Claycomb Associates, Architects

Congratulations to the following New Supers

 

88 Superintendent Vacancies Click to expand

Vacant Elkhart ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Rains ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Lumberton ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly LuskINFO
Vacant Willis ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
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 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 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 Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Brooks County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Abilene ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Sharyland ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
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 Mason ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO
Vacant Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Anahuac ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Vacant Normangee ISD; Search by: N2 LearningDr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO
Vacant Pilot Point ISD; Search by: Pilot Point ISD & Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, consultant Karen
RueINFO
Vacant Rogers ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Lufkin ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Ropes ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Glasscock County ISD
(Deadline Extended); Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Vacant Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Sabinal ISD; Search by: Richard W Grill & Sabinal ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Duncanville ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike MosesDavid Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO
Vacant Valley View ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO
Vacant Rockport-Fulton ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO
Vacant Panhandle ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Vacant Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Muenster ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Vacant Wilson ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Lorenzo ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
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 Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Pineywoods Community Academy
(Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant Claude ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody JohnsonINFO
Vacant Crowell ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Vacant Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Clyde CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Olton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Tenaha ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Pewitt CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
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 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 Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
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 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 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 Colmesneil ISD - Sharon Tule, Interim Superintendent,Colmesneil ISD; Search by: Fisher FirmINFO
Lone Finalist Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Sam Rayburn ISD - Dustin Evans, Assistant Superintendent,Bland ISD; Search by: Sam Rayburn ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Lone Finalist Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO
Lone Finalist New Home ISD - Toby Tucker, Director,ESC 16; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Burnet CISD - Dr. Aaron J. Peña, Assistant Superintendent,Midway ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO
Lone Finalist Ira ISD - Garrett Luft, Assistant Principal,Lubbock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Lone Finalist Hamlin Collgiate ISD - Dr. Chanda Bloch, Director,San Marcos CISD; Search by: Collegiate Edu-Nation, Dr. Nelson CoulterINFO
Lone Finalist Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff BallardINFO
Lone Finalist Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Lone Finalist Archer City ISD - Jon Hartgraves, Superintendent,Hico ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
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
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 LearningDr. 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 Knippa ISD - Benny Hernandez, Superintendent,Mathis ISD; Search by: Knippa ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Irion County ISD - Dr. Sara "Nikki" Moore, Principal,Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO
New Super Liberty-Eylau ISD - Jeff Wright, Interim Superintendent,Liberty-Eylau ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super Keller ISD (Short Timeline) - Dr. Tracy Johnson, Chief of Human Resources,Keller ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super New Diana ISD - Marshall Moore, Superintendent,Crowell ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Jayton-Girard ISD - Scott Bicknell, Superintendent,Muenster ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO

DISTRICT LOOKS TO MAKE UP FUNDING SHORTFALL

March 1806:39 AM
 

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD will meet this week to discuss funding shortfalls created by a recent ruling by the State Comptroller’s Office. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton said the district’s tax attorneys Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott will be fighting the decision regarding valuation, trying to get the district into an area that would not affect its income. Advertisement The State Comptroller’s Office performed a review in January of San Jacinto County Appraisal District’s property valuations, which led to a discrepancy that would mean school districts would receive less state aid. The more funding a district receives from property taxes, the less it receives in state aid; while the Appraisal District determined values of $564 million in the county, the Comptroller’s Office in its study determined values of $606 million. If the difference falls within 5 percent either way, there would be no change.   view article  arw

Low property values could cost Coleman ISD $500,000 in state funding

March 1508:42 AM
 

COLEMAN, Texas — Coleman ISD could lose up to $500,000 in state funding this year. The State Comptroller on all school district property values recently released its report for the Property Value Study conducted for Coleman ISD. The results from that study estimates the school district will lose $500,000 in lost revenue for 2024. State law requires values to be at least 95% of sales prices but the report shows values are much lower than that requirement. The Coleman County Central Appraiser, Eva Bush, said the state's appraisal of the district came in higher than her appraisal which resulted in the shortfall. view article  arw

