- News Category
- Accountability/Accreditation
- Charter Schools
- Child Nutrition
- Construction/Bond Issues
- Governance
- Grants
- Health/Safety
- Joe's Commentaries
- Legal
- Legislative
- National News
- Newspapers
- Personnel
- Property Tax
- Risk Management
- School Finance
- Special Articles
- State Board of Education
- SuperSearch Page
- Technology in Education
- TexasISD General News
- Transportation
- Preventive Law
TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products
TexasISD.com
Advertising
TexasISD.com
Quick Links
Congratulations to the following New Supers
73
Superintendent Vacancies
Click to expand 
| Vacant | Leon ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Mercedes ISD; Search by: Merceded ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Lefors ISD; Search by: Lefors ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Knippa ISD; Search by: Knippa ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Highland Park ISD; Search by: Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates: Max McGee, President & Dr. Jim Largent, AssociateINFO | Vacant | Liberty ISD; Search by: Liberty ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Mercedes ISD; Search by: Mercedes ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Kerrville ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Callisburg ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO | Vacant | Corrigan-Camden ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO | Vacant | Sheldon ISD - Search by: Sheldon ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly LuskINFO | Vacant | Maud ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Danny Lovett (Short Timeline!)INFO | Vacant | Irion County ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Goldthwaite ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | New Diana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESCINFO | Vacant | Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Arlington ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant |
Kennard ISD Seeking Search Firm & Interim; Search by: Kennard ISD Board of Trustees Assted by Thompson & Horton LLPINFO |
Vacant | Vega ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Ray Cogburn, Interim Supt.INFO | Vacant | Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Laneville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO | Vacant | Brooks County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Abilene ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Liberty-Eylau ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Region 12 ESC Executive Director (Waco); Search by: Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA)INFO | Vacant | O'Donnell ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Sharyland ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Jayton-Girard ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Iowa Park CISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Burnet CISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Wolfe City ISD - Donna Pessel, Asst. Supt. Curriculum & Instruction,Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | College Station ISD - Dr. Tim Harkrider, Superintendent,Willis ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Evadale ISD - Kevin Shipley, Superintendent,Ranger ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett, Dickey HazlewoodINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Karnack ISD (Short Timeline) - Angela Fitzpatrick, Principal,Marshall ISD; Search by: Karnack ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Spurger ISD - Jeff Burnthorn, Director,Silsbee ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESC (Short Timeline)INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Roby CISD - Kenny Border, Assistant Superintendent,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cotulla ISD - Dr. Ramiro Nava, Assistant Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO |
| Lone Finalist | McAllen ISD - René Gutiérrez, Superintendent,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Itasca ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ponder ISD - Dr. James Hill, Director of Operations,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hale Center ISD - Jance Morris, Superintendent,Savoy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rocksprings ISD - Justin Del Bosque, Principal,Georgetown ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated); Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Boerne ISD - Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Keller ISD (Short Timeline) - Dr. Tracy Johnson, Chief of Human Resources,Keller ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Johnson City ISD - Ben Eubanks, Superintendent,Glasscock County ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ore City ISD - Rachel Evers, Assistant Superintendent,Union Grove ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Anderson-Shiro CISD - Dr. Sarah Borowicz, Assistant Superintendent,Elgin ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | White Oak ISD - William Paul, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Midway ISD - Chris Allen, Superintendent,Marble Falls ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster INFO |
| New Super | Anton ISD - Freddie Tobias, Principal,Anton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Navarro ISD - Mandy D. Epley, Assistant Superintendent,Comal ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | Hedley ISD - Tracey Bell, Principal,Vega ISD; Search by: Hedley ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Nathan Maxwell, Associate Exec. Dir.INFO |
