Leon|Alcala, PLLC

Congratulations to the following New Supers

 

91 Superintendent Vacancies Click to expand

Vacant Rusk ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Martin's Mill ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO
Vacant Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Socorro 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 Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant San Isidro ISD (Short Timeline); Search by: Region One ESC, Exec. Dir. Dr. Daniel P. KingINFO
Vacant Queen City ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO
Vacant Commerce ISD - Search by: Commerce ISD Board of Trustees; INFO
Vacant Gonzales ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte Baker,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 Lubbock-Cooper ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Vacant Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Art
(Houston)

 ; Thompson & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO
Vacant East Chambers ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant Webb CISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Moulton ISD; <p>Search by: Region 3 ESC, <a href="mailto:mlyon@esc3.net">Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon</a></p>INFO
Vacant Hidalgo ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Dawson ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Danny LovettINFO
Vacant Seguin ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Rick AlvaradoINFO
Vacant Gunter ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Vacant Royal ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Vacant Levelland ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
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 Frost ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Cedar HIll ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Bowie ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Vacant Abernathy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Kingsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Millsap ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Vacant La Pryor ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Industrial ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Charlotte BakeINFO
Vacant Rotan ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
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 Marlin ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Deweyville ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Lone Finalist Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO
Lone Finalist Waco ISD - Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent,Buna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Onalaska ISD - Dr. Kenneth Fraga, Assistant Superintendent,Onalaska ISD; Search by: Onalaska ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Lone Finalist Graham ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Lueders-Avoca ISD - Dr. Joe Alcorta, Superintendent,Dalhart ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
Lone Finalist Lipan ISD - Jimmie Dobbs, Interim Superintendent,Lipan ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Lone Finalist Albany ISD - Daryl Stuard, Superintendent,Bremond ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
Lone Finalist Victoria ISD - Shelia Collazo, Deputy Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: JCA Law, PLLC and Saul HinojosaINFO
Lone Finalist Hawkins ISD - Jeff Hutchins, Director of Operations,Van ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Monte Alto ISD - Rashad Javed Rana, Assistant Superintendent,Donna ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Lone Finalist Grandfalls-Royalty ISD - Carlos Contreras, Superintendent,Dell City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Copperas Cove ISD - Brent Hawkins, Superintendent,Livingston ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Utopia ISD - Joshua Ham, Principal,San Saba ISD; Search by: Utopia ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Lone Finalist Buna ISD - Dr. Julie Motomura, Superintendent,​Schulenburg ISD; Search By: Buna ISD Board of Trustees INFO
Lone Finalist Ector County ISD - Search by: TASB Executive Search Services, Keeley Boyer,Ector County ISD; INFO
Lone Finalist Splendora ISD - Dustin Bromley, Deputy Superintendent,La Porte ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Mount Calm ISD - Jay Underwood, Deputy Superintendent,Anna ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Shaun BarnettINFO
Lone Finalist Waskom ISD - Chris Guastella, Principal,Ferris ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
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 Livingston ISD - Jeff Peck, Deputy Superintendent,Dickinson ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Groesbeck ISD - Scott Cummiungs, Superintendent,Westphalia ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Holland ISD - Jennisty Thomason, Principal,Holland ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search 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 Muleshoe ISD - Scott Bicknell, Superintendent,Jayton-Girard 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 ESCDr. 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 Central Heights ISD - Justin Keeling, Superintendent,Douglass ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Jim Ned CISD - Will Brewer, Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
Lone Finalist Smithville ISD - Molley Perry, Deputy Superintendent,Elgin ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Borger ISD - Daniel Fuller, Superintendent,Sweeny ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD - Stacy Parker, CFO,Marlin ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist New Home ISD - Julia Stephen, Director,Amarillo ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
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 Cameron ISD - Mistie Dakroub, Assistant Superintendent,Cameron ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Mathis ISD - Todd White, Superintendent,Santa Anna ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Dickinson ISD - Dr. Rebecca Brown, Deputy Superintendent,La Porte ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
New Super Crockett ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
New Super Plains ISD - Scott Mills, Principal,Quannah ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super Olney ISD
(Young Co.) - Dr. Matt Caffey, Principal,Olney ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
New Super Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
New Super Karnes City ISD - Jamie Robinson, Principal,Granbury ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Kyle, Robinson & Roalson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
New Super Dew ISD - Kent Reynolds, Superintendent,Hallsburg ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
New Super Early ISD - Joan Otten, Director,Katy ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Richards ISD - Michael Smith, Chief Operations Officer,West Hardin ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO
New Super Carroll ISD - Dr. Jeremy Glenn, Superintendent,Grandbury ISD; Search by: Carrrol ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Northside ISD (Wilbarger Co.)  - Paul Ryan, Superintendent,Rio Vista ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
New Super Hutto ISD - Jeni Neatherlin, Superintendent,Granger ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Louise ISD - Richard Wright, Superintendent,Agua Dulce ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO
New Super San Benito CISD - Alfredo Perez, Interim Superintendent,San Benito ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Grandbury ISD - Dr. Courtney Morawski, Assistant Superintendent,Fayetteville Arkansas; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
New Super Lake Worth ISD - Mark Ramirez, Assistant Superintendent,Dallas ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Chester ISD - Cory Hines, Superintendent,Neches ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
New Super Nacogdoches ISD - Grey Burton, Superintendent,Rusk ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO

