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Congratulations to the following New Supers
92
Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Medina Valley ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Seagraves ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant | Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grape Creek ISD; Search by: Grape Creek ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Santa Maria ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Vysehrad ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO | Vacant |
Pettus ISD - Jesus Hernandez III, Chief of Staff,Southwest ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and DBU Educational Leadership Consulting Corporation.INFO |
Vacant | University of Texas High School Special Purpose District; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Scurry-Rosser ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Huntington ISD; Search by: Kelli Karczewski, Fisher FirmINFO | Vacant | Granger ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Bremond ISD; Search by: Bremond ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO | Vacant | Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO | Vacant | Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of Trustees INFO | Vacant | Bells ISD; Search by: Bells ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Gustine ISD - Coy Barker, Principal,McCamey ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Comstock ISD; Comstock ISD Board of Trustees and O.K. Wolfenbarger IIIINFO | Vacant |
Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Art (Houston) ; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Webb CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Moulton ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO | Vacant | Hidalgo ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Rick AlvaradoINFO | Vacant | Priddy ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Sweeny ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO | Vacant | Ramirez CSD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Mart ISD; Search by: Mart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Abernathy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Kingsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO | Vacant | Groom ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant | Clarendon ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Spring ISD; Search by: Spring ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Huffman ISD - Angeles Perez, Interim,Huffman ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Jim Hogg County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Hart ISD; Search by: Juan Dominguez and Hart ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Hitchcock ISD (Interim Search); Search by: Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Laredo ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Premont ISD; Search by: Doug Arnold & Arte AlmendarezINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
Vacant | Lago Vista ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO | Vacant | Goose Creek CISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO | Vacant | Bynum ISD; Search by: Bynum ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Canutillo ISD - Dr. Josue Borrego, Associate Super,Houston ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | West Rusk CCISD; Search by: Lawrence Coleman & West Rusk CCISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Clarksville ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Stafford MSD; Search by: Stafford ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | LaPoynor ISD; Search by: LaPoynor ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Newcastle ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | South Texas ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Panhandle ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Elkhart ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Rockdale ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant | Bullard ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Maypearl ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Haskell CISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Merkel ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO | Vacant | Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Ector ISD; Search by: Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Westbrook ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Hale Center ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Weatherford ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO | Vacant | Bluff Dale ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO | Vacant | Blanco ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Angleton ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Columbus ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Culberson County-Allamoore ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grapevine-Colleyville ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO | Vacant | Texline ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO | Vacant | Huntsville ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Lorena ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Brooks County ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Trinity ISD; Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Mr. Jim McClellanINFO | Vacant | Alvin ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Allen ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO | Vacant | Fredericksburg ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deer Park ISD - Dr. Tiffany Reagan, Assistant Superintendent,Deer Park ISD; Search by: Deer Park ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seminole ISD - Glen Teal, Superintendent,Jim Ned ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Needville ISD - Dr. Paul Drake, Superintendent,Chester ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Compass Academy Charter School (Odessa) - Mark Dominguez, Principal,Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD; Search by: Kathy Killingsworth, Interim Superintent assisted by Larry Lee, Leadership Consultant with Region 18INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bonham ISD - Lance Hamlin, Assistant Superintendent,Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waxahachie ISD - Rebecca “Becky” McCutchen, Superintendent,Levelland ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ennis ISD - Greg Bradley, Deputy Superintendent,Prosper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Forsan ISD - Michael Valencia, Superintendent,McCamey ISD; Search by: Region 18 ESC, Dr. Dewitt SmithINFO |
