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Congratulations to the following New Supers
88 Superintendent Vacancies
Vacant | Rusk ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Martin's Mill ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grape Creek ISD; Search by: Grape Creek ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Maria ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Vysehrad ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO | Vacant |
Pettus ISD - Jesus Hernandez III, Chief of Staff,Southwest ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and DBU Educational Leadership Consulting Corporation.INFO |
Vacant | University of Texas High School Special Purpose District; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Scurry-Rosser ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Huntington ISD; Search by: Kelli Karczewski, Fisher FirmINFO | Vacant | Granger ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bremond ISD; Search by: Bremond ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO | Vacant | Queen City ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Gonzales ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte Baker,INFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of Trustees INFO | Vacant | Bells ISD; Search by: Bells ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Gustine ISD - Coy Barker, Principal,McCamey ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Comstock ISD; Comstock ISD Board of Trustees and O.K. Wolfenbarger IIIINFO | Vacant |
Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Art (Houston) ; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Webb CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Moulton ISD; <p>Search by: Region 3 ESC, <a href="mailto:mlyon@esc3.net">Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon</a></p>INFO | Vacant | Hidalgo ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Rick AlvaradoINFO | Vacant | Priddy ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Sweeny ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Ramirez CSD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Mart ISD; Search by: Mart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Frost ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Cedar HIll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bowie ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | Abernathy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Kingsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Groom ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant | Clarendon ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Spring ISD; Search by: Spring ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Marlin ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Centerpoint ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Huffman ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Jim Hogg County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hart ISD; Search by: Juan Dominguez and Hart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Snook ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hitchcock ISD (Interim Search); Search by: Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Laredo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Killeen ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO | Vacant | Premont ISD; Search by: Doug Arnold & Arte AlmendarezINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Nederland ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO | Vacant | Lago Vista ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO | Vacant | Goose Creek CISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO | Vacant | Howe ISD; Search by: Howe ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Munday CISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | El Paso ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Bynum ISD; Search by: Bynum ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Canutillo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Ingram ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Lamesa ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
Lone Finalist | Waco ISD - Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent,Buna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Graham ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Lueders-Avoca ISD - Dr. Joe Alcorta, Superintendent,Dalhart ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
Lone Finalist | Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
Lone Finalist | Albany ISD - Daryl Stuard, Superintendent,Bremond ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
Lone Finalist | Victoria ISD - Shelia Collazo, Deputy Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and Saul HinojosaINFO |
Lone Finalist | Hawkins ISD - Jeff Hutchins, Director of Operations,Van ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Monte Alto ISD - Rashad Javed Rana, Assistant Superintendent,Donna ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
Lone Finalist | Utopia ISD - Joshua Ham, Principal,San Saba ISD; Search by: Utopia ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Buna ISD - Dr. Julie Motomura, Superintendent,Schulenburg ISD; Search By: Buna ISD Board of Trustees INFO |
Lone Finalist | Splendora ISD - Dustin Bromley, Deputy Superintendent,La Porte ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Mount Calm ISD - Jay Underwood, Deputy Superintendent,Anna ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
Lone Finalist | Waskom ISD - Chris Guastella, Principal,Ferris ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
Lone Finalist | Deer Park ISD - Dr. Tiffany Reagan, Assistant Superintendent,Deer Park ISD; Search by: Deer Park ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Seminole ISD - Glen Teal, Superintendent,Jim Ned ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Needville ISD - Dr. Paul Drake, Superintendent,Chester ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist |
