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Congratulations to the following New Supers
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Superintendent Vacancies
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| Vacant | Thrall ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Grapeland ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Medina Valley ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | Vacant | Seagraves ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO | 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 | 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 |
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Executive Director Region 11 ESC; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO |
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Edinburg CISD Extended Timeline!; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
Vacant | Cuero ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Danny LovettINFO | Vacant |
Panther Creek CISD (Deadline Extended); Search by: Panther Creek CISD Board of Trustees emailINFO |
Vacant | Ralls ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO | Vacant | Calallen ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Bartlett ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Elgin ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Jourdanton ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO | Vacant | Montague ISD - Debra Sicking, Principal,Muenster ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO | Vacant | Damon ISD; Search by: Hitchcock ISD Board of Trustees & Region V ESC - Dr. Rolando “Rudy” TrevinoINFO | Vacant | Crystal City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Prosper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO | Vacant | Sinton ISD; Region 2 ESCINFO | Vacant | Hamshire-Fannett ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett Powell Law GroupINFO | Vacant |
Southwest ISD (Charter) - Search by: TASB Executive Search Services; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
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Quanah ISD;  Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO |
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Region 2 ESC Executive Director; Search by: JCA Law, PLLCINFO |
Vacant | Floresville ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Gary PattersonINFO |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Elkhart ISD - Reese Briggs, Chief Operations Officer,Splendora 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 | Hubbard ISD - Colt Carmichael, Assistant Superintendent,Blum ISD; Search by: Shaun Barnett Powell Law GroupINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Ector ISD - Morganne Mandrell, Principal,Hamlin ISD; Search by: Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Bullard ISD - Dr. Micah Dyer, Superintendent,Cuero; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Merkel ISD - Dr. Nikki Moore, Superintendent,Irion County ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Weatherford ISD - Dr. Sean Scott, Deputy Superintendent,Mansfield ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Haskell CISD - Wade Calloway, Superintendent,Grover ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Westbrook ISD - Donald Tosh, Assistant Superintendent,Bandera ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Frisco ISD - Todd Fouche , Deputy Superintendent,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Hale Center ISD - Hector Dominguez, Superintendent,Runge ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Texline ISD - Serapio Arguijo, Campus Admin,Andrews ISD; Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Lazbuddie ISD - Artemio Ontiveros, Principal,Brownfield ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Silverton ISD - John York, Superintendent,San Jon Municipal Schools, New Mexico; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Blanket ISD; INFO |
| Lone Finalist | Clarendon ISD - Byron May, Principal,Pampa ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Irion County ISD - Dr. Michael Heath, Principal,Coleman ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Harper ISD - Mr. Paul Goetzke, Director,La Vernia ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gruver ISD - Jermaine Cantu, Administrator,Wellington ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Mount Vernon ISD - Craig Watson, Assistant Superintentdent,Mount Vernon ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Blue Ridge ISD - Matthew Brown, Director,Mansfield ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper, Keith Bryant and Stan SurrattINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Jim Hogg County ISD (Updated Timeline) - Susan Douglas, Principal,Ramirez ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Wheeler ISD - Brandon Holland, Principal,Claude ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Klondike ISD - Kenny Lowery, Director,Big Spring ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Sunray ISD - Dr. Benjamin Clinton, Superintendent,Mercedes ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Follett ISD - Jeff Quisenberry, Dean of Students,Follett ISD; Search by: Region 16 ESC, Dr. Nathan Maxwell, Deputy Executive DirectorINFO |
| Lone Finalist | High Island ISD - Misti Smith, Director,West Sabine ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Crowell ISD - Brad Clanton,, Principal,Bland ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO |
| Lone Finalist | San Diego ISD - Bruce Wilson, Assistant Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; INFO |
| 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 | Loraine ISD - Lacy Brauchle, Principal,Mathis ISD; Search by: Region 14 ESC, Chris Wigington Exec. DirectorINFO |
| New Super | Edcouch-Elsa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Spearman ISD - LeeAnn McGraw, Superintendent,Sierra Blanca ISD; Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | West Hardin Co. CISD - Sean McCabe, Principal,Tarkington ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO |
| New Super | Brownsville ISD - Dr. Timothy E. Cuff, Principal,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO |
| New Super | Shepherd ISD - Dr. Todd Davis, Associate Commissioner,Texas Education Agency; Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Charlotte BakerINFO |
| New Super | Marfa ISD - Mr. Stephen W. McCanless, Superintendent,Cleveland ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
| New Super | Los Fresnos CISD - Dr. Joseph R. Villarreal, Superintendent,Santa Maria ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?East Texas sits on a goldmine of lithium, but questions loom over how the state will regulate mining and production
TEXARKANA — When Scott Norton became president of the TexAmericas Center, he hoped the industrial park would attract employers that would bring much-needed jobs to North East Texas. Little did he know the industrial center would sit atop one of the country’s largest and richest lithium deposits, known as the Smackover Formation, and would also become a key location for mineral production in Texas. “[Lithium production is] a great opportunity not just for the Department of War and Red River Army Depot, but in the entire region when it comes to capital investment and job creation,” Norton said. Lithium production in East Texas could create high-paying jobs, support local businesses and encourage cities to improve East Texas infrastructure, such as roads or public utility services. But it could also leave landowners struggling with high property values and a community dealing with infrastructure that doesn’t keep pace with rapid growth, leading to a bust that the state has seen before with the oil and gas industry.
