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I reviewed our November bond list today. We currently have 46 school districts that, according to the information we have, will be voting on bonds on Nov 2, 2021. The total proposed is $8,232,483,340. Fort Worth ISD is calling for the largest amount - $1,490,400,000. If you know of additional school districts with bonds on the ballot for November 2, please let me know. - js - webmaster@texasisd.com
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Congratulations to the following New Supers
Will Paul, High School Principal, Breckenridge, has been named New Super of Windhorst ISD.
Lisa Riggs, Assistant Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction, Gresham Barlow ISD, has been named New Super of Sweet Home ISD.
Michael Alpine, High School Principal, Harmony ISD, has been named New Super of Harmony ISD.
Hugh Piatt, High School Principal, Pampa ISD, has been named New Super of Pampa ISD.
Christie Whitbeck, Superintendent, Bryan ISD, has been named New Super of Fort Bend ISD.
William Daniel Barton, High School Principal, Shepherd ISD, has been named New Super of Goodrich ISD.
Chris Dowdy, Elementary Principal, Valley Mills ISD, has been named New Super of Valley Mills ISD.
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Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Lexington ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Mullin ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.C. (search suspended)INFO | Vacant | Region One ESC Executive Director; Search by: Region One ESC Board of DirectorsINFO | Vacant | El Paso ISD; Search by: Walsh Gallegos Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C. & Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Carthage ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Paint Rock ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo in conjunction with Dr. Daniel King and Dr. Abelardo SaavedraINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership; Search by: UTSA College of Education & Human DevelopmentINFO |
Vacant | Donna ISD; Search by: Law Office of Flores & Torres, LLP, Dr. Ruben D. OlivarezINFO | Vacant | Hawkins ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Levelland ISD; Search by: Levelland ISD Board of Trustees, Assisted by Region 17 ESCINFO | Vacant | Cushing ISD; Search by: KARCZEWSKI BRADSHAW SPALDINGINFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Walsh Gallegos Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C. & Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Stephenville ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Caldwell ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Northside ISD; Rearch by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis & Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | Savoy ISD; Search by: Brian Neal & Savoy ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Boling ISD; Search by: Boling ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Colorado ISD; Search By: Colorado ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Bridgeport ISD - CCR; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Sweet Home ISD - Dr. Jennifer “Renee” Fairchild, Administrator,Gonzales ISD; Search by Region 3 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Harrold ISD - Cody Patton, Director of Operations,Tioga ISD; Search By: Region 9 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Windthorst ISD - William Paul, Principal,Breckenridge ISD; Search By: Region 9 ESCINFO |
| New Super | Frederickburg ISD - Dr. Joe Rodriguez, Ed.D., Chief of Schools,Fort Bend ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | Region 16 Executive Director - Dr. Tanya Larkin; Search by John Bass, Association of Educational Service Agencies INFO |
| New Super | Matagorda ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Haskell CISD - Lonnie Hise, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | Neches ISD - Cory Hines, Superintendent,Chester ISD; Search by: Neches ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | Goodrich ISD - William Daniel Barton, Principal,Shepherd ISD; Search by: Goodrich ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Teacher Retirement System’s board approves massive HQ relocation plan
Pension fund manager seeks to purchase two buildings in Mueller Business District A plan to move the Teacher Retirement System of Texas headquarters from downtown Austin to the Mueller mixed-use community was unanimously approved Sept. 17 by the organization’s board of trustees. The vote means the governmental entity's executive director is authorized to enter into negotiations for a purchase-sale agreement for the Alpha and Bravo buildings of the Mueller Business District. The negotiation is expected to last a few weeks. The multibillion-dollar pension fund manager announced plans in August to shift operations from 1000 Red River St. to 457,000 square feet across two buildings at 1900 Aldrich St. in Mueller, a mixed-use community at Austin’s former airport, a few miles northeast of the Central Business District. (24)
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El Paso says it reached herd immunity. Here’s what that means.