| Lone Finalist |
Edgewood ISD (Region 7) - Scott Tyner, Superintendent,Martins Mill iSD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Jim Ned CISD - Will Brewer, Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Palmer ISD ; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hallsburg ISD - Dr. Staci Coleman-Kirk, Principal,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Slidell ISD - Dr. Christopher M. Heskett, Superintendent,Covington ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Seguin ISD - Dr. Jack Lee, Superintendent,Bullard ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Royal ISD - Dr. Megan Pape, Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Socorro ISD - James Vasquez, Interim Superintendent,Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gunter ISD - Dr. Brandon Enos, Superintendent,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rotan ISD - Trevor Edgemon, Superintendent,Happy ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Millsap ISD - Harper Stewart, Superintendent,Hamilton ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Conroe ISD - Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Texans for Excellence in Education, President, John Petree, 432-557-6581INFO |
| Lone Finalist | La Pryor ISD - Cody Miller, Director,Northside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Deweyville ISD - Grady Welborn, Principal,Bridge City ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | West Hardin Co. CISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Rusk ISD - Mid Johnson, Superintendent,Timpson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Snook ISD - Kimberly Giesenschlag, Assistant Superintendent,Snook ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Nederland ISD - Dr. Steven Beagle, Assistant Superintendent,Nederland ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Munday CISD - Andrew Eudy, Director,Forsan ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Cushing ISD - Stefani Jackson, AssAsst. Supt.,Cushing ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lamesa ISD - Bonnie Avey, Superintendent,Seagraves ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Howe ISD - Ritchie Bowling, Assistant Superintendent,Howe ISD; Search by: Howe ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Era ISD - Jeff Webb, Associate Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Prairie Lea ISD - Martha Melissa Gilmore, Interim,Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ingram ISD - Dr. Justin Turner, Superintendent,Hubbard ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Dawson ISD - Andrea Farish, Principal,Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Fort Davis ISD - Jason L. Crow, Principal,Timpson ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Mr. Jim McClellanINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hubbard ISD - Colt Carmichael, Assistant Superintendent,Blum ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Loraine ISD - Lacy Brauchle, Principal,Mathis ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Pleasanton ISD - Dr. Roland Hernandez, Principal,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO |
| New Super | El Paso ISD - Dr. Brian Lusk, Deputy Superintendent,Dallas ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Center Point ISD - Joshua Limmer, Principal,Center Point ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO |
| New Super | Marlin ISD - Alphonso Bates, Assistant Superintendent ,Lamar CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Timpson ISD - Dr. Terry Everitt, Asst. Supt. Operations,Henderson ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| New Super | Martin's Mill ISD - Derek Driver, Principal,Harts Bluff ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?READ! How Radioactive Oil and Gas Waste Could Lie Beneath a North Texas Elementary School
On a cold winter morning in Johnson County, at the southwestern edge of the booming Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, 52-year-old Lee Oldham stands beside the Pleasant View Elementary School and wonders what the drilling waste he helped lay underneath might mean for the children inside. Surrounding the school is the partially complete 2,500-home Silo Mills development that will supply it with children and that is also built atop drilling waste, according to satellite maps and interviews. The first families moved in two years ago.
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Momentum is building to meet electricity demand in Texas with small nuclear reactors
The first small modular nuclear reactor could be powering an industrial plant in Texas early in the next decade. And the state is pushing to become the leading site for testing and building the technology. Less than three years after Gov. Greg Abbott announced the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, Texas has become one of the main testing grounds in the United States for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), a technology long discussed but with few real-world examples to show for it.
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Preventive Law: Districts of Innovation: Flexibility to Save Money and Opt-out of Unnecessary Regulations
You might have thought the latest Legislative session was a significant change to public education, and you are right. But the most significant change to public education in Texas came from the institution of Districts of Innovation (DOI). For years, public schools complained that they were being compared to charter schools and that was not an apples-to-apples comparison, but DOIs provide school districts the freedom to opt out of many of the laws and requirements with which charter schools are not saddled.
Opening statements held in the trial of a Georgia high school shooting suspect’s father
The trial has started for a man whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school in 2024
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Early voting for the Texas 2026 primaries begins Tuesday. Here’s what to know.
Early voting in person runs from Feb. 17-27. This guide explains your rights at Texas polls. Voting for the 2026 primaries starts Tuesday. Texas Republican and Democrat voters will pick which candidate they want to represent their interests and their party on the ballot for the November general election. Before you head to the polls, you should know you have rights as a voter and there are certain rules in place at voting locations about what you can bring and wear. You also need an approved photo ID to vote in person.