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Greg Abbott threatens Dallas, Houston airports’ grant funds over Islamic washing facilities
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport canceled plans to install a facility commonly used for Islamic prayer after Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday threatened to withdraw state and federal funding as Houston’s mayor defended George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s amenity. Abbott sent a letter to the North Texas airport’s CEO Christopher McLaughlin, as well as the mayors of Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, stating his office was in the process of reviewing all grant funds over facilities in their cities’ airports. He also sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to refer the airports for federal investigations.
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Preventive Law: Lowering Costs in Construction Manager-at-Risk Agreements: Protecting Audit Rights and Other Cost-Saving Strategies
Subchapter F of Chapter 2269 of the Texas Government Code allows school districts to utilize the Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) method of delivery for their construction projects. CMAR projects are usually built on a “cost plus fee” basis, subject to a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). In a cost-plus-fee agreement under the CMAR method, a school district generally agrees to pay the actual documented costs as agreed in the contract (e.g. labor, materials, equipment, insurance, bonds) associated with construction of the project, plus the Construction Manager’s fee, up to the GMP. The Construction Manager is “at risk” for the amount that exceeds the GMP.
THRALL ISD HIRES JIM DUNLAP OF ARROW EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
The board of trustees of the Thrall 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.
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Preventive Law: All in the Family: Nepotism in ISD Hiring
Summer in Texas means triple-digit heat, a suspicious amount of construction on every major highway, and superintendents scrambling to make sure every classroom has a teacher before school begins. Hiring season is chaotic, and given the pressure to be fully staffed, it can be tempting to hire that perfectly qualified relative of a board member who just happens to be looking for a teaching job.
Lufkin ISD maps path to K-5 campus realignment
Lufkin ISD officials expect to spend the next several months determining how students, staff and programs will be distributed as the district prepares to transition its elementary campuses to a K-5 model for the 2027-28 school year. Deputy Superintendent Jill Gaston presented trustees with a timeline for the realignment during a board work session Monday. The district is gathering community feedback and enrollment data through the end of August before beginning a more detailed analysis in September That analysis will take aspects such as campus capacity, attendance boundaries, transportation, nutrition services, staffing and the placement of specialized programs into consideration.
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Pressure mounts to allow treated oilfield waste in Texas rivers and on rangeland
As oil and gas companies run out of places to dispose of their wastewater, Texas regulators are drafting permits to treat and reuse it outside the oilfields. ORLA — Elected officials and industry leaders warn that Texas is at the “precipice” of running out of underground space to dispose of the nearly 1 billion gallons of wastewater that oil and gas production generates every day in the Permian Basin. The toxic wastewater, known as produced water, is usually injected underground into disposal wells. But these wells have increased underground pressure, triggering earthquakes and blowouts. Instead of underground injection, the oil industry is now seeking alternatives to treat and reuse produced water.
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LISD board recognizes Harris, adopts tax rate -( Lufkin)
Chief financial officer Heath Wethington led a public hearing on the district’s proposed 2026-27 tax rates. LISD property values total $3,279,847,000, according to the Angelina County Appraisal District, down $5 million from last year. Wethington proposed a maintenance and operations tax rate of $.7552 and an interest and sinking tax rate of $.3912. The M&O rate has been the same for three years and the I&S rate is increased thanks to both bond issues’ passage in May’s election.