Compass Academy Charter School (Odessa) - Mark Dominguez, Principal,Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD; Search by: Kathy Killingsworth, Interim Superintent assisted by Larry Lee, Leadership Consultant with Region 18INFO |
Lone Finalist | Bonham ISD - Lance Hamlin, Assistant Superintendent,Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Waxahachie ISD - Rebecca “Becky” McCutchen, Superintendent,Levelland ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
Lone Finalist | Ennis ISD - Greg Bradley, Deputy Superintendent,Prosper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Forsan ISD - Michael Valencia, Superintendent,McCamey ISD; Search by: Region 18 ESC, Dr. Dewitt SmithINFO |
Lone Finalist |
Edgewood ISD (Region 7) - Scott Tyner, Superintendent,Martins Mill iSD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Jim Ned CISD - Will Brewer, Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
Lone Finalist | Palmer ISD ; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Hallsburg ISD - Dr. Staci Coleman-Kirk, Principal,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
Lone Finalist | Slidell ISD - Dr. Christopher M. Heskett, Superintendent,Covington ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
Lone Finalist | Seguin ISD - Dr. Jack Lee, Superintendent,Bullard ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Royal ISD - Dr. Megan Pape, Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Socorro ISD - James Vasquez, Interim Superintendent,Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Gunter ISD - Dr. Brandon Enos, Superintendent,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Trevor Edgemon, Superintendent,Happy ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
Lone Finalist | Millsap ISD - Harper Stewart, Superintendent,Hamilton ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
Lone Finalist | Conroe ISD - Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Texans for Excellence in Education, President, John Petree, 432-557-6581INFO |
Lone Finalist | La Pryor ISD - Cody Miller, Director,Northside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
Lone Finalist | Deweyville ISD - Grady Welborn, Principal,Bridge City ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
Lone Finalist | Kermit ISD - Oscar Muniz, Superintendent,Ralls ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
New Super | Plains ISD - Scott Mills, Principal,Quannah ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
New Super |
Olney ISD (Young Co.) - Dr. Matt Caffey, Principal,Olney ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
New Super | Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
New Super | San Benito CISD - Alfredo Perez, Interim Superintendent,San Benito ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
New Super | Industrial ISD - Michael B. Colvin, Director,Comfort ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte BakeINFO |
New Super | Dilley ISD - Kelli Dubose, Interim Superintendent,Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
New Super | Muleshoe ISD - Scott Bicknell, Superintendent,Jayton-Girard ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
New Super | New Home ISD - Julia Stephen, Director,Amarillo ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
New Super | Lubbock-Cooper ISD - Aaron Waldrip, Superintendent,Abernathy ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
New Super | Levelland ISD - Dr. Don Heseman, Superintendent,West Hardin CCISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
New Super | East Chambers ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO |
Preventive Law: Negotiating With Vendors
Governments rely on private contractors, or vendors. Many times, using a vendor is either more efficient, less expensive, or gives the government access to expertise that it does not have. Given the ubiquitous nature of contracts with the private sector, devoting some time and attention to your vendor contracts is important.
Denton ISD Voters Will Decide on Permanent School Property Tax Increase
School trustees unanimously voted to place the excess tax rate increase on the November ballot.
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Plano Private School Teacher Gets 20 Years for Sex Crimes Against Student
Jacob Allred pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl at Great Lakes Academy, which specializes in students with learning disorders.
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Houston ISD terminates or reassigns nearly 450 employees as enrollment decline continues
Houston ISD has terminated or reassigned nearly 450 employees amid ongoing enrollment declines. The changes include cutting 160 uncertified teachers and 54 staff members as well as reassigning 232 teachers who are both certified and uncertified. In a video announcement Monday, district spokesperson Trey Serna called the process "standard."
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Parents react as state pressures North East ISD to tighten cellphone ban policy
The Texas Education Agency is investigating North East Independent School District’s (NEISD) cellphone ban policy after receiving a complaint that it does not comply with the new controversial law. The district’s current policy states, “Students are prohibited from using a personal communication device while on school property during the school day, except under the circumstances described in this policy.”
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Wife of Wells ISD superintendent dies following downtown Lufkin wreck
A Pollok woman died following a Monday wreck in downtown Lufkin, Lufkin police confirmed. Morgan Wright, 40, had been taken to the hospital following a two-vehicle wreck around 1 p.m. Monday. Wright was a speech pathologist at Lufkin ISD, and the district offered condolences to her family and friends on Tuesday.
