What you need to know about Texas’ school safety policies

Texas lawmakers have mandated armed guards at every public school, panic buttons in classrooms and more staff training. In response to the deadliest school shooting in Texas, lawmakers have upped legislation concerning gun and school safety. House Bill 3 passed late last year, which created the requirement for an armed security guard to be present on all campuses and also ramped up mental health resources for students. In Texas, the responsibility for establishing the guidelines for public school safety belongs to the Texas Education Agency and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office along with the TxSSC. These rules have been updated since the 2022 tragedy in Uvalde, but some experts worry that parents and guardians still don’t know the intricacies of school safety policy. Brian Clason, program manager of training and education for the Texas State School Safety Center, says the best thing parents can do to protect their children is to develop relationships with teachers and school faculty to learn more about safety protocols before an emergency occurs. “Your school leaders should know who you are, and you should know who they are,” he said.
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar indicted on charges of bribery, money laundering

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a powerful South Texas Democrat, was indicted with his wife Imelda on Friday on charges of accepting almost $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. Cuellar allegedly accepted the payments from Azerbaijan’s state-run oil and gas company after they had been laundered through fake consulting contracts to shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, according to the indictment. In exchange, the Laredo congressman allegedly pushed U.S. policy in favor of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet country that borders Iran and Russia on the Caspian sea. That includes adding language to defense spending legislation to prioritize ties to countries in the region, including with Azerbaijan, and working to kill legislation prioritized by members who supported Armenian interests.
Texans get their first crack at electing the people overseeing the state’s complicated property appraisal process

In the state’s larger counties, voters can now elect people to the agencies that appraise property values. Texas homeowners have long had a springtime ritual: checking the latest appraised value of their property with dread, assuming that the new value alone will drive up their tax bill. Now, voters will have more direct say in who runs the obscure agencies that oversee the property appraisal process that plays a major role in individual property taxes and the revenues local governments collect to fund operations and public services.
Carroll ISD Superintendent Announces Retirement

Southlake Carroll will begin searching for a new superintendent by the end of the year. On Friday evening, Carroll ISD superintendent Dr. Lane Ledbetter announced that he was planning to retire from his position by the end of the year. A class of 1989 graduate and the son of Carroll coach and athletic director Bob Ledbetter, Dr. Ledbetter previously served as head superintendent for Graham ISD and Midlothian ISD prior to joining Carroll in Jan. 2021. "This decision was not made lightly, but after considerable thought, my wife and I firmly believe that now is the right time for me to transition into retirement while seeking new opportunities to continue contributing to the field of education," Dr. Ledbetter says via email. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to each member of the board, our faculty and staff, as well as the entire Dragon community. Serving Carroll ISD, a district that holds a special place in my heart as my alma mater, has been an honor, and I will forever cherish the opportunity to give back to the community that has done so much for me and my family."
Gov. Abbott orders TEA to ignore Biden’s Title IX revisions protecting LGBTQ+ students

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are pushing back on President Joe Biden's recent revision of Title IX, which includes safeguards for LGBTQ+ students. Title IX is a civil rights law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools or education programs that receive federal funding. Among the Title IX changes announced last week are new rules to clarify that Title IX also forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ students who face discrimination will be entitled to a response from their school under Title IX, and those failed by their schools can seek recourse from the federal government. Abbott, on Monday, tweeted on X that he sent a letter to the president condemning his recent revision of Title IX, saying it "forces schools to treat biological men as women." In his letter, Abbott said he instructed the Texas Education Agency to ignore the president's "illegal dictate" and that "Texas will not adhere to the new rules." "Title IX was written by Congress to support the advancement of women academically and athletically," the governor wrote in his letter. "The law was based on the fundamental premise that there are only two sexes—male and female. You have rewritten Title IX to force schools to treat boys as if they are girls and to accept every student’s self-declared gender identity. This ham-handed effort to impose a leftist belief onto Title IX exceeds your authority as President. I am instructing the Texas Education Agency to ignore your illegal dictate."
Texas Republicans have tried to rein in property taxes for five years. Has it worked?

