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Congratulations to the following New Supers
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Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Granbury ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESCINFO | Vacant | Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Blooming Grove ISD; Search by: Blooming Grove ISD Board of Trustees & Gary MartelINFO | Vacant | Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | La Gloria ISD; Search by: La Gloria ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Dickinson ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO | Vacant |
Pineywoods Community Academy (Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO |
Vacant | Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Socorro 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 | Hereford ISD; Hereford ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant |
Region 10 ESC Executive Director; Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
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 | Rio Vista ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Mathis ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Lipan ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Gladewater ISD (Short Timeline!); Search by: Gladewater ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Victoria ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and Saul HinojosaINFO | Vacant | Graham ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Scurry-Rosser ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD; Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO | Vacant | Era ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Huntington ISD; Search by: Kelli Karczewski, Fisher FirmINFO | Vacant | Leuders-Avoca ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grandfalls-Royalty ISD - Search by: TASB Executive Search Services; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hawkins ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Albany ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Granger ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bremond ISD; Search by: Bremond ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Monte Alto ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Greenville ISD - Joe Lopez, Superintendent,Kermit ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Weimar ISD - Chase Seelke, Assistant Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Mason ISD - Sean Leamon, Superintendent,Winters ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Normangee ISD - Justin Vercher, Principal,Hillsboro ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pflugerville ISD - Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent,Victoria ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lufkin ISD - Dr. James Hockenberry, Assistant Superintendent,Longview ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Willis ISD - Dr. Kimberly James, Deputy Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Panhandle ISD - Dr. John Sherrill, Principal,Archer City ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Claude ISD - Brent Kirkland, Principal,Panhandle ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody JohnsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Wilson ISD - Wesley Jones, Principal,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rogers ISD - Duana Brashear, Assistant Superintendent,Royal ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Whitehouse ISD - Dr. Casey Whittle, Assistant Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Royse City ISD - Dr. Amy Anderson, Interim Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Tenaha ISD - Jerrod Campbell, Principal,Timpson ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Elkhart ISD - Kyle Johnson, Assistant Superintendent,Westwood ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lumberton ISD - Dr. John Mathews, Assistant Superintendent,Celina ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Olton ISD - Michael Michaleson, Principal,Lockney ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Muenster ISD - Matthew Quick, Principal,Tatum ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Dew ISD - Kent Reynolds, Superintendent,Hallsburg ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Early ISD - Joan Otten, Director,Katy ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Richards ISD - Michael Smith, Chief Operations Officer,West Hardin ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Brock ISD - Dr. Shannon Luis, Superintendent,Era ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Northside ISD (Wilbarger Co.) - Paul Ryan, Superintendent,Rio Vista ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Carroll ISD - Dr. Jeremy Glenn, Superintendent,Grandbury ISD; Search by: Carrrol ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hutto ISD - Jeni Neatherlin, Superintendent,Granger ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Louise ISD - Richard Wright, Superintendent,Agua Dulce ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | San Benito CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waco ISD - Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent,Buna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Del Valle ISD - Dr. Matthew Gutierrez, Superintendent,Leander ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Rocksprings ISD - Justin Del Bosque, Principal,Georgetown ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| New Super | Presidio ISD - Carmen Rubner, Interim Superintendent,Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| New Super | Canadian ISD (Extended Timeline) - Dr. Julia McMains, Superintendent,Eustace ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| New Super | Spurger ISD - Jeff Burnthorn, Director,Silsbee ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESC (Short Timeline)INFO |
| New Super | Roby CISD - Kenny Border, Assistant Superintendent,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| New Super | McAllen ISD - René Gutiérrez, Superintendent,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Ponder ISD - Dr. James Hill, Director of Operations,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| New Super | Hale Center ISD - Jance Morris, Superintendent,Savoy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
| New Super | Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated) - Doug Killian, Superintendent,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| New Super | Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| New Super | Duncanville ISD - Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent,Caddo Parish Public Schools; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| New Super | Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| New Super | Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO |
| New Super | Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff BallardINFO |
| New Super | Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO |
| New Super | Tom Bean ISD - Steve Goodman, Assistant Superintendent,Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly LuskINFO |
| New Super | Abilene ISD - Dr. John Kuhn, Superintendent,Mineral Wells ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Rockport-Fulton ISD - Dr. Lesley Austin, Chief Academic Officer,Trinity Basin Preparatory; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO |
| New Super | Friona ISD - Daniel Rosales, Director,Friona ISD; Friona ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| New Super | Richland Springs ISD - Jeff Kirby, Superintendent,Poolville ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Preventive Law: Election Season is Upon Us
It’s election season! That wonderful span when all Americans make the time and mental effort to reflect on and celebrate the fact that we are more alike than we are different and when we, as an electorate, focus on the real issues to be worked on instead of being distracted by curated, quasi-contextual soundbites that serve only to divide us and make political consultants rich. Or…something like that.