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Kingsville Athletic Booster Club disbands after volleyball coaches’ removal
Kingsville ISD is facing a major shakeup after the district confirmed two volleyball coaches were removed from their positions. The decision has prompted the Kingsville Athletic Booster Club to dissolve, raising questions about the future of support for student-athletes.
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Academy ISD employee charged with sexual assault of a child, sheriff’s office says
The suspended Academy ISD employee jailed on a charge of displaying harmful material to a minor is now facing additional charges, including child sex assault, The Bell County Sheriff’s Office said. Earlier this week, deputies arrested William “Will” Anthony Blackburn, Sr.
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Deputies say Cy-Fair ISD students were involved in Harris Co. shooting that left a family injured
No arrests have been made in a northwest Harris County shootout, the department says, which involved several teenagers. While no one is behind bars, the sheriff's office believes most, if not all, of the teens are current or former Cy-Fair ISD students.
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No students injured after crash involving Tyler ISD school bus, cement truck
No students were reportedly hurt after a school bus accident, Tyler ISD officials confirmed Wednesday. The accident happened at 6:53 a.m. at 522 West 32nd Street near Griffin Elementary. Jennifer Hines, the Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer, said early reports indicate that students were not injured. Tyler police later said a cement truck was waiting on the roadside to back into a driveway for a scheduled project when the bus “cut a little too close,” hitting the boom on the back of the truck.
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Trump asks Supreme Court to let him end birthright citizenship
President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to revive his controversial policy to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and to visitors on short-term visas. In petitions submitted to the high court on Friday, Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the justices to hear arguments on the issue early next year, which would likely lead to a ruling by June.
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Legal Effort To Close the Texas Republican Party Primary Delayed
A judge has granted a 30-day extension for the state to answer the GOP’s petition.
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Teachers’ free speech rights tested as Texas investigates 351 complaints
Texas teachers don’t give up their First Amendment rights when they step into a classroom or when they speak outside of it, but protections are limited when what is expressed is considered disruptive, legal experts say. The Texas Education Agency’s decision to investigate educators accused of praising or excusing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk puts free speech protections to the test. It has educators uncertain about what they can safely say off the job — a question Fort Worth ISD wrestled with in 2019 when a teacher was fired over anti-immigrant posts, highlighting the murky boundaries of educators’ First Amendment rights. As of Oct. 1, TEA has received 351 complaints tied to social media posts from public school employees across the state. Spokesperson Jake Kobersky said that number does not represent separate individuals and includes certified educators as well as other school staff. Each complaint is being reviewed and investigated, he said.
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Ken Paxton to school districts: Comply with Ten Commandments law or face potential legal action
Attorney General Ken Paxton promised to “vigorously enforce” the state’s Ten Commandments display law in a legal advisory sent to Texas public school districts, his office announced Wednesday. Paxton said his office and the Texas Education Agency will closely monitor compliance with the law. Any school district that fails to meet the standard set in Senate Bill 10 is subject to legal action, he said. “Texas law has spoken clearly: The moral foundation that shaped our nation deserves a prominent place in our classrooms — now more than ever,” Paxton wrote in the advisory. “As Attorney General, I will do everything in my power to defend this statute and ensure that Texas children may once again see, each day, the timeless truths upon which our laws and liberties were built.”
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Leon Alcala, PLLC
WEBINAR:The Legal Playbook: Responding to Bullying & Harassment
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Houston ISD starts 2025-26 school year with 1 in 4 teachers uncertified
Houston ISD began the 2025-26 school year with about 1 in 4 teachers uncertified, an increase from the previous year, district records show. Nearly 2,500 out of HISD's 10,200 teachers were uncertified as of Aug. 12. One in 5 teachers — about 2,090 out of 10,550 — lacked certification on the same day in 2024. HISD did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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Austin ISD adopts lower tax rate for 2025-26, homeowners ...
