- News Category
- Accountability/Accreditation
- Charter Schools
- Child Nutrition
- Construction/Bond Issues
- Governance
- Grants
- Health/Safety
- Joe's Commentaries
- Legal
- Legislative
- National News
- Newspapers
- Personnel
- Property Tax
- Risk Management
- School Finance
- Special Articles
- State Board of Education
- SuperSearch Page
- Technology in Education
- TexasISD General News
- Transportation
- Preventive Law
TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products
TexasISD.com
Advertising
TexasISD.com
Quick Links
33
Superintendent Vacancies
Click to expand 
| Vacant | Mullin ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.C. (search suspended)INFO | Vacant | Region One ESC Executive Director; Search by: Region One ESC Board of DirectorsINFO | Vacant | Santa Fe ISD - Dr. Kevin Bott, Assistant Superintendent,Santa Fe ISD; Search by: Search by: Karczewski Bradshaw SpaldingINFO | Vacant | Paint Rock ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo in conjunction with Dr. Daniel King and Dr. Abelardo SaavedraINFO | Vacant | Crane ISD - Dr. Stephanie Howard, Deputy Supt.,Ector County ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO | Vacant | Region 16 Executive Director; Search by John Bass, Association of Educational Service Agencies INFO | Vacant | Valley View ISD - Dr. Silvia Ibarra, Interim Superintendent,Valley View ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo in conjunction with Dr. Daniel King and Dr. Abelardo SaavedraINFO | Vacant | Neches ISD; Search by: Neches ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant |
Executive Director UTSA Dual Language Community Lab Schools Partnership; Search by: UTSA College of Education & Human DevelopmentINFO |
Vacant | Donna ISD; Search by: Law Office of Flores & Torres, LLP, Dr. Ruben D. OlivarezINFO | Vacant | Olfen ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO | Vacant | Goodrich ISD; Search by: Goodrich ISD Board of TrusteesINFO | Vacant | Hawkins ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Sweet Home ISD - Dr. Jennifer “Renee” Fairchild, Administrator,Gonzales ISD; Search by Region 3 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Haskell CISD - Lonnie Hise, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Gunter ISD - Scott Martindale, Superintendent,Iola ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Harrold ISD - Cody Patton, Director of Operations,Tioga ISD; Search By: Region 9 ESCINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Matagorda ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO |
| Lone Finalist | Waxahachie ISD - Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, Superintendent,Bandera ISD; Search by: Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C.INFO |
| New Super | Frederickburg ISD - Dr. Joe Rodriguez, Ed.D., Chief of Schools,Fort Bend ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO |
| New Super | Veribest ISD - Amanda Traylor, High School Principal,Sunray ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| New Super | Richland Springs ISD - Clifton James Womack, Principal,Graford ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO |
| New Super | Lake Dallas ISD - Mike Rockwood, Deputy Superintendent,Lamar CISD; Search by: Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C.INFO |
| New Super | Ranger ISD - Kevin Shipley, Director,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Shane Fields, Region XIV ESCINFO |
How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Racial equity training causing controversy for local school district parents
FISHERS, Ind. — Training on race equity for staff at one local school system has split a local community with thousands joining Facebook groups supporting one side or the other. The current frustration is a two-day training happening this week for Hamilton Southeastern Schools staff. The training is “Interrupting Racism for Children” and is instructed by Child Advocates, a local group “fighting for equality and equity for all children in the community and standing up for children’s rights,” according to the group’s website. Some parents see issues with these trainings though, most commonly associating the training with Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory, or CRT, has been a buzzword in schools across the country recently.
view article 
Houston: HISD says it’s deactivating COVID-19 plan on Aug. 2
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As students prepare to head back to school, HISD won't be requiring them to wear masks, and the district's health emergency protocols are being scaled down. It's all part of the district's latest COVID-19 safety update, which was emailed to parents on Thursday.
