Governor Abbott Directs Texas Universities To Ignore President Biden’s Unlawful Title IX Rewrite

Governor Greg Abbott today sent a letter to Texas' public university systems and community colleges directing them to not comply with President Joe Biden's recent revision of Title IX and to refrain from implementing any new system-wide policy related to this revision. "As I have already made clear, Texas will not comply with President Joe Biden's rewrite of Title IX that contradicts the original purpose and spirit of the law to support the advancement of women," reads the letter. "Last week, I instructed the Texas Education Agency to ignore President Biden's illegal dictate of Title IX. Today, I am instructing every public college and university in the State of Texas to do the same. I signed laws to ensure the safety of our students on campus and provide a process for adjudicating reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault with adequate due process for all parties involved, as well as laws to protect the integrity of women's sports by prohibiting men from competing against female athletes—and I will not let President Biden erase the advancements Texas has made."
Katy ISD board member calls for legislative action to allow tracking immigration status of students

A Katy Independent School District board of trustee member called for legislation to allow the tracking of a student’s immigration status during Monday’s meeting. The trustee, Morgan Calhoun, asked Katy ISD Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith if there was any way to measure or understand how many illegal immigrant children, they have in their district that are receiving education. Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski responded, stating there are certain rules to educating all children in Texas—regardless of a student’s immigration status. He said it would be unlawful to require a person’s immigration status for them to be enrolled.
‘We have a problem’: Public schools in Texas face funding shortfalls

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Texas schools are among the lowest funded in the nation, and in the last legislative session, that did not change. Despite a record surplus, the per-student funding schools receive, the basic allotment, remained flat at $6,160, which has stayed the same since 2019. "Since that time, we've had about a 22% to 23% inflation rate, and this has put an enormous amount of pressure on public schools throughout the state of Texas," Kevin Brown, the director of the Texas Association of School Administrators, said. That impacts districts all over the state. ABC13 checked with local districts and found that in addition to HISD, Spring, Spring Branch, Katy, Tomball, and Conroe have projected budget shortfalls as they work toward finalizing their budgets for next year.
State Sen. Nichols honored for ‘defending public education, opposing school vouchers’

ATHENS, Texas (KETK) – Texas State Sen. Robert Nichols was honored by Raise Your Hand Texas on Monday for his defense of public education and opposition to school vouchers. The group is honoring 100 Texas state legislators as Public Education Champions for their “steadfast commitment to Texas public schools, teachers and students.”
3rd student charged in connection to ‘violent’ attack plan at North Texas middle school

A third student at a far north Fort Worth middle school has been charged in connection with creating and editing an online document that detailed a planned attack against students and staff, Northwest Independent School District officials said. Other students from Wilson Middle School were investigated, but found not to have engaged in a terroristic threat, district officials said Monday in a letter to families. A tip from a parent during school on May 1 led officials to the “troubling and violent document,” which contained plans to attack Wilson Middle School and listed 25 students and seven staff members as targets. District officials informed Wilson Middle School families and employees about the document in a letter last week and said two students had been arrested with pending felony charges.An investigation found a third student was also responsible for the threatening document, according to Monday’s letter. All three students have been charged with a felony terroristic threat, the school district said.
Exclusive: Federal officials investigating whether Katy ISD’s gender policy is discriminatory

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation Monday into Katy Independent School District to determine if its controversial gender identity policy discriminates against students, according to records obtained by the Houston Landing. The investigation comes after the Landing reported in November 2023 that Katy ISD revealed the gender identities of 19 students to their parents in the two months after the policy passed. Several weeks later, student advocacy organization Students Engaged in Advancing Texas used the report’s findings in a federal Title IX complaint alleging Katy ISD discriminated against these students on the basis of sex.