Austin ISD adopted a reduced property tax rate for fiscal year 2025-26, which could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for homeowners.
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Austin ISD adopts lower tax rate for 2025-26, homeowners could see savings
Austin ISD (AISD) adopted a slightly lower tax rate of $0.9252 per $100 of taxable value for the 2025-26 fiscal year, potentially leading to savings for homeowners despite increased property values. The district's board of trustees approved the rate on September 25th, and while the overall rate is lower, savings will vary by individual homeowners based on their specific property's taxable value.
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Abbott asks DPS to ‘bolster security efforts’ around religious spaces
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday directed the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to “bolster security efforts surrounding places of worship in the wake of the escalation of violent attacks against people and places of faith across the nation.” In the directive, Abbott said local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies will partner to increase safety and security at churches, synagogues, and faith-based organizations in Texas. “Places of worship are sacred,” Abbott said. “We will marshal all resources necessary to safeguard our places of faith. To accomplish that objective, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to bolster security efforts to protect places of worship.” According to Abbott’s office, Texas Highway Patrol troopers, Criminal Investigations Division special agents, and Texas Rangers, supported by the DPS Homeland Security Division, will work with local and federal law enforcement to “identify threats and prevent life-threatening attacks before they happen.”
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A high-stakes school board election has fractured Cypress conservatives, who could lose a powerful majority
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD conservatives appear to be splintering ahead of a November election, putting them at risk of losing the 6-1 board majority that has allowed them to infuse a conservative political agenda into the state's third-largest school system. The board president and vice president, who ran together on a conservative slate in 2021, are now running against each other in the same seat. Both Natalie Blasingame, a former administrator in Houston and Spring Branch ISDs, and Scott Henry, who works in sales, won the Harris County Republican Party's endorsement in 2021, but now the party has decided to endorse Blasingame in the race between the two.
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Texas Tech Regents Appoint Brandon Creighton as New Chancellor
During a short meeting, the regents of the Texas Tech University System appointed State Sen. Brandon Creighton as its new chancellor and chief executive officer. The vote was unanimous. “This is a historic day for Texas Tech University System,” Regent Chairman Cody Campbell stated after the vote on Tuesday. “I know that we’re all looking forward to working together with our new chancellor to further the advancement of our system.” The appointment is effective November 10.
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NRG Energy Awarded $562 Million From Texas Energy Fund for Baytown Natural Gas Plant
The plant is projected to power more than 180,000 homes by 2028. NRG Energy has once again secured a major taxpayer-backed loan to construct a power plant near Baytown. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that NRG Energy will receive a $562 million low-interest loan through the Texas Energy Fund to build a new natural gas power plant near Baytown. The 721-megawatt facility is projected to generate enough electricity to power more than 180,000 homes during peak demand and is expected to come online in 2028. The loan carries a 3 percent interest rate and will be repaid over 20 years.
Union Advises Texas A&M Faculty To ‘Resist’ Reform and Accountability
Texas Scorecard obtained a seven-page letter from the Texas chapter of the American Association of University Professors—part of the Texas American Federation of Teachers—addressed to faculty at the 12 Texas A&M University System campuses.
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Federal Judges To Decide Texas Redistricting Case
Left-wing advocacy groups are challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ new congressional map, which creates five new Republican-opportunity districts. A legal showdown over Texas’ new congressional map begins Wednesday in an El Paso federal court. The outcome will determine whether the state’s latest congressional boundaries can be used in upcoming elections.
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Texas Education Savings Account Program
Texas is taking a bold step to expand educational opportunities. In 2025, the Legislature created the Education Savings Account (ESA) Program to give parents the freedom to choose the best path for their child’s future. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, funds will be made available to children accepted into the program that can be used for private school tuition, educational expenses for home-schoolers, tutoring, career and technical education programs and more. It’s an exciting new chapter for education in Texas — designed to put parents in the driver’s seat.