In the email, HISD said its communicable disease plan, which governs the district's health and safety protocols during public health emergencies, will be formally deactivated on Aug. 2.
view article
Northern Brazoria briefs: Mom’s legacy supports pupils at Alvin ISD elementary
Aubrey Middleton has found a way to continue the back-to-school outreach program established by her mother, Lory Middleton, who died in May. Aubrey, founder of Lory’s Legacy Foundation, presented 250 backpacks filled with school supplies to E.C. Mason Elementary School on July 15. “My mom was the glue that held so many communities together with her love and giving heart,” Aubrey said. “E.C. Mason was the school that I attended and where my mom was president of the PTO for many years, so we felt it was the perfect school to receive our donation.”
view article
San Angelo ISD is Hiring Substitute Teachers
SAN ANGELO,TX – The San Angelo Independent School District is hiring substitute teachers for the upcoming school year. In a press release, SAISD had this to say: Join our team to make a difference in your community and earn extra money for the holidays! San Angelo ISD is hiring substitute teachers! Substitute teachers play an important role in the lives of the students we serve and our greater community. Benefits of being a substitute teacher include flexible schedules with full or half-day assignments available and attractive pay incentives.
view article
El Paso ISD to hold community meeting to discuss safe return to school
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Independent School District will hold a community meeting to discuss the plan for a safe back-to-school on Wednesday. A panel of El Paso ISD will discuss the plan and answers questions posed by parents and community members. The meeting will be live-streamed on the district's YouTube channel at 6 p.m. To watch, click here: https://youtu.be/szLS3wCD6EQ. Participants may submit questions to the panel during the session through live chat. The meeting also will be available through livestream at www.episd.org/live.
view article
Beaumont ISD pushing for student registration following dip in recent test scores
It's hopefully going to be a rebound after a double-digit dip in scores during remote learning. Believe it or not, it's almost time for kids to get back to school, and with face-to-face learning making its return, it is going to be a big one. For Beaumont Independent School District, it's hopefully going to be a rebound after a double-digit dip in scores during remote learning. The district saw less than 7 percent of sixth graders reaching the standard for math testing. "It's back to school time," said Senecia Saveat, Beaumont ISD's director of student services. Saveat said she wants families to be sure they don't forget to register as fall approaches.
view article
Northside ISD to open two new campuses in upcoming school year
SAN ANTONIO -- The Northside Independent School (NISD) is gaining two new campuses in the upcoming school year, the district announced. Joey Tomlinson Elementary School and Joe Straus III Middle School will open this year. Tomlinson Elementary School is located off of Galm Road, across from Folks Middle School and Straus Middle School is located off FM471 on Talley Road, across from Harlan High School. The district says final touches are being made on the buildings and the last of the teachers are being hired. The two new principals for the schools will start when the school year starts on August 23.
view article
Meet Yvette Gonzalez: A Driving Force for Alice ISD
Gonzalez was just named Bus Driver of the Year for Alice ISD, and what a year it was: navigating COVID protocols while continuing to keep children safe. — More people are getting back to work, some may even be eager to start training for their new jobs, and if becoming a bus driver has ever been on your radar: now may be a great time to learn. Here in the Coastal Bend, one of the places now certified to offer that training is the Alice Independent School District. Just this week, they learned that they were approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to become an authorized training facility.
view article
Encore Academy unveils new facility for students in Midland ISD
MIDLAND, Texas — Thursday was an exciting day for the students, teachers and parents at the Encore Academy. Encore Academy is a part of Midland ISD's Special Services program. The mission of the Special Services program is "to provide instructional and support services to students in special populations to ensure they have the best possible opportunity to be successful and productive students," according to their website.
view article
Longest serving Waco ISD board member to retire, major changes to some Waco schools possibly on the way
Allen Sykes announced his plans to resign as a school board member at the Thursday night meeting of the Waco ISD Board of Trustees. Sykes was first elected to the board in 1999 and is currently the longest serving board member. He represents Waco ISD Trustee District 5, which covers neighborhoods near Richland Mall, the lake, and areas near Baylor University as well. His wife, Jane, retired from Waco ISD as a teacher after 35 years, their two children are Waco High graduates.