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Wanda Lee (Smithhart) Puckett
Visitation for Wanda Lee (Smithhart) Puckett, 69, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carroway Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be at Gann Cemetery. Mrs. Puckett was born March 30, 1957 in Nacogdoches, Texas to Ada Lee (Goodman) and James Smithhart, Jr., and died Sunday, August 16, 2026 in a Conroe hospital. She worked as the Superintendent’s secretary at Central ISD for 20 years. Mrs. Puckett always had the purest of hearts and was the eternal optimist. She loved her family and friends with every ounce of her being, and there was not a single thing that she wouldn’t do for them. She was loyal, sometimes to a fault, for always looking for the good in everyone. Her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren consumed her life, and she loved it.
Texas Republicans Have a Data Center Problem
With America's power grid failing... billionaire tech CEOs Sam Altman and Elon Musk are pouring their money into a strange new technology that could hold answers, save the country from disaster, and send one small group of stocks soaring in the days ahead. The Republican Party has felt like home to Rena Schroeder since her teenage years when she joined a high school club for conservative Latinos. She cast her first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. And she’s lost friends over her ardent posts on social media, some touting her anti-abortion views. “I’ve always been committed,” said Schroeder, 62, of her allegiance to the GOP. That is, until she learned about a massive data center, part of OpenAI’s $500 billion Stargate project, going up south of her property. The project has been championed by her party’s standard-bearers, President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. But the more Schroeder learned about data centers popping up across the state, the more she became convinced her party was corrupted by industry lobbyists, seemingly brushing off what she saw as an existential threat to rural Texans like her.
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Residents and industry leaders at odds over transmission lines at legislative hearing
Residents and industry leaders at odds over transmission lines at legislative hearingThe growing backlash surrounding 765 kv lines, as well as data centers, was tackled at a nine-hour House hearing that included testimony and recommendations but no definitive answers. Flashes of yellow were all around the Texas Capitol grounds on Wednesday as legislators gathered to consider two of the most controversial issues in Texas politics: data centers and transmission lines.The color — displayed on bandanas, pins, shirts and dresses — has become the symbol of a grassroots movement dedicated to blocking the buildout of 765-kilovolt transmission lines across the state. A coalition of those groups gathered on the steps of the Capitol building in the morning as testimony got underway for the House Committee on State Affairs’ interim meeting dedicated to the backlash against the transmission lines and data centers.
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Abbott Calls for Total Ban on Foreign Funding, H-1B Workers in Texas Public Schools
The governor says foreign influence has “no place” in Texas classrooms. Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on Texas lawmakers to ban foreign funding in public schools and prohibit districts from employing workers through the federal H-1B visa program. Abbott announced the proposals Tuesday as part of a broader push aimed at eliminating foreign influence in Texas classrooms. “The minds of our students are driven by influences that they are exposed to in our public schools,” said Abbott. “Those minds should be shaped by policies that are approved by state lawmakers.” Abbott pointed to Austin Independent School District’s acceptance of hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatar to support Arabic language and culture instruction, as well as school districts that have participated in Confucius Classroom programs affiliated with Chinese government-backed entities. “We cannot condone the quiet indoctrination of our children in the classroom,” said Abbott.
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A North Texas family got vouchers to attend the dream school. Using the funds came with sacrifices
Yua and Haruki Howk left public school for a private special needs school. Their journey shows what it takes to turn a voucher into a choice. Before the sun had crept over the neighborhood, Yua Howk was already in the kitchen, in her pajamas, gazing up at her father. He handed over a hanger with a navy dress. A smile filled her rosy cheeks.
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Texas wants students to spot misinformation. Adults must, too
A false description of my research became the basis for an argument about the value of my work. School districts face a larger version of the same problem. As Texas students return to school this month, some will get a lesson that is new this year: how to check whether a source is telling the truth.State policymakers deserve credit for prioritizing this critical skill set. By state law, every Texas school campus is now required to send a teacher and an administrator to civics training in media literacy — verifying information and sources, identifying and responding to logical fallacies — so they can teach those skills to students. Elementary educators completed that training for the first time this summer. Media literacy should not be something we ask only of children. I learned that all too well last week when I read an article by Texas Scorecard, a news outlet connected to a conservative advocacy group. The article questioned whether the University of Texas System Board of Regents should approve tenure for several faculty members.
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Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Leon, Alcala, Morse & Reynolds, PLLC
WEBINAR: CHAPTER 37 TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Join us for our upcoming webinar
Date: September 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Webinar
Cost: $250 for up to 8 people
Presented by: Sara Leon
Presented by: John Janssen
Read more and register here...
