Preventive Law: Innovation Interrupted? Why It’s Time to Rethink Your DOI Plan

If you’re one of the many Texas school districts operating under a District of Innovation (DOI) Plan, you’ve already embraced flexibility and local control. But with each legislative session, it becomes increasingly important to reevaluate whether your plan still fits within the legal boundaries.

4th of July

July 4, 2025 - TexasISD Posting Schedule

TexasISD.com will not post new articles on July 3, 4, 5, and 6.  This will allow our staff to visit family and enjoy the 20255 Independence Day Holiday.  See you on July 8, 2025, have a safe holiday - js

State New Texas Laws Protect Parental Rights

This session, lawmakers passed legislation to place checks on Child Protective Services’ powers and strengthen parental rights.  Although the Texas Family Code explicitly ensures that parents have the right to direct the moral and religious upbringing of their children as well as the duty to support their children with medical care, those rights have sometimes been curtailed by state agencies  In a House Human Services Committee hearing, State Rep. Valoree Swanson (R–Spring) reported that one of her constituents had her daughter taken away by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) because her daughter’s injuries had been falsely attributed to physical abuse, rather than her pre-existing medical condition.  view article  

New Texas Laws Protect Parental Rights

This session, lawmakers passed legislation to place checks on Child Protective Services’ powers and strengthen parental rights.  Although the Texas Family Code explicitly ensures that parents have the right to direct the moral and religious upbringing of their children as well as the duty to support their children with medical care, those rights have sometimes been curtailed by state agencies.  view article  

Texas A&M System Joins Fellow Republican-led State Universities in New Accreditation Agency

The Texas A&M University System will join several other university systems from Republican-led states to launch a new accreditation agency.  According to U.S. News and World Report, the Texas A&M University System will join the university systems of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina to launch the Commission for Public Higher Education.  Accreditation is a process where an outside entity evaluates a college or university to determine if it meets certain standards. Typically, these standards relate to programs, faculty, and resources. view article  

Houston’s Taxpayer-Sponsored LGBT Parade Featured Sexualized Performances Near Children

Despite promotional claims of being “family-friendly,” the Houston Pride Festival and Parade included open drug use and sexualized displays—all occurring in shared public spaces where children were present.  Texas Scorecard documented numerous instances during the event, which was officially promoted by the City of Houston and sponsored by multiple taxpayer-funded entities.  The event, organized by Pride Houston 365, featured many men masquerading as women and dancing provocatively in front of children. view article  

Austin ISD Considers Consolidating Schools Amid Budget Shortfalls

Facing a $110 million budget deficit, Austin ISD’s trustees are receiving input from the public on a plan to consolidate some schools for the 2026–27 school year.  Austin Independent School District trustees are considering merging several schools to reduce costs in the wake of budget shortfalls.  During a board of trustees meeting Thursday, district leaders weighed community concerns and the economic benefits of consolidating schools as the district faces a massive $110 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year.  Trustees focused on a survey taken by roughly 14,000 parents and members of the public who named a range of potential concerns and benefits associated with consolidation. view article  

Allen ISD Elementary Teacher Indicted for Sexual Contact With Students

An elementary teacher in Allen Independent School District has been charged with multiple child sex crimes involving students.  Austin Douglas White, 29, was indicted on four counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.  White taught at Preston Elementary School.  In October 2024, Allen ISD notified families that White had “potentially engaged in inappropriate communication/conduct with a student” at Curtis Middle School. view article  

As property values lag, San Antonio mulls raising tax rate for first time in decades

For the first time in more than three decades, San Antonio city leaders are considering raising the property tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year.  For the average home within city limits, valued at $235,000 with a homestead exemption, the change would cost the homeowner an extra $57 to $67 on their next property tax bill.  “The city has not raised the tax rate since I was in college, so it’s been some time,” City Manager Erik Walsh told the City Council at a budget goal-setting session on Friday. “I suspect it won’t be a positive reaction.”  City Council will approve a tax rate and budget in September, and have already been looking at spending cuts to stave off a potentially ballooning deficit.  Walsh alerted council members in May that low consumer confidence was negatively impacting many facets of city revenue, including hotel occupancy tax, the airport development services and residential and commercial building permits. view article  

State Lawmakers Ask Abbott To Add Conservative Priorities to Special Session Agenda



Multiple state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to include several conservative priorities that did not receive a vote during the regular session on the agenda of the upcoming special session.  State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston) sent a letter to the governor requesting that specific measures that were not considered by the House during the general session be placed on the upcoming session’s agenda.  “While this session boasts many conservative victories, each of these unfinished items is essential to securing a conservative future for Texas, ” wrote Middleton. “There has never been a more critical time to make these priorities the law of this Great State.” view article  

Harlandale Independent School District Superintendent Gerardo Soto was named the region’s superintendent of the year by the Texas Association of School Boards.