News Category

TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products

TexasISD.com
Advertising

TexasISD.com
Quick Links

71 Superintendent Vacancies Click to expand Click to collapse

Vacant	Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly Lusk INFO
Vacant	Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Vacant	Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESC INFO
Vacant	Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Vacant	Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Blooming Grove ISD; Search by: Blooming Grove ISD Board of Trustees & Gary Martel INFO
Vacant	Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Sabinal ISD; Search by: Richard W Grill & Sabinal ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Muenster ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Vacant	La Gloria ISD; Search by: La Gloria ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Dickinson ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant	Pineywoods Community Academy (Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant	Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Pewitt CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny Lovett INFO
Vacant	Union Hill ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Socorro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Decatur ISD; Search by: Decatur ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Grape Creek ISD; Search by: Grape Creek ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant	Santa Maria ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant	Vysehrad ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon INFO
Vacant	Early ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant	Gorman ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Vacant	Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Vacant	Doss CCISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Vacant	Dew ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Vacant	Brock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Vacant	Richland Springs ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESC INFO
Vacant	Hereford ISD; Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Vacant	Region 10 ESC Executive Director; Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike Moses INFO
Lone Finalist	Spurger ISD - Jeff Burnthorn, Director,Silsbee ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESC (Short Timeline)INFO
Lone Finalist	Roby CISD - Kenny Border, Assistant Superintendent,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Lone Finalist	Cotulla ISD - Dr. Ramiro Nava, Assistant Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO
Lone Finalist	McAllen ISD - René Gutiérrez, Superintendent,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Lone Finalist	Ponder ISD - Dr. James Hill, Director of Operations,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Lone Finalist	Hale Center ISD - Jance Morris, Superintendent,Savoy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist	Rocksprings ISD - Justin Del Bosque, Principal,Georgetown ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESC INFO
Lone Finalist	Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated); Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike Moses INFO
Lone Finalist	Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie Kincaid INFO
Lone Finalist	Johnson City ISD - Ben Eubanks, Superintendent,Glasscock County ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Lone Finalist	Duncanville ISD - Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent,Caddo Parish Public Schools; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Lone Finalist	Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon\|Alcala PLLCINFO
Lone Finalist	Hamlin Collgiate ISD - Dr. Chanda Bloch, Director,San Marcos CISD; Search by: Collegiate Edu-Nation, Dr. Nelson Coulter INFO
Lone Finalist	Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff Ballard INFO
Lone Finalist	Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Lone Finalist	Greenville ISD - Joe Lopez, Superintendent,Kermit ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan Surratt INFO
Lone Finalist	Weimar ISD - Chase Seelke, Assistant Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris Lyon INFO
Lone Finalist	Mason ISD - Sean Leamon, Superintendent,Winters ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESC INFO
Lone Finalist	Normangee ISD - Justin Vercher, Principal,Hillsboro ISD; Search by: N2 Learning, Dr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO
Lone Finalist	Abilene ISD - Dr. John Kuhn, Superintendent,Mineral Wells ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Lone Finalist	Pflugerville ISD - Dr. Quintin Shepherd, Superintendent,Victoria ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Lufkin ISD - Dr. James Hockenberry, Assistant Superintendent,Longview ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Willis ISD - Dr. Kimberly James, Deputy Superintendent,Corpus Christi ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Panhandle ISD - Dr. John Sherrill, Principal,Archer City ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Lone Finalist	Claude ISD - Brent Kirkland, Principal,Panhandle ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody Johnson INFO
Lone Finalist	Lorenzo ISD - Dr. Greg Nelson, Assistant Superintendent,Lamesa ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist	Wilson ISD - Wesley Jones, Principal,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist	Rogers ISD - Duana Brashear, Assistant Superintendent,Royal ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist	Whitehouse ISD - Dr. Casey Whittle, Assistant Superintendent,Wylie ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David Thompson INFO
Lone Finalist	Royse City ISD - Dr. Amy Anderson, Interim Superintendent,Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses, David Thompson & Dr. Curtis Culwell INFO
Lone Finalist	Clyde CISD - Bryan Allen, Superintendent,Breckenridge ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist	Valley View ISD - James Womack, Superintendent,Richland Springs ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha Hopkins INFO
Lone Finalist	Tenaha ISD - Jerrod Campbell, Principal,Timpson ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Lone Finalist	Elkhart ISD - Kyle Johnson, Assistant Superintendent,Westwood ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
Lone Finalist	Lumberton ISD - Dr. John Mathews, Assistant Superintendent,Celina ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
Lone Finalist	Olton ISD - Michael Michaleson, Principal,Lockney ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Anton ISD - Freddie Tobias, Principal,Anton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Navarro ISD - Mandy D. Epley, Assistant Superintendent,Comal ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO
New Super	Hedley ISD - Tracey Bell, Principal,Vega ISD; Search by: Hedley ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Nathan Maxwell, Associate Exec. Dir.INFO
New Super	Venus ISD - Patrick Torres, Superintendent,Denver City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Yantis ISD - Robyn Derington Deputy Supt. Banquete ISD, Deputy Superintendent,Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett (Short Timeline!)INFO
New Super	Morton ISD - Mario Aguirre, Principal,Slaton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Dr. Kyle Wargo, Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Comfort ISD - Dr. Yvonne J. Munoz, Director,San Diego ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
New Super	Coupland ISD - Dr. Earl W. Parcell, Chief Financial Officer,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO
New Super	Miami ISD - Krista Solis, Superintendent,Hart ISD; Search by: Interim Supt. Steve Post and Miami ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super	Liberty-Eylau ISD - Jeff Wright, Interim Superintendent,Liberty-Eylau ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super	Keller ISD (Short Timeline) - Dr. Tracy Johnson, Chief of Human Resources,Keller ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super	New Diana ISD - Marshall Moore, Superintendent,Crowell ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Glasscock County ISD - Mallory Marr, Chief Academic Officer,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
New Super	Ira ISD - Garrett Luft, Assistant Principal,Lubbock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
New Super	Anahuac ISD - Dr. Cody Abshire, Interim Superintendent,Anahuac ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
New Super	Pilot Point ISD - Shannon Fuller, Chief Instructional Officer,East Central ISD; Search by: Pilot Point ISD & Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, consultant Karen RueINFO
New Super	Colmesneil ISD - Sharon Tule, Interim Superintendent,Colmesneil ISD; Search by: Fisher FirmINFO
New Super	New Home ISD - Toby Tucker, Director,ESC 16; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Ropes ISD - Dade Cosby, Superintendent,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super	Rockport-Fulton ISD - Dr. Lesley Austin, Deputy Superintendent,Trinity Basin Prep, Dallas; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO
New Super	Sharyland ISD - Elaine Howard, Deputy Superintendent,Boerne ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Brooks County ISD - Scott Rogers, Superintendent,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Boerne ISD - Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Brenham ISD - Clay Gillentine, Interim Superintendent,Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Goldthwaite CISD - Dr. Christopher Bailey, Director,Abilene ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Ingleside ISD - Scott Kilgore, Director,Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Woodsboro ISD - Leslie Garza, Principal,Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - Paige Meloni, Chief Financial Officer,Lewisville ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Rains ISD - Joe Nicks, Assistant Superintendent,Kaufman ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Presidio ISD - Carmen Rubner, Interim Superintendent,Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational Services INFO
New Super	Corsicana ISD - Stephanie Howell, Deputy Superintendent,Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO
New Super	Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO
New Super	City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super	Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
New Super	Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny Miller INFO
New Super	West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO