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Join us!
A North Texas family got vouchers to attend the dream school. Using the funds came with sacrifices
Yua and Haruki Howk left public school for a private special needs school. Their journey shows what it takes to turn a voucher into a choice. Before the sun had crept over the neighborhood, Yua Howk was already in the kitchen, in her pajamas, gazing up at her father. He handed over a hanger with a navy dress. A smile filled her rosy cheeks. The new school year means a new school for these siblings with Down Syndrome. Yua, 12, and Haruki, 14, are leaving their public school to attend the Notre Dame School of Dallas, a Catholic school for students with special needs. Affording tuition became possible after they were approved for school vouchers. This is the first year the Texas Education Freedom Accounts are available, and more than 85,000 students will use taxpayer-funded accounts to offset private education costs. That total includes 20,700 students with disabilities. While 70% of awardees were previously in private schools or homeschooled, some families, including the Howks, will transition out of public school.
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Trump administration moves to open untouched national forests to logging
The Trump administration moved on Tuesday to roll back an environmental rule that currently blocks road construction, and by extension most logging and mining activity, on tens of millions of acres of public forest land. The so-called "roadless rule" was introduced by the Clinton administration and went into effect in 2001. It has been a flashpoint in the U.S. fight over economic development and wild land conservation, especially in Western states, for a quarter of a century. "Our forests can't afford another decade of inaction," U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement. "It's time to turn the page on the failed roadless rule and return our forests to health and productivity."
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Texas Education Agency
The following new Texas Education Agency Correspondences have been posted on the TEA website - :https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXTEA/bulletins/425efce
Buyouts offered to nearly a quarter of UT Tyler employees amid budget shortfall
Nearly 100 employees at UT Tyler accepted buyouts expected to save the university $9.6 million in the coming fiscal year as officials aim to keep the East Texas school affordable. Along with 99 staffers accepting the buyouts, University of Texas at Tyler officials paused salary increases amid its budget shortfall. The Texas Tribune learned of the buyouts in July. At the time, Beverly Golden, UT Tyler’s associate vice president for strategic communications and media relations, said the incentives were intended to keep the university “affordable and prepared for the future” while allowing the university to continue its teaching and research mission. She did not release information then about the program, including its cost, the number of employees who were eligible for buyouts or its projected savings other than to say the buyouts weren’t expected to affect course offerings or student services.
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To dodge TEA takeover, Everman ISD turns failing campus into public charter school
After Charles Baxter Junior High School received a fourth consecutive F grade in the state’s annual A-F Accountability ratings, Everman ISD will turn the campus into a public charter school that will be operated by an outside organization, district officials said this week. Everman ISD is partnering with Third Future Schools, a nonprofit educational management organization, to turn Charles Baxter into a public charter school. The campus will remain as part of Everman ISD, but Third Future Schools will run the campus and its daily operations.
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Felony case against former Centerville ISD Superintendent thrown out
A Leon County district court judge has dismissed the state-jail felony indictment against former Centerville Independent School District Superintendent Carole Lee Dickey. The court granted a supplemental motion to quash filed by Dickey’s defense, which argued that the indictment failed to set forth the specific statutory facts required to establish that she violated her duty to report an educator’s misconduct.
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Texas’s Data Center Dominance At Risk
Texas is leading the way when it comes to data center development in the U.S., but local opposition and now official moratoriums may be threatening what developers see as the potential benefits from the state’s central role in the AI boom. Data center expansion has emerged as a national flashpoint, with officials and companies themselves touting the economic value and strategic importance of securing America’s edge in the AI race, though surveys continue to chart widespread disapproval from voters across the country. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from June found that 57 percent would oppose a data center being built in their community, a figure that reached 71 percent in an earlier survey from Gallup.
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Round Rock school district searches for fourth police chief in six years
The Round Rock school district is searching for a new police chief for the fourth time in six years as students return to class this week, continuing a pattern of leadership turnover in a young department that has also dealt with culture problems, officer attrition and staffing shortages.