Texas has spent billions of dollars to drive down property taxes. Many homeowners saw a significant tax cut last year, per a Texas Tribune analysis. A longtime homeowner in McAllen. A senior living in southeast Austin. The owners of a home in a quickly gentrifying Dallas neighborhood. Each saw a sizable cut in their property tax bill in 2023 after the Texas Legislature funneled billions of dollars into tax cuts, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. For the past five years, Republican lawmakers have been on a crusade to rein in the state’s property taxes, among the highest in the nation. Last year, they went big with a $12.7 billion package comprised of tax breaks for homeowners and money for school districts to drive down how much they collect from property owners, which usually represents the biggest portion of Texans’ property tax bills.

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Vacant	Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly Lusk INFO
Vacant	Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Vacant	Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESC INFO
Vacant	Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
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 Martel INFO
Vacant	Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Sabinal ISD; Search by: Richard W Grill & Sabinal ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
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 Surratt INFO
Vacant	La Gloria ISD; Search by: La Gloria ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Dickinson ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant	Pineywoods Community Academy (Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant	Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Pewitt CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny Lovett INFO
Vacant	Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
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 Lyon INFO
Vacant	Early ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Gorman ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Vacant	Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Vacant	Doss CCISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Vacant	Brock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Vacant	Richland Springs ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESC INFO
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 Kincaid INFO
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 Surratt INFO
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 ESC INFO
Lone Finalist	Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated); Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike Moses INFO
Lone Finalist	Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
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	Duncanville ISD - Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent,Caddo Parish Public Schools; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Lone Finalist	Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon\|Alcala PLLCINFO
Lone Finalist	Hamlin Collgiate ISD - Dr. Chanda Bloch, Director,San Marcos CISD; Search by: Collegiate Edu-Nation, Dr. Nelson Coulter INFO
Lone Finalist	Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff Ballard INFO
Lone Finalist	Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Lone Finalist	Greenville ISD - Joe Lopez, Superintendent,Kermit ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Lone Finalist	Weimar ISD - Chase Seelke, Assistant Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon INFO
Lone Finalist	Mason ISD - Sean Leamon, Superintendent,Winters ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESC INFO
Lone Finalist	Normangee ISD - Justin Vercher, Principal,Hillsboro ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO
Lone Finalist	Abilene ISD - Dr. John Kuhn, Superintendent,Mineral Wells ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Lone Finalist	Pflugerville ISD - Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent,Victoria ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Lufkin ISD - Dr. James Hockenberry, Assistant Superintendent,Longview ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Willis ISD - Dr. Kimberly James, Deputy Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Panhandle ISD - Dr. John Sherrill, Principal,Archer City ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Lone Finalist	Claude ISD - Brent Kirkland, Principal,Panhandle ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody Johnson INFO
Lone Finalist	Lorenzo ISD - Dr. Greg Nelson, Assistant Superintendent,Lamesa ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist	Wilson ISD - Wesley Jones, Principal,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist	Rogers ISD - Duana Brashear, Assistant Superintendent,Royal ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist	Whitehouse ISD - Dr. Casey Whittle, Assistant Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Royse City ISD - Dr. Amy Anderson, Interim Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis Culwell INFO
Lone Finalist	Clyde CISD - Bryan Allen, Superintendent,Breckenridge ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist	Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha Hopkins INFO
Lone Finalist	Tenaha ISD - Jerrod Campbell, Principal,Timpson ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Lone Finalist	Elkhart ISD - Kyle Johnson, Assistant Superintendent,Westwood ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
Lone Finalist	Lumberton ISD - Dr. John Mathews, Assistant Superintendent,Celina ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
Lone Finalist	Olton ISD - Michael Michaleson, Principal,Lockney ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	White Oak ISD - William Paul, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Midway ISD - Chris Allen, Superintendent,Marble Falls ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster INFO
New Super	Anton ISD - Freddie Tobias, Principal,Anton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Navarro ISD - Mandy D. Epley, Assistant Superintendent,Comal ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO
New Super	Hedley ISD - Tracey Bell, Principal,Vega ISD; Search by: Hedley ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Nathan Maxwell, Associate Exec. Dir.INFO
New Super	Venus ISD - Patrick Torres, Superintendent,Denver City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Yantis ISD - Robyn Derington Deputy Supt. Banquete ISD, Deputy Superintendent,Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett (Short Timeline!)INFO
New Super	Morton ISD - Mario Aguirre, Principal,Slaton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Dr. Kyle Wargo, Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Comfort ISD - Dr. Yvonne J. Munoz, Director,San Diego ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
New Super	Coupland ISD - Dr. Earl W. Parcell, Chief Financial Officer,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO
New Super	Miami ISD - Krista Solis, Superintendent,Hart ISD; Search by: Interim Supt. Steve Post and Miami ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super	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 ESC INFO
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	Glasscock County ISD - Mallory Marr, Chief Academic Officer,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
New Super	Ira ISD - Garrett Luft, Assistant Principal,Lubbock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
New Super	Anahuac ISD - Dr. Cody Abshire, Interim Superintendent,Anahuac ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
New Super	Pilot Point ISD - Shannon Fuller, Chief Instructional Officer,East Central ISD; Search by: Pilot Point ISD & Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, consultant Karen RueINFO
New Super	Colmesneil ISD - Sharon Tule, Interim Superintendent,Colmesneil ISD; Search by: Fisher FirmINFO
New Super	New Home ISD - Toby Tucker, Director,ESC 16; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Ropes ISD - Dade Cosby, Superintendent,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Rockport-Fulton ISD - Dr. Lesley Austin, Deputy Superintendent,Trinity Basin Prep, Dallas; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO
New Super	Sharyland ISD - Elaine Howard, Deputy Superintendent,Boerne ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Brooks County ISD - Scott Rogers, Superintendent,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Boerne ISD - Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Brenham ISD - Clay Gillentine, Interim Superintendent,Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Goldthwaite CISD - Dr. Christopher Bailey, Director,Abilene ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Ingleside ISD - Scott Kilgore, Director,Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Woodsboro ISD - Leslie Garza, Principal,Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - Paige Meloni, Chief Financial Officer,Lewisville ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Rains ISD - Joe Nicks, Assistant Superintendent,Kaufman ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Presidio ISD - Carmen Rubner, Interim Superintendent,Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Corsicana ISD - Stephanie Howell, Deputy Superintendent,Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO
New Super	Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO
New Super	City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
New Super	Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO

