A Northside Independent School District trustee arrested last fall on suspicion of driving while intoxicated has entered a pretrial diversion program in the case, Bexar County court records confirm. Dr. Karla Duran, 44, was granted PTD Friday, five months after she was arrested by San Antonio police. view article arw

The driving while intoxicated charge against Karla Duran, the Northside Independent School District trustee, has been dismissed at the request of a special prosecutor allowed more leniency than the local DA’s office uses. County Court at Law No. 4 Judge Alfredo Ximenez dismissed the case on Feb. 2 in response to a motion by Michael Block, an assistant county attorney in Atascosa County, who the judge appointed to handle it on Oct. 16. view article arw

The Texas Education Agency installed a board of managers and a new superintendent to lead La Joya ISD Thursday after years of corruption at the school district. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath described the move as a last resort for the state, but one that’s justified in the case of La Joya. “First of all you have several board members that are sitting in jail — they’ve been convicted of fraud. And the current board tried to make the argument that that was really an isolated circumstance, but it is — in our judgement and the judgement of our investigators and the review of the administrative law judge that also reviewed this case — it is not isolated,” he said. “These are ongoing ethical dilemmas and an inability of the board as a whole to put aside their own interests and focus solely on meeting the needs of kids.” view article arw

They consist of three members appointed by board president Scott Henry.  Given that the membership falls below the number required for a quorum, they don’t have to post their agenda or discussions and are not subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act, according to the district’s general counsel Marney Collins Sims. Subcommittee membership is under quorum requirements and therefore doesn’t have to post their agenda or discussions, raising questions about accountability and transparency.  Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District’s school board recently amended its board operating procedures to create board subcommittees. However, these subcommittees will meet privately and actions and conversations happening in them will not be reported publicly.   The trustees voted to “use Board Sub-committees to govern the district,” according to a post from Trustee Julie Hinaman.   The sub-committees listed, so far, are finance and operations; academics, safety, vision, and planning; policy review; governance; and ad-hoc teacher retention. view article arw

A deadlocked vote on the Harlandale Independent School District board was broken by a state conservator, who directed trustees to appoint a replacement to fill its vacant District 2 seat last week. Tasked with replacing trustee Christine Carrillo, who resigned from the board last month after being arrested on an assault charge, the board interviewed three applicants during a special board meeting Jan. 31. view article arw

Join Dallas ISD’s Board of Trustees for an upcoming 2024-2025 budget meeting. This is the public’s opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions on the proposed budget for next school year. There will be a meeting in each region to share the district’s planning process and assumptions. view article arw

Seguin ISD board members will be diving a bit more into the possibility of ordering a bond issue this coming May. Although no official action will be taken tonight, trustees will be discussing the item during a special board workshop. The discussion comes after the board last month voted to table the item until they can learn exactly what is needed by the district. According to Interim Superintendent Dr. Veronica Vijil, the proposed bond election could be as much as $5 million. view article arw

The Premont Independent School District’s Board of Trustees has voted to extend the contract of their superintendent, Dr. Mike Barrera. This decision was made at their meeting on January 30, 2024, with a majority vote of 5-2. The extension prolongs Dr. Barrera’s tenure, originally set to conclude on January 31, 2026, by an additional year, now ending on January 31, 2027.

Pearland Independent School District has been selected as a participant in the Raise Your Hand Texas Trustee Advocates Program, as announced on January 26. This initiative, dedicated to training Texas school districts and their locally-elected trustees, focuses on educating, engaging, and activating school districts and local communities. The goal is to amplify their voices in state public education policy and advocacy, thereby enhancing the impact and quality of public education. view article arw

As promised, the governor is going after members of his own party after some of them tanked his top legislative priority.  Texas House Republicans who tanked Gov. Greg Abbott’s school voucher agenda last year are facing a growing onslaught in their primaries as his long-promised revenge tour reaches its final month.  A national pro-voucher group, the School Freedom Fund, is launching a $1.15 million TV ad blitz across eight primaries Wednesday, part of a major ramp-up by Abbott’s allies on the issue. Another pro-voucher outfit, AFC Victory Fund, endorsed 13 primary challengers Tuesday and has already sent out multiple mail pieces attacking incumbents. And Abbott himself is set to return to the campaign trial this week to stump for both pro-voucher incumbents — and challengers. view article arw

TEA appointed a new board and superintendent to temporarily oversee the South Texas district. A South Texas school district plagued with public corruption scandals is the latest target of a takeover by the state agency that oversees government education. The Texas Education Agency announced Thursday the appointment of a seven-member board of managers and a new superintendent to temporarily lead La Joya Independent School District. The agency said the intervention “is the result of a comprehensive TEA investigation that substantiated allegations of fraud and conflicts of interest executed by members of the elected LJISD Board of Trustees.” La Joya ISD is a low-income district in the Rio Grande Valley that receives 90 percent of its revenue from outside the district. Only 40 percent of the district’s 24,000 students perform at grade level across all subjects. The district is rife with corruption. view article arw