A Pair of Billionaire Preachers Built the Most Powerful Political Machine in Texas. That’s Just the Start.
Last December, Sid Miller, the Texas commissioner of agriculture, posted a photo of himself brandishing a double-barrel shotgun on X and invited his followers to join him on a “RINO hunt.” Miller had taken to stumping in the March primary election against incumbents he deemed to be Republicans in Name Only. Not long after that, he received a text message from one of his targets, a state representative named Glenn Rogers. “You are a bought and paid for, pathetic narcissist,” it began. “If you had any honor, you would challenge me, or any of my Republican colleagues to a duel.” Rogers, a 68-year-old rancher and grandfather of five, represents a rural district west of Fort Worth. He was proud to serve in a Legislature that, as he told me recently, “couldn’t be more conservative if it tried.” Since entering office in 2021, he co-authored legislation that allowed Texans to carry handguns without a permit, supported the Heartbeat Act that grants citizens the right to sue abortion providers and voted to give the police the power to arrest suspected undocumented migrants in schools and hospitals. In a statehouse packed with debate-me agitators, he was comparatively soft-spoken — a former professor of veterinary medicine with an aversion to grandstanding. He was not in the habit of firing off salvos, as he had to Miller, that ended with “Kiss My Ass!”
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May 2024 Bond List
Bond Election Data collected by TexasISD.com for public school bonds in the upcoming May 2024 election cycle.
The Day Amarillo ISD Took My Son’s Phone: What Parents Need to Know
When it comes to a teenager and their phone, it's like taking away their breath when you take away their phone. I swear that it's somehow attached to them physically. Right before school started this year Amarillo ISD said they were going to start enforcing the cell phone policy.
Read More: Amarillo ISD Cell Phone Policy is Enforced: Ask Me How I Know | https://thebullamarillo.com/aisd-phone-policy-enforced/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
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Eanes ISD ranked the No. 1 school district in Texas, No. 7 in America
The school district behind one of the most famous high schools in the country now stands alone as the best in the state. Not only that, the school district known for producing some of the nation's best athletes was ranked among the Top 10 best in the country.
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Texas charter school network petitions court to release A-F school ratings
IDEA Public Schools told a Travis County district court that blocking school ratings hurts charter school networks like them. The largest charter school network in Texas is intervening in a lawsuit that has temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing academic accountability ratings for the 2023-2024 school year. "We are standing up for the right of Texas families to access information they need to make decisions about their children's education and for the public's right to hold schools accountable for their performance," IDEA Public Schools CEO and Superintendent Jeff Cottrill said in a statement released Thursday evening. IDEA is petitioning the court to allow TEA to release the ratings, which gives schools and districts A-F letter grades based on the agency's calculation of their academic performance.
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Fort Worth ISD to Pay Former Superintendent Nearly $1 Million
Fort Worth Independent School District will pay former Superintendent Angélica Ramsey nearly $1 million total until she officially resigns as an employee on August 30, 2025.
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Community discussion on Austin ISD tax rate election to be held at Sunset Valley Elementary
Community members will have the chance to ask questions and learn more about the proposed tax rate increase for Austin ISD on the ballot this November on Oct. 8.
The gist: Any member of the public can attend the event on Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at 3000 Jones Road, Austin.
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Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law
The attorney general argues that the popular short form video app has not complied with a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active online. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok on Thursday for sharing and selling minors’ personal information, violating a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active on social media, accusations that the company denied hours later. The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act prohibits social media companies from sharing or selling a minor’s personal information unless a parent or guardian approves. The law, which was passed by the Legislature last year and partially went into effect Sept. 1, also requires companies to create tools that let verified parents supervise their minor child’s account. Paxton argues in the legal filing that TikTok, a short-form video app, has failed to comply with these requirements. Although TikTok has a “family pairing” feature that allows parents to link their account to their teen’s account and set controls, parents don’t have to verify their identity using a “commercially reasonable method,” as required by Texas law. The minor also has to consent to the pairing.
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Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law
The attorney general argues that the popular short form video app has not complied with a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active online. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok on Thursday for sharing and selling minors’ personal information, violating a new state law that seeks to protect children who are active on social media, accusations that the company denied hours later. The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act prohibits social media companies from sharing or selling a minor’s personal information unless a parent or guardian approves. The law, which was passed by the Legislature last year and partially went into effect Sept. 1, also requires companies to create tools that let verified parents supervise their minor child’s account.
Colin Allred narrows gap in Texas Senate race, but can he win?