Comal ISD could actually lose money under ‘historic’ $8.5B public school funding bill

June 1609:07 AM
 

During a state legislative session where education issues took center stage and Gov. Greg Abbott promised to fund public schools, one San Antonio area school district could potentially lose money under the new bill. view article  arw

HISD leader Mike Miles’ annual salary raised to $462,000 by board

June 1608:46 AM
 

While many dads across Houston celebrate Father's Day with backyard barbecues and homemade cards, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles received a different kind of gift: an $82,000 raise and a new five-year contract extension, bringing his base salary to $462,000 per year. view article  arw

HISD leader Mike Miles’ annual salary raised to $462,000 by board

June 1608:46 AM
 

While many dads across Houston celebrate Father's Day with backyard barbecues and homemade cards, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles received a different kind of gift: an $82,000 raise and a new five-year contract extension, bringing his base salary to $462,000 per year. view article  arw

Photos: “No Kings” protests across Texas

June 1608:44 AM
 

Eight Tribune photographers in eight Texas cities covered Saturday’s “No Kings” protests. Here is some of their work.  Houston City Hall and protesters are reflected in Cristina Medina’s glasses during the "No Kings" demonstration on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Credit: Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribune view article  arw

What to know about Texas ending in-state tuition for undocumented students

June 1608:39 AM
 

Texas will no longer allow students living in the state who are undocumented to pay in-state tuition following demands from the Trump administration to end the policy.  Soon after the federal government sued Texas last week over a state law allowing the practice, Texas quickly asked the court to side with the feds and deem the law unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s ruling did just that and immediately blocked the law.  This is what is known so far about the ruling and its implications. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. view article  arw

HISD Superintendent Mike Miles gets $82,000 raise as part of 5-year contract extension

June 1608:29 AM
 

Houston ISD's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles will see an increase in base salary from $380,000 to $462,000 after the Board of Managers approved an amended contract Thursday to keep him for five more years. Nearly two weeks after the Texas Education Agency replaced half of its board, the newly configured board approved a $2.1 billion budget and new contract for Miles. view article  arw

Houston ISD Superintendent’s 5-year contract released following Board of Managers approval on Thursday

June 1608:29 AM
 

We're learning more information regarding a 5-year contract that was approved for Superintendent Mike Miles by the Houston Independent School District Board of Managers on Thursday night. According to the contract, which was received around 4:30 p.m. by e-mail, Miles' new annual base salary will be set at $462,000, which is an $82,000 increase in pay from his base salary of $380,000 that was set on June 1, 2023.  view article  arw

What to know about Texas ending in-state tuition for undocumented students

June 1608:28 AM
 

Some implications of the ruling ordering the policy’s end are still unknown. College access experts urged affected students not to withdraw from school while they assess their options.  Texas will no longer allow students living in the state who are undocumented to pay in-state tuition following demands from the Trump administration to end the policy. Soon after the federal government sued Texas last week over a state law allowing the practice, Texas quickly asked the court to side with the feds and deem the law unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor’s ruling did just that and immediately blocked the law.  This is what is known so far about the ruling and its implications. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. view article  arw

Pearland ISD trustees approve nearly $8.7M in staff pay raises, stipends

June 1608:25 AM
 

Teachers and employees in Pearland ISD will be getting a pay bump in the upcoming school year after the district’s board approved $8.7 million in raises and stipends at its June 10 meeting. The compensation package includes nearly $8.4 million in salary increases and about $310,000 in stipends, district agenda documents show. view article  arw

Former Judson ISD teacher sentenced to 60 years for continuous sexual abuse of a child

June 1608:25 AM
 

A former elementary school teacher in the Judson Independent School District was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of a child. Ryan Patrick England, 39, was convicted by a Bexar County jury in April. view article  arw