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$100M high school stadium rejected once again in Anna ISD

May 0608:40 AM

For a second time, voters knocked down a new $100 million high school stadium proposal in Anna. The measure was among nearly a dozen North Texas districts’ bond propositions up on Saturday’s elections. The asks totaled about $2.5 billion and included new campuses, safety improvements, technology and other upgrades on Saturday’s ballot. ADVERTISEMENT view article

May 2024 Bond List

May 0308:35 AM

Bond Election Data collected by TexasISD.com for public school bonds in the upcoming May 2024 election cycle.

Preventive Law: DOI-ng it Right: Exemptions to Consider in Optimizing Your Local Innovation Plan

May 0208:35 AM

At this point we don’t need to impress upon you the meaningful impacts that a well-written District of Innovation (“DOI”) Plan can have on school operations. After nearly ten years of the DOI experiment, it’s no secret that these plans are powerful tools—especially if properly drafted. Whether your District is seeking to adopt a plan for the first time, to renew an expiring plan, or to amend an existing plan, you must ensure that you carefully consider including the latest and greatest exemptions. This quick article will address some of the most popular and emerging innovations worth considering.

What you need to know about Texas’ school safety policies

April 2608:41 AM

Texas lawmakers have mandated armed guards at every public school, panic buttons in classrooms and more staff training. In response to the deadliest school shooting in Texas, lawmakers have upped legislation concerning gun and school safety. House Bill 3 passed late last year, which created the requirement for an armed security guard to be present on all campuses and also ramped up mental health resources for students. In Texas, the responsibility for establishing the guidelines for public school safety belongs to the Texas Education Agency and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office along with the TxSSC. These rules have been updated since the 2022 tragedy in Uvalde, but some experts worry that parents and guardians still don’t know the intricacies of school safety policy. Brian Clason, program manager of training and education for the Texas State School Safety Center, says the best thing parents can do to protect their children is to develop relationships with teachers and school faculty to learn more about safety protocols before an emergency occurs. “Your school leaders should know who you are, and you should know who they are,” he said. view article

Hundreds rescued from flooding as waters continue rising in Houston

May 0609:00 AM

HOUSTON (AP) - High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing more than 400 people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water. Others prepared to evacuate their property. A wide region was swamped from Houston to rural East Texas, where game wardens rode airboats through waist-high waters rescuing both people and pets who did not evacuate in time. One crew brought a family and three dogs aboard as rising waters surrounded their cars and home. A flood watch was in effect through Sunday afternoon, as forecasters predicted additional rainfall Saturday night and the likelihood of major flooding.