| New Super | Venus ISD - Patrick Torres, Superintendent,Denver City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Yantis ISD - Robyn Derington Deputy Supt. Banquete ISD, Deputy Superintendent,Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett (Short Timeline!)INFO |
| New Super | Morton ISD - Mario Aguirre, Principal,Slaton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Dr. Kyle Wargo, Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Comfort ISD - Dr. Yvonne J. Munoz, Director,San Diego ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| New Super | Coupland ISD - Dr. Earl W. Parcell, Chief Financial Officer,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO |
| New Super | Miami ISD - Krista Solis, Superintendent,Hart ISD; Search by: Interim Supt. Steve Post and Miami ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Argyle ISD - Dr. Courtney Carpenter, Deputy Superintendent,Carroll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO |
| New Super | Aransas Pass ISD - Dr. Glenn Barnes, Chief of Leadership,Splendora ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Florence ISD - Richard C. Kirkpatrick, Deputy Superintendent,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | Detroit ISD - Henry Sharp; Search by: Detroit ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Stamford ISD - Robbie Phillips, Superintendent,Highland ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| New Super | Paint Creek ISD - Glen Hill, Principal,Albany ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | McKinney ISD - Shawn Pratt, Assistant Superintendent,McKinney ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO |
| New Super | Bluff Dale ISD - Jason Wells, Principal,Birdville ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Warren ISD - Rusty Minyard, Principal,Woodville ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Judge overrules Texas, strikes down air pollution permit for Gulf Coast oil terminal
For the second time in three weeks, a court struck down an air pollution permit issued by Texas’ environmental regulator. In a one-page ruling posted Tuesday, Travis County District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum reversed a 2022 decision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to deny local shrimpers’ request for a permit hearing and authorize an expansion of Max Midstream’s Seahawk Oil Terminal on Lavaca Bay, on the Gulf Coast between Houston and Corpus Christi. Meachum sent the case back to the TCEQ for a hearing “on all relevant and material disputed issues of fact.”
view article 
Texas claims in filings that challenges to 2023 election are invalid, results are final
In court filings Tuesday, the secretary of state’s office argued that the plaintiffs in the election contests “never served a citation” properly. But there’s no guarantee it’ll work. State officials have apparently found a legal tactic to prevent a slew of election contest lawsuits from derailing the constitutional amendments that voters overwhelmingly approved in November. The state argued in court filings Tuesday that the lawsuits were improperly served and because Gov. Greg Abbott canvassed the results a day earlier, the lawsuits are now effectively invalid. The law requires such lawsuits to be filed and served before the canvass. Right-wing activists filed the election contests in Travis County district courts days after the November election. The lawsuits are based on false claims that the state’s voting equipment is not certified and that voting machines are connected to the internet.
view article
Texas lawmakers leave the fourth special session with rough feelings
The historic fourth special session ended for state lawmakers in Austin Tuesday morning. The House and Senate gaveled without explicit agreement on moving forward on big-ticket items like teacher pay raises and school security money. This comes after a bipartisan vote in the Texas House rejecting Governor Abbott's priority of allowing families to use public school tax dollars for private school tuition. Since that vote before the Thanksgiving break, several lawmakers simply stopped showing up. A key cause of friction has been the state's "big three" leaders not communicating or working well with each other. The year was characterized by public bickering between Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, R - Beaumont, and the leader of the Texas Senate, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, R - Texas. The two have different styles of leadership and run two different institutions. A Republican-led but bipartisan coalition runs the Texas House; a nearly always unified Republican caucus runs the Texas Senate under Patrick's management.
view article
Fort Worth ISD weighing potential campus closures as thousands of students have departed district
New enrollment numbers show thousands of students have left Fort Worth ISD over the past 10 years, with the vast majority of those students leaving from the elementary school level.
The district is now looking into whether campuses need to be closed or moved due to these departures.
“Fort Worth is a booming city, and so our population in our schools should be growing, but they’re not,” Hollie Plemons told NBC 5. “Because parents do not want what Fort Worth ISD is selling.”