The Democratic congressman is polling closer to Sen. Ted Cruz in his challenge this year, and independent race rankers are noticing. Democrats are closing the gap in their uphill campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, with polls showing improvement for Democratic U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and national Democrats’ spending in the race a month ahead of Election Day. For the first time this race, Allred pulled ahead of Cruz in a statewide poll last month, and he continues to poll within a margin of error with Cruz. National Democrats announced Texas would be included in a multi-million-dollar ad buy last week. Allred is consistently outraising Cruz, bringing in more than $1 million in a day twice in the third quarter.
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Here’s why Fort Worth ISD has to pay former superintendent more than half a million dollars
Fort Worth ISD will have to pay more than $500,000 to buy out outgoing Superintendent Dr. Angelica Ramsey. The board voted 8-1 to accept Ramsey's resignation on Sept. 24, and her resignation went into effect Tuesday. As a part of the resignation agreement between Ramsey and the district, Fort Worth ISD will pay her two installments of $247,961.58, the first of which will be paid out this week.
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Grand Prairie ISD superintendent’s future unclear after mysterious school board vote
The board refused to reveal what the allegations were, frustrating community members. One trustee promised the results of an investigation into Dr. Jorge Arrendondo would be made public, but it's unclear when.
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Leon Alcala, PLLC
Two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD come forward reporting an assault at the hands of a substitute teacher
Schertz Police are investigating claims a substitute teacher assaulted two more students in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC ISD). This report comes nearly a week after a substitute teacher was arrested by Cibolo Police. 42-year-old Yorllin Hernandez is accused of injuring two students at Barbara Jordan Intermediate School.
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United ISD unveils remodeled Clark Elementary School
United Independent School District (UISD) has opened a new school on its campus, Clark Elementary. The building, which dates back to the 1980s, has been fully remodeled to include a new multimedia area with computer labs and two playgrounds for students. Clark Elementary will serve 600 students and features 27 classrooms. The renovations were made possible by funds approved in 2013.
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Elementary school student struck by Barbers Hill ISD school bus
An elementary school student is recovering at a Houston hospital after being struck by a Barber Hill Independent School District bus Thursday morning, according to the district. The crash happened at 7:40 a.m., just before school, on Sapphire Lagoon Street in the Joseph’s Cove subdivision.
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Former Barbers Hill ISD student at center of hair dispute asks court for relief to return to district
A federal judge has ruled that Darryl George, the student suspended from Barbers Hill ISD for the length of his hair, can pursue a temporary restraining order that would allow him to go back to class. The student spent the majority of his junior year serving an in-school suspension while the case played out.
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Public education takes center stage at Houston lawmakers discussion
Public education took center stage as three Houston lawmakers Wednesday discussed the state’s takeover of the Houston school district and the prospect of the Legislature creating subsidies for private school tuition next year.
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Bastrop ISD seeks help naming 9th elementary school after Oct. 1 groundbreaking
Bastrop ISD officials are asking for help to name its ninth elementary school, which broke ground Oct. 1. BISD Communications Director Cassandra Balderas said submissions to name the school will be accepted through Oct. 11.
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El Paso ISD Board approves bond strategist
The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees announced the selection of bond strategist services from IN2 Architecture Incorporated.
$2.09 million has been allocated for bond strategist services.
The district says the strategist services will focus on essential preparatory work such as community engagement, research, and the creation of strategic designs.
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College Station ISD, police looking into alleged threat at school campus
College Station ISD and College Station police say they’re looking into a possible threat that was made on Thursday. The alleged threat said someone may bring a gun to the Oakwood Intermediate School campus on Friday.
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Monday, Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote in the November election
To check voter registration status, click here. Registered voters can update their address and other information online or contact their local voter registrar. If Texans still need to register, they must submit a paper application. Individuals can download the application here, which must be printed, signed and mailed to a county’s election office. Texans can also contact or visit their local election office for information about in-person registration. Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless individuals are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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Austin ISD teacher charged after pinning 6-year-old student against wall
Austin ISD police arrested Luis Resendiz Alvarado for how he allegedly restrained a student.
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How a school voucher supporter won in a Texas House district with almost no private schools
Gov. Greg Abbott felt vindicated when nine Texas Republican lawmakers who helped block a school voucher program he championed last year lost their seats in the March primary. The governor portrayed their removal from office as clear evidence that Texans wanted a way to use public funds to send their children to private schools. “Republican primary voters have once again sent an unmistakable message that parents deserve the freedom to choose the best education pathway for their child,” Abbott said back then, before helping unseat six more lawmakers in the May runoff elections. But Marilyn Snider got a different impression while talking to voters outside the election administration office in Coldspring during the primary season. There, she worked under a tent campaigning for Janis Holt, the Abbott-backed candidate she supported and who eventually defeated state Rep. Ernest Bailes in Texas House District 18, lodged in between Houston and Beaumont.