El Paso made ripples this week after officials announced the city had become the first in Texas to reach herd immunity against the coronavirus. You’ve probably heard the phrase thrown around a lot during the pandemic. But what does herd immunity actually mean? We asked Dr. Ruth Berggren, an infectious diseases specialist with UT Health and director of the university’s center for medical humanities and ethics. As of Monday, 75 percent of El Pasoans 12 and older were fully vaccinated. Experts generally say at least 70 percent of the population needs to be immune, either by vaccination or natural infection, for the virus to stop spreading. With the highly transmissible delta variant, Berggren believes the percentage of those vaccinated needs to be closer to 90 percent. (24)
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Neches ISD hires new superintendent
NECHES, Texas (KETK) – Cory Hines has been hired as the next superintendent of Neches ISD. Hines was hired at the school board meeting on Sept. 20 and is expected to start with Neches ISD on Oct. 1. He is currently the Chester ISD superintendent, which is located in Tyler County. Hines is replacing Randy Snider, who is the husband of former Neches Elementary Principal Kimberlyn Snider. She is facing charges of official oppression and tampering with evidence. (24)
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CDC quietly removed school guidance for eliminating masks, rolling back COVID-19 prevention efforts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly removed guidance for phasing out masks and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts in schools, cached versions of the agency’s website show. The CDC made the changes when it updated its guidance on universal indoor masking for students, staff, teachers and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of their vaccination status, on Aug. 5. "We believe that our state, as well as teachers unions, probably had an influence over this change," Jonathan Zachreson, an advocate for fully reopening California schools, told Fox News. "It's basically mask indefinitely in schools forever, and there is no off-ramps. So it's really disappointing to see that." (24)
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2022 Best Public High Schools in Texas
The 2022 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated. (23)
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November 2021 Bond List
The list is still coming toghether but this is what we have so far. Please feel free to email any updates or corrections to webmaster@texasisd.com
Preventive Law: September 1, 2021: Return of the TOMA
At the outset of the pandemic, Governor Abbott suspended portions of the Texas Open Meetings Act making it easier for school boards to meet by telephone or videoconference. That suspension ends at 12:01 a.m. on September 1, 2021. Starting on September 1, 2021, boards must again comply with all parts of the TOMA. Telephonic and videoconference meetings are still viable options for school boards, but certain prerequisites must be met.
Round Rock ISD School Board Implements Mask Matrix, Blocked From Censuring Dissenting Members
While school boards around the state have seen their fair share of drama when mask mandates make it onto the agenda, theatrics at the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) have turned downright Shakespearean. Following the same quick tit-for-tat process that has characterized mask mandate lawsuits for months now, a district court judge blocked RRISD from enforcing a mandate on September 16 only to have his order reversed at the Texas Third Court of Appeals the next day. The rulings are part of the state’s lawsuit against the district for violating Governor Greg Abbott’s prohibition on mask mandates. With a path cleared by the court, the RRISD school board implemented a mask mandate last night in a 5 to 2 vote after public comment ended at 10 in the evening. Rather than a uniform blanket mandate, the board approved a “matrix,” which will conditionally require masks when local health authorities find transmission to be high. Students may opt out for medical reasons.
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Which Houston-area schools show COVID-19 in the wastewater?
HOUSTON — The Houston Health Department monitors COVID-19 levels by testing wastewater at dozens of locations every week. That includes samples from more than 50 Houston ISD schools.
Because people shed virus when they use the restroom, wastewater testing has proven to be an effective way to monitor the virus’ spread even when fewer people are getting tested.
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Two Dallas ISD Early College High Schools become two-time National Blue Ribbon awardees
Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy and Trinidad Garza Early College High School at Mountain View have earned National Blue Ribbon School status for the second time in less than a decade.National Blue Ribbon status is one of the highest U.S. Department of Education recognitions for campuses where students perform at very high levels or where exemplary progress is being made toward closing achievement gaps. Both campuses are among the first Early College High Schools (ECHS) built by Dallas ISD. Each ECHS partners with a higher education institution to offer students the opportunity to earn credit for both high school and college courses. College tuition fees are waived, allowing students the possibility of earning an associate degree or up to 60 hours of college credit – which can be applied toward a four-year degree – upon high school graduation.
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New wastewater analysis finds ‘high’ COVID-19 levels on some Houston ISD campuses
Wastewater analysis seems to contradict what HISD's COVID dashboard, which uses self-reported data, reflects. HOUSTON — Thursday's dismissal at Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary may be among the last for Ashla Stone’s 3rd grader -- at least for now. “I’m going to just do it virtual,” Stone said. She and two daughters all got COVID, have since recovered, but remain concerned. That's despite Houston ISD’s COVID dashboard, which tracks active cases district-wide, showing only four cases among students at Rodriguez and zero among staff.
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Temple ISD bond presentations continue
Temple ISD Superintendent Bobby Ott is traversing from campus to campus to inform voters about the district’s upcoming $184.9 million bond election this November — a package that would fund a new elementary school, allow for a variety of infrastructure improvements and add 14 new classrooms to existing campuses.
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Amarillo ISD receives over $100 million in ESSER funds
AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Amarillo Independent School District received over $100 million in funds from the Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) II and III Grants. The ESSER III grant is part of the American Rescue Plan, in which Texas received $16.7 billion. The district said the funds will be used for various student/teacher improvements across AISD, as the district works to return normalcy to its classrooms. All funds the district receives from the grant must be spent by September 30, 2024. According to the TEA, AISD received $72,709,732 in ESSER III funds. The ESSER II Grant is part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA), in which the district received more than $30 million.
