Leon|Alcala, PLLC

While “tangible” property has always been a consideration in school district management, the rise of the importance of “intellectual” property (IP) has introduced a new realm of assets that require thorough and thoughtful safekeeping. From educational material and district branding to the fast-developing sphere of artificial intelligence (AI) and name, image, and likeness (NIL), IP is now a major cornerstone of scholastic and operational success for most school districts.

The Houston-area school district faced accusations of electioneering for its attempts to encourage voting in a tax-rate election in 2023. While the district was cleared of wrongdoing, people involved with Fort Bend ISD at the time could potentially face bribery investigations. view article arw

When a school district analyzes locations for construction of potential facilities, water supply is often a key component of that evaluation. At times a location does offer easy access to an established and affordable municipal water supplier to whom a district can simply “hook up.” With an existing system, a school district will hope to pay a reasonable rate for water of a quality and quantity sufficient to meet its needs. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. A school district may need to examine obtaining an alternative water supply in order to meet the demand for its project or explore options to supplement its primary supply due to water quality, quantity, or cost concerns.

Residents of Mart left Monday’s special school board meeting both angered and wanting answers after the district’s superintendent, Betsy Burnett was suddenly terminated from her position. Later Mart ISD posted on Facebook explaining the reasons for her termination and revealed they have communicated this decision with Burnett since January of 2024. view article arw

At least two parents are taking Fort Bend ISD and a teacher, accused of abusing students, to court. The school at the center of a newly filed federal lawsuit is Goodman Elementary in Fresno in Fort Bend County. That's where, more than a year ago, parents protested for accountability, asking for a proper investigation when one teacher was accused of sexual abuse in the classroom. view article arw

A former Magnolia ISD teacher is behind bars after threatening to burn down the school, Montgomery County Pct. 5 announced. Magnolia ISD said the suspect, 24-year-old Erik Taylor, used to teach at Magnolia West High School before he resigned on Jan. 14. view article arw

Belton ISD says they’ve placed one of their teachers on leave while the Temple Police Department investigates allegations of misconduct. Belton ISD Superintendent Malinda Golden said in a statement that Temple police informed the district late Thursday night that a report of alleged misconduct had been filed against a teacher at Tarver Elementary School. view article arw

Soon, more of Austin ISD’s school buses will be equipped with technology to protect kids. The district’s school board recently approved a new contract with the vendor, BusPatrol, to install an additional 261 stop arm cameras on buses to crack down on people illegally passing them. view article arw

A former Magnolia ISD high school teacher is behind bars for threats he made on social media. Investigators with Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office shared a news release Sunday about Erik Taylor, 24, who worked at Magnolia West High School about some “disgruntled” social media posts he made. view article arw

A Hidalgo ISD teacher turned herself in to police Thursday on a charge of improper relationship between an educator and student, according to Hidalgo Police Chief Romeo Rodriguez. Hidalgo County jail records show Nancy Marroquin remains in custody on a $25,000 bond. view article arw

A Robstown Independent School District basketball coach has been arrested and charged with two counts of an improper relationship with a student, according to a statement released by Robstown ISD. Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez said Austin Barron, the head Varsity Girls' Basketball Coach for Robstown High School, was arrested at the Robstown Police Department on Tuesday, Feb. 11 around 11:30 a.m. view article arw

A teacher has been arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a high school student. Stockdale Independent School District (ISD) says allegations were brought to the attention of district administration on Monday, prompting an immediate investigation. view article arw

A Natalia ISD employee has been terminated after an investigation into a severe threat of violence against his coworker, according to district officials. The district’s board of trustees voted unanimously to fire Marshall Myers on Jan. 31, 2025, according to a press release posted to Facebook on Monday. view article arw

ANSON, Texas — A former Anson ISD employee has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. view article arw

Paxton's office demanded documents from multiple school districts, including Hutto ISD, claiming a district employee tried to circumvent state law. view article arw

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking Richardson and Hutto ISDs to turn over their policies related to House Bill 25, a 2021 state law requiring students participate in sports aligned with their assigned sex at birth.  view article arw

The name change from the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" began rolling out across the U.S. on Monday, just a month after President Donald Trump announced his intention to Americanize the name. view article arw

Texas AG demands info from school districts over transgender athlete policies  The Texas Attorney General's office is demanding documentation from two school districts over concerns that they are allowing male students to play on female sports teams in violation of state law H.B. 25. view article arw

A letter sent to Alice ISD parents Wednesday said a student may be detained and possibly deported if they cannot prove they are in the country legally.   view article arw

Students from the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) are planning a walkout on Wednesday in protest of deportations. The district has acknowledged the situation but there are concerns about potential consequences for students who follow through with the walkout. view article arw

On Sept. 11, Diana Briggs’ son was at home and she was at his elementary school looking for a video. The night before, her 6-year-old told her an upsetting story. He said his first-grade teacher trapped him behind a classroom door at Margaret T. Reilly Elementary School and then pushed on it with his weight. Briggs said it lasted long enough that her son looked around the hallway for someone who might have seen them. She shared what her son told her with his school, and then the police. view article arw

A teacher at Leon High School has been suspended indefinitely after an incident took place last week. The incident happened on Thursday, Jan. 30 according to a letter the district sent out to parents. The letter said the incident happened between a teacher and a student on campus. It said the district received a report about it on Friday and then immediately suspected the teacher while they look into it. view article arw

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath denied former Humble ISD Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen’s appeal Tuesday, ruling that the school board was within its right to fire the leader. A large part of the termination stemmed from what a majority of trustees considered Fagen’s failure to appropriately handle Title IX complaints filed against