Austin ISD board votes to close 10 schools, overhaul programs after heated debate

The Austin school board approved 10 school closures, moving most wall-to-wall dual language programs and launching state turnaround plans to curb a $65M deficit. view article  

Happy Thanksgiving

Facing $37M budget deficit, Judson ISD hasn’t had a chief financial officer in more than a month

Despite being in financial straits, the school board for Judson Independent School District voted not to hire a candidate for chief financial officer. The role has been vacant for more than a month.   District staff had recommended the board approve a candidate for the CFO position, but Judson trustees voted 4-3 against the hire after spending nearly four hours in closed session during a board meeting on Nov. 6.  Board President Monica Ryan, who voted against filling the position, said the world of school district CFOs is very small, but she wants to wait on a new hire because the job is “very challenging even under normal circumstances.” view article  

Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state law

The law requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students’ sex at birth.The law requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students’ sex at birth.  Ethan Brignac, a transgender student at Wylie East High School, has been “Ethan” since seventh grade — to his friends, family and teachers. When he reached high school, his dad further validated his chosen name by requesting “Ethan” be used in school records, including in his email, class rosters and ID, which his teachers honored until this fall.  Three weeks after Brignac started his senior year, Wylie East administrators called him to the library and gave him a new ID. On it, in white capital letters, was a name he hadn’t been called in five years. view article  

President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.  The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions -- including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers -- to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.  The Republican president blamed the situation on Democrats and suggested voters shouldn't reward the party during next year's midterm elections. view article  

- Northwest - 2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A)

2025 Operations Funding Election (Proposition A)  Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election to provide voters with the opportunity to decrease class sizes in exchange for a 3-cent increase to the tax rate. Because of continued tax rate compression, voter approval of the measure would still result in a tax rate decrease from 2024. Combined with a $40,000 increase to the homestead exemption, most homeowners are expected to pay less in property taxes in 2025. view article  

Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund

The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.  Texas voters on Tuesday are on track to approve Proposition 14, the constitutional amendment that both establishes a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) and authorizes the spending of $3 billion to set up the fund.  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick led the effort this past legislative session to create DPRIT, modeling the center on the state’s cancer research fund. Senate Bill 5, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, was passed earlier this year and effectively created the institute.   Now that the constitutional amendment has passed, the institute is to be funded with $3 billion in surplus state revenue. After this first year, the institute will see up to $300 million appropriated each year. view article  

Texas Education Agency takes over Fort Worth ISD, replacing its elected school board

The North Texas district is the 11th since 2000 to be taken over by the state and the second largest after Houston ISD. view article  

Hundreds of Texas voters flagged as potential noncitizens may have already proven their citizenship

The Secretary of State’s Office didn’t initially check with the Department of Public Safety, which collects proof of citizenship from people who register to vote through them. view article  

FDA finally admits COVID-19 vaccine killed kids: ‘This is a profound revelation’

illions of Americans across the country were told during the pandemic to offer up their arms for the COVID-19 vaccines — the first-ever mRNA vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — if they wanted to keep their jobs, eat in public, stay in school, or visit their loved ones.  Government officials, the establishment media, and pharmaceutical representatives claimed that the vaccines were "safe and effective." Those who dared to suggest otherwise about the experimental drugs that were making liability-shielded vaccine manufacturers record profits were often attacked and censored.  Months after the Department of Health and Human Services concluded that "mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses," the Food and Drug Administration admitted in an internal letter that the COVID-19 vaccines killed numerous children. view article  

Why does Austin ISD send half of its property tax revenue back to the state?

While the largest portion of any Austinite’s property tax bill goes toward the local school district, almost half of what a local homeowner pays toward education actually leaves Austin, through a decades-old program called recapture. view article  

Former HISD, Klein ISD elementary school teacher accused of sexually assaulting kids captured in Peru

A former elementary school teacher and soccer coach accused of sexually assaulting multiple children has been returned to Houston after fleeing to Peru while out on bond, according to Precinct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton’s Office. Wilbert Sequeiros, who worked for Houston ISD and Klein ISD, is accused of sexually assaulting at least seven boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 10 between 2014 and 2019. The allegations surfaced in 2019, prompting his arrest the following year. view article  

