexually explicit titles, including one with offensive religious material. One such title is What Girls Are Made Of by Elena K. Arnold, which is available to read in the Clements and Dulles High School libraries. The book is full of vulgar imagery, including sexual scenes and jokes about abortion, rape, and the Christian religion. An excerpt on page 107 read: “I don’t believe in God…But if I did, I’d thank him every day for both of my abortions.” view article

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed another lawsuit against a Texas school district over allegations of electioneering ahead of the Super Tuesday primary election, this time in Central Texas. Paxton's office on Monday night announced it was suing the Hutto Independent School District, alleging officials are "using state resources to influence political races through illegal electioneering." The lawsuit lists Hutto ISD's board of trustees and Superintendent Raul Pena. view article

A judge sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a lawsuit against the Denton Independent School District. Paxton claimed two principals violated state law by using their school email to encourage staff to vote for candidates who support public education. view article

Sometimes the remarkable thing is what didn’t happen. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill allowing public school districts to bring in religious chaplains to provide counseling services — a startling attempt to push a particular kind of Christianity in schools that are supposed to be welcoming to all. As I noted last May, Senate Bill 763 had serious shortcomings: No training or certification requirements for chaplains before they can counsel youth. No standards for accommodating students from a range of faith traditions. No prohibition on proselytizing. And no requirement for parental consent before a chaplain starts providing spiritual guidance to a child. view article

A high school student from Pflugerville was arrested after police said he brought a sword to campus. According to Pflugerville ISD police, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 17-year-old Trinceton Arnold was arrested and is now charged with a felony for bringing a sword to Connally High School. view article

A Wharton ISD support staff member was terminated after the district was made aware of an inappropriate relationship with a student, officials say. According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael O’Guin Sr., the district was made aware of an inappropriate relationship last week, and the support staff member was immediately suspended. That person has since been terminated. view article

The State Bar of Texas has fined and suspended Starr County’s district attorney for pursuing a murder indictment against 26-year-old woman after she self-managed an abortion.  Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez reached a settlement with the State Bar of Texas following an investigation. Ramirez agreed to pay a $1,250 fine, and his license will be held in a probated suspension for one year, ending on March 31, 2025. News of the January settlement was first reported by multiple outlets on Thursday.  The State Bar of Texas confirmed the settlement to The Texas Tribune on Friday and that it involved the case of a 26-year-old Texas woman who was arrested nearly two years ago and charged with murder in “the death of an individual by self-induced abortion.” view article

Judges have granted restraining orders or injunctions in the past week against two of the six school districts Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued over claims that they're illegally using public money to advocate for candidates or policies in the Texas primary elections. The accusations come after last year's state legislative session left many school districts financially frustrated as lawmakers didn't pass meaningful increases to public education spending with Texas schools facing the lowest inflation-adjusted state and local funding since 2020, according to an American-Statesman analysis.  The Texas House also rejected school choice proposals that would have used public money to pay for private education, which were championed by Gov. Greg Abbott, leaving Republican members who voted against the governor's legislative priority vulnerable to his wrath and campaign war chest at the ballot box.  A 429th District Court judge in Collin County granted a restraining order against the Frisco school district and a judge in the 17th District Court in Tarrant County granted an injunction against the Castleberry school district, Paxton announced Thursday night. view article

The State Board of Education is proposing amendments to 19 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 74, as well as revamping and rewriting the Dyslexia Handbook, proposed to be called the “Texas Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Handbook.”

A group of parents has filed a federal lawsuit against the Marlin Independent School District, Superintendent, Dr. Daryll Henson, and district police chief John Simmons alleging a violation of their First Amendment right to petition and free speech. A week before they graduated in the summer of 2023, the Marlin ISD Class of 2023 was notified that only five out of 33 seniors were eligible to graduate after grades had been altered due to incomplete courses, which lowered student grades significantly. view article

This follows Paxton’s lawsuit against Frisco Independent School District yesterday.  Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued both Denison and Castleberry Independent School Districts today for using official resources for illegal electioneering purposes.  The lawsuit against Denison ISD points to a February 2024 post on Denison ISD’s website that appears to celebrate lawmakers who voted against school choice and encourage citizens to vote for them.  The post also links to Denison ISD’s Teacher Pay Resolution, which states in part that “the Board of Trustees of the Denison Independent School District will continue to publicly oppose voucher programs by any name, including ‘taxpayer education savings accounts,’ that threaten to reduce public school funding and necessary support of our local schools.”  The resolution continues further, stating that the Denison ISD Board of Trustees will continue to use its influence to oppose school vouchers—prompting the lawsuit to concisely conclude that “The resolution electioneers against school vouchers.” view article

A U.S. District Court Judge has ordered a preliminary injunction, blocking Texas from enforcing its new border security measure allowing state judges to order illegal aliens to return to their country of origin. view article