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Conroe ISD approves emergency pay for district employees
The Conroe ISD board of trustees approved a resolution authorizing compensation to district employees for days missed due to emergency closures, including the Sept. 14 emergency closure for Tropical Storm Nicholas. The resolution was approved by the board during a Sept. 20 regular meeting.
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Katy ISD tops Houston-area school districts on Niche’s 2022 Best School Districts rankings
Out of the 30 Houston-area school districts to make the Texas list in Niche's 2022 Best Schools and Districts rankings, 11 made the national list.
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Georgetown ISD considers virtual learning option halfway through fall semester
The Georgetown Independent School District is considering moving forward with implementing a virtual learning option for district students, following the passage of SB15. SB15 offers up funding for Texas school districts who want to or already have remote learning programs if their students meet certain previous learning benchmarks.
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Hutto ISD temporarily closing classrooms considered COVID-19 “cluster sites”
Hutto ISD began temporarily closing elementary classrooms considered “problematic cluster sites,” meaning three or more COVID-19 infections originated from them over a 14-day period, on Sept. 21.
Such classrooms will remain closed for 10 days, during which time the students will continue to receive online instruction.
As of Sept. 22, a total of 17 classrooms across HISD’s elementary schools are closed, according to Superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas.
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Boys Ranch ISD principal named TASSP Region 16 Outstanding Principal of the Year
BOYS RANCH, Texas (KVII) — Shawn Read, principal of Boys Ranch High School in Boys Ranch Independent School District has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as a Region 16 Outstanding Principal of the Year.
As a Region 16 winner, Read is eligible to compete for the state title of Texas Principal of the Year.
TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the 20 Education Service Centers in the state.
School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions.
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Dallas ISD will no longer suspend high school and middle school students, introduces ‘reset centers’ as new disciplinary action
Data shows prior to the pandemic, of the students placed in out-of-school suspension, 52% were African American, 44% were Hispanic and 2.4% were white. Dallas Independent School District is making some changes in how it addresses student disciplinary issues across middle and high school campuses. The school district is doing away with in-school and out-of-school suspensions as disciplinary practices. The district, instead, will address student behavior issues by incorporating "reset centers" in its 52 middle and high schools.
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Douglass ISD Board of Trustees approved $10 million bond proposal
DOUGLASS, Texas (KETK) – The Douglass community will have the opportunity to cast their votes to decide on a $10 million bond for the construction of a multipurpose facility and secondary classrooms. The Douglass ISD (DISD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the bond proposal for the construction of new school district buildings. Some of the school district’s buildings have served the district since 1942 and in November 2019, employees became more aware of some of the building’s underlying issues. According to Justin Keeling, Douglass ISD Superintendent, the main concerns were the lack of parking, healthy learning conditions and blocking the view of the newly constructed high school entrance.
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Pearland ISD parents donate money for new picnic tables to minimize COVID-19 threat at lunch
To mask or not to mask is a question that’s framed many a conversation about the return to school. While Texas does not require school districts to mandate masks, some districts have instituted one. Pearland ISD is among the districts to follow TEA guidelines and not require them. A group of Pearland ISD parents who favor masks have come together with a compromise they say will help – at least at lunchtime: outdoor benches for students to eat lunch. The idea came from a conversation on Facebook among parents who wanted their children in the classroom, but would have rather masks be a must. “We wanted to be a part of something we could offer our school district, our principal, as far as trying to work within their means and just offer them a solution,” said Maria Restrepo, a parent.
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Judge Hidalgo has an opponent
Humble ISD School Board president Martina Lemond Dixon announced Wednesday she is running for Harris County Judge as a Republican candidate in the 2022 election.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was one of the youngest candidates and first Latina ever elected to office after she beat out Republican incumbent Ed Emmett in 2018 to become judge of the third-largest county in the country.
Dixon took aim at Hidalgo in her announcement, claiming she is “more interested in playing politics and advancing her out of touch progressive agenda than managing the largest county in TX.”
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Katy ISD Named Number 1 School District in the Houston Area
Katy ISD was ranked the number 1 school district in the Houston area out of 1,018 districts ranked in Texas. “This recognition reflects the deep commitment of our staff and support of our local community to provide exceptional educational experiences to our more than 88,000 students,” says Dr. Ken Gregorski, Superintendent of Schools.