Gatesville ISD employee passes away unexpectedly

Gatesville ISD announced that Intermediate aide Charlie Barnhill died unexpectedly during the Thanksgiving break. Barnhill graduated from GHS in 2011 and had a reputation as a talented musician during his high school years and afterward. He came back to GISD a couple of years ago to work as a substitute teacher. view article  

Round Rock ISD moves forward with bond-funded construction contracts, vehicle replacements

Round Rock ISD officials green-lit the purchase of maintenance vehicle replacements and approved construction contracts for several campuses in November.  The purchases and contracts are funded by 2024 bond monies, per the district.   What you need to know  Trustees approved contracts and purchasing orders replacing eight district vehicles, resurfacing the middle school track and hiring architects and construction managers for several campus renovations.   The contracts total just over $2.3 million in bond funds approved by voters in November 2024. view article  

Sulphur Springs ISD announces death of school principal

An East Texas school district has shared that they have lost one of their school principals. According to an announcement made on social media by Superintendent Deana Steeber, Sherry Sinclair, principal of Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, died on Thanksgiving morning. Her cause of death was not shared. view article  

Montgomery Co. man who works as school bus driver charged with sexual assault of a child, MCSO says

A Montgomery County man who works as a school bus driver was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a child, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies say they responded to a report of a child sexual assault at the 10000 block of Royal Duaine Drive in Conroe on Thanksgiving, around 3 p.m. view article  

MCSO: Cleveland ISD school bus driver arrested on charge of sexual assault of a child

A Cleveland ISD bus driver has been arrested and charged with sexual assault of a child after Montgomery County deputies responded to a report at a Conroe home Thursday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies were called around 3 p.m. Thursday to the 10000 block of Royal Duaine Drive, where Special Victims Unit detectives began an investigation, according to the sheriff’s office. view article  

Texas lawmaker says he donated enough Ten Commandment posters for every classroom in Manor ISD

In an X post on Wednesday, State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, said he was donating enough Ten Commandment posters to go in every classroom within Manor Independent School District. Sen. Middleton said in the video that he donated the posters because he did not believe the elected state representative for the area, State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, would donate any posters. Talarico voted against Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display donated copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. view article  

Why Galveston ISD mother says program and longtime leader ‘saved’ her and her children

For Mary Simms Patrick and Galveston ISD, that spirit is seen through their work helping students and their families through the district's Special Programs department. "We figure out what are the needs of the family. We have different organizations that help us with our food, help us with clothing," said Patrick, who serves as executive director. view article  

Decatur ISD announces death of middle school student following accident

The Decatur ISD community is mourning the death of a McCarroll Middle School student following a reported accident, district officials said Sunday. In a letter to families and staff, Decatur ISD confirmed the death of Treb McKinnon, a student at McCarroll Middle School. District officials did not release details about the accident. view article  

Cleveland ISD bus driver accused of sexual assault of child

A Cleveland ISD bus driver was arrested by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and is facing sexual assault charges, according to officials. view article  

New charge, 3rd lawsuit filed against former Celina ISD coach Caleb Elliott

A former Celina ISD middle school coach is now facing yet another criminal charge, filed on the same day a third civil lawsuit was brought forward, as community members continue to question whether additional allegations may still come to light. view article  

Temple High School announces delayed start time due to broken water line

Temple High School will experience a two-hour delay start on Monday, Dec. 1, because of a broken water line on 31st Street, according to Temple ISD. Classes will officially begin at 9:30 a.m. and high school buses will also run two hours later. Dismissal is expected to be unaffected, the school said. view article  

Leander ISD discusses enrollment, staffing ratios as part of long-range planning efforts

The Leander ISD board of trustees are continuing long-range planning discussions in light of budget concerns and pushback on potential elementary school closures.   Some context: LISD officials are projecting multimillion dollar budget shortfalls over the next several years. I view article  

A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.