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Denison ISD, accusing the district of illegal electioneering. Attorney General Paxton referenced a section of Denison ISD’s website where the district advocated against school vouchers, and included a section that showed support for the re-election of Representative Reggie Smith, referencing his opposition to school vouchers. view article

Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing two more North Texas school districts for alleged electioneering related to school vouchers. In two separate lawsuits, Paxton requests a restraining order and temporary and permanent injunctions against Denison ISD and Castleberry ISD. He has filed similar suits against Frisco ISD and Denton ISD. view article

Edinburg CISD filed a lawsuit against a dozen of its insurance companies in response to unpaid claims stemming from Hurricane Hanna, according to a news release. According to a Thursday news release, the district has faced “significant challenges” in obtaining funds for repairs from their insurance company ever since Hurricane Hanna made landfall in July 2020. District spokeswoman Lisa Ayala confirmed in an email a dozen insurance companies were named in the lawsuit. “This impasse has led the district to legal avenues to ensure taxpayers are not left to cover repair expenses,” the news release stated. Details on how much money the unresolved claim was worth were not immediately available. view article

A text thread is the latest in a series of events suggesting election coordination with government schools. North Texas State Rep. Glenn Rogers of Graford has been promoting his anti-school choice stance to government school administrators, who in turn are pushing his stance on faculty and staff. Through an open records request to the Breckenridge Independent School District, Texas Scorecard obtained a January 6 text message Rogers sent to 14 people. view article

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Frisco ISD, accusing the school district of illegal electioneering. Paxton accuses Frisco ISD of repeatedly pushing for certain policies and political measures. view article

A former Sidney ISD coach accused of engaging in inappropriate conduct with a student has been arrested. Ryan Matthew Grant was taken into custody Sunday for Aggravated Sexual Assault in connection to these allegations. Sidney ISD Superintendent James Rucker says the district received allegations that Grant had been inappropriate with a student February 10, and they immediately contacted the Texas Rangers, suspended Grant’s employment, and had him criminally trespassed from Sidney ISD property and all school events. view article

A former band teacher in the Judson Independent School District was sentenced to 131 years in prison after being found guilty of 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to promote child pornography. view article

UVALDE – Texas Department of Public Safety Director Col. Steve McCraw testified before a Uvalde grand jury Wednesday that was seated to possibly bring charges against law enforcement officers for the flawed police response to the 2022 shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers. McCraw’s appearance before the grand jury signals the range of witnesses from whom the grand jury may seek testimony, including both rank-and-file officers and law enforcement agency leaders. It also indicates that grand jurors want to hear from those participants directly so they can question them. McCraw arrived at Garner Field, the local Uvalde airport, around 9 a.m. Wednesday on a state plane before being driven to the Uvalde County Fairplex, where the grand jury is meeting. He made no public comments. view article

The Texas attorney general sued the school district for using official resources to push citizens to vote for “pro-public education” candidates.  Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Frisco Independent School District today for repeatedly using official resources for illegal electioneering purposes.  The lawsuit lists three Facebook posts made by the Frisco ISD Government Affairs Facebook page where individuals were encouraged to “vote for candidates who support public schools and, apparently, who are against vouchers.”  “The posts also appear to influence the reader to vote in a particular party primary,” according to the lawsuit.   The first post, released on Feb. 20, alludes to the fact that candidates will decide whether or not public schools receive appropriate funding, so people should make their voices heard and get out to vote.  view article

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Frisco Independent School District on Wednesday, alleging illegal electioneering by using official resources to urge people to vote in favor of a certain policy. The lawsuit claims Frisco ISD's Government Affairs department repeatedly used official resources to stump for certain policies and political measures, using Facebook posts as examples. view article

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Biden administration over a pregnant worker protection law that he said was unconstitutional because it passed mostly by proxy vote.   view article

A federal jury found a former investigator with the Waller County District Attorney’s office guilty of money laundering and attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced Tuesday. Alex Kassem transported heroin and cartel money in his marked police vehicle, between San Antonio, Houston and Louisiana, according to the release. He was paid $31,000 for transporting the drugs, which he hid in evidence bags, while wearing his Waller County peace officer credentials and a county-issued firearm. “Alex Kassem was a criminal in disguise. He cloaked himself in his trusted position as a licensed peace officer and Waller County DA investigator while working to enrich himself by shamelessly moving money and drugs in his work vehicle and hidden in his police vest,” Douglas Williams, the special agent in charge of the FBI Houston Field Office, said in a statement. view article

A former Judson ISD band director was found guilty Tuesday on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and promotion of child pornography. Mark Mallow could face a maximum punishment of life in prison. The punishment phase of his trial began Tuesday afternoon. view article