Spring ISD superintendent shakes things up

Dallas ISD home-rule commission votes not to write charter

The Dallas ISD home-rule commission voted Tuesday not to write a proposed charter that could have overhauled how the district operates and is governed. The commissioners voted 10 to 5 not to move forward with a proposed charter, effectively ending the contentious effort to convert Dallas ISD into the state’s first home-rule charter district. Despite that vote, the commissioners decided to continue meeting in the coming months to discuss DISD and eventually write recommendations for the school board. Unlike a proposed charter, however, the recommendations would not be binding. view article  

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Members of the Burleson ISD's board of trustees are a functional, productive unit, they were told Monday in unison by administrators from the district's 15 campuses.  "One thing we appreciate is how personable this board is," said Joy Burchfield, principal at Bransom Elementary. "We all hear stories from around the state [concerning other school boards] and you are second to none."  

TEA Taking Closer Look at Donna ISD

The Texas Education Agency is taking a close look at the Donna Independent School District. The TEA is meeting with district leaders because many of their students are underperforming. Superintendent Jesus Rene Reyna said the TEA is also meeting with parents within the district. view article  

Study: Eat school lunch after recess

Because of a federal rule, kids throw away millions of dollars of fruits and vegetables every single day at school. But a new study shows a simple, no-cost trick that should leave federal policy makers saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” When recess takes place before kids sit down to eat – instead of after - fruit and vegetable consumption increases by 54%. view article  

Waco ISD to expand GED, literacy classes for parents

More local parents will now be able to receive free literacy instruction as McLennan Community College and Waco Independent School District expand their parent enrichment classes starting with an orientation session Tuesday. A Texas Workforce Commission grant pays MCC instructors to teach basic literary instruction, GED and citizenship classes twice a week at Cesar Chavez PDS Middle School. view article  

Dallas ISD home-rule panel to decide on charter in January

The Dallas ISD home-rule commission will decide next month whether to create a charter that could determine how the district is operated and governed. Voters would need to approve it in an election with at least a 25 percent turnout. view article  

Tyler ISD board OKs resignation of principal

Tyler Independent School District trustees accepted the resignation of Peete Elementary School Principal John Dees during their Monday meeting. Dees has been principal since July 2012. He previously was assistant principal in Grand Prairie Independent School District for about five years. In an unrelated action, the board accepted bids for new fitness equipment for weight rooms at John Tyler and Robert E. Lee high schools. Purchase price for each school is $119,893, for a total of $239,786. view article  

Roxton ISD to offer 6 man football

Roxton ISD is taking its first step to bring back their football team next fall. The school board voted, 5-0, to add a 6 man football team. This will be the first time the school has had a football team in over fifty years. The school already has a football field, but will still need to add stands, facilities and purchase equipment. They will also look at in-house candidates for the coaching job. view article  

Austin: AISD set to announce superintendent next week

The Austin Independent School District board plans to announce their new superintendent Dec. 15, but not before a public forum slated for Saturday. Three finalists will be invited to take part in that forum. One of the finalists is interim superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz, according to district president Vincent Torres. Before going into executive session, the board agreed to include Cruz as a candidate for the permanent position. When the search for a superintendent started, the board had said he could not apply. view article  

Two Lewisville ISD schools delay open due to police search

Two Lewisville ISD schools will have delayed openings due to a police manhunt for a suspect believed to be involved in a home invasion and carjacking. Lewisville ISD postponed the start of school to 10 a.m. at Arbor Creek MS and Indian Creek ES due to police activity in the area. Parents reportedly received emails and phone calls notifying them of the delay. view article  

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The air conditioning system at S.C. Lee Junior High School may work a lot better after this summer. School board members discussed advertising for bids to repair the school’s heating and air conditioning system, an issue that was in the works for the past two years, according to board documents.

Waco ISD board in dispute with University High contractors over leaky showers

The Waco Independent School District board of trustees is in discussions with Bartlett Cocke General Contracts over leaking pipes causing damage under University High School’s gymnasium showers. The board has met in closed sessions several times since October to determine whether Bartlett or a plumbing subcontractor, MJ Mechanical Inc., is responsible for the problems. view article  

Cove, Lampasas school districts find technology an asset for teachers, students

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US school teacher stabbed to death in Abu Dhabi

Police in Abu Dhabi say an American school teacher has been stabbed to death in a public restroom at a mall by a suspect wearing the traditional black robe and full-face veil worn by many women throughout the Arab Gulf region. A statement posted on the Abu Dhabi Interior Ministry's website late Tuesday says the victim was stabbed Monday with a sharp tool that has been confiscated by police. They say the American woman was 37 years old. Her name has not been made public. view article  

Roadtrip Nation helps Keller ISD high school students map their future

Just before the Thanksgiving break, high school students across the Keller district took time to look at the road ahead en route to the future, thanks to Roadtrip Nation. “Roadtrip Nation” is both a movement and a program on public television that helps teens and young adults use their interests to map out possible careers. A group of “Roadies” brought their trademark “Big Green RV” to Keller, Central and Timber Creek high schools Nov. 20. Fossil Ridge High School has used the program in the past and plans to have the group visit in the spring. view article  

Upcoming legislative session preview

here was a preview Tuesday of what promises to be one of the hot topics during the upcoming legislative session. Both sides in the long running battle over school choice were at the state capitol laying the ground work for the coming debates. There are new holiday decorations in the Texas Senate chamber as well as a new "English" made carpet. Despite all the sprucing up a familiar and controversial debate was also being dusted off for the upcoming session. view article  