Texans get their first crack at electing the people overseeing the state’s complicated property appraisal process

May 0608:41 AM

Texas homeowners have long had a springtime ritual: checking the latest appraised value of their property with dread, assuming that the new value alone will drive up their tax bill. Now, voters will have more direct say in who runs the obscure agencies that oversee the property appraisal process that plays a major role in individual property taxes and the revenues local governments collect to fund operations and public services. For the first time Saturday, voters in some of the state’s largest counties will elect some of the board members for local appraisal districts, whose employees ultimately determine how much property is worth for tax purposes. Until now, those boards have been made up of the county tax assessor-collector, who is also elected, and members appointed by local taxing districts like cities, counties and school districts. The new state law requires appraisal district boards to have nine members. The tax assessor-collector will hold one seat, appointed members will hold five and those elected by voters will hold three. Elected members will serve four-year terms. view article

School Bonds Fail as ‘Vote No’ Campaigns Succeed

May 0608:40 AM

Voters defeated school bonds in Big Spring and Granbury, where residents organized campaigns against the property tax-backed debt proposals. Voters in Granbury and Big Spring Independent School Districts defeated school bonds on their May 4 ballots after local residents organized “Vote No” campaigns against the property tax-backed debt proposals. Granbury ISD’s single $161 million bond proposition ($315 million with interest) failed by about 400 votes, with 52 percent voting against. This is the district’s third failed bond in three years.Bond opponents in Granbury ISD organized a campaign warning voters about the tax impact of the bond, using the slogan “If You Know, You No.” Their campaign succeeded, despite local officials confiscating their campaign signs and arresting their “No Bond Bus Tour” driver over alleged invalid vehicle permits. Big Spring ISD residents borrowed Granbury bond opponents’ campaign slogan and soundly defeated their district’s two bond propositions that totaled $219 million ($430 million with interest). Prop A ($216.7 million) failed by 1,201 to 601 votes. Prop B ($2.3 million) failed 1,181 to 609. view article

HISD Superintendent Miles says cuts on the horizon as district must make up $450 million gap

May 0608:40 AM

Houston ISD’s state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Friday afternoon that the school district is facing an estimated $450 million gap in funding that will largely be made up by staff reductions as federal pandemic relief money expires and student enrollment continues to decline. Miles has said previously that the majority of the cuts will come from HISD's central office, and that his aim is to keep them “as far away from the classroom as possible.” His remarks Friday, though, appear to give the first indication of how widespread those cuts may be.

HISD union leaders vote ‘no confidence’ in Superintendent Miles, demanding his removal

May 0608:40 AM

The leaders of Houston’s largest teachers union approved a resolution of no confidence in Houston ISD’s Superintendent Mike Miles on Tuesday, in a strong but ultimately symbolic rebuke of the state-appointed superintendent’s leadership. The union’s resolution calls for Miles’ removal as superintendent and lays out numerous grievances that have surfaced repeatedly over the course of his 11-month tenure. It now heads to the Houston Federation of Teachers’ 6,000-plus members for ratification, with results of the vote expected next week. “The takeover of Houston ISD, the largest school district in Texas and the eighth largest district in the country, is a politically motivated, irresponsible experiment that is worsening inequities and disenfranchising Houston voters,” the resolution begins. “Houston ISD teachers and support staff have come together now to call for a vote of no confidence in state-installed superintendent Mike Miles.” view article

Report: Texas summers will keep getting hotter, drier

May 0608:30 AM

Texans can expect more 100-degree days and longer wildfire seasons in the coming years, according to a new report from the state climatologist at Texas A&M University. Rising temperatures will also exacerbate severe weather conditions from droughts to strong rainstorms and flooding. State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon used historic weather data to forecast climate trends through 2036—the year Texas turns 200—and beyond. The April 22 report is an update to information released in 2021. What you need to know In 2036, average temperatures in Texas are expected to be 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than averages from 1991-2020, researchers predict. view article