How do I get my SuperSearch on TexasISD.com?Click Here for More Vacancies & Details! »

Port Arthur ISD support center renovation full go; district leaders outline plans and timeline

April 1908:25 AM

The future home of Port Arthur Independent School District’s Support Center is abuzz with activity as crews transform the former Catholic high school and health center at 9th Avenue and Texas 73. The $13.1 million building project at 3601 Texas 73 is going to host a multitude of district services in one central location. They include maintenance, transportation, records, custodial, police, shipping and receiving, technology, instructional materials and a print shop, according to Phyllis Geans, assistant superintendent of operations. view article

Austin ISD updates how it will respond to vaping on campus

April 1908:25 AM

Austin Independent School District is changing how it responds to e-cigarettes on campus. A new Texas law, House Bill 114, requires public school districts to send students to a District Alternative Learning Education Program (DAEP) if they are caught having, using or selling an e-cigarette on campus or within 300 feet of a school. view article

Del Valle ISD looking to hire 90 teachers

April 1908:25 AM

As the school year comes to an end many districts across Central Texas will now look to fill vacant positions for the upcoming year. In Del Valle ISD, District officials tell KXAN they are looking to fill 90 teaching positions. “Math and science has always been a huge need and now English, language arts, secondary teachers is a big need,” said Del Valle ISD Superintendent Annette Tielle. view article

As STAAR testing is underway, some Houston ISD parents are opting their children out

April 1908:24 AM

STAAR testing statewide has kicked off this month and some parents in Houston ISD are choosing to allow their students to opt out of the state-mandated test. The Texas Education Agency recognizes the STAAR (the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) exam as a state-mandated test designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to demonstrate they have mastered the curriculum at each grade level. view article

Pittsburg ISD approves calling $93.8 million bond after previous failed election

April 1908:23 AM

“We went back to the community and you know we obviously, we still have needs that we need to address and we want to listen to the community,” said Superintendent Terry Waldrep about calling for another bond. view article