Julius Gordon Obituary

March 1208:44 AM
 

Julius "Sonny" Webb Gordon was born on March 23, 1939, to Julius and Celia Gordon in Austin, Texas. Growing up, Julius loved playing in the creek behind his house. He also played basketball with a net hung from a tree, where he had to dribble uphill to score. His favorite subjects in school were biology, P.E., and lunch. Some of his favorite childhood memories were hunting and fishing with his father, where they would talk freely and frankly with each other. Julius graduated from "Old Anderson" High School in 1956. He then served in the Navy at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, for two years before returning to Austin, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Huston-Tillotson College. Julius went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and Guidance at Prairie View A&M University. He was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1970. view article  arw

CLAY GILLENTINE NAMED LONE FINALIST FOR BRENHAM ISD SUPT.

March 1208:42 AM
 

Acting Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine was named as the lone finalist for the Superintendent position at the Brenham School board meeting Thursday night. Trustees voted at their last meeting on February 19th to reopen the search for superintendent to internal applicants only. The School Board now has 21 days to wait before it can vote to formally name Gillentine as the next Superintendent of Brenham schools. view article  arw

Preventive Law: Public Comment Now Open on Sweeping Dyslexia Handbook Changes

March 0408:35 AM
 

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

‘There’s going to be a total alignment’: Science teacher explains safe ways to view the eclipse

March 1809:58 AM
 

MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — On April 8th, for four minutes, the moon will completely cover the sun, and if you want to be a part of it, there are a couple different safe ways to watch.  Deborah DeGraff teaches kinder through 5th grade science at Bell's Hill Elementary, and she’s been preparing her student with different safe ways to view the solar eclipse.  Other things you can do, use your hands, layer them on top of one another to create a shadow, you can also make a pinhole in a card and watch the shadow that way.  We will be in totality for over four minutes which means we can take our glasses off and safely view the moon covering up the sun view article  arw

System error caused release of some Austin student information

March 1809:26 AM
 

A special education database vendor mistakenly released private information for about 160 Austin students to people who are not the children's parent or guardian in December, according to documents obtained by the American-Statesman. The issue was resolved within 24 hours, and the 74,000-student district and company in charge of the database have vowed it was a mistake that is highly unlikely to reoccur. Austin district staff documented the erroneous release of information in a Jan. 5 note to the Texas Education Agency as part of an update to the state on an improvement order over the district’s chronic backlog of special education evaluations. view article  arw

AG Paxton: Frisco ISD Violated Temporary Restraining Order in Electioneering Case

March 1809:05 AM
 

Attorney General Ken Paxton alleged Thursday that Frisco Independent School District violated a temporary restraining order preventing it from engaging in illegal electioneering. Frisco ISD was first sued by Paxton’s office on February 28 for civil violations over three posts made by a district-affiliated Facebook page that encouraged individuals to “vote for candidates who support public schools and … are against vouchers.” In addition to permanent injunctions, Paxton sought temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions against Frisco ISD for the questionable practices in light of the Republican Party of Texas primary on March 5. view article  arw

SOURCES: Dade Phelan Campaign Recruit Rick Perry Staffers

March 1809:00 AM
 

Former Perry strategist reportedly offered $250,000 plus a “win bonus” to aid Phelan campaign. Understanding that more than 80 percent of the time incumbents pushed into runoff elections end up losing, House Speaker Dade Phelan and his allies are attempting to raise and spend unprecedented amounts of money to keep his seat in the Texas Legislature. According to sources close to the campaign, Phelan is relying on the campaign connections of former Gov. Rick Perry in a last-ditch effort to win House District 21. view article  arw

Prized steer auctioned for record-tying $1M at Houston rodeo

March 1808:45 AM
 

A Simmental steer named Woozy was auctioned for a dizzying sum at the 2024 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday. A buying group, including former rodeo president and chairman Don Jordan, won the grand champion of the junior steer market with a bid of $1 million, a news release from rodeo organizers announced. It tied the record set by Jordan in 2022, when he bought then-grand champion Vanilla Ice. view article  arw

