My Take on the Legislative Session by Glenn Hegar

When my wife and I work on our family budget, we talk about how to make the best use of the money we have. We set aside funds for necessities and plan for our long-term goals, and never stop looking for ways to spend and save smarter. The Texas Legislature goes through a similar process every other year. During the 2015 session, Texas legislators crafted a responsible budget for the next two years, passed laws to make tax collection more efficient and reduced the tax burden for many Texans.

Mansfield ISD teacher arrested for child sex assault

A Mansfield Independent School District employee was arrested Monday and charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a child, the district said in a written statement. view article  

Dallas ISD administrators, residents unite to solve Gaston Middle School student issues

Early this year, Brennan Johnson moved into his Dixie Lane ranch home just one street east of Gaston Middle School. Once a 1950s duplex, it was renovated into a single-family home. Now, he might relist it in a few years. Leo Landin, who lives across the street at the corner of Mariposa Drive and Dixie Lane, has talked of moving out then, too. That’s when the lease on his duplex ends. view article  

Swift Water Pushes Northwest ISD Bus Off Road

Heavy rain and high water pushed a Northwest Independent School District bus off the road, where it became stuck Thursday morning, according to authorities. The bus was stopped at a red light on Texas 114 near Farm-to-Market Road 156 when swift water in a heavy rainstorm overtook the road and pushed the bus onto the shoulder, according to Emily Conklin, the district's communications director. view article  

Aldine ISD student hit by vehicle while getting on bus

A student from Parker Intermediate School was struck by a vehicle as he was getting on his school bus Monday morning in north Harris County. view article  

Spring ISD will unveil its strategic plan May 21

Spring ISD Superintendent Rodney Watson is planning to unveil his much anticipated five-year strategic plan to the Spring ISD board of trustees on May 21. The meeting will be begin at 6 p.m. and will be held atFallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road in Houston. view article  

Tyler ISD Career and Technology center has opened

Tyler ISD on Monday commemorated opening its Career and Technology Center as a long-sought facility to produce workforce-ready graduates. The $34 million, two-story 147,000-square-foot structure on Earl Campbell Boulevard was among a half dozen projects funded with a bond issue approved at the polls in May 2013. view article  

Longview ISD evaluating bids to demolish T.G. Field Auditorium

Longview ISD officials are evaluating bids to demolish the vacant T.G. Field Auditorium in downtown. Trustees voted 4-3 in January not to sell the auditorium for $200,000, despite district Assistant Superintendent Lynn Marshall saying he didn't see the district having a use for the property. view article  

Garland ISD Officer Injured, 2 Dead in Shooting Outside Culwell Center in Garland

Two gunmen were killed Sunday night in Garland after opening fire on a security officer outside a provocative contest for cartoon depictions of Prophet Muhammad, and a bomb squad was called in to search their vehicle as a precaution, authorities said. Police were using robotic detection equipment to search the vehicle. No device has been found so far. view article  

A Look at How House, Senate Budgets Compare

As the Texas House and Senate prepare to hash out a compromise on the state budget in the coming weeks, their members will have plenty of issues to resolve. The House passed a $209.8 billion budget two weeks ago after nearly 18 hours of debate. This week, the Senate is expected to pass its own version of the budget, which totals $211.4 billion. view article  

House Public Ed Committee Meets at 8:00 AM today

More school finance today as Chairman Aycock starts the House Education Meeting at 8:00 AM.  HB 1759 (notice w/bills)  made public last week is on the agenda today for public testimony.   View meeting

Shallowater ISD Teacher/Coach Reinstated After Sheriff’s Office Closes Investigation

On April 6, 2015, the Shallowater ISD administration was informed by the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department that it had completed its investigation into an incident that occurred between an employee of the district and a student during an athletic period on March 31, 2015, and that it was closing the matter without recommending any further action by law enforcement.  view article  

Dealing with school vouchers

There is a lot to appreciate when certain state legislators advocate giving us a voucher worth thousands of dollars with the freedom to educate our children as we choose. Come to think about it, those are my tax dollars. And, as a parent, I am responsible for my child’s education. Besides, reformers keep telling me public schools are failing and I have the right to enroll my child in a school of my choice.  view article  

Spring ISD superintendent recommends termination of 5 faculty members

A scheduling mix-up could jeopardize graduation for many seniors in the Spring Independent School District. Dr. Rodney E. Watson, superintendent of the Spring ISD, wants to fire five faculty members connected to that mix-up. view article  

Dallas ISD seeks short- & long-term funding for schools

The Dallas Independent School District presented a draft version of a comprehensive plan for facilities and academic improvement to the board of trustees on Thursday. The long-range plan, which calls for $1.5 billion in funding, would be directed at school choice, pre-k expansion and career readiness, according to DISD officials. view article  

Taft ISD finds success in new daycare

At the beginning of the school year, Taft ISD opened the doors to their first daycare for the children of employees and there's been a lot of progress since our first visit. In August, Taft ISD's Early Learning Academy looked like this...now these classrooms are bright, cheerful, and full of activity. With positive response from parents, like Maisavel Saldivar, who's able to nurse and visit her 6 month old throughout the day while teaching with the district. view article  

February 0208:01 AM

 

Killeen Independent School District Board of Trustees are one step closer to rezoning Ellison High School. Thursday night after a second discussion, board members decided to hold a public hearing at a date to be determined to talk to residents and listen to concerns before making a final decision on redrawing attendance zones to handle overcrowding.

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  

January 1907:45 AM

 

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  

December 0907:45 AM

 

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

view article  

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