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Students describe barricading classroom doors as nine killed and 25 injured in Canada shootings
A student describes how he and his classmates barricaded the classroom doors with tables during a deadly shooting in western Canada Nine people have been killed and at least 25 injured in attacks at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a home in British Colombia - here's how they unfolded Six victims were found dead inside the school, which is around 415 miles north of Vancouver. A seventh died on the way to hospital
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Cy-Fair ISD school board votes to restore textbook chapters that were dropped by previous board
Cy-Fair ISD board votes to reinstate removed textbook chapters The specific lessons and topics addressed in the chapters include climate change, vaccinations, cultural diversity, depopulation and humans’ impact on the Earth and its ecosystems.
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“We are ready”: Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says U.S., Texas ready to fight parasitic fly
The New World Screworm fly poses a billion-dollar threat to the state’s economy. The United States and Texas are fully prepared to combat a parasitic fly that poses a billion-dollar threat to the Texas economy, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Monday. During a visit to the Rio Grande Valley with Gov. Greg Abbott, Rollins said proactive steps by the USDA and state response teams had prepared the region to eradicate New World Screwworm. This parasitic fly lays eggs in open wounds, posing a threat to livestock. Texas leads the U.S. in cattle production, making the screwworm an extraordinary risk to the industry. Ranchers and other agriculture advocates have sounded the alarm about screwworm for more than a year. Cases of screwworm have been detected in Mexico, as close as 70 miles from the border in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.
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Judson ISD school board proposes termination of superintendent during special meeting
The Judson Independent School District School Board voted to propose termination of the employment contract for superintendent Milton ‘Rob’ Fields III on Wednesday evening. The vote comes after months of debate between board members, including at least four agenda items over the last year, on whether to terminate Fields due to an ongoing, closed-door investigation.
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Clyde mourns two teens killed in train crash as community rallies around family
CLYDE, Texas — A train accident occurred on Sunday, resulting in the death of two Clyde High School students, Brileigh and Kyler Dailey. RELATED | Train and truck collision claims lives of two Clyde High School students KTXS spoke with Bryan Allen, the Superintendent of Clyde CISD, to find out how they're providing support during this hard time. "All I could think was, 'please let this not be one of our kids,'" Allen said. "Didn't even run through my mind that it could have been two of them."
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Commissioner Morath names Levi Fuller Inspector General for Educator Misconduct
AUSTIN, Texas – February 4, 2026 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the selection of Levi Fuller as Inspector General for Educator Misconduct. As Inspector General, Fuller will closely oversee the enforcement of Educator Misconduct policies and processes within TEA to help foster safe learning environments for all of Texas’ nearly 5.5 million public school students. “I look forward to the impactful work Levi Fuller will do in service of our students, families and school systems,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. “With more than a decade of experience holding bad actors accountable, Levi will help root out the flawed few that sew distrust among families and school communities while helping to restore confidence in the teaching profession.”
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Texas’ Education Savings Accounts are going live this week. Here’s what to know.
Texas families will soon be able to access $1 billion in taxpayer dollars through education savings accounts, also known as school vouchers, to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, transportation and several other education-related costs. Passed during the 89th legislative session, the state is calling the universal program Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Families can start applying Wednesday, Feb. 4. The application portal closes March 17 with selected families getting funds for the 2026-27 school year. State officials estimate the first year of TEFAs will serve about 100,000 families, with awards averaging about $10,000.
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Texas families can now apply for private school vouchers. Here’s what to know.
The application period will close March 17. If demand exceeds the $1 billion available, the state will prioritize students based on family income and whether they have a disability.
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UIL - Reclassification & Realignment Release Information
The 2026-28 alignments have been posted for volleyball, basketball and football. You can access this information HERE.
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The ultimate guide to finding a school in Houston
Your one-stop shop for information on Houston public, charter and private schools.
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Leon, Alcala, Morse & Reynolds, PLLC
Trustee Toolkit Series: What School Boards Can Expect From An Economic Development Agreement
Presented by: Sara Leon
Presented by: Eddy Hernandez Perez
Read more and register here...
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States that once led in child vaccination fall as they expand exemptions
Mississippi and West Virginia lose top spots to Connecticut and New York, a Stateline analysis finds. States that were leaders in childhood vaccination before the pandemic are among those losing ground as exemptions and unfounded skepticism take hold, encouraged by the Trump administration’s stance under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Expanded exemptions for parents are likely to drop both Mississippi and West Virginia from the top national rankings they held before the pandemic, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data. Other states like Florida, Idaho, Louisiana and Montana also are pushing the envelope on vaccine choice.