Bryan ISD leaders are scheduled to meet Monday at noon for discussions regarding updates to several policy changes. Many of these revisions stem from developments at the statehouse during the 2023 legislative session. These updates encompass measures pertaining to school safety and security, such as requiring children new to the district to provide a copy of their disciplinary record and any threat assessment involving their behavior. view article arw

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Northside ISD joins the Texas Association of School Boards and the 1,026 other school districts throughout Texas to thank our locally elected trustees for their service, and to educate the community about the important role that a school board plays in shaping the lives of children and communities. Superintendent John Craft said that even though Districts make a special effort in January to show appreciation to Board members, their work takes a year-round commitment. It is appropriate that this year’s theme is “Locally Elected, Community Connected” which highlights the collaboration among school leadership, teachers, parents, and the community on behalf of students. "Board members are extraordinary people who voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing school districts. Their ultimate goal is always focused on the future success of every student enrolled in the district. Our district is enriched by the contributions of these local citizens who truly care about our kids,” Craft added. “We applaud their efforts to serve as advocates for our children and the voice of public education. view article arw

The Texas Education Agency selected a new superintendent and board for the La Joya Independent School District on Thursday after concluding the district had a “significant problem with public corruption.” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced the move — an extraordinary step reserved for school districts with serious problems — on Thursday morning. view article arw

The Canutillo Independent School District is making budget cuts, including layoffs, to address a nearly $6 million deficit caused in part because of the board’s decision to approve a budget that relied on hopes of an increase in state funding that never came. The layoffs, announced in mid-January, include eliminating 13 positions, five of which were vacant. The cuts saved the district $300,000, officials said. view article arw

At a recent school board meeting, the Hallsville ISD Board of Trustees were celebrated by all the principals of the district in attendance on behalf of the students, staff and faculty in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month. The school board meeting was held on Monday, Jan. 22, and began with the Bobcat Pride portion to recognize the Board of Trustees with a celebration of the work done to benefit the district. The meeting showcased several pieces of art centered around HISD, as well as a table full of gifts for the board. Hallsville ISD Special/Federal Programs Director Amy Whittle led the principals and directors in attendance in thanking each of the school board members. view article arw

Some Jewish Houston residents and Houston ISD community members are urging the state's largest school district to restore the school holiday during one of the High Holy Days to the proposed academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year. HISD announced last week that it was asking for community feedback until Friday on two draft calendar options for the upcoming school year. Neither of the options include a school holiday during either of the High Holidays, which are the two most significant holidays in the Jewish faith. view article arw

A citizen is suing Arlington Independent School District over the trustees’s refusal to hold a public hearing regarding his grievance about his unanswered questions regarding policies for gender-confused students. David Jarvis, a citizen living within Arlington ISD, first emailed AISD administrators, former Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos, and the board of trustees with questions about what guidance AISD gives to teachers for addressing sensitive sexuality-related matters. His questions included topics such as same-sex attraction, gender identity, a biological boy wanting to use the girl’s restrooms and locker rooms, and what guidance (if any) is given to teachers about notifying the parents of students who ask sensitive questions. view article arw

The Jefferson ISD school board met for a special meeting on Wednesday to conduct campus walkthroughs in order to discuss the facilities, recent projects and determine future improvements. The JISD Board of Trustees met at the administration building before traveling together to the high school athletic facilities, where they were given a tour and presentation from view article arw

The Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees discussed how to vote on a state-required item regarding chaplains in schools during a board meeting Jan. 22. Trustees debated for about half an hour on the language of the resolution they would vote on. view article arw

Although many students were hoping the cold weather would end in a day off, all Frisco ISD classes have been in session for the 2023-34 school year. However, FISD has some policies in place if the decision is made to cancel school due to bad weather. In the event that school has to be canceled, FISD will provide information through text messages, emails, and the district’s Facebook and X accounts. The information will also be shared with local news outlets. view article arw

New State Board of Education chairman Aaron Kinsey said the initial vote was delayed to allow members more time to review the contents.  “The first reading for the Native American Studies course was postponed to allow members more time to review its contents,” chairman Aaron Kinsey said in a statement. The board “works to ensure that any adopted course is of high quality for Texas students. Additional time for review will enable the board to maintain this standard.” view article arw

South San ISD’s school board voted to give the superintendent the power to lay off employees due to the district’s $12 million deficit. The district has about 1,200 employees and needs to reduce 20 positions. view article arw