Dozens of new Texas laws will take effect in December and January, bringing wide-ranging changes to the state’s education system, law enforcement, taxes and more.  Over 800 laws from this year’s regular legislative session already took effect on Sept. 1, but more measures from that period as well as the second special session will soon activate. Some also had to wait for voters’ approval, such as more tax exemption for businesses’ inventory. view article  

In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountability

Texas’ chief financial officer on Tuesday finalized rules for the state’s private school voucher program, clearing up confusion about funding for pre-kindergarten students and setting official dates for schools and families to apply — but declining to change certain special education components or tack on additional accountability requirements.  Private schools and vendors who currently participate in an existing state initiative for students with disabilities can apply on Dec. 9, while applications for nonparticipants are set to open shortly after.   The state will then allow families to start applying on Feb. 4, the date Texas’ finance chief and Odyssey — the finance and technology company helping administer the program — had agreed upon in their contract.   The program, which the Texas comptroller’s office oversees, will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.  view article  

Deadline extended for applications to Fort Worth ISD’s board of managers

Mike Morath, the Texas Education commissioner, tours through a classroom following a press conference regarding the updated A-F scores of Dallas and Fort Worth schools at Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy in Dallas on Aug. 15, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com  Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article312984623.html#storylink=cpy view article  

Citing health issues, Edgewood ISD board member resigns 1 year before term ends

Luis Gomez, a trustee for Edgewood Independent School District, resigned from his position on the school board on Tuesday.   Gomez cited health concerns in a statement to the board explaining why he’s stepping down.   “I need to take care of medical issues due to my service in the military,” he said. “I want to be perfectly clear that it’s health issues and nothing else.” view article  

Court order on Texas redistricting forces election officials, county parties to scramble — again

For months, election officials across Texas have been hustling to redraw precinct boundary lines and secure polling locations and workers for the March primary election, all based on new congressional maps Republican state lawmakers drew in a rare mid-decade redistricting this summer.  County party chairs have accepted applications from candidates for precinct chair ​​— the parties’ neighborhood-level representatives — and, beginning this month, from candidates seeking congressional seats based on the newly drawn districts. view article  

Lawsuit halts Texas’ $3 billion dementia fund

The state’s new $3 billion dementia research fund has been blocked temporarily by a trio of voters who claim voting machines used in this month’s election are faulty. The plaintiffs — Shannon Huggins, Lars Kuslich and Jose Silvester — filed the action Nov. 13 in Travis County against the Texas Secretary of State’s office. In it, they claim that some voting machines were not certified by federal law and that the election results should be scrapped and a new election be ordered.   Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick championed the fund during the legislative session and listed it as a priority for lawmakers. On Wednesday, he slammed the plaintiffs for singling out Proposition 14, which was the funding of the research effort.  view article  

Lawsuit halts Texas’ $3 billion dementia fund

The state’s new $3 billion dementia research fund has been blocked temporarily by a trio of voters who claim voting machines used in this month’s election are faulty. The plaintiffs — Shannon Huggins, Lars Kuslich and Jose Silvester — filed the action Nov. 13 in Travis County against the Texas Secretary of State’s office. In it, they claim that some voting machines were not certified by federal law and that the election results should be scrapped and a new election be ordered.   Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick championed the fund during the legislative session and listed it as a priority for lawmakers. On Wednesday, he slammed the plaintiffs for singling out Proposition 14, which was the funding of the research effort.  view article  

Southwest ISD closes elementary school to ‘rebalance’ student enrollment

This week, Southwest Independent School District school board members approved the closure of Sky Harbour Elementary School to deal with a budget deficit and shifting enrollment trends.  Sky Harbour currently has 592 students and will close at the end of this school year.  District officials said closing the campus will save SWISD $6.5 million since the school was in need of several construction and maintenance projects and is expected to lose enrollment as population growth moves farther south in Bexar County. view article  

Texas education board debates narrowing focus of history curriculum

In September, the board adopted a plan that emphasizes Texas and U.S. history, while reducing focus on world history and cultures.  AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas State Board of Education is moving forward with discussions of changes to how public schools teach social studies.  In September, the board adopted a plan that emphasizes Texas and U.S. history, while reducing focus on world history and cultures.  During a Wednesday meeting, the State Board of Education discussed which key topics would be included in the new framework. view article  

Fort Worth ISD school board votes to appeal TEA takeover

The Fort Worth ISD school board voted 7-1 Tuesday night to appeal the state's takeover of the district.   The district was eligible for state intervention because one of its campuses, The Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade, received its fifth consecutive "unacceptable" academic rating for the 2022–2023 school year. FWISD has since closed the campus. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath announced on Oct. 23 that the agency is taking over Fort Worth ISD and will replace its locally elected board of trustees with appointed managers view article