In recent years, Plemons decided to make a change: she pulled her children from Fort Worth ISD, choosing to pursue other avenues like homeschooling or charter schools.
view article
Texas Legislature adjourns fourth special session — leaving vouchers, school safety and elections bills unfinished
The latest casualties were Senate Bill 5, which would spend $800 million on school safety measures through 2025, and Senate Bill 6, which would change the timeline of a trial after an election contest is filed by a citizen or group. The Texas Legislature left Austin on Tuesday without raising teacher pay, improving school safety or launching private school vouchers, capping its fourth special session without consensus on several priority items. Gov. Greg Abbott has not said whether he will call lawmakers back for a fifth round of overtime or turn his efforts toward the Republican primaries, where he already has begun targeting GOP lawmakers who opposed his priority voucher bill.
view article
Preventive Law: Texas Education Code Chapter 37 Student Discipline Staff Training Requirements
Texas Education Code (TEC) Chapter 37 outlines legal requirements for student discipline and the maintaining of law and order within schools, including required student discipline training for staff. Safety and security in schools is not just law enforcement’s responsibility but also the duty of all school staff—administrators, teachers, and support staff alike. Providing school staff with the necessary knowledge and tools for effective student behavior management has never been more critical than in today’s school climate. With a focus in school safety, applying the appropriate discipline management techniques for the situation can make the difference between effectively redirecting student misconduct or involuntarily escalating student behavior resulting in threatening or violent conduct that puts staff and students at risk.
Tax cuts, teacher pension increases at stake after misinformation-led challenge to 2023 election
Lawsuits based on false claims about voting equipment could delay millions of dollars in cost of living increases for retired teachers expected to arrive in January. The lawsuits also threaten to hold up state property tax cuts for homeowners — arguably Republicans’ signature policy achievement this year. Voters widely approved both policies this fall. Now Texas lawmakers are scrambling to address the challenges in hopes of preventing further delays. The election contests challenging the results of the November constitutional amendment election were filed in Travis County district courts days after the November election by right-wing activists. They are based on false claims that Texas’ voting equipment is not certified and that voting machines are connected to the internet. Abbott has not certified the results of the election and won’t be able to until the lawsuits are resolved in the courts — which experts say could take weeks or months.
view article
Barbers Hill HS student says he expects to be suspended again over hair dispute
MONT BELVIEU, Texas — A Black 17-year-old Barbers Hill High School student who was suspended over a dispute regarding his hair will spend an extra week at the alternative school he was sent to, according to his attorney. Darryl George's parents have filed a lawsuit claiming the district's punishment has violated Texas' CROWN Act, which went into effect earlier this year and prohibits race-based hair discrimination. They argued the district was discriminating against George because of his locs.
view article
Stifel Bond Election Report
Various issuers had bonds on the ballot on November 7, 2023, although the list is not as long as in the recent past. 77 ISD’s had ballot items totaling over $18 billion. 21 cities and counties had elections for $4.5 billion. Two hospital districts and 18 MUDs had elections for over $9 billion.
view article
November 2023 Bond List
Bond Election Data collected by TexasISD.com for public school bonds in the upcoming November 2023 election cycle.
ANDERSON-SHIRO NAMES LONE FINALIST FOR SUPERINTENDENT
The Anderson-Shiro CISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Sarah Borowicz as the lone finalist for their Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Borowicz has nearly two decades of experience in education as a classroom teacher in elementary, middle school, and high school campuses, as a Middle School Assistant Principal, an Elementary School Principal, an Intermediate School Principal, a Director of School Improvement, to her current position as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for Elgin ISD.
view article
Willis ISD expects to have new superintendent by summer 2024, officials say
Willis ISD officials are set to interview candidates in March with the hopes of hiring a new superintendent this summer. Former Superintendent Tim Harkrider announced his resignation in June, after an 11-year tenure with the district. The news came after College Station ISD named Harkrider as its new superintendent.
view article
Judge overrules Texas, strikes down air pollution permit for Gulf Coast oil terminal
For the second time in three weeks, a court struck down an air pollution permit issued by Texas’ environmental regulator.
In a one-page ruling posted Tuesday, Travis County District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum reversed a 2022 decision by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to deny local shrimpers’ request for a permit hearing and authorize an expansion of Max Midstream’s Seahawk Oil Terminal on Lavaca Bay, on the Gulf Coast between Houston and Corpus Christi.