Houston ISD celebrates STAAR testing results as parents, students remain frustrated over superintendent’s spending

June 1608:25 AM
 

Thursday was an emotional evening at the Houston Independent School District’s board meeting. Parents expressed emotional frustration over what many said was a beloved librarian fired at Harvard Elementary in The Heights. The district and its superintendent took the opportunity to celebrate STAAR Testing results that it recently received for high school students. view article  arw

AI Cameras to be integrated in Robinson ISD Fall 2025

June 1608:25 AM
 

In our last local election, Robinson residents voted against a 95-million-dollar bond for Robinson ISD, but now the district is getting smarter in finding new solutions for their students. Robinson ISD started testing a new software on their cameras last month that tracks weapons and suspicious activity on their middle and high school campuses. view article  arw

Only on 13: Mother says daughter left her elementary school and was found about a mile away

June 1608:22 AM
 

A mother is speaking out after she claims her daughter just left her elementary school with nobody watching her. "There's no way two second graders should've (gone) through the gate and managed to make it one mile away from school," the mother, Ronisha Butler, said. It was almost a mother's worst nightmare for Butler when she said she got a phone call from her child's school that her 8-year-old wasn't on campus. view article  arw

With the grid under pressure, Texas moves to regulate big energy users

June 1605:00 AM
 

BY URIEL J. GARCÍA, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, PATRICK LOHMANN, SOURCE NEW MEXICO, AND YURIKO SCHUMACHER, THE TEXAS TRIBUNE, PHOTOS BY JUSTIN HAMEL2 HOURS AGO  Since El Paso joined Operation Lone Star in 2022, migrant remains discovered in the desert west of the city have increased every year, even as they have declined in every other border sector. FULL STORY  view article  arw

Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops

June 1605:00 AM
 

Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety troopers across the state ahead of a wave of immigration protests expected this weekend.  The move follows large-scale immigration raids in Los Angeles last week that triggered growing unrest nationwide. In Texas, more than 60 demonstrations are planned in major cities statewide this weekend, including Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. view article  arw

Bulletin Board

Submit Event »

Leon Alcala, PLLC

Half-Day Seminar: Effectively Managing Bond Construction Projects From Concept to Completion

Where: ESC 12, Waco, Texas

Read more and register here...

Flyer for upcoming event

 

Join in person at ESC 12 in Waco or attend this workshop virtually.  Register today!

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.

View Bulletin Board »

Houston ISD unanimously approves $2.1 billion budget with new board members

June 1308:45 AM
 

Houston ISD's state-appointed board unanimously approved a $2.1 billion budget for the 2025-26 school year that will continue funding Superintendent Mike Miles' highly debated reforms.  Four new board members — Edgar Colón, Marty Goossen, Lauren Gore and Marcos Rosales — greenlit the budget just two weeks after their appointment to the board by the state's education commissioner.  Commissioner Mike Morath removed board Vice President Audrey Momanaee, Cassandra Auzenne Bandy, Rolando Martinez and Adam Rivon, who served on the district’s nine-member appointed school board since June 2023. Of those removed, three had voted against the 2024-25 budget last year: Martinez, Rivon, and Auzenne Bandy, alongside Michelle Cruz Arnold. It had been the board's largest public rebuke of any proposal by Miles, who largely sees unanimous approval from the board. view article  arw

Top Texas donor slams Speaker Burrows, House members after legislative setbacks

June 1308:40 AM
 

Texans for Lawsuit Reform is threatening to primary House members who helped kill their major legislative priorities.  Leaders for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the biggest donor in Texas politics, say they have a simple strategy when trying to persuade state lawmakers: “We never make enemies,” President Lee Parsley said in late April. “We only make friends.”  But now that the Texas legislative session has concluded without lawmakers passing any of the group’s three high priority bills, TLR is taking a decidedly different tact. In a blistering letter to members, Parsley called out by name the lawmakers he said stifled TLR’s agenda and all but promised to take them on in primary campaigns next March. He laid much of the blame on House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ shoulders.  Leaders for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the biggest donor in Texas politics, say they have a simple strategy when trying to persuade state lawmakers: “We never make enemies,” President Lee Parsley said in late April. “We only make friends.”  But now that the Texas legislative session has concluded without lawmakers passing any of the group’s three high priority bills, TLR is taking a decidedly different tact.  In a blistering letter to members, Parsley called out by name the lawmakers he said stifled TLR’s agenda and all but promised to take them on in primary campaigns next March. He laid much of the blame on House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ shoulders. view article  arw