The Coleman ISD Board of Trustees met January 22nd for their regular monthly meeting. After the meeting was called to order, Superintendent Brandon McDowell took the opportunity to recognize the CISD school board members as January is officially School Board Recognition Month for public schools in the State of Texas. The current board members are Mark Martinez, Sandra Rose, Becky Dobbins, John Casey, Josh Hale, Lee Morrison and Randy Turner. view article arw

n unusually tense discussion ensued in the wood-paneled boardroom of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) in June 2022. Some newly elected conservative trustees supported a proposed policy on “classical social and emotional learning” that targets social issues such as “critical race theory,” “gender fluidity,” and “potentially pornographic material.” But others questioned why a politically connected attorney had been quietly hired to help craft that proposal: Tim Davis. Davis isn’t just any lawyer—he also serves as the general counsel of the Tarrant County GOP. The district had previously worked with a different firm. Trustee Becky St. John now wanted to know why a new firm had been hired without her knowledge or any public vote. view article arw

Van Vleck School Board members awarded bids for the demolition of O.H. Herman Jr. High and E. Rudd Intermediate school buildings on Monday night. The decision comes after a meeting held in the fall revealed community members felt the building was unsafe and too costly to keep maintaining. view article arw

City officials and community members were blindsided by the McAllen ISD school board voting 4 to 2 to engage in a discussion to uncommit a portion or the total amount of $4 million previously allotted for projects at Quinta Mazatlan and IMAS. At a meeting Monday night, an agenda item sought to uncommit funds for projects at Quinta Mazatlan and IMAS and approve the transfer of said projects to the district’s general funds for the purpose of funding projects aligned with McAllen ISD’s strategic plan, goals and strategies. view article arw

A Pennsylvania community reclaimed its local Indigenous history and a school's popular tribesman mascot last week, just a month after five new school committee members won elections and ran on pro-Native American platforms. The Southern York County School District (SYCSD) school board voted 7-2 on Thursday to allow Susquehannock High School to bring back its traditional Warriors logo. "This vote was the Lexington & Concord moment in the effort to defeat cancel culture," Native American activist and historian Andre Billeaudeuax told Fox News Digital, after lobbying on behalf of the traditional image that pays homage to the Indigenous Susquehannock people. view article arw

CORSICANA—Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Executive Director Kevin Brown will honor the Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees, Texas’ 2023 Outstanding School Board, during meeting of the board of trustees on Jan. 22. TASA named the Corsicana ISD board the 2023 Outstanding School Board Sept. 30, 2023, at the TASA|TASB Convention in Dallas. The board was chosen from among five finalists following interviews by a committee of Texas school superintendents. The committee’s decision was based on several criteria, including the board’s support for educational performance, educational improvement projects and school transformation initiatives, commitment to a code of ethics, and placement of the welfare of children served by the school system above other motives. Find more information in the original news release: https://tasanet.org/corsicana-isd-board-of-trustees-named-2023-texas-outstanding-school-board/ view article arw

Corpus Christi ISD does not plan to employ chaplains in schools. Last spring, the Texas Legislature approved a bill allowing unlicensed religions chaplains to work in Texas public schools, with pay coming from school safety funding. The legislation also allows volunteer chaplains into schools in mental health roles. School boards across the state have until March to vote on whether to allow chaplains in their schools. The Corpus Christi ISD Board of Trustees discussed the issue Monday evening. view article arw

Despite closing multiple schools last year and voting to close another in the next school year, the South San Antonio Independent School District hasn’t been able to resolve a financial deficit. Now, officials are considering a district-wide reduction in force, or layoff, in an effort to close the gap. The move, which is posted on the agenda for a meeting of the board of trustees Wednesday, is the latest effort to reign in a budget deficit which remains above $9.5 million, according to a financial statement also posted in the agenda. view article arw

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – In this week’s Big Country Politics Sunday conversation, Cameron Wiley, a school board member of Wylie ISD, discussed district improvement and his re-election campaign. Wiley, a soon-to-be-retired member of the United States Air Force from Arlington, is seeking re-election for a second term on the board. view article arw

Joy Perez has filed for the May 4 Killeen Independent School District trustee election for Place 7. There were no new filings Friday for the Killeen mayor or City Council at-large seats. view article arw

Trustees at Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District will be voting on their District of Innovation plan at Thursday’s board meeting. If the motion passes, Cy-Fair will become the last district in the Houston area to adopt a DOI plan, after Houston ISD’s board voted to approve its in December. Cy-Fair will join a majority of Texas school districts who have sought to become Districts of Innovation, a designation which was created in 2015 to allow for some district flexibility regarding education-related state laws, such as class sizes and educator contracts, if they have a passing accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency. view article arw

LOCAL NEWS Paradise school board VP, 2 children die in Parker County plane crash texas By S.E. Jenkins Updated on: January 14, 2024 / 10:25 PM CST / CBS Texas PARKER COUNTY - A North Texas surgeon and two of his children died in a plane crash in Parker County Sunday. The Parker County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, LifeCare Ambulance, and local fire departments were called to a plane crash in the Poolville area just after 1 p.m. The plane, which PCSO said is believed to be a twin-engine Cessna, reportedly flew out of a Wise County airport with three people on board. It crashed near Lone Star Road and BJ Lane, away from the road. School officials in Paradise confirmed to CBS News Texas that Dr. Heath Smith, the school board vice president, and two of his children died in that crash. view article arw