Beaumont ISD board approves new rebranded stadium name

April 1908:22 AM

In a 6-0 vote, the board approved the name "Doggett Family Stadium" and showed a rendering of the stadium with the new name. view article

McGregor ISD proposing $82 million bond, says a new junior high is a top priority

April 1908:22 AM

"I just think it's a really good way to invest in our community and our kids,” said McGregor resident Stephanie Thompson. Investing in the kids — it's something McGregor ISD is aiming to do. The district is proposing an $82 million bond. view article

West ISD put on lockdown after student accesses teacher’s PowerPoint, references gun

April 1908:22 AM

The West Independent School District was put on lockdown after a student gained access to a teacher’s PowerPoint and began typing threatening language in reference to a gun, the district said in a statement. West ISD says their Gaggle Safety Team sent them an alert about the incident at 1:47 p.m. Thursday afternoon. West Middle and High School immediately enacted their Emergency Operations Plan and were put on hold while campus police found the student, according to West ISD. view article

TEA appoints 2 conservators to help oversee Socorro ISD

April 1908:21 AM

The Texas Education Agency appointed two conservators on Thursday to manage the Socorro Independent School District after a state investigation exposed widespread failings for improperly graduating students, failing to disclose a trustee’s potential conflict of interest with a vendor, and paying $283,000 in unauthorized stipends. view article

Katy ISD teacher and husband arrested in home renovation scheme, accused of gambling away client money

April 1908:20 AM

A Houston-area couple is in custody, accused of taking thousands of dollars from home renovation clients and never finishing the work. Aleck Steven Miller, 55, and Andrea Pierce Miller, 52, were contracted to complete home renovation projects across Katy, Friendswood, Sugar Land and Cypress. Investigators say the couple pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in payments for the work, and the jobs were never completed. view article

25 years after Columbine, trauma shadows survivors of the school shooting

April 1808:48 AM

A quarter of a century after the Columbine High School shooting, the trauma from the attack has remained with survivors Hours after she escaped the Columbine High School shooting, 14-year-old Missy Mendo slept between her parents in bed, still wearing the shoes she had on when she fled her math class. She wanted to be ready to run. Twenty-five years later, and with Mendo now a mother herself, the trauma from that horrific day remains close on her heels. It caught up to her when 60 people were shot dead in 2017 at a country music festival in Las Vegas, a city she had visited a lot while working in the casino industry. Then again in 2022, when 19 students and two teachers were shot and killed in Uvalde, Texas. view article

‘We are devastated’: Parents of sons killed in Hays CISD bus crash file lawsuits

April 1808:42 AM

The families of Ryan Wallace and Ulises Rodriguez Montoya filed separate wrongful death lawsuits stemming from the crash caused by a concrete truck driver. The respective families of a man and a boy killed in a school bus crash in Bastrop County last month filed separate wrongful death lawsuits against the truck driver of a concrete truck company, as well as the company and its owner. view article

Hudson’s Cassels, Dunning named National Merit Scholar Finalists

April 1808:42 AM

HUDSON — National Merit Scholar Finalists are a rarity. In fact, Hudson High School had only had three in its history prior to this year. Now they can add two more to that list as Scott Cassels and Joey Dunning were each honored with the prestigious award. In addition, they will both receive full-ride scholarships when they enroll at the University of Texas-Dallas for the fall semester. "It means a lot to me," Cassels said. "To be able to be judged for what you accomplished is important." In order to be eligible for the award, students must first have an outstanding PSAT score. Each year, the top 50,000 PSAT scores get commendation letters from the National Merit program. Of those, 16,000 qualify as semifinalists. Of those semifinalists, 15,000 will be considered finalists, with half of those finalists eventually chosen as Merit Scholarship winners. In order to become a finalist, those going through the process must complete an application, have a high academic performance throughout high school and be fully endorsed for a National Merit Scholarship by their high school principal. UT-Dallas is considered a priority school, meaning it covers scholarships for those who choose to attend it. view article

‘Gut Wrenching’ | Texas high school senior says school pulled her valedictorian title one month before graduation due to ‘miscalculation’

April 1808:41 AM

Maya Veliz told our sister station, WFAA, that she's worked for four years to end up first in her class. BLUE RIDGE, Texas — Blue Ridge High School Senior Maya Veliz will graduate high school next month. What should be one of the most exciting few weeks of her life is anything but. "It's almost the end of the year," Maya said, tears in her eyes. "And I kind of saw this going a different way." Maya told WFAA she set a goal four years ago to graduate first in her class from high school as valedictorian. view article