view article
Paris ISD Sets Rules For Video Recording
The Paris ISD has put into writing a rule that has long been enforced prohibiting the cell phone recording of certain incidents on campuses. Students will still be allowed to record students in positive events such as sports, band, drill team, theater etc. Recording Incidents such as fights or other misconduct is officially prohibited.
view article
Northside ISD offering free meals during upcoming 2021-22 school year
SAN ANTONIO - Northside Independent School District announced on Thursday that they'll be offering healthy meals to students at no cost for the upcoming school year. Normally, a student's family would have to meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced priced meals, but that isn't the case this school year. The United States Department of Agriculture has allowed schools to offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-22 school year.
view article
Winona ISD announces death of student
WINONA, Texas (KETK)- The Winona Independent School District said one of their students passed away on Thursday. “Winona ISD is heartbroken by the loss of one of our students today,” stated the superintendent, Damenion Miller. The district was notified that Chris Gatlin passed away from his injuries after being in a car crash. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. Counselors will be made available for staff and students as needed throughout the week,” said the district. They also asked that the community respect the family’s privacy. Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time.
view article
Lake Travis ISD to spend $3M in federal aid to meet students’ academic, emotional needs
Lake Travis ISD plans to use $3 million in federal relief funds to address students’ academic and social-emotional needs spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a proposal shared during a July 21 board meeting. The funding will be allocated through the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Program. To date, the U.S. Department of Education has released two-thirds of the federal dollars to the Texas Education Agency. In order to obtain the funding, which may be used through September 2024, districts must submit an application to the TEA by July 27 that includes a plan for the use of funds as well as the safe reopening of in-person instruction. Eligible uses outlined by the TEA include extended instructional time, professional development and mental health resources, among other education services.
view article
Abbott affirms he will take no action to mitigate future COVID waves
Gov. Greg Abbott says he will not impose another statewide mask mandate, despite COVID-19 cases being on the rise again. “There will be no mask mandate imposed, and the reasons for that are very clear,” Abbott told KPRC-TV in Houston on Tuesday. “There are so many people who have immunities to COVID, whether it be through the vaccination, whether it be through their own exposure and their recovery from it, which would be acquired immunity.” It would be “inappropriate to require people who already have immunity to wear a mask,” Abbott said. (22)
view article
Sara Leon & Associates, PLLC
Lessons in Child Find
Lessons in Child Find
Date and Time: July 29, 2021 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Cost: $150 per person
Single Registration:
Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Converted Texas prison gets first immigrant detainees as Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security effort ramps up
A Texas prison has officially started detaining immigrants accused of state crimes after allegedly crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s heightened border security efforts. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Wednesday that Val Verde County, home to Del Rio, sent three people arrested under Abbott’s border initiative Tuesday to the Briscoe Unit in Dilley, a small town between San Antonio and Laredo. The number of detainees is expected to grow rapidly; the Val Verde county attorney predicted about 50 arrests of immigrants a day, ramping up to as many as 200 daily by August. (22)
view article
Carroll ISD changes board meeting format following controversies and protests
The school board will now meet twice per month, with only one meeting where the public can comment on non-agenda items. After a year of school board meetings that featured extensive public outcry around issues including critical race theory, the proposed Cultural Competence Action Plan and pandemic-related concerns, the Carroll Independent School District is implementing a new meeting structure that changes when members of the public can comment on non-agenda items. The school board will now meet twice a month. During what is being dubbed a “workshop” meeting, public comments will be limited to specific agenda items. The second meeting of the month will allow public comment on any topic, the district said in a release. The changes come after multiple instances of protests at school board meetings in the last year, including a board meeting in May in which protestors gathered inside and outside the administration building displaying divisive signs regarding COVID-19 mask protocols. (22)
view article
Klein ISD police vehicles now equipped with AED devices
Every second counts. So says David Kimberly in his quest to acquire automated external defibrillators for his officers in their vehicles. The chief of police at Klein ISD is breathing a sigh of relief with the knowledge his officers may be able to save the lives of students, staff, or even Klein community members after they were awarded a grant for 17 new state-of-the-art devices from the Tomball Regional Health Services Foundation recently.