Meachum sent the case back to the TCEQ for a hearing “on all relevant and material disputed issues of fact.”
view article
Arlington ISD moves closer to hiring superintendent
Arlington ISD is one step closer to finding its new superintendent. At its Monday meeting, the district’s board of trustees approved, 6-1, education law firm Walsh Gallegos as the legal counsel to draft and negotiate the contract with the final candidate for the superintendent position. Board Vice President Justin Chapa abstained from voting. Chapa abstained because he’s an attorney and knows employees at Walsh Gallegos, he told the Fort Worth Report. Because he has two family members working at the district, Chapa said he would also abstain from voting on teacher contracts. The board will name the finalist for the superintendent position Dec. 12 and vote to hire Jan. 8. Board members interviewed three candidates Monday, Chapa said.
view article
Fort Bend ISD board member claims timing of superintendent’s retirement is ‘lacking due process’
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Earlier this week, the Fort Bend ISD board meeting got heated, with allegations flying before the board voted to accept Superintendent Christie Whitbeck's retirement.
It is a decision that impacts many as Fort Bend ISD serves nearly 80,000 families, and the board members are the decision-makers who are supposed to be trusted. Taxpayers will also be on the hook for Whitbeck's severance agreement, which is $490,000, along with the interim superintendent's salary.
Board member Kristen Malone questioned why a superintendent who just received a salary raise and a contract extension would suddenly want to leave. Malone said she believed the superintendent was forced out because of personal conflicts with other board members, including board president Judy Dae.
view article
Livingston ISD student hit, killed by 18-wheeler after getting off school bus
A Livingston ISD student has been pronounced dead after he was reportedly hit by an 18-wheeler just as he was getting off a school bus.
The crash happened on U.S. 59 north of Livingston shortly after 4 p.m.
Texas DPS officials said a Livingston ISD school bus was headed northbound and stopped in the outside lane with its flashing lights on and stop sign extended to offload the student.
Behind the school bus was another vehicle, a Toyota. DPS Troopers said an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer, who was traveling north, struck the Toyota and veered right, striking the student.
view article
DPS confirms Livingston ISD student died when struck by 18-wheeler as he got off bus
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal wreck involving a Livingston ISD school bus.
Troopers said the wreck happened Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 59, just north of Livingston.
The preliminary crash investigation by DPS indicates that at approximately 4:17 p.m., a Livingston ISD school bus was northbound and stopped in the outside lane with its flashing red lights and stop sign extended to offload a child.
view article
As students return to Austin school where cop was shot, parents remain uneasy
Students and teachers returned to class at Northeast Early College High School on Thursday after a school police officer was shot near the campus two days earlier by a suspected gunman who authorities have accused of killing six people in a multi-county rampage. “You see this stuff happen other places. You never imagine it happening to you and where your child is at," said Flaka Hernandez, whose daughter is a senior at the school in North Austin.
view article
Coppell News Roundup: Coppell ISD superintendent to receive award, Coppell Fleet Services recognized
Coppell ISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt will receive the Cliff Long Leadership Award at the Coppell Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards and Community Gala on Saturday, Feb. 3. The event honors local businesses, organizations and individuals that have made a significant impact in the community.
Prior to being named CISD's superintendent in 2017, Hunt served the district for almost 30 years as a teacher at Coppell High School, assistant principal at Coppell Middle School West, director of Human Resources, principal of Coppell High School and as the assistant superintendent for Administrative Services. Hunt’s focus is on celebration, communication, collaboration and commitment in working to ensure each child’s story is known, encouraged and supported.
view article
Boerne ISD names first female superintendent
Dr. Kristin Craft will officially begin her tenure on January 2, 2024. BOERNE, Texas — Boerne ISD's Board of Trustees have named a new superintendent for the district.
The board voted unanimously to hire her Thursday night at a special board meeting. Dr. Kraft will be the first female superintendent in the history of Boerne ISD, the district said.
Dr. Kristin Craft will officially begin her tenure on January 2, 2024.
view article
Boerne ISD names first female superintendent
BOERNE, Texas — Boerne ISD's Board of Trustees have named a new superintendent for the district. The board voted unanimously to hire her Thursday night at a special board meeting. Dr. Kraft will be the first female superintendent in the history of Boerne ISD, the district said. Dr. Kristin Craft will officially begin her tenure on January 2, 2024.
view article
How did this charter school get a nearly $2 million federal grant?