Pttsburg ISD ask voters to approve bond measure for campus upgrades

April 1808:41 AM

PITTSBURG, Texas (KETK) – After failing to pass the first two times, the Pittsburg Independent School District is hoping a bond proposal passes to give multiple campuses major upgrades. Sulphur Springs talks economy following Total Solar Eclipse On May 4, voters will decide whether to approve Pittsburg ISD’s $93.8 million bond proposal. “Hopefully that can be done and help our kids in a positive way,” Pittsburg ISD superintendent Terry Waldrep, said. The bond is divided into two propositions. On Tuesday, school officials showed residents the work they are planning for their middle school students. view article

Bulletin Board

Submit Event »

Leon Alcala, PLLC

WEBINAR: THE NEW TITLE IX REGULATIONS: WHAT DO ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO KNOW TO BE READY?

Join us for our upcoming webinar

Date: June 10, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Where: Webinar

Cost: $175 per participant

Presented by: John Janssen

Read more and register here...

Join us!

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.

Get Prepared for the New Overtime Rule Effective 7/1/2024!

May 23, 2024

Texas Taxpayers Continue to Fund Sky-high Superintendent Salaries

April 1808:40 AM

A total of 89 top school administrators take home salaries of $300,000 or more. Last school year, 77 superintendents received taxpayer-funded salaries above $300,000, with five making $400,000 or more. During the 2021-22 school year, 60 superintendents scored salaries at or above $300,000. view article

Dan Patrick Releases 57 Interim Charges Covering Border, Squatters, AI

April 1808:40 AM

Patrick listed 57 interim charges in his release with a potential second list of issues to come. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released the Texas Senate’s 2024 Interim Legislative Charges. Interim charges are priorities that lawmakers will focus on in the lead-up to the regular session. “The 57 interim charges I released today reflect issues that Texans have asked us to study. Our 31 senators submitted hundreds of ideas, with many senators sharing similar proposals,” Patrick wrote in a press release. The charges include having the Border Security Committee review local and state agencies’ participation in border security, monitoring the implementation of a variety of border-related laws, and support for personnel at the border. Border security is an issue that remains on the minds of voters across political lines as problems continue to mount in relation to the large number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country. The Texas Energy Fund was front and center in Patrick’s conversation earlier this year with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. It is addressed in the legislative charges as the Business and Commerce Committee is tasked with reviewing the impact of how grants and loans will be employed in the future construction and use of electric power plants in Texas. view article

POLLING FOR DOLLARS: New Braunfels ISD bond election to determine future of NBHS construction, stadium plans

April 1808:40 AM

With New Braunfels ISD’s upcoming $313 million bond election in May, voters will determine if the district’s new Long Creek High School will have its own stadium and whether to approve phase two of New Braunfels High School’s reconstruction. The board of trustees called the bond election during the February board meeting. The $313 million bond is split into three propositions. Proposition A includes phase two of the New Braunfels High School replacement, school safety and security projects, an upgraded agricultural sciences facility and more. The total cost for Proposition A is about $267 million. view article

Magnolia ISD names deputy superintendent as lone superintendent finalist

April 1808:40 AM

During its April 15 meeting, the Magnolia ISD board of trustees approved naming Jason Bullock as the lone superintendent finalist, according to an April 16 news release. The details Bullock will replace outgoing Superintendent Todd Stephens, who announced his retirement in late March after serving since 2009. “I am incredibly honored to be chosen as [the] lone finalist for the superintendent position here in Magnolia ISD,” Bullock said via news release. “This is a special community filled with great people. I look forward to continuing to work with our board as we strive to be the best district in the state of Texas.” view article

Spring ISD to request community feedback on potential tax rate election

April 1808:38 AM

On April 9, Spring ISD trustees voted to create a community survey for a possible voter-approval tax rate election ballot initiative, or VATRE, that would be held in November if called. What’s happening As SISD faces a $25 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25, trustees discussed the possible November VATRE for the second time April 9. Trustees voted 6-1—with board Secretary Kelly P. Hodges dissenting—in favor of ordering a community survey. The survey is expected to cost $21,000-$28,000, Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks said April 4, and the results should be available in May. The cost of holding a VATRE would be about $200,000, but SISD would be required to pay that cost anyway if any trustees up for election in November are opposed, Westbrooks said. view article