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Arrow Educational Services: MEDINA VALLEY ISD HIRES JIM DUNLAP OF ARROW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
The board of trustees of the Medina Valley Independent School District has contracted with Mr. Jim Dunlap of Arrow Educational Services, Inc. to assist them in their search for a new superintendent. Information and the application process is available on arrowsearchinc.com and the TASA Supersearch page.
Gov. Greg Abbott demands Cy-Fair ISD cancel Islamic Games event: ‘Not welcome in Texas’
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to Cy-Fair ISD leaders Wednesday demanding that they cancel a sporting event with the Islamic Games of North America scheduled for later this year, citing alleged ties to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which Abbott recently declared a "foreign terrorist organization." "You cannot invite such dangers through the front doors of our schools," he wrote. "Radical Islamic extremism is not welcome in Texas — and certainly not in our schools." The move comes after the Dallas-area Grapevine-Colleyville ISD canceled a similar event on Tuesday, saying that they had learned that CAIR New Jersey was a sponsor of a related event at one point, according to news reports.
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Tyler-area school districts evaluate ties with Lifetouch amid corporate controversy
Several East Texas school districts are considering reviewing or terminating their contracts with Lifetouch following public scrutiny of the company’s corporate ownership. The controversy stems from alleged financial ties between Leon Black, the former CEO of Lifetouch’s parent firm, and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019. Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, mandating the release of millions of previously sealed Department of Justice records, and the recent 3.5 million-page “document dump” of the files, the public has raised concerns about any entities with ties to the individual named in the Epstein files. Read more at: https://tylerpaper.com/2026/02/17/tyler-area-school-districts-evaluate-ties-with-lifetouch-amid-corporate-controversy/ Black was recently mentioned in the newly released files. He resigned from Apollo in 2021. at: https://tylerpaper.com/2026/02/17/tyler-area-school-districts-evaluate-ties-with-lifetouch-amid-corporate-controversy/
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Over 100,000 Texas families apply for new school choice program
AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott celebrated a historic response to the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program on Monday, as more than 100,000 Texas families submitted applications in less than two weeks. The program, the largest school choice initiative launch in U.S. history, allows eligible students to direct funding to preapproved educational providers of their choice. Texas families can now apply for private school vouchers. Here’s what to know. The TEFA program, overseen by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and the Texas Comptroller’s office, lets parents use funds to choose the schools that best meet their children’s needs, covering expenses like tuition, transportation, and other educational costs.
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Texas Muslims harassed while praying at Plano park amid rising Islamophobia
The organization has responded to the viral incident. A peaceful prayer in a Plano park was disrupted Sunday when a man shouting Islamophobic remarks harassed members of the congregation. The Islamic Relief at the University of Texas at Dallas (IRUTD) had gathered at the park for a Barakah Breakfast—a community centered event focused on reflection, connection and service, according to the organization. During prayer, a man was filmed harassing the group, calling Islam a "disgusting fake religion" and yelling that members would "go to hell" unless they repented, among other inflammatory and offensive remarks. An Instagram account seemingly belonging to the instigator also posted a partial video of the harassment.
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Walker sworn in as new director of Texas Lyceum
The Texas Lyceum, the state’s premier nonpartisan leadership development organization, recently welcomed 15 business and civic leaders from across the state as new directors, leading the organization into its 46th year of service to Texas. Among those sworn in was Lufkin community leader Jeff Walker. Walker is the president of Collegiate Edu-Nation and the former executive director of Partners for Rural Impact - East Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Hardin-Simmons University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Walker is actively engaged in regional civic leadership, serving on the executive board of the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce and in leadership roles with several East Texas community organizations.
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Voting resources: How to vote in Texas
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
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Paxton Intervenes To Void Texas Medical Board Reprimand of Dr. Bowden
Rather than defend the Texas Medical Board, Paxton’s office is intervening in support of Bowden. Attorney General Ken Paxton has stepped into a legal battle against the Texas Medical Board, siding with Dr. Mary Talley Bowden and asking a Travis County court to declare the board’s public reprimand against her void. In a petition filed Thursday, Paxton accused the board of acting “on nothing more than personal animosity and spite” when it disciplined Bowden over her 2021 attempt to administer ivermectin to a hospitalized COVID-19 patient. Rather than defend the Texas Medical Board, Paxton’s office is intervening in support of Bowden. The filing asks the court to reverse the reprimand and permanently block the board from taking further action against her related to the case.