Texas Republicans Secure Border Enforcement, Face Setbacks on Broader Immigration Legislation

June 1308:34 AM
 

Border security was one of the Republican Party of Texas’ legislative priorities this session, and lawmakers took some steps to address the issue. However, additional measures that would have disincentivized illegal immigration failed to pass.  Republicans successfully passed two key pieces of border security legislation during the 89th session.  State Sen. Charles Schwertner’s (R–Georgetown) Senate Bill 8 requires sheriffs in every Texas county that operates a jail (or contracts with a private vendor to operate one) to formally request and, if accepted, enter into a written agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. view article  arw

Harris County Officially Ends Failed Guaranteed Basic Income Program

June 1308:31 AM
 

The county never disbursed the funds to anyone, despite spending millions to administer the program.  Harris County Commissioners voted Thursday to officially end its troubled guaranteed income pilot program and reallocate $14 million in unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program, originally launched as Uplift Harris and later rebranded as the Community Prosperity Program, was designed to provide $500 per month to nearly 1,900 low-income residents.   Uplift Harris was funded with $20.5 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. view article  arw

Top Texas donor slams Speaker Burrows, House members after legislative setbacks

June 1308:30 AM
 

Texans for Lawsuit Reform is threatening to primary House members who helped kill their major legislative priorities.  Leaders for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the biggest donor in Texas politics, say they have a simple strategy when trying to persuade state lawmakers: “We never make enemies,” President Lee Parsley said in late April. “We only make friends.”  But now that the Texas legislative session has concluded without lawmakers passing any of the group’s three high priority bills, TLR is taking a decidedly different tact. In a blistering letter to members, Parsley called out by name the lawmakers he said stifled TLR’s agenda and all but promised to take them on in primary campaigns next March. He laid much of the blame on House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ shoulders.  Leaders for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the biggest donor in Texas politics, say they have a simple strategy when trying to persuade state lawmakers: “We never make enemies,” President Lee Parsley said in late April. “We only make friends.”  But now that the Texas legislative session has concluded without lawmakers passing any of the group’s three high priority bills, TLR is taking a decidedly different tact.  In a blistering letter to members, Parsley called out by name the lawmakers he said stifled TLR’s agenda and all but promised to take them on in primary campaigns next March. He laid much of the blame on House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ shoulders. view article  arw

Trump DOJ Official Aaron Reitz Enters Race for Texas Attorney General

June 1305:21 AM
 

His campaign announcement included praise from Trump, who described Reitz as “a true MAGA attorney” and “a warrior for our Constitution.” view article  arw

New STAAR Results Reveal Students ‘Not Where They Need To Be Academically’

June 1304:00 AM
 

The Texas Education Agency released high school End-of-Course assessments for Spring 2025.  Newly released results of Texas high school students’ End-of-Course assessments for 2025 show “too many students are still not where they need to be academically,” according to the state agency that oversees public education.  The Texas Education Agency released Spring 2025 STAAR End-of-Course assessment results on Tuesday. Newly released results of Texas high school students’ End-of-Course assessments for 2025 show “too many students are still not where they need to be academically,” according to the state agency that oversees public education.  The Texas Education Agency released Spring 2025 STAAR End-of-Course assessment results on Tuesday.  STAAR is short for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, standardized testing “designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the defined knowledge and skills in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills at each tested grade, subject, and course.”  STAAR is short for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, standardized testing “designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to applye defined knowledge and skills in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills at each tested grade, subject, and course.” view article  arw

Frisco ISD adjusts transfer rules to boost enrollment amid budget concerns

June 1210:25 AM
 

Frisco ISD is changing its policies on who can transfer into the district. The district hopes the changes will help prevent further budget cuts. The district hopes these options will help increase enrollment and retain students in the district. view article  arw

Navarro ISD Child Nutrition Department achieves inaugural “Cream of the Crop” Award

June 1210:21 AM
 

The Navarro ISD proudly announces that its Child Nutrition Department, under the exceptional leadership of Director Carlette Drabek, has been awarded the prestigious “Cream of the Crop” honor by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) MegaCon on Friday, May 23, 2025. This groundbreaking achievement recognizes NISD’s unparalleled commitment to student nutrition and marks a significant milestone in the department’s history of excellence. view article  arw

Families sue Millsap ISD over alleged special needs student abuse and cover-up

June 1209:41 AM
 

Several families are suing Millsap ISD in Parker County over alleged abuse of special needs students, including a nonverbal autistic boy. Three former Millsap ISD staff members, including the superintendent, were arrested in connection with the investigation and no longer work for the district. The lawsuit claims district officials attempted to cover up the abuse, and more families have come forward with similar allegations. + view article  arw