6th grade student accused of making threat so he could get out of school

April 1808:30 AM

CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) — An 11-year-old middle school student is in juvenile detention after allegedly confessing to making a threat Wednesday. The boy reported he found a note in the restroom with a bomb threat and threats to shoot the school just before 8 a.m. at West Clermont Middle School. While being interviewed by detectives, the sheriff's office said he confessed to making the note and putting it in the restroom. He said he had no intentions of carrying out any threats and there was no bomb. He reportedly said he just wanted out of school. view article

Kaufman ISD Residents to Consider $387 Million Bond

April 1808:30 AM

Kaufman Independent School District is pushing for a bond that would cost taxpayers more than $387 million when factoring in interest. It is a significant jump from the $170 million that voters will see on the ballot, which does not factor in estimated principal and interest debt. Kaufman ISD is specifically seeking funds for district-wide security projects, such as security camera upgrades, security film, and security fencing. The district would also like to add classrooms to its aging Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center, which it claims is “at functional capacity,” and a new agricultural barn for Career & Technical Education Classes. view article

TLR to Help Dade Phelan Raise Money in Houston

April 1808:30 AM

The Houston event is part of a series of fundraisers Phelan has hosted after coming in second place to former Orange County GOP Chairman David Covey in the March primary. view article

Kinney County Officials Ask Gov. Abbott for Immediate Special Session on Border Security

April 1808:30 AM

The border officials want lawmakers to establish a new statewide agency to protect the public from transnational criminal organizations. As illegal aliens continue to pour across the southern border into Texas, three border county officials are calling for an immediate special session to establish a statewide law enforcement agency tasked with fighting border-related crimes. In a letter sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster, County Attorney Brent Smith, and Sheriff Brad Coe asked that Abbott call a legislative session “to allow for the passage of Rep. Ryan Guillen’s bill, which establishes a new Texas Homeland Security Division…” view article

Proposed changes to state Medicaid plans could shake up health coverage for 1.8 million low-income Texans

April 1808:30 AM

Proposed changes to state Medicaid plans could shake up health coverage for 1.8 million low-income Texans Texas health officials are poised to drop the state’s three largest nonprofit children’s health plans from multibillion-dollar Medicaid and children’s health insurance contracts — threatening the future of plans run by legacy children’s hospitals in Fort Worth and South Texas and shaking up health care coverage for low-income families throughout the state. view article

Appeals court denies rehearing Texas’ controversial book rating law

April 1808:30 AM

An appeals court has yet again dealt a blow to a controversial book-rating law that would have required Texas booksellers to individually rate books they sell based on whether the works contain depictions or references to sex. The move came on April 16, when the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 9-8 not to rehear the case after a three-judge panel ruled that the law, known as the Reader Act, was unconstitutional. view article

HISD employees making over $200K have tripled under Mike Miles. Here’s the top 25 earners

April 1808:30 AM

Houston ISD's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles was the district's highest-paid employee this year, earning a $380,000 salary in his first year at the helm of Texas' largest school district. His predecessor, former Superintendent Millard House II, made $360,000 as HISD's top earner when he left the district last year. Miles' 12-person cabinet, along with select central office administrators and senior schools directors, round out HISD's 25 highest earners. Notably, 37 employees now earn at least $200,000, up from just 12 last year, according to Texas Education Agency staffing data. view article

HISD parents mobilize after zoning eliminated from dual-language schools

April 1808:30 AM

Montrose and Heights parents are searching for answers after the appointed Houston ISD Board of Managers voted to eliminate zoning at the popular Wharton and Helms dual-language schools, preserving their school-wide Spanish immersion programs but removing seats for neighborhood children in the process. About 50 Wharton parents and other Montrose community members met with board member Adam Rivon on Tuesday night to communicate their frustration with the decision and urge the district to find an alternate solution. Seated in the main dining room of the Midtown Bar and Grill, many parents spoke openly about how they moved to Montrose specifically so that their children would be zoned to Wharton, and now feel like their future is up in the air. view article

Leander ISD adopts new instructional materials for 2024-25 amid funding shortage

April 1808:30 AM

The latest: The board of trustees approved the new instructional materials and voted to transfer $2.3 million from the district’s general fund balance to cover their cost after receiving less state funding than anticipated, district officials said at an April 11 meeting. The context: The new materials come as the State Board of Education approved new materials in K-12 science, K-8 technology applications, high school financial literacy and economics, and some CTE courses, according to the Texas Education Agency. view article