‘IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE’: DEM BEHIND HISD TAKEOVER FACES CHALLENGERS

March 1808:44 AM
 

Despite public outcry, Texas House Representative Harold Dutton Jr. isn’t sorry he opened the door to the state takeover of the Houston Independent School District. In fact, he’s proud of it. “Some people mistakenly believe that the idea first came from Gov. Greg Abbott or some other Republican. But in fact, it came from me, a Democrat,” Dutton wrote in an opinion piece for the Houston Chronicle back in March when the state first announced its decision to take over the district, oust its elected board, and install an unelected board of managers and superintendent. But since the state installed Mike Miles as superintendent of the district, chaos and disruption have only grown: At least 58 principals have left or been removed; more than 600 teachers have resigned—twice the number compared to each of the following two school years after the pandemic; and hundreds of students have been walking out of the classroom chanting, “School feels like a prison.” view article  arw

Bell County Official Caught Inside Polling Places During Primary Election

March 1808:42 AM
 

Local Republicans asked County Attorney James Nicols to investigate Commissioner Louie Minor’s apparent violations of Texas election law.  Bell County Commissioner Louie Minor may be facing criminal charges after he was caught inside multiple polling locations during the March primary elections.  Texas Election Code Section 61.001 prohibits “bystanders” in polling places while voting activities are being conducted.  Violations are a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.  Local Republican Party Elections Director, Jeff Howard, submitted evidence to Bell County Attorney James Nicols this week documenting Minor’s unlawful presence inside six polling sites “for purposes other than voting.” view article  arw

Dallas College Reportedly Broke State Law Banning DEI in Higher Education

March 1808:42 AM
 

After a law took effect banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in higher education, an investigation appeared to show Dallas College was breaking the new law. An investigation by The Dallas Express revealed that a dozen job listings for the college mandated that employees advance or adhere to DEI policies as a condition of employment. Senate Bill 17, which took effect in January, effectively prohibits Texas universities from hiring employees to “perform the duties” of a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) office and is supposed to block any promotion of policies, training, or activities “designed or implemented in reference to race, color, or ethnicity.” view article  arw

Texas population continues to grow, especially outside big cities

March 1808:42 AM
 

Texas gained more new residents than any other state between 2022 and 2023. According to new census numbers, the state’s population grew by five percent during the study period, while several counties’ populations grew by more than seven percent each. State demographer Lloyd Potter told the Standard that a considerable portion of Texas’ growth is happening in counties surrounding big cities, especially in the DFW metroplex. Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below. This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity: view article  arw

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Texas counties lead the U.S. in population growth, Census says

March 1808:42 AM
 

Six out of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023 are in Texas, according to recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase that brought its population over 185,000, Census data shows. Rockwall and Liberty counties followed closely behind, each with growth bursts of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively. view article  arw

Texas firefighters completely contain Panhandle inferno that burned more than 1 million acres

March 1808:42 AM
 

A series of deadly wildfires have burned for nearly three weeks, destroying farms and ranches in several counties.   LUBBOCK — Firefighters have completely contained the Smokehouse Creek fire in Hutchinson County after a nearly three-week battle with what quickly became the largest wildfire in Texas history. That inferno and a series of other wildfires killed at least two people as it burned more than 1 million acres across several counties.  Many Panhandle residents lost homes, farms and ranches. Thousands of livestock were killed.  Relief efforts in the region are ongoing. The U.S. Small Business Administration has set up disaster loan outreach centers in Canadian and Borger for people affected. A Texas House committee is investigating the cause of the fires, as well as the response and effectiveness of disaster preparedness. view article  arw

Texas and the feds are at odds over the state’s new immigration enforcement law. Here’s what it would do.