A recent federal audit had a bit of bad news for the U.S. Education Department’s Charter Schools Program (CSP), which has provided more than $2.5 billion in grants to help open or expand charter schools. The audit by the department’s Office of Inspector General found that the CSP office may not have had “reliable information needed to make informed decisions” about continuing funding for charter schools with program grants. There was more in the audit, which you can read about here, but this post looks at a different problem facing the CSP: schools with highly problematic applications that win millions of dollars of federal money anyway. Charter schools are publicly funded but privately operated, some of them as for-profit entities, and they educate about 7 percent of U.S. schoolchildren.
view article
With the Mavericks, Miriam Adelson is poised to be Texas political powerhouse. Will it help her legalize casinos?
Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby. From her perch in Las Vegas, Miriam Adelson was already a force to be reckoned with in Texas, donating millions of dollars to Republicans and rallying their support for Israel. But with her impending purchase of the Dallas Mavericks, she is about to reach new stratospheric heights. The deal puts one of the richest women in the world closer than ever to the center of Texas business and politics — and it comes as Las Vegas Sands, the gaming empire started by her late husband Sheldon Adelson, continues its push to legalize casinos in Texas. It’s a cause she has in common with Mark Cuban, the current owner of the Mavericks, who wants to make Dallas a top casino destination.
view article
GISD hosts bond project workshop with Region 13 rep
The Gonzales ISD school board met Monday, Dec. 4 for a special called workshop meeting at the administration building. The board discussed the approved Proposition A bond for the new CTE Building and upgrades to the campuses and security. GISD Superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellaneda explained in the last meeting that it was first time he felt overwhelmed regarding the bond. That includes the next steps after the bond election from construction, renovations and how much money the district had, he added. “The success of the construction and the success of the $30 million in renovations are directly tied to us as a board, and as the superintendent, so we have to make sure we're doing this the right way,” Avellaneda said. Avellaneda called the board together for this workshop because it is great time to discuss and ask questions about the bond, he said.
view article
Edinburg CISD educates students on dangers of fentanyl
Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District started its One Pill Can Kill campaign to warn high school students about the dangers of fentanyl.
Tucker's Law, also known as House Bill 3908, was passed in September. A Texas mom lost her son to fentanyl poisoning in 2021. She pushed for schools to educate students on the deadly drug in his honor.
Now, all public schools are required to teach students in grades 6 through 12.
Edinburg CISD's One Pill Can Kill campaign started a couple of weeks ago and is teaching high school students how to be aware of what it looks like and its consequences.
view article
Corpus Christi ISD seeking male mentors to combat truancy, behavior concerns
Corpus Christi ISD is looking for male mentors from the community to volunteer to spend time with middle and high school boys.
"We are starting a new initiative right now and CCISD is looking for male mentors to work with our male students who are having some issues with truancy," CCISD coordinator for mental health services Maria Iyescas said.
Mentors will spend 30-minutes each week with students at school around lunchtime, serving as a role model. The focus of the program is social and emotional support.
view article
Bryan ISD updating their Bilingual programs to accommodate to rising numbers of Hispanic students
With four different approved programs now available to students, Bryan ISD is looking to add classes and hire more qualified staff for next school year. With over 5,000 kids enrolled in Bryan ISD's bilingual program, they are looking to expand. On Monday, the bilingual program presented their ideas to Bryan ISD’s board of trustees with plans for growth in every sector of alternate language education including English, Math Social Studies and Science. With four different approved programs now available to students, the district is looking to increase the number of classes by hiring more qualified bilingual teachers for the next school year.
view article
Sgt. Val Barnes, 29-year veteran with district, named as Austin ISD officer shot Tuesday
Sgt. Val Barnes was named by Austin school district officials as the district police officer who was shot and injured in the first of a string of violent attacks across the city on Tuesday. Barnes, who has worked with the district's police force for 29 years, was the first person in Austin believed to be shot by Shane James, 34, whom police arrested on suspicion of killing four people in the city and shooting another officer on Tuesday. Officials later accused James of killing his parents in San Antonio before he drove to Austin.