Harlandale Independent School District Superintendent Gerardo Soto was named the region’s superintendent of the year by the Texas Association of School Boards.   Region 20 includes all school districts in Bexar County, stretches out toward Kerr and Atascosa counties and reaches parts of the Southwest Texas border. Each year, the TASB picks one superintendent from each region to recognize “achievement and excellence in public school administration.”    “I’m honored to serve a community that believes so deeply in the power of education,” Soto said in a statement after his family, campus leadership and school board members surprised him with the announcement on Tuesday morning.  view article  

Diboll ISD approves faculty and staff raises

DIBOLL — The Diboll ISD board of trustees unanimously approved an update to its compensation plan, including faculty and staff raises, during its regular June meeting Monday in the cafeteria of the H.G. Temple Elementary/Intermediate School campus.  First-year teachers will receive a base salary of $50,000, with $500 increases after each of one and two years. Teachers with three or four years of experience will receive a $4,000 raise, and teachers with five or more years will receive an $8,000 raise.  Board president Jay Wyatt called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., followed by the pledges of allegiance.  view article  

Trump heads to “Alligator Alcatraz” to tout new Florida migrant lockup

President Trump heads back to Florida on Tuesday to tour "Alligator Alcatraz," a controversial new detention facility in the Everglades to incarcerate those who immigrated illegally or face deportation.  Why it matters: The $450 million 1,000-bed facility of trail  ers and tents is the largest of its kind and solidifies Florida's position as the top state cooperating with Trump's immigration crackdown.  Florida already leads the nation in cross-deputizing local police to enforce federal immigration laws, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis.  The idea and name of "Alligator Alcatraz" is the brainchild of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was appointed by DeSantis after serving as his chief of staff. view article  

Katy ISD advocate dies following son’s alleged hammer attack

A Katy woman known for her advocacy at Katy ISD school board meetings has died from injuries sustained in a brutal hammer attack allegedly carried out by her son, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.  COMING SOON: The Dryer to open in Katy, transforming historic rice dryer into dining, music venue  Lisa Babin, 62, died June 20 — nine days after she was found severely injured in the backyard of her Katy home. view article  

Inside Elon Musk’s stellar year at the Texas Capitol

While Elon Musk took Washington, D.C., by storm, his company representatives and lobbyists were also notching up big political wins in Texas.  While Elon Musk took Washington, D.C., by storm, his company representatives and lobbyists were also notching up big political wins in Texas.  It was April 2013, and Musk stood at a podium in a small committee room in the basement of the Texas Capitol. The Tesla CEO asked the legislators gathered before him to change state law, allowing him to bypass the state’s powerful car dealership lobby and sell his electric vehicles directly to the public.  He painted a bleak picture of what could happen if they didn’t give him his way.  “We would, I’m afraid, we would fail,” Musk told the assembled representatives. “So for us, it’s a matter of life or death.”  Clad in a dark suit instead of his now ubiquitous black T-shirt and baseball hat, the younger Musk was unable to persuade lawmakers in Austin. That year, the bill he wanted to pass died.  More than a decade later, however, Musk’s fortunes inside the Texas Capitol have changed — dramatically. view article  

Faith leaders and families sue to block Texas’ new Ten Commandments in schools law

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A group of Dallas-area families and faith leaders have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new Texas law that requires copies of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the measure is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state.  Texas is the latest and largest state to attempt a mandate that has run into legal challenges elsewhere. A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a similar law in Louisiana. Some families have sued over Arkansas' law.  The plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit are a group of Christian and Nation of Islam faith leaders and families. It names the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants.  “The government should govern; the Church should minister," the lawsuit said. "Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.” view article  

Senate Passes Megabill With Vance Casting Tie-Breaker

The Senate passed the sweeping policy bill after a marathon debate and vote session that started late on June 28. The bill now heads back to the House.  WASHINGTON—The Senate passed its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at midday on July 1 after a “vote-a-rama” that began the previous day and continued through the night.  Vice President JD Vance broke a 50–50 tie to secure passage of the bill.  Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) voted in opposition. view article  