March 1808:42 AM
 

Senate Bill 4 seeks to make illegal immigration a state crime and give Texas police the authority to arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing the border.  This new law would make it a state crime to cross the Texas-Mexico border between ports of entry. If a police officer has probable cause to believe a person illegally crossed the Rio Grande, that person could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a punishment of up to six months in jail. For subsequent offenses, the person could be charged with a second-degree felony and face up to 20 years in prison.  If the migrant is convicted and has served their sentence, a judge would be required to order police to transport them to a port of entry. A judge could drop the charges if a migrant agrees to return to Mexico, and police could turn over migrant families to Border Patrol agents to avoid separating children from their parents instead of arresting them. view article  arw

Houston ISD will reduce, remove some stipends for employees, teachers who sponsor extracurriculars

March 1808:42 AM
 

Houston ISD officials plan to reduce or remove several stipends for extra work of up to $2,500 for district employees in the 2024-25 academic year, according to its proposed compensation plan. HISD released its compensation plan for the upcoming school year in early March, outlining the annual base salaries for all of the district’s employees and the incentives and stipends they are eligible to earn. The district offers stipends for duties that are unrelated to an employee’s primary job, such as working days outside of their normal schedule. While many stipends will remain next year, the district no longer lists stipends for several positions, including academic coaches, teacher mentors, speech and debate sponsors and department chairs. view article  arw

Texas’ poorest renters face a shortage of 679,000 rental homes they can actually afford

March 1808:41 AM
 

Texas has one of the least hospitable rental markets in the nation for poor people. A new report finds the state has a massive shortage of available rental homes that extremely low-income renter household can afford.  The National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s annual report on the nation’s affordable housing shortage found that the nearly 907,000 renter households making less than 30% of their area’s median income are essentially competing for the roughly 227,000 available rental homes they could actually afford. That’s a shortage of more than 679,000 rental homes the state’s poorest residents, which includes families of four with annual incomes below $29,000. view article  arw

U.S. Supreme Court declines to intervene in lawsuit over West Texas A&M drag shows

March 1808:41 AM
 

The decision means university President Walter Wendler could cancel an on-campus drag show next week. He canceled a previous show last year.  The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday denied some West Texas A&M University students’ attempt to prevent President Walter Wendler from canceling another on-campus drag show scheduled next week.  Last year, Wendler banned student-led drag shows on the university’s campus, saying the performances degrade women. Students sued the president in response, arguing Wendler violated their First Amendment rights. A Texas federal district court denied the students’ request for relief from Wendler’s ban, arguing not all drag shows are “expressive conduct.”  Earlier this month, West Texas A&M students filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction against Wendler to ensure he does not cancel a March 22 drag show students planned. The lawsuit is before the 5th Circuit  view article  arw

A HOUSE DEFEATED? ABBOTT, PAXTON, PATRICK BAG REBELLIOUS STATE LEGISLATORS

March 1808:40 AM
 

n one of the ugliest and most contentious Republican primaries in Texas history, an array of insurgent challengers—sent forth into battle by Governor Greg Abbott, his school voucher allies, and a vengeful attorney general with his radical right-wing base—got what they wanted: change, turmoil, and unease. Come the 2025 legislative session, the Republican-controlled state House is likely to be a much different entity. While many GOP incumbents prevailed in the face of well-funded challengers, others did not. By the end of the night, nine incumbent GOP state representatives had lost their races outright—and eight more were forced into runoffs. That includes the embattled Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont, who was forced into a runoff after narrowly trailing his main primary rival in his southeast Texas district. view article  arw

Biden temporarily blocked from diverting border barrier funds

March 1808:40 AM
 

The Biden administration is temporarily barred from redirecting $1.4 billion that Congress allocated for a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas issued the temporary injunction last week. Congress allocated the money in 2020 and 2021 during former President Donald Trump’s term. Tipton, who was appointed by Trump, wrote that the Biden administration’s “spending decisions run afoul” of administrative law, rejecting the federal government’s argument that it has discretion in how to spend the money. Tipton said Texas needed to prove the funds aren’t being spent on additional border walls and that such barriers “would result in fewer illegal aliens entering the country.” view article  arw