view article
Creating joy one rocking horse at a time
For the past 19 years, Terry Stotts, has been teaching his students how to make wooden rocking horses, first at the Multiple Careers Magnet Center and now at Career Institute South, where he became a construction teacher this year. The students who worked on the rocking horses to develop skills will donate them to the Ronald McDonald House, an organization that provides resources to families with sick children. Stotts says that this process of making the wooden horses teaches his students to give back to the community, while learning a new skill. Students spend the semester cutting, sanding, staining, and putting the horses together. He makes sure the students undergo safety training in their classes before even beginning to work on the wooden horses or any construction project. In fact, Stotts has three classes that are working on safety training, and two that are working on wooden horses.
view article
Academy ISD names lone superintendent finalist
The Academy ISD school board named Darla Nolen, a 29-year veteran educator and Academy ISD’s current assistant superintendent, as the lone finalist for the vacant superintendent’s position during Wednesday’s regular board meeting.
Nolen will replace retiring Superintendent Billy Harlan, who served in this position since July 2019. Harlan’s retirement comes at the end of 2023 following a 28-year career serving Texas public schools.
view article
Houston ISD superintendent holds monthly briefing day after district releases failing accountability scores
The second of a series of meetings discussing the changes at the Houston Independent School District got underway Wednesday. Since the Texas Education Agency took over the largest school district in Texas earlier this year and appointed superintendent Mike Miles, a slew of changes have been made throughout the district -- most notably, the NES model.
view article
Houston ISD clarifies strict absence policy after widespread confusion among administrators and teachers
After months of conflicting directives from campus administrators and the Houston ISD Central Office, the head of the district's human resources clarified that teachers will not face automatic termination or the loss of stipends if they miss work.
"My understanding is that clear communication about employees not exceeding 15 days has been implemented since August of 2023," said Jessica Neyman, HISD Chief Human Resources Officer. "We think we’ve struck a really appropriate balance between the expectations for teachers, what we’re in service to students to accomplish, what parents expect for their students at school, and, of course, what taxpayers would expect with the taxpayer monies that are going toward supporting these employees."
view article
Dr. Tracy Johnson Poised To Make History As First Female Superintendent Of Keller ISD
In a historic move, Keller Independent School District (KISD) is poised to welcome its first female superintendent, Dr. Tracy Johnson. Currently serving as KISD’s Chief Human Resources Officer since 2019, Dr. Johnson brings over 22 years of experience in public education to her new role. The decision came at a Special Meeting held on Monday, November 27, where the Board of Trustees voted unanimously, 6-0, naming Dr. Johnson the lone finalist. A mandatory 21-day waiting period, as per state regulations, will precede the official hiring process. Following this period, a Special Meeting is expected to be called by the Board to formally appoint Dr. Johnson as Superintendent and determine her start date, tentatively set for January 2, 2024.
view article
Interim Austin ISD Superintendent Likely to Become Permanent
It looks like there will be a new, permanent superintendent at Austin ISD by early December. And it'll probably be the current interim super – Matias Segura. Segura has served as interim super since December of last year and has a term ending on June 30, 2024. From the beginning, he's been praised by community members and the AISD Board of Trustees as an even-keeled presence, a clear communicator, and a capable manager. Near the end of Thursday's meeting, the board voted to approve the profile of the new superintendent they seek. Trustee Candace Hunter moved that the profile include "a prioritization of special education, with specific reference to inclusive practices and a focus placed on multilingual education, more emphasis on staff morale, and an equity statement around gender identity and sexual orientation." The board unanimously approved the motion.
view article
After 40-year career, Key to retire as New Diana ISD superintendent
Congratulations Carl - js DIANA — School will be out for the last time next year for New Diana ISD Superintendent Carl Key, who is set to retire from a 40-year career in education. “It’s been a good run,” he said. Key publicly announced his retirement in August and said the district hopes to have a new chief transitioning into the position during the spring.
view article