In SD-18 Debate, Kolkhorst Touts Conservativism

After fending off accusations of liberalism from opponent Gary Gates throughout their special election race, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, finally got to respond to her main challenger face- view article  

Martinez Elementary in Abilene set for hailstorm roof repair

Abilene ISD board approved the bid on Monday evening at its agenda review meeting. Construction coordinator for the district, Joe Humphrey, says Martinez Elementary took the brunt of the storm. view article  

75th anniversary celebration set for Cy-Fair HS on Dec. 9

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD will commemorate its official 75th anniversary on the date the district was established with a ceremony in front of Cy-Fair High School (22602 Hempstead Highway) on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. view article  

Houston: Re-redistricting HISD

The Houston school board would grow from nine elected trustees to 17 under a bill filed by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, who said she wants to give residents of the former North Forest school district increased representation. The Houston Independent School District took over the northeast Houston district in 2013 under orders from the Texas Education Agency. The seven-member elected North Forest school board dissolved, and HISD absorbed the schools and students. view article  

Midland: MISD “Heroes” cite training for quick reactions

When two medical emergencies arose in October, Midland ISD personnel nearby were ready to react. Fannin Elementary School PE teacher Jay Sherrill successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student who was choking on her lunch. MISD Police Department officers Lupe Sanchez and Pablo Loya applied tourniquets to a Midland High School student who had severely cut his arms and required 150 stitches. view article  

Belton ISD, residents discuss growth

The Belton Independent School District on Tuesday held its last community listening session to tackle the projected continued growth of the district. The session was the last of three held throughout the district this fall presenting the community with facts about the district’s growth in the past 10 years and its projected growth for the next 10 years. “In 2000, Belton ISD had 6,600 students,” Superintendent Susan Kincannon said. “Today, we have over 10,500 students.” view article  

High School Rezoning Draws Criticism in Frisco

Frisco Independent School District trustees will consider new, final attendance zones on Monday. Plans to ease crowding on the high school level have been in development since September. view article  

Austin ISD gears up to develop FY2016 budget - Community Impact Newspaper

 At a Dec. 1 work session, the Austin ISD board of trustees discussed plans for its FY2016 budget in the face of tight finances, an upcoming legislative session and declining enrollment. One question before the board is how it wants to address employee compensation, Interim Superintendent Paul Cruz said. “We are looking at a multiyear financial plan by looking at our fiscal realities,” Cruz said. view article  

City Council appoints Boyd to fill Simms’ seat

The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday bid adieu to Councilman Jim Simms and named former two-term city commissioner and Amarillo businessman Ron Boyd to fill Simms’ unexpired term. view article  

Waxahachie: WISD shows 2-way dual language possibilities

With the final Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) meeting this Thursday, those interested in hearing about the future of Waxahachie Independent School District’s dual language program got an inside look at what two-way dual language would mean Tuesday night at Howard Junior High. view article  

Moldy sandwich served to student at West Brook High

Beaumont Public Health director Sherry Ulmer says West Brook High School cafeteria workers did not want old sandwiches to rot outside during the Beaumont Independent School District Thanksgiving week-long break, since they were not sure when the trash would be collected.  view article  

Funding for Texas public schools can’t stay frozen in time

Several days before the 84th Session of the Texas Legislature convenes on Jan. 13, newly elected Comptroller Glenn Hegar will release his first official revenue estimate—the document that will guide legislators as they proceed to write a 2015-2016 budget for state government. Based upon the revenue updates that have been issued in recent months by outgoing Comptroller Susan Combs, it’s clear the Legislature will have an enviable bank account, as it goes about its budget-writing responsibilities. view article  

TXU Hits Duncanville ISD With $1.2 Million Electric Bill

Duncanville ISD thought it was getting a great deal when, one year ago this month, it switched electric providers and signed on with the State Power Program through the state's General Land Office. Just like that, Duncanville ISD's price-per-kilowatt hour dropped almost 20 percent, from 7.3 cents to a maximum of 6 cents. view article  

New middle school attendance zones proposed for Waco ISD

Waco Independent School District’s board of trustees wants to hear from the public before any decisions are made on possibly redrawing middle school attendance zones to level the high school enrollment numbers. view article  

Conroe ISD substitute teacher under investigation

A teenager says a substitute teacher with the  Conroe Independent School District groped her in class. The alleged victim's mother tells Local 2 she wants the school to take a tougher stance. The family says there may be more victims out there who are afraid to come forward and that's why they want Oak Ridge High School to notify other parents about what happened to the girl. view article  

Frisco ISD pulls buses from fleet after fire

Frisco ISD has pulled four Blue Bird school buses from its fleet as a precaution after a bus that had been in service for five days caught fire on Tuesday. No one was injured. Representatives from manufacturer Blue Bird and dealer Rush Bus Center met with district staff Wednesday to view the burned bus and the four others. view article  

School board members get progress report on Allen ISD stadium repairs

Allen ISD school  board members received a progress report Monday night on the Eagle Stadium repairs. More brick has been added to the scoreboard to create a staircase-like structural support  system. Inside the stadium, crews are breaking out the bricks to allow for the installation  of horizontal steel beams.  Cracks in the concourse were first spotted shortly after the stadium opened in August of 2012. view article  

New Braunfels: NBISD Superintendent Invited to Today’s White House Ceremony on Technology in the Classroom

New Braunfels ISD Superintendent Randy Moczygemba is in Washington DC today, joining President Barack Obama for the "ConnectED to the Future" Event, a special conference including superintendents and other educators from across the country, who will lead their schools and districts in the transition to digital learning.  view article