Ex-Tyler ISD Teacher’s Aide Accused of ‘Improper’ Relationship with Students

May 0608:30 AM

The jail has failed to meet the minimum staffing standard of one detention officer for every 48 inmates. The Harris County Jail must further reduce its inmate population or rapidly expand the number of deputies it has working in the jail according to a new order from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The Harris County Jail has been out of state compliance since 2022. This latest decision came down during the most recent meeting of the TCJS where Harris County presented a progress report on some of its compliance issues. The presentation showed that it has continued to fail to meet the minimum staffing standard of one detention officer for every 48 inmates and did not meet the required times for their observational rounds consistently. While the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said they are closer to meeting the target, they are still understaffed and find it hard to meet the mark 100 percent of the time. view article

Harris County Jail Reprimanded by State

May 0608:30 AM

State Rep. Toth Calls for Governor’s Intervention in Dr. Mary Talley Bowden Hearing

May 0608:30 AM

Toth called the Texas Medical Board’s investigation and legal proceedings against Bowden illegal. State Rep. Steve Toth (R-Conroe) has urged Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton to intervene in the Texas Medical Board’s proceedings against Dr. Mary Talley Bowden. In an open letter posted on X earlier this week, Toth called TMB’s investigation and legal proceedings against Bowden illegal and intended to intimidate doctors going forward. State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) joined Toth in his call. Tinderholt said he hopes that Paxton and Abbott will investigate and hold the Texas Medical Board accountable for “their abuse of a medical professional who saved lives!” He added, “She [Bowden] isn’t the only one the TMB abused and threatened! What a disgraceful time for the TMB!” Dr. Bowden, an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, has garnered national attention for successfully treating over 6,000 COVID-19 patients without a single death. She’s also become a key figure in the fight for medical freedom. view article

Thousands of Illegal Aliens Flown into Texas Airports

May 0608:30 AM

More than 10,000 illegal aliens have been flown directly into Texas by the Biden administration. A new report from the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security revealed documents showing that the Biden administration has flown thousands of illegal aliens into Texas airports. The committee report shows that the Department of Homeland Security has flown more than 400,000 illegal aliens into 50 different airports around the United States since January 2023. DHS officials did so using the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan mass-parole program. The CHNV program was launched by the Biden administration in January 2023 and was meant to help curb illegal alien entries at the southwest border after the expiration of Title 42. The program is said to allow 30,000 nationals per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and it allows for the illegal aliens to receive work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. view article

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar Indicted on Bribery, Money Laundering, Foreign Influence Charges

May 0608:30 AM

Before the indictment was unsealed on Friday, Cuellar denied any wrongdoing and said he would run for re-election. Democrat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar has been indicted on bribery and money laundering charges. The Department of Justice’s announcement follows a January 2022 raid on his home and campaign office in Laredo. According to a statement from the Department of Justice: view article

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Central ISD voters reject bond; Zavalla elects new mayor

May 0608:30 AM

Voters in Zavalla elected a new mayor, while voters in Central ISD rejected a $28.4 million bond proposal in Saturday’s municipal elections. The bond proposal, which called for renovations to the campus and the creation of an intermediate school, was narrowly defeated, with 495 votes cast against it compared to 462 votes cast for the upgrades. In Zavalla, Richard Brunk, who had been serving on the city council, won the race for mayor with 103 votes to 48 for the incumbent, Brenda Cox. The two open seats on the Zavalla City Council will be filled by Angie Thompson and Cindy Bailey, who had 110 votes and 104 votes, respectively. Opponent Patricia Galloway received 52 votes in that race. view article

Three seats up for grabs on Travis Central Appraisal District board. Here’s who won.