Round Rock ISD proposing 1% raise for employees, bonus tied to student enrollment

April 1808:30 AM

As Round Rock ISD continues the process of creating its budget for the 2024-25 budget year, administrators are proposing a 1% general pay increase for all employees, as well as a bonus tied to the district's student enrollment. What you need to know The district has informed the community that some budget cuts are imminent, with a projected shortfall of about $30 million for the 2024-25 school year. However, district administrators said this will not preclude them from including a small pay bump for employees in proposals for the budget, in order to retain employees. In a proposal for the district's compensation plan in the upcoming year, administrators are recommending the board of trustees approve a 1% increase, with some adjustments to the overall pay structure, as well as an employee bonus if enrollment jumps ahead of projections shared in March. view article

HHSC reimbursement reduction could cost McAllen ISD $961,000

April 1808:30 AM

McALLEN — The school board held its fourth budget workshop Monday with an update on a budget reduction plan to deal with the district’s ongoing deficit that has been reduced to $10.3 million from the initial $14 million. Districts across the state are currently dealing with budget issues since Gov. Greg Abbott is withholding $31 billion from public school funding until his school voucher plan proposal is approved. Giving an update on the projected 2024-2025 budget, board members heard about an update to the deficit along with a budget reduction plan. In the meeting the board looked over the updated revenues and expenditures for 2024-2025. The projected revenues for the district is about $243 million with expenditures being around $254 million with a deficit of a little over $10 million. view article

Liberty Hill ISD greenlights new disciplinary program, Success Academy portable building

April 1808:30 AM

Liberty Hill ISD will open a shared space for its Success Academy and new disciplinary program in a portable building at Liberty Hill High School next school year. The board of trustees approved around $636,000 in funding for the portable building at an April 15 meeting following an overview of the new facility by Chief of Schools Travis Motal. view article

Residents within Harts Bluff ISD to vote on $19.1 million bond

April 1808:30 AM

MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (KETK) – Harts Bluff Independent School District said five bond propositions, equaling a total of $19.1 million, will be on the May ballot to fund facility expansions. $3 million scratch ticket sold in Palestine According to the school district, if all the propositions are approved the total tax impact will be 40 cents. view article

Bond Preview: Graham ISD

April 1808:30 AM

GRAHAM, Texas (KAUZ) - We continue our coverage of school bonds across Texoma by spotlighting the Graham ISD 2024 bond, totaling $38 million. This bond is split into two propositions after one proposed last year failed. A large focus will be Proposition A, which will consolidate the three elementary schools down to two, all while providing safety and security upgrades as well. Proposition B, is on an indoor multipurpose facility, that will not only benefit Graham ISD students but also some community organizations. view article

Dallas ISD trustee holds community meeting on gun violence following high school shooting

April 1808:30 AM

Dozens of community members gathered at the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in West Dallas to discuss safety in public schools. A Dallas school trustee gathered community members to discuss concerns about gun violence in schools after a student shot a classmate at Wilmer-Hutchins High School last week. Dozens gathered in West Dallas to hear from trustee Maxie Johnson at the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he is a pastor, to discuss the shooting, potential solutions to gun violence and the state’s role in safety measures. “When I heard that a student was shot,” Johnson said, “my nerves went all over me. I didn’t know what to expect.” Johnson, who has lost his own son to gun violence in 2019, said parents hurt whenever they receive a call reporting a shooting. “Our children are supposed to bury us. We’re not supposed to bury them.” view article

388 Richardson Rd.
Lufkin, Texas 75904

P: (936) 622-3411
F: (877) 242-4228

Subscribe to TexasISD

Socialize:

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.

TexasISD.com Endorsed Products

TexasISD.com Advertising

TexasISD.com Quick Links

Bulletin Board

Leon Alcala, PLLC

WEBINAR: THE NEW TITLE IX REGULATIONS: WHAT DO ADMINISTRATORS NEED TO KNOW TO BE READY?

Join us for our upcoming webinar

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.

Get Prepared for the New Overtime Rule Effective 7/1/2024! May 23, 2024

Get in Contact

About TexasISD.com

TexasISD.com
Endorsed Products

TexasISD.com
Advertising

TexasISD.com
Quick Links

Get Prepared for the New Overtime Rule Effective 7/1/2024!

May 23, 2024