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After clearing speed bump, state’s attempt to stop San Antonio ISD from ordering employee vaccinations is delayed
The lawsuit by the state of Texas against an employee vaccination mandate by the San Antonio Independent School District survived a challenge to its routine assertion that the state had jurisdiction to bring the suit. But the school district’s lawyers delayed the state’s effort to stop the vaccination order, filing a notice that they will appeal a judge’s ruling on the jurisdiction question to the Fourth Court of Appeals.
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2021 Canutillo ISD bond expects zero total tax rate increase
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The 2021 Canutillo Independent School District Board will address the district’s most critical facility needs with no expected increase to the total tax rate for the 2022-2023 tax year when compared to the current tax rates. That’s if approved by the district’s voters. “This bond is a very unique opportunity for Canutillo ISD students,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Pedro Galaviz. “Many people ask me how are you paying this debt but keeping the tax rate level? Due to the current economic and political climate, it places our District at an advantage so we can address the most critical infrastructure needs. Compared to last year, Canutillo taxpayers’ rate is currently lower. Not only did the board adopt a lower tax rate for this school year, but if voters approve this bond, they will not see an increase in their total tax rate for the upcoming year, according to district projections. Our trustees have been very mindful of not increasing the financial burden on Canutillo ISD residents.”
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UT-Austin attempts to calm faculty concerns over planned Liberty Institute organized with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, conservative donors
University of Texas at Austin leaders sought to quell concerns among faculty this week over a proposed think tank on campus known as the Liberty Institute, after the Texas Tribune reported that the university was working with private donors and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to create a center that would be “dedicated to the study and teaching of individual liberty, limited government, private enterprise and free markets.”
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Despite his victory in Texas and no credible evidence of widespread fraud, Donald Trump calls for election audit legislation
There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud, and the Texas secretary of state who oversaw the 2020 election and was appointed by the Republican governor declared the election “smooth and secure.” Former President Donald Trump has asked Gov. Greg Abbott to add an election audit bill to this year’s third special session, continuing his push to cast doubts on the election results of the 2020 presidential election despite winning in Texas. In a letter published Thursday, Trump said, “Texans have big questions about the November 2020 Elections,” and time is running out to conduct an audit of the “2020 Presidential Election Scam” because paper ballots are kept for only 22 months after an election. “Governor Abbott, we need a ‘Forensic Audit of the 2020 Election’ added to the call,” Trump wrote. “We’re quickly running out of time and it must be done this week.” There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud, and the Texas secretary of state who oversaw the 2020 election and was appointed by the Republican governor declared the election “smooth and secure.”
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Chicago Picks a Corporate Reformer as New Superintendent
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot selected Pedro Martinez, Superintendent of the San Antonio School District, as the Windy City’s public schools. Martinez is a “reformer.” In San Antonio, he was known for his obsession with data and commitment to opening charter schools. He is a graduate of the tattered Broad Superintendents Academy. He is chairman of Jeb Bush’s Chiefs for Change. Chiefs for Change brings together superintendents who share the test-and-punish ideas of the failed corporate reform movement (closing low-scoring schools, opening charter schools, relying on high-stakes testing, evaluating teachers by test scores, collecting data about everything, distrust of unions, etc.).
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Allen ISD invites voters on tour to show why it wants $23.6M in bonds to update athletic facilities
This November, Allen voters will decide on two bond propositions for the city’s schools that total $23.6 million. But before the election, the school district is holding in-person tours to help voters gain a better understanding of the facilities that are set to get a facelift — should the propositions pass.
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Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens, Wall Street Journal reports
Facebook has repeatedly found that its Instagram app is harmful to a number of teenagers, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday. The Journal cited Facebook studies over the past three years that examined how Instagram affects its young user base, with teenage girls being most notably harmed. One internal Facebook presentation said that among teens who reported suicidal thoughts, 13% of British users and 6% of American users traced the issue to Instagram.
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Callahan County Sheriff’s Office investigating Eula ISD ‘hazing’ incident
Callahan County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating an alleged sexual assault at Eula High School. According to a news release shared on the Callahan County Facebook page, the incident took place during eighth period (between 2:45 and 3:20 p.m.) at Eula High School on Sept. 15.
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Corsicana ISD: Top quarter of senior class earns entry to Tarleton State, $500
The Corsicana Independent School District Trustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the District and Tarleton State University as part of the Distinguished High School Partnership Program. The agreement ensures that the top 25% of the graduating class would gain automatic acceptance to Tarleton State. Qualified CHS students would also receive $500 in additional aid.
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Investigation underway after bomb threat was made toward Galveston ISD school campus
GALVESTON, Texas - The Galveston Police Department is now investigating after a bomb threat was made toward a Galveston ISD school on Thursday afternoon, officials said.
According to a release, Galveston Police and the Collegiate Academy at Weis, located at 7100 Stewart Road, received calls regarding an active bomb threat.
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