May 0608:30 AM

Three Democratic Party-backed candidates won the first-ever elections to the Travis Central Appraisal District's board of directors Saturday, according to the unofficial results from the Travis County clerk's office. Securing election to the nonpartisan positions were Jett Hanna for Place 1, Shenghao “Daniel” Wang for Place 2 and Dick Lavine for Place 3. The nine-member board — only three of whom are now elected — hires the district's chief appraiser, approves the appraisal district's budget, approves contracts and sets general policies, according to the district's website. The early and mail-in vote results released shortly after the polls closed Saturday evening showed each of the Travis County Democratic Party's endorsees holding solid leads over the Republican and third party challengers — a trend that held throughout election day. Hanna, Wang and Lavine were all elected by wide margins, with each race getting about 51,000 ballots cast. view article

Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar indicted on charges of bribery, money laundering

May 0608:30 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a powerful South Texas Democrat, was indicted with his wife Imelda on Friday on charges of accepting almost $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. Cuellar allegedly accepted the payments from Azerbaijan’s state-run oil and gas company after they had been laundered through fake consulting contracts to shell companies owned by Imelda Cuellar, according to the indictment. In exchange, the Laredo congressman allegedly pushed U.S. policy in favor of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet country that borders Iran and Russia on the Caspian sea. That includes adding language to defense spending legislation to prioritize ties to countries in the region, including with Azerbaijan, and working to kill legislation prioritized by members who supported Armenian interests. view article

False ad depicting Dade Phelan with Nancy Pelosi could inspire new anti-deepfake legislation

May 0608:30 AM

A mailer, paid for by the Jeff Yass-bankrolled Club for Growth Action PAC, falsely depicted Phelan in a hug with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A recent “deepfaked” ad targeting House Speaker Dade Phelan could inspire further legislation to crack down on doctored imagery in political ads. At the end of Monday’s hearing of the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, political attorney Andrew Cates suggested the committee should recommend an update to Senate Bill 751 from 2019, which created a Class A misdemeanor offense for distributing a “deep fake video” created with the intent to deceive voters. “Not to bring up sensitive stuff, but the speaker got hit a couple days ago with a fake image, or a deceptively altered image,” Cates said. “It’s not against the law here.” view article

Cleveland ISD opens donation drive for flood-affected students, families

May 0608:28 AM

In response to the recent flooding, Cleveland Independent School District (CISD) has initiated a donation drive to support students and families who have been impacted. The District is reaching out to citizens and community members to contribute clothing, shoes, socks, toiletries, personal hygiene items, cleaning products, and more. view article

Navarro ISD voters say yes to $120 million bond election

May 0608:26 AM

Voters in the Navarro ISD have said “yes” to the largest bond election in the district’s history. Voters during the Saturday, May 4 Election agreed to Propositions A, B and C totaling $120 million. Navarro ISD Superintendent Mandy Epley says the voter support throughout this election has been tremendous. She says she each winning proposition led with great margin. view article

Results for all school district bond proposals in Central Texas

May 0608:25 AM

Here’s a list of Central Texas school district bond that were either approved or rejected by voters. The hyperlinks will take you to your school district’s bond page for a more detailed breakdown of what was at stake. view article

Voters strongly approve Georgetown ISD’s $649.5M bond, three schools will be built

May 0608:25 AM

Georgetown school district voters on Saturday overwhelmingly approved a $649.5 million bond package to build new schools, renovate aging facilities and update technology for the 13,000-student district. "The passage of all four propositions of the 2024 Bond is a testament to our community's commitment to our students' success,” Superintendent Devin Padavil said in a news release Saturday night after the election results were finalized. view article

With San Jacinto River receding, Channelview ISD cancels school as flood recovery begins

May 0608:25 AM

Dozens of families are dealing with the aftermath of high water getting into their homes. Channelview, at the mouth of the San Jacinto River, saw flooding over the weekend, but finally the water level is going down. The local school district is trying to help students and their siblings and parents recover from the disaster by canceling classes Monday. view article

Willis ISD voters approve 1 of 4 propositions in $218.1M bond election

May 0608:25 AM

Willis ISD Director of Communication Jamie Fails said after polls closed on May 4 the district was "thrilled" that Proposition A received voter approval. "It's going to assist us with providing educational facilities for our students, specifically in the realm of expanding Willis High School to accommodate the growth we're experiencing as well as building a new transportation facility, which will relieve our current [facility]," she said. "We appreciate the community taking the time to vote and educating themselves." view article

Houston ISD set to eliminate staff who help students most in need

May 0608:25 AM

Houston ISD plans to fire dozens of employees who work with students dealing with poverty-related issues like housing insecurity, clothing, and food scarcity, among others, citing budget limitations. The district has nearly 300 employees known as wraparound specialists who help students and their families with impending issues outside of the classroom. Some of their tasks include helping them gather basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene products and offering training, tutoring, mentoring, and overall support for district community members in need. view article