Texas GOP chair Matt Rinaldi won’t seek reelection

March 1808:40 AM
 

Republican Party of Texas Chair Matt Rinaldi announced Friday that he will not seek reelection, ending a three-year tenure that was marked by an escalating GOP civil war, white supremacy scandal and historic 2024 primary gains for the party’s right wing. “After almost three years serving as Chairman, traveling the state and spending many long nights on the road, it is time for me to focus on my obligations as a husband to my wife, Corley, and as a father to my six-year-old son, Rush,” Rinaldi said in a Friday afternoon statement. “I ran for State Chairman on a platform of growing the party, increasing its influence and making it one that effectively amplifies the voice of grassroots Republicans. I am happy to report we were successful on all accounts.” Rinaldi has chaired the Texas GOP since 2021, when he was elected by the party’s executive committee to replace outgoing Chair Allen West. He was then reelected by delegates of the 2022 state GOP convention. view article  arw

Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Texas Legislature to rein in investors behind large-scale home purchases

March 1808:40 AM
 

So-called institutional homebuyers noticeably ramped up home purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. But housing experts point out investors have retreated amid high interest rates.  Gov. Greg Abbott called on state lawmakers Friday to try to limit Wall Street’s presence in the Texas housing market.  As the nation’s housing affordability crisis continues unabated, lawmakers and housing advocates have increasingly concentrated scrutiny on so-called institutional homebuyers, meaning investors big and small as well as corporations who buy single-family homes to rent them out. They accuse corporations and hedge funds of playing an outsized role in the homebuying market and outbidding would-be first-time homebuyers, even though estimates show investors own only a small percentage of the nation’s overall housing stock.  A spike in investor activity in the housing market in the COVID-19 pandemic era has since prompted lawmakers to try to curtail or even ban it as a means to bring down home prices and give first-time homebuyers a leg up in the market.  Abbott joined the fray Friday. view article  arw

Why some Texas cities are getting rid of their minimum parking rules

March 1808:40 AM
 

Most cities require homes and businesses to have parking. Critics say they drive up housing costs, foster car dependency and raise carbon emissions.  In car-dependent Texas, most cities have rules on how many parking spots must be built anywhere people live, play or do business. But those requirements have come under scrutiny in recent years, with critics saying they do more harm than good.  As the nation tries to curb carbon emissions and fight climate change, climate activists and urbanists have chided the regulations for encouraging car dependency. Housing advocates and developers have also identified those minimums as a barrier to building more homes and taming housing costs.  “This is a pretty obvious target for helping to address [the housing affordability crisis],” said Tony Jordan, co-founder of Parking Reform Network. view article  arw

WHAT ARE THEY HIDING? School Librarians Admit They Hid Card Catalog From Parents While Pushing BLM, LGBTQ Issues

March 1808:40 AM
 

At least one school library in a South Carolina school district restricted access to its online card catalog in order to hide “critical race theory books” from parents, internal documents obtained by the parental rights group Moms for Liberty show. The school district claims that it required all schools in the district to unlock their catalogs at the beginning of the school year, but the Moms for Liberty leader says at least one catalog remained blocked as late as Feb. 12. “Instead of listing these books as available in the library, they are making a conscious decision to include them in curriculum read aloud in class so parents don’t know,” Carly Carter, chair of the Anderson County Moms for Liberty chapter, told The Daily Signal in a written statement Wednesday. Carter’s Freedom of Information Act request turned up the documents. view article  arw

Houston: Superintendent set to talk about possible removal of nearly half of HISD principals next year

March 1808:31 AM
 

With Spring Break now over, many Houston Independent School District educators may unfortunately find themselves out of a job next year. Superintendent Mike Miles is expected to hold a news conference Monday morning to discuss the possibility of removing nearly half of HISD’s principals for the 2024-2025 school year. view article  arw