Gov. Greg Abbott Announces July 21 Special Session

Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that a special session of the Texas Legislature will begin on Monday, July 21, after he signed 1,155 bills and vetoed 26 others from the 89th Regular Legislative Session.  “All seven of Governor Abbott’s emergency priorities were passed and signed into law,” his office noted, including measures on property tax relief, teacher pay raises, school choice, and the creation of the Texas Cyber Command.  “Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas House and Senate worked hard to send critical legislation to my desk,” Abbott said. “This session has seen monumental success, but there is more we can do.” view article  

Texas schools still struggle with deficits despite HB 2 funding boost

Many local school districts expect to collect millions from House Bill 2, an $8.5 billion funding package passed through the Texas Legislature and signed into law by the governor this month.   The bill was the first comprehensive funding package state lawmakers have passed since 2019, though districts have received funding increases in areas such as tutoring, instructional materials and school safety.  For many districts in Central Texas, HB 2 will provide some relief after two years of budget slashing, campus closures and staff layoffs. Despite the infusion of state funding, many local school leaders are still turning their attention to austerity measures next year to reduce lingering budget deficits.  view article  

Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending.

The era of massive state budget surpluses in Texas could be coming to an end.  As the last of the federal government’s COVID-19 emergency funds are spent and sales tax revenues return to historic averages after a large spike, budget analysts say state lawmakers will have far less wiggle room when it comes to funding their spending priorities.    “I don’t think we’re in any kind of crisis, but I think the days of big budget surpluses are probably over,” said Bill King, a fellow in public finance for Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy. “We’re going to be very careful how we spend money.”  In addition to federal pandemic aid, sales tax revenues from inflation and a post-lockdown economic rebound led to state budget surpluses. Texas lawmakers leaned on a $33 billion surplus in 2023 to pay for an $18 billion property tax-cut package, a $5 billion infusion for the new Texas Energy Fund and a host of infrastructure projects. Lawmakers entered this year’s legislative session with a $24 billion surplus, which helped to maintain previous tax-cuts; upgrade energy, water and broadband infrastructure; and cover other new spending items in the upcoming two-year budget cycle. view article  

Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat

The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. view article  

Texas schools still struggle with deficits despite HB 2 funding boost

Many local school districts expect to collect millions from House Bill 2, an $8.5 billion funding package passed through the Texas Legislature and signed into law by the governor this month. The bill was the first comprehensive funding package state lawmakers have passed since 2019, though districts have received funding increases in areas such as tutoring, instructional materials and school safety.  For many districts in Central Texas, HB 2 will provide some relief after two years of budget slashing, campus closures and staff layoffs. Despite the infusion of state funding, many local school leaders are still turning their attention to austerity measures next year to reduce lingering budget deficits.  view article  

Up in the air: Pasadena City Council member Bianca Valerio wins coin flip to retain seat

Many forms of gambling are outlawed in Texas, but chance decided who would represent District B on the Pasadena City Council.  The seat was chosen Monday by a coin toss – incumbent council member Bianca Valerio was sworn in for another term minutes after successfully calling heads at Pasadena City Hall, located about 20 miles southeast of Houston.  "I freak out when I lose $20, so to lose an entire position of representation, it's a lot to put on the line," Valerio said after the toss. "And it's not something that I can work for – that's what's really important to me. I would have rather had the chance to go and campaign again and get some more (votes), but that wasn't an option this time." view article  

As Birdwell plans retirement from Senate, Cook launches campaign to be his successor

AUSTIN — In a further reshuffling of Tarrant County’s legislative delegation, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, announced his plans to retire after 15 years in the Texas Legislature’s upper chamber while Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, unveiled his candidacy for Birdwell’s seat.  Birdwell’s planned departure deals a second blow to Tarrant County’s seniority in the Republican-led Senate, coming just over a week after former Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, resigned from his North Texas Senate seat to become head of the Texas comptroller’s office. view article  

Parents sue Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD over school closures

A group of parents is suing Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD for allegedly violating the state open meetings laws ahead of a vote earlier this year to permanently close four schools. The lawsuit alleges trustees and district officials abandoned community recommendations for their own benefit and discussed a consolidation plan in private as they moved ahead with closing Central, Furneaux and McCoy elementaries and Long Middle School, and redrawing attendance zones. view article  

Future unclear as TEA weighs Austin ISD turnaround plan for 3 middle schools

Austin Independent School District is grappling with its future as the Texas Education Agency votes on the district's turnaround plan for Dobie, Webb, and Burnet middle schools. The TEA is set to decide on AISD's turnaround plan, which could lead to a district-managed restart for the schools. Elizabeth Davis, co-president of Region 13 for the Association of Texas Public Educators and a Dobie Middle School educator, expressed her concerns about the potential for a TEA takeover. view article  