Klein ISD working to regain public trust after teacher arrested on child trafficking charges

May 0608:25 AM

Weeks after a Klein high school teacher was arrested on claims that she compelled teens to be involved in a prostitution ring, the Klein Independent School District is making efforts to regain public trust. view article

Controversy arises over Fort Bend ISD’s class ranking policy

May 0608:25 AM

Recent changes in Fort Bend ISD’s class ranking policy have sparked controversy as students find themselves ranked among students who don’t attend their same school, raising questions of fairness and equality. Community advocates have expressed concern about the effects of the policy shift on college admissions and scholarship opportunities for graduating students. view article

Voters narrowly approve Canutillo ISD bonds for new schools, repairs, debt payoff

May 0608:25 AM

Voters narrowly approved the Canutillo Independent School District’s $387 million bond proposals on Saturday. About 51% of voters cast ballots in favor of the proposal to build new schools and renovate existing ones – winning approval with a margin of 32 votes. The proposal to issue bonds to pay off debt was approved with just over 50% and a margin of 13 votes. This marks the first bond proposals Canutillo ISD voters approve after voting down two others in four years. view article

Evadale ISD superintendent amazed by overwhelming support for bond

May 0608:25 AM

Bond passed with 69 percent of vote. view article

Longview ISD voters approve all bond proposals; Ishihara elected Longview mayor

May 0608:25 AM

The third time really was the charm for Longview ISD as voters approved all five bond proposals. With Harrison County votes still pending, it appears there are enough votes in favor in Gregg County, as no proposal was faring worse than 58 percent Saturday night. Also in Longview, voters supported Kristin Ishihara as the new mayor, as votes in Gregg County had her winning by 2,700 votes, with less than 200 pending in Harrison County. view article

Navasota ISD passes two bonds, largest for the district

May 0608:24 AM

Voters in Navasota voted yes to two bonds in the May 4 election Saturday night. Proposition A was a $71 million bond package that the superintendent Dr. Stu Musick said would help renovate current schools and remodel existing campuses including roofs and HVAC systems maintenance. Not only that, but it would address the growth in the area with some of the funds going towards a new elementary school, new school buses as well as land for future schools. It passed 456 voters (55%) to 374 voters (45%). view article

Cy-Fair ISD parents and students blame Gov. Greg Abbott for $138M budget crisis

May 0608:20 AM

Parents in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD urged district leaders at a Thursday workshop to stand up against the flat public school funding that is forcing the district to cut jobs, including roughly half of school librarians. Cy-Fair ISD leaders say they need to cut $64 million in costs and dip into their fund balance to cover a $138 million shortfall for the next school year. Cuts are planned to bus transportation, professional support staff, teaching positions and 40 of 92 librarians, who were recently informed of their position eliminations through email. view article

Spring ISD marks 50th anniversary of Reynolds Elementary School

May 0608:10 AM

The Spring ISD community is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Reynolds Elementary School on May 3, according to an April 30 news release from the district. The 10 a.m. event will feature a mini school history museum, student performances and speakers talking about the school’s history. view article

LOCAL NEWS 4-year-old dies after being swept away in North Texas flood waters

May 0607:31 AM

4-year-old dies after being swept away in North Texas flood waters texas JOHNSON COUNTY — A 4-year-old child died after being swept away by flood waters Sunday morning. According to Johnson County Emergency Management, someone called 911 around 2 a.m. to report a car that was stuck in swift-moving water. The caller saw two adults and a young boy try to get out of the car and get to dry land. But all three were swept into the flood waters. Johnson County Emergency Management director Jamie Moore rushed to the scene off CR 528 in rural Johnson County. Police, fire and other first responders searched for the victims through the night. A man and woman were found around 5 a.m. and taken to a local hospital but the 4-year-old was found dead two hours later. view article

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TexasISD.com was the brainchild of Joe F. Smith. Joe retired early from a successful career as Superintendent of Schools for Hudson ISD, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Due to a long battle with Post-Polio Syndrome the doctor made him hang it up and rest for six months. Never being the kind of person to sit still and also not being the person to listen to his doctor, Joe logged lengthy sessions in front of his PC researching school issues, reading papers and corresponding with his friends and colleagues in the education business.

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