House Chairman: Dade Phelan Will Not Return as Speaker

March 1808:30 AM
 

A member of Dade Phelan’s leadership team says Phelan will not be returning as speaker in 2025. The comment came in an op-ed published by State Reps. J.M. Lozano (R–Kingsville) and Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington) in the Dallas Express in which the pair of lawmakers advocated for ending the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats—a practice that has been championed by Phelan. The most notable comment, however, may be in the commentary’s conclusion, in which they wrote, “The voters made clear on March 5th that Speaker Dade Phelan will not return as Speaker of the House. As we work toward defeating Democrats in November, all Texas House Republicans should make clear to our voters the practice of appointing Democrats to chair committees will come to an end as well.” view article  arw

Tucker Carlson Talks Texas Border Invasion at Sold-Out Speech in Fort Worth

March 1808:30 AM
 

Carlson—who has been critical of Gov. Abbott’s handling of the border invasion in the past—had not changed his tune. FORT WORTH—Conservative commentator and journalist Tucker Carlson took a break from interviewing world leaders and newsmakers to speak at a fundraiser for the Tarrant County Republican Party, focusing on the invasion at the southern border and firing shots at Gov. Greg Abbott in the process. The former Fox News host kept his remarks brief but pointed as he described the outpouring of illegal aliens since President Joe Biden took office to the sold-out crowd at an event hall in the stockyards. “If you assess it rationally, changing the population of your country in order to win elections on the cusp of an economic downturn is the single most destructive thing you could ever do to a country. And it’s happening here,” Carlson told the crowd. “This is the port of entry for millions and millions of non-Americans. And there are a lot of ways to describe the people who come here illegally from other countries. One is ‘illegal.’ Another is ‘undocumented migrant.’ But I would just reduce it to the way I see it, which is not American.” view article  arw

IN THE OGG HOUSE: HARRIS COUNTY DA OUSTED IN PRIMARY

March 1808:30 AM
 

Back in 2016, Kim Ogg became the first Democratic district attorney in Harris County in nearly four decades—and was celebrated as a champion of progressive reform. But it didn’t take her long to become an embattled figure among reformers and party faithful alike. Today, voters ousted Ogg, overwhelmingly backing her primary opponent, political newcomer Sean Teare. He took home about 78 percent of early votes, according to the Harris County Clerk’s Office. His successful campaign largely took aim at Ogg’s broken promises. Ogg, who took office in January 2017, would have been the longest-serving DA in Harris County in nearly 25 years had she been elected for a third term. But political sparring, party in-fighting, and workplace culture issues turned the tide against the 64-year-old native Houstonian. view article  arw

School districts under the spotlight for how they handle their social media accounts

March 1808:28 AM
 

School districts around the country are facing issues with how they handle their social media accounts, and the debate has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Denver Public Schools recently reviewed its social media policy that doesn’t allow employees to restrict comments on social media or limit who can see them. view article  arw

Texas AG Paxton says Frisco ISD violated restraining order in election lawsuit

March 1808:28 AM
 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Frisco schools of violating a court order that directed officials to cease what his office deemed as illegal electioneering through social media posts. Frisco is among several school districts that Paxton alleged in a series of legal filings broke state election laws. view article  arw

Waco ISD spends year tightening school security

March 1808:27 AM
 

Along line of Waco High students stretches from the school’s main entrance to the Colcord Avenue curb most mornings before classes begin. They inch forward, many toting clear backpacks crammed with books and daily school gear, as they walk through the school’s “prohibited items detector,” which uses artificial intelligence to scan for weapons and suspiciously shaped objects. The detector, created by Evolv Technology, is used at public schools across the country, including Killeen Independent School District. view article  arw

Snyder ISD votes to rename Tiger Stadium after former Baylor head football coach Grant Teaff

March 1808:26 AM
 

The Snyder ISD school board voted to rename Tiger Stadium to Grant Teaff Tiger Stadium on Thursday. The stadium will honor former Baylor head football coach and Snyder High School alumni Grant Teaf view article  arw