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Approval for Increasing Tax Rates
School district trustees in Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos have all put voter-approval tax rate elections on the November ballot. Unlike a bond, a VATRE raises the maintenance and operations tax rate and does not incur debt.
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Watch Houston-area lawmakers discuss the 2025 legislative session’s key issues
Public education took center stage as three Houston lawmakers Wednesday discussed the state’s takeover of the Houston school district and the prospect of the Legislature creating subsidies for private school tuition next year. State Reps. Charles Cunningham, R-Humble; Christina Morales, D-Houston; and Armando Walle, D-Houston, discussed those topics in a Texas Tribune event moderated by politics reporter James Barragán at Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. The Houston school district, the state’s largest public school system, was taken over by the Texas Education Agency because of low-performing schools for about a year and a half.
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Educators concerned as math test scores continue to decline in Austin ISD, statewide
In 2023, less than half of Texas students met grade level standards on the standardized math assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted previously existing issues with math education, experts say, including insufficient training for teachers and a lack of intervention for struggling students. Low math achievement rates were widely reported even before COVID-19, said Gabe Grantham, an education policy adviser for nonpartisan think tank Texas 2036. At Austin ISD, officials said they saw achievement fall amid learning loss and workforce turnover.
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Fort Worth ISD to pay outgoing superintendent over $500K severance in contract buyout
The Fort Worth Independent School District will pay more than $500,000 in salary, benefits and retirement funds to buy out the contract of outgoing Superintendent Angélica Ramsey, whose resignation as leader of the district was effective as of Tuesday this week. The resignation agreement was released to the Star-Telegram by the district on Wednesday in response to an open records request. It shows that Ramsey will receive two installments of about $247,962 — with the first to be paid this week and the second within the first two weeks of 2025 — as a severance payment. The total of the severance payment is equivalent to one year of salary and benefits. Ramsey also is receiving about $48,540 in unused vacation, sick and personal time. In addition to the severance, Ramsey began serving as the district’s “ambassador for public relations” as of Tuesday and “shall be placed on school related leave with pay and benefits” during this period, which will continue through Aug. 30, according to the agreement. The agreement states she will continue to receive her full pay and benefits in accordance with the terms outlined in her contract during this employment. Her salary in the contract is $335,000 per year. Ramsey will be allowed to work outside the district during this time span. If Ramsey decided to resign her employment before Aug. 30, the board would accept her early resignation without penalty and future salary payments would stop but she would not lose the severance payments, the agreement states.
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Central Texas School Districts Seek Voter Approval for Increasing Tax Rates
Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos all have a VATRE proposition on the ballot to increase school district funding. School district trustees in Liberty Hill, Manor, Marble Falls, and San Marcos have all put voter-approval tax rate elections on the November ballot. Unlike a bond, a VATRE raises the maintenance and operations tax rate and does not incur debt.
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Celina ISD faces soaring student enrollment
Tommie Dobie Bothwell Elementary School welcomed its first group of students in August. It’s the first in a wave of upcoming schools for the district. Located in the Cambridge Crossing neighborhood, Bothwell Elementary is Celina ISD’s fourth elementary school. The new campus will soon be followed by CISD’s fifth elementary school expected in fall 2025 and its second middle school in fall 2026. Even more campuses, including future high schools, are on the horizon with bond conversations starting as the district sees fast growth that mirrors the city.
Bothwell Elementary Principal Kristen Aune said opening a new school is filled with high energy as staff work together for the first time with students and parents. “We’re doing everything to make sure that students are safe and learning, but there’s so much excitement to that,” Aune said.
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Fort Worth ISD to pay Angélica Ramsey $500K+ as part of superintendent resignation
Fort Worth ISD will pay former Superintendent Angélica Ramsey $544,463 to buy out her contract, according to her exit agreement with the school board. The 12-page agreement, obtained by the Fort Worth Report through an open records request, outlines that the district will pay Ramsey two major lump sum payments and set aside retirement funds for her. It also details the educator’s new role as the district’s public relations ambassador, and she was immediately placed on leave with full salary and benefits.
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Grand Prairie ISD says suspended superintendent violated policy
There are new developments in the investigation into the Grand Prairie Independent School District’s superintendent.
Dr. Jorge Arrendondo was placed on administrative leave last month after only being on the job for a few months.
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As Fort Worth ISD’s superintendent search approaches, here’s what attorneys say to expect
As the Fort Worth Independent School District’s school board soon determines how it will conduct its search for a new superintendent, North Texas school attorneys say the opening could be well sought-after even in the midst of the school year. Superintendent Angélica Ramsey’s last day with Fort Worth ISD was Monday after she resigned from her post amid scrutiny of the district’s academic performance. Her resignation agreement states that she’ll receive more than $500,000 in severance and will remain employed by the district until next August as its “ambassador for public relations.
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