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On This Date: America’s Most Incredible Cold Outbreak
We've seen some impressive Southern snow and cold in the past couple of winters. But that can't hold a candle to what happened as the 19th century was about to wrap up.
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Harris County’s 100-year floodplain may swell 43% under new FEMA mapsHarris County’s 100-year floodplain may swell 43% under new FEMA maps
Harris County’s 100-year floodplain could grow by more than 40% under draft maps newly released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After a nearly four-year delay, FEMA posted last week an early version of the county’s updated floodplain boundaries on its website. The agency is now gathering feedback from local officials before beginning a broader public review process. If adopted, the new maps would mark the first comprehensive update to Harris County’s floodplain boundaries since 2007. A Chronicle analysis found the county’s flood zones could see substantial expansions. If finalized as currently proposed, the 100-year floodplain would grow by about 130 square miles, a 43% increase compared with today’s boundaries. The 500-year floodplain would increase by about 62 square miles, or 30%. Meanwhile, floodways, which represent the most dangerous areas, would shrink by about 5%.
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Van Zandt County Halts ‘Green’ Energy Projects Over China Concerns
The temporary moratorium is intended to allow for completion of an investigation into various Chinese companies that manufacture parts for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. With rural counties across Texas looking for ways to push back on industrial‑scale, unreliable energy projects and foreign‑linked equipment, Van Zandt’s move will likely serve as both a roadmap and a test of how far local officials can go without violating state limits on county power.
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Hood County Rejects Citizen Pleas for Moratorium on Data Centers
Commissioners voted down the proposal after a public letter from state lawmakers.
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A nonprofit looking to knock out college suicides steps into the ring at TCU
Texas Christian University junior Sofia Collins lost her father to suicide in 2018. She noted because of the grief, her family would often push talks about the tragic loss under the rug. Her sister, Bella, brought the conversation to light in 2023 at the University of Alabama by joining others to organize a boxing match. Alabama was then the first expansion for The Fight Against Suicide, a nonprofit started at the University of Georgia, that organizes the boxing events to raise funds for suicide prevention and research efforts. That first expansion was a knockout, said David Edmiston, co-founder and director of The Fight Against Suicide.
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Ponoma Elementary student dead after choking on food, according to Alvin ISD
A Ponoma Elementary school student has died after choking on food, according to Alvin ISD. On Wednesday, Alvin ISD shared the following statement regarding the student's death.
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Texas Sues Snapchat for Allegedly Misleading Parents About App Safety
The social media app is accused of exposing minors to inappropriate material. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed suit against Snap Inc., alleging the company misled parents about the safety of Snapchat while exposing minors to sexual content, drug activity, profanity, and addictive design features. The lawsuit, filed in Collin County district court, accuses Snap of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. According to the petition, Snap markets Snapchat in Apple’s App Store as “12+” and characterizes content involving profanity, sexual material, nudity, drugs, and alcohol as “infrequent/mild.” The state alleges those representations are false, citing an investigation in which a 13-year-old test account was able to readily access explicit sexual material, graphic profanity, drug-related content, and suicide-themed videos.
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Local News CCISD administrator named lone finalist for Pleasonton ISD superintendent role
Corpus Christi Independent School District is congratulating one of its own after Dr. John Prezas was named the lone finalist for superintendent of Pleasanton ISD.
Pleasanton ISD is a 4A district located about 35 miles south of San Antonio.
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Northside ISD may go after tax rate hike, bond package in Nov. 3 election
As Northside Independent School District predicts at least 1,300 fewer students enrolling next school year, the district may ask voters to raise its property tax rate and support a bond issue in the fall.
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Mass ‘sickout’ planned across Houston ISD as parents continue protesting state takeove
A mass “sickout” is planned across Houston ISD on Thursday, as parents, students and community members continue protesting the state takeover of the district. Organizers are calling on families to keep students home or bring them to school after lunch so they will be counted absent. The goal, they say, is to send a message to state leaders and demand the return of the district’s elected school board.
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