Texas high school students’ STAAR scores show gains in STEM fields, struggles in reading and literacy

June 1208:41 AM
 

Education policy experts say the results align with Texas’ workforce goals but note that students still need help. view article  arw

Gov. Abbott: Lawmakers must rein in local governments’ ability to hike property tax rates

June 1208:40 AM
 

Texas homeowners are taxed by local entities such as school districts, cities, counties, hospital districts and municipal utility districts. State lawmakers spend billions of dollars annually to reduce how much Texans pay school districts in property taxes, although Abbott noted June 11 that since the state does not levy property taxes, it also cannot make direct tax cuts.  “I know Texans are frustrated about what's going on. ... Local jurisdictions, in my opinion, have imposed too much property taxes on our fellow Texans,” Abbott said in an interview from his office at the state capitol in Austin.  In February, Abbott urged lawmakers to “stop making it so easy for local taxing jurisdictions to increase property taxes.” He said at the time that taxing entities should be required to receive two-thirds approval from local voters during a general election before they can raise taxes. view article  arw

Austin ISD prepares to overhaul underperforming middle schools under state turnaround plans

June 1208:40 AM
 

Judge Franklin is accused of telling a defendant he had better accept the plea deal because “dead men can’t testify.” view article  arw

Nebraska invested in having special education students learn alongside their peers — and is seeing promising results

June 1208:30 AM
 

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — When Bethany Jolliffe started teaching kindergarten 15 years ago, she picked up on what seemed like a long-standing pattern: Teachers mostly stayed in their lane, with general education teachers focusing on “their” students, and special education teachers homed in on students deemed to be their responsibility. Instead of keeping children with disabilities in classrooms and bringing help to them, teachers often pulled them out of the classroom, away from their peers.  Nationwide, that’s a common approach in schools, where many students with disabilities, starting in kindergarten, are segregated from their classmates for large portions of the day. At Westmoor Elementary in west Scottsbluff, where Jolliffe is now assistant principal, that’s no longer the case. In classrooms across the school, children of all abilities learn side by side. Special education teachers and paraprofessionals spend hours in the same classrooms to provide support to students who may need it. All teachers spend time planning together to figure out how to support every student who walks through their door. view article  arw

Watch the TribCast team discuss legislative session’s impact on Texas schools and libraries

June 1208:30 AM
 

During our TribCast Live event at 7 p.m. tonight, we’ll explain what happened, look ahead toward the impact on Texas schools, and hear from experts about what comes next view article  arw

Trans Texans brace for life under strict sex definition law

June 1208:30 AM
 

It was in a San Antonio courtroom in 2015 that Leo Tyler felt he became who he was always meant to be. The 17-year-old had long known he was trans, but it didn’t feel real until a judge agreed to change the name and gender on his government documents. “It was euphoric,” Tyler, now 27, recalls. “Walking out of that courtroom, I felt so seen.”  Tyler was the youngest in a group of people changing their gender markers that day. On the steps of the courthouse, they all embraced him, crying tears of joy over the idea that he’d get to live his whole adult life on his own terms. view article  arw

Ysleta ISD considers school closures amid budget deficit concerns

June 1208:27 AM
 

The Ysleta Independent School District is exploring several options to address its significant budget deficit, including the potential closure of two elementary schools. Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said that the district's projected $35.2 million deficit might necessitate the closure of schools with low enrollment, such as Presa Elementary in the Lower Valley. view article  arw

Early reading scores rise in Fort Worth ISD. Superintendent says ‘long way to go’

June 1208:26 AM
 

Karen Molinar didn’t wait. Just hours after the Texas Education Agency released early state testing data, the Fort Worth ISD superintendent brought results straight to the school board — including results not yet public. Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade reading scores are rising, Molinar told trustees at a June 10 board meeting. Middle school results improved slightly, too. But for a district under state pressure to improve, Molinar and trustees are hopeful recent instructional changes will pay off. view article  arw

Temple ISD to save over $3 million through bond refunding

June 1208:25 AM
 

Temple Independent School District said it will save over $3.6 million over the next 15 years after it was able to price refunding bonds from 2016, which the district says will save taxpayers money. According to TISD, the district was able to refund $40,255,000 of the remaining principal at an interest rate of 3.896%. They say the refunding will result in an estimated savings of $3,671,080 over the 15 years remaining before the final bonds retire in 2041, meaning the district will save an average of nearly $293,000 per year in annual debt service payments beginning in fiscal year 2027. view article  arw