view article
Round Rock ISD announces virtual learning for grades K-6 this fall
Round Rock ISD announced July 22 that a virtual learning option would be provided for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, citing COVID-19 vaccine availability and Williamson County's recent increase in reported cases. Vaccines are not yet available to students under the age of 12, the district stated in a July 22 press release. The district also stated it would release COVID-19 safety guidelines for the coming semester July 29, followed by a virtual town hall to discuss safety protocols.
view article
Conroe ISD reverses course as districts seek guidance for handling students with COVID-19 this fall
Conroe ISD reversed course Thursday, saying students who test positive for COVID-19 would have to stay home until they meet certain criteria to return to school, two days after officials said they could not require ill students to isolate. The district joined at least eight others in the Houston area that said Thursday they plan to direct students to stay home if they become infected.
view article
Gadsden ISD held backpack drive-thru giveaway in Chaparral
A backpack drive-thru giveaway was held in Chaparral, New Mexico by the Gadsden Independent School District. About 200 backpacks were donated to students. “In the midst of this unusual year with many challenges your continued support of our students positively impacts them and removes academic barriers to their success,” said Social Worker Deborah Holguin from Gadsden Independent School District Federal Programs.
view article
Matagorda ISD Names Lone Finalist
On July 14, the Matagorda ISD Board of Trustees named Barbara Marchbanks as the lone finalist for the position of superintendent. Marchbanks currently serves as superintendent in McDade ISD. The Matagorda ISD board is scheduled to vote to hire Marchbanks after the 21-day waiting period required by state law.
$2,000 for teachers: Humble ISD uses CARES Act funds to provide COVID stipend
Humble ISD is supplying its teachers and staff with more financial assistance after COVID ushered in one of the hardest school years ever. The Humble ISD school board unanimously approved the COVID Impact Retention Stipend Plan for the 2021-2022 school year during the monthly school board meeting on Tuesday night. The one-time $2,000 stipend will be provided to full-time teachers, nurses, librarians and counselors this fall.
view article
Conroe ISD sets COVID-19 policies for 2021-22 school year
Conroe ISD presented an updated plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services at a July 20 board of trustees meeting. The plan, also known as the "Roadmap to Remaining Open," states policies and provides recommendations for students and faculty to better prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The 2021-22 school year will be conducted 100% in person. Masks will be not be required for anyone on any CISD campus. However, masks will be provided free of charge, according to the district.
view article
Dallas ISD launches initiative to get students reading and writing skills at grade level
Educators are pushing several programs to help students and teachers address learning loss experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are preparing to head back to classes for the 2021-2022 school year. Many educators know getting children adjusted to full-time in-person instruction may be a challenge, especially after a year of virtual learning in a pandemic. “The data is showing that we have experienced some learning loss in our content areas,” said Arlena Gaynor, Executive Director of Language, Literacy, and Social Studies at Dallas Independent School District.
view article
Biden estimates when FDA will fully approve COVID-19 jabs
He said these scientists have not promised him any fixed dates. President Biden said Wednesday night that his "expectation" is that the COVID-19 vaccines being distributed in the U.S. under an emergency use authorization will likely be approved by the Food and Drug Administration by the fall. He estimated that the approval will be announced "maybe in the beginning of the school year, at the end of August, beginning of September, October, they’ll get final approval." He said these scientists have not promised him any fixed dates. The FDA accepted Pfizer's application last week for full approval of the COVID-19 vaccine more than a year after it was developed with BioNTech, and as the delta variant surges.
view article
Round Rock ISD police chief to present department model at national conference
The Round Rock ISD Police Department has been selected to give a presentation on redefining school policing, a transformative policing model at the National School Safety Conference.
The conference will take place July 26-29 and is hosted by the School Safety Advocacy Council.