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Trump could face a foil in Texas land office over border wall plans near Big Bend
The Texas General Land Office controls more land in Texas than the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined – 13 million acres - most of which is in West Texas and leased out for ranching, hunting and oil drilling to help fund the state's public schools. The office doesn't typically get much attention, but that all changed last month when Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced she had sent a cease and desist letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for clearing ranch lands controlled by her office without their permission, as part of the Trump administration's controversial border security work in and around Big Bend National Park. Buckingham is a longtime Trump booster who has praised his crackdown on border security. But her letter has drawn attention to the fact that any national border wall would likely traverse GLO land, potentially setting up a standoff with her and President Donald Trump as his immigration efforts extend into one of the most beloved desert expanses in Texas.
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Brownwood ISD sees major jump in state ratings
ABILENE, Texas — Brownwood ISD started the year with improved accountability ratings. The district moved from a C to a B. The Texas Education Agency gave the district an overall score of 83, an improvement over the previous score of 78. "I think the biggest difference is just some consistency. I think last year we were able to have a new math curriculum in our lower grades," Dr. Young said.
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Greg Abbott pushes to ban public schools from using H-1B visas
Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he plans to call for a ban on school districts employing anyone with an H-1B visa, a move that could cost hundreds of Texas teachers their jobs. At a news conference in Austin, Abbott said the ban was part of a sweeping effort to stamp out “indoctrination in the classroom” that includes forbidding schools from accepting gifts or partnerships with foreign governments. “Bottom line is this: foreign influence of any kind has no place in our classrooms,” Abbott said at a Tuesday news conference in Austin.
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Long-Term Interest Rates Hit Highest Level Since 2007—Here’s What to Know
Long-term interest rates hit their highest level in almost 20 years to start the trading week, signaling investors’ growing concerns surrounding persistent inflation and the government’s fiscal health. The 30-year Treasury yield climbed more than 4 basis points to around 5.31percent—its highest since June 2007—during the Aug. 17 trading session. The benchmark 10-year yield also ticked up to above 4.72 percent. The two-year yield, which generally tracks Federal Reserve policy expectations, was little changed at 4.18 percent.
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Behind the Blueprints: A Look at Trump’s 250-Foot Triumphal Arch
WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is now awaiting a final decision on whether the president’s proposal to build a 250-foot triumphal arch in the nation’s capital will advance, after a federal agency granted preliminary approval in July.President Donald Trump proposed the monument to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Earlier reports suggested that the administration might have to revise the design to comply with the height restrictions of a century-old federal law. However, a source familiar with the administration’s proposal who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity said there are no such plans.
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Behind the Blueprints: A Look at Trump’s 250-Foot Triumphal Arch
WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is now awaiting a final decision on whether the president’s proposal to build a 250-foot triumphal arch in the nation’s capital will advance, after a federal agency granted preliminary approval in July.President Donald Trump proposed the monument to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Earlier reports suggested that the administration might have to revise the design to comply with the height restrictions of a century-old federal law. However, a source familiar with the administration’s proposal who spoke to The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity said there are no such plans.
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Kay Granger, first Republican woman from Texas to serve in the House, has died at age 83
Kay Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and who served for nearly three decades, has died
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What Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD’s proposed tax increase could mean for homeowners
Homeowners in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District could see a higher tax bill if voters approve a proposed tax rate increase in November. The SCUCISD Board of Trustees voted to put the tax rate proposition before voters, saying the additional revenue is needed to support teachers and student programs.
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Georgetown ISD welcomes students back to school Wednesday as leaders approve tax rate election
Georgetown ISD superintendent Dr. Devin Padavil welcomed students back to the classroom Wednesday, several days after board leaders approved a tax rate election.
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A behind-the-scenes look at Lubbock ISD-TV, the classes students take to prepare for the future
Students from all five Lubbock high schools have the opportunity to learn more about the many facets of the media industry through Career and Technical Education and Lubbock ISD-TV. Elizabeth Roup, its coordinator, says this is the perfect space for students to grow as young professionals. “Our students get so much hands-on experience and it’s so awesome for them,” Roup said. A lot of times, I tell them they don’t even know how fortunate they are, because there’s colleges across the country that don’t have this space.”
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What Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD’s proposed tax increase could mean for homeowners
Homeowners in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District could see a higher tax bill if voters approve a proposed tax rate increase in November. The SCUCISD Board of Trustees voted to put the tax rate proposition before voters, saying the additional revenue is needed to support teachers and student programs.
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North East ISD jumps from C to B in TEA accountability ratings
Just days after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released its A-F accountability ratings, schools are focusing on helping students learn and master grade-level skills. Hidden Forest Elementary in North East ISD received an A rating, reflecting strong performance in educating students.
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