Beaumont ISD unveils budget for 2025-26

Beaumont ISD unveiled its future budget plans at the most recent school board meeting, and teacher raises figured heavily into the district's plans for the 2025-2026 school year. The district was recognized for its six-year track record of fiscal responsibility heading into the next budget cycle, particularly for having a non-deficit budget, chief financial officer Cheryl Hernandez told the board during her presentation. view article  

Humble ISD officials approve 3% on-average raises for most staff members in FY 2025-26

Raises for most Humble ISD employees will range between 3%-7% in fiscal year 2025-26, HISD Chief Financial Officer Billy Beattie said during a June 17 meeting. Trustees approved HISD's budget and compensation plan for FY 2025-26 during the meeting. According to budget documents, the adopted general fund budget for FY 2025-26 includes $543.6 million in expenses, $543.7 million in revenue and a proposed tax rate of $1.1052 per $100 valuation-the same as FY 2024-25. view article  

MAP: How your school is rated as Austin ISD faces possible state intervention

The Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees approved plans for how it hopes to turn around three middle schools on track to receive a third failing state accountability rating soon. The district risks its school board being temporarily replaced by a state-appointed board of managers if any single campus racks up five consecutive failing scores. The ratings for each individual campus are calculated by looking at performance in several areas: view article  

United ISD named Best Place to Work in 2025 LMT Readers’ Choice Awards

The largest employer in Webb County, United ISD promotes a special culture where compassionate, caring employees focus on the task at hand - educating our children. And United ISD is also an amazing place for its workers. view article  

Tensions are growing at Judson ISD. Here’s what to know about Superintendent Milton Fields.

Judson Independent School District Superintendent Milton Fields has faced a series of challenges since his appointment in 2023, from a historic budget deficit to a divided board. The last few weeks have been especially turbulent, as a newly formed board majority has pressured the administration to offset a projected $40 million shortfall next year. Last week, the board met four times to continue debating cost-cutting measures. view article  

As ESAs reshape Texas schools, Northside ISD responds by opening its enrollment

With the passage of education savings accounts and enrollment decreases in San Antonio’s biggest school districts, it’s no surprise that “school choice” has become more competitive for public and private schools alike.   Northside Independent School District, the largest district in San Antonio, recently started “Excellence Without Boundaries,” an open enrollment program allowing any student in the San Antonio area to apply to attend any one of its schools.   While the district has long housed magnet schools and in-district charters that enroll students regardless of their address, Superintendent John Craft said it was the “right time” to go ahead with a more competitive strategy.  view article  

Texas medical marijuana industry to push for hemp age restrictions and delta-8 ban

Texas’ medical marijuana dispensaries entered into this year’s legislative session with a two-prong strategy to expand: to loosen the state's rules on their industry that has made the program largely inaccessible to those who need it and to eliminate the competition, consumable hemp, which has been allowed to proliferate unregulated, cannibalizing users and profits.  The medical marijuana industry, also known as the Compassionate Use Program, notched victories on both fronts with state lawmakers, but, on the latter, failed to win over the man who has the ultimate say — Gov. Greg Abbott.  Now that the governor has vetoed a bill that would have criminalized the sale and possession of hemp-derived THC, medical marijuana dispensaries fear they can’t continue to operate if Texas doesn’t agree to heavily regulate the hemp industry or at least, give the medical program the same freedom.  “I was surprised, just extremely surprised and borderline in disbelief when I heard about the veto,” said Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, a Central Texas medical marijuana company. "The expansion [to the medical marijuana program] was meant to include the hemp restrictions." view article  

Texas education board approves Native Studies course, skirting concerns about state’s K-12 DEI ban

The long-awaited vote survived objections from the panel’s most right-leaning Republicans, who criticized the lessons as “un-American woke indoctrination.”  The Texas State Board of Education on Friday renewed an elective course that teaches high school students about the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples, overcoming criticism from some Republican members about potentially violating a state ban on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.  The American Indian/Native Studies course gained reapproval on a bipartisan 9-5 vote, a long-awaited decision that will allow Texas public schools to offer the class for state credits. Republicans LJ Francis, Brandon Hall, Tom Maynard, Julie Pickren and Audrey Young voted against it.  Advocates for the ethnic studies course have repeatedly shown up to quarterly state board meetings throughout the last year, pleading for Republican board chair Aaron Kinsey, who did not cast a vote, to put it on the panel’s agenda. The Grand Prairie Independent School District, near Dallas, is the only district to have piloted the class. Friday’s vote opens it up to the rest of the state. view article