RRISD Chief Jeff Yarbrough said he and Assistant Chief Jim Williby will travel to New Orleans on July 29 to present the department’s four-pillar policing model, which focuses on school safety, racial equity, behavioral health and student advocacy.
view article
College Station ISD board approve teacher pay raise
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — College Station ISD teachers can expect to see a pay raise in the upcoming school. This comes after a $2.2 million increase in their budgeted compensation plan.
The College Station ISD Board approved the pay increase unanimously Tuesday evening. The compensation plan includes a $1,000 increase for all teachers and raising starting salaries from $45,500 to $47,000.
view article
EPA alerts Garland ISD about potential lead concerns near elementary school
GARLAND, Texas - Late Sunday evening, Garland ISD acknowledged for the first time that the EPA has alerted the district of a potential environmental hazard.
The hazard is related to the Globe-Union battery manufacturing plant. The EPA found elevated levels of lead near the banks of a creek outside the fence of Park Crest Elementary.
Faced with an ill family member, Don Phillips began to wonder three years ago if it was connected to the old Globe-Union battery manufacturing site that used to operate near his family's home. A Facebook post he made quickly gained traction.
view article
Here’s how much of a salary increase Little Elm ISD staff will receive
The Little Elm ISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved a compensation plan that is expected to provide a boost in pay to its employees. There are several pieces to the plan, which will go into effect for the 2021-22 school year. All staff members will receive a 3-percent retention stipend. Asheley Brown, executive director for human resource services, said this will not impact the district’s budget since it was already included.
view article
Federal Grant Feedback Deadline Thursday For Montgomery ISD
MONTGOMERY, TX — Montgomery Independent School District is receiving input from the public on its plans for federal grant money in the 2021-22 school year. The school district received $772,447 in federal funding through the Title I, Title II and Title IV programs last school year. With the addition of ESSER grants established to help schools recover from and navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, Montgomery ISD is applying for over $7.2 million in grants for 2021-22.
view article
Waco ISD finalizing back-to-school protocols amid rising COVID cases
WACO, Texas- The rise of COVID cases in McLennan County is putting local schools in limbo as they make decisions for the upcoming school year. The Waco Independent School District will resume in-person classes at 100 percent, and they are finalizing what will work best for the students. Waco ISD Health Services Director Rhiannon Settles says they have been working closely with the Waco- McLennan County Public Health District for the best back-to-school plan. “It’ll be different. It’s not ‘back to 2018’ normal, but it will be better. We are going to be okay. We’re going to make it,” Settles said. “We will provide learning to kids, meals to kids, {and} do everything that we have to do. It’s just going to be a little different.”
view article
Pandemic show and tell: Texas second graders’ drawings and words reveal how COVID-19 touched their lives
As many children prepare to return to in-person school in the fall and alarming reports from across the U.S. and around the world point to a coming crisis in children’s mental health, some communities are getting out ahead of the grim forecasts. In Texas, teachers and mental health care providers are fortifying support systems, investing in kids’ resilience and expanding what works as they continue to fight for the future of the COVID-19 generation. This is the third story in a three-part series examining those efforts. Read the first story here. Read the second here.
view article
London ISD welcomes first day of 2021-2022 school year Wednesday
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Students attending London Independent School District head back to school July 21, 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year. Start times for London Elementary school is at 7:45 a.m., followed by intermediate students at 7:50 a.m. and middle & high school students starting at 8:40 a.m.
view article
Get in Contact
- 388 Richardson Rd.
- Lufkin, Texas 75904
- P: (936) 622-3411
- F: (877) 242-4228
About TexasISD.com
TexasISD.com was the brainchild of Joe F. Smith. Joe retired early from a successful career as Superintendent of Schools for Hudson ISD, deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Due to a long battle with Post-Polio Syndrome the doctor made him hang it up and rest for six months. Never being the kind of person to sit still and also not being the person to listen to his doctor, Joe logged lengthy sessions in front of his PC researching school issues, reading papers and corresponding with his friends and colleagues in the education business.
Copyright © 2021 - TexasISD.com All Rights Reserved. Site designed by Key Creative