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Texans ask for eligibility fixes, stronger accountability in school voucher program
For the first time since Texas authorized the program, the state heard public testimony from people concerned about pre-K funding, special education provisions and data reporting.
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The federal government has shut down. Here’s what it means for Texas
Many federal employees are required to continue working without pay, though furloughs — or the usual uptick in workers calling in sick — could disrupt some services.
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Whitesboro Officials Approve Huge Property Tax Increase
City council members unanimously approved a tax rate that will raise average homeowners’ property tax bills by 61 percent—an extra $498.
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Gov. Abbott Directs DPS To Step Up Security at Texas Churches
Texas has taken several steps in recent years to allow churches more freedom to protect themselves and their congregants. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to ramp up security around places of worship across the state. The announcement comes after a horrifying assault over the weekend at a Mormon church in Michigan, where authorities say 42-year-old Thomas Sanford drove a truck into the building, opened fire, and set the structure ablaze. Four were killed in the attack, and eight others were injured.
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Gov. Abbott Directs DPS To Step Up Security at Texas Churches
Texas has taken several steps in recent years to allow churches more freedom to protect themselves and their congregants. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to ramp up security around places of worship across the state. The announcement comes after a horrifying assault over the weekend at a Mormon church in Michigan, where authorities say 42-year-old Thomas Sanford drove a truck into the building, opened fire, and set the structure ablaze. Four were killed in the attack, and eight others were injured.
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Austin ISD School Custodian Arrested for Child Sex Crime
A regional custodial specialist in the Austin Independent School District was arrested by federal authorities and charged with sexually abusing a child. Agustin Ibarra Lopez was arrested September 24 by U.S. Marshals on a felony charge of indecency with a child, according to a letter Austin ISD sent to district families on the 25th. Talent Strategy Officer Brandi Hosack advised that Lopez had served as a custodian at several Austin ISD schools since 2016: Bowie High School (2016–17 and 2017–18 school years), Akins High School (2018–2021), Mendez Middle School (2022), Casey Elementary School (May 2022), and Anderson High School (2023-24 school year).
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Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say
Free speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.
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Shrinking Resources Cast New Doubt on Operation Lone Star Prosecutions
Texas’ border jurisdictions are scrambling to manage thousands of pending Operation Lone Star cases after key state partners abruptly pulled out, leaving local officials to coordinate housing and transportation for defendants. Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith told Texas Scorecard the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), both of which helped provide housing for illegal crossers arrested under the border security initiative, are no longer handling those responsibilities. The Del Rio Processing Center is reportedly shutting down, along with Val Verde County’s detention facility—the original epicenter of Operation Lone Star (OLS) prosecutions. “We’re left holding the bag,” Smith said. “Counties are having to figure this out on their own without the infrastructure the state had in place.”
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Diboll school board OKs partnership with Georgia-Pacific to train students through AC for jobs upon graduation
DIBOLL — Career technical education director Joshua Slack presented a new partnership with Georgia-Pacific to train students through Angelina College using DISD robotics and engineering equipment during the Diboll school board’s monthly meeting Monday evening inside the district’s administration boardroom. Slack said Diboll is very family-oriented, and students want to stay in town with well-paying jobs. The program will allow students to pursue two certifications: a 22-hour electrical apprenticeship and a 20-hour electronic technology certificate, thus rendering them eligible for jobs with Georgia-Pacific upon graduation. Slack said Georgia-Pacific is an important community partner that needs a sustainable worker pipeline. The board unanimously approved the program’s initiation, which will start in October with 12 lessons. Assistant superintendent Katherina Crager presented a report on the district’s rating through the Texas Education Agency’s. Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). The 2024-25 school year rating was calculated based on data from fiscal year 2024.
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Texas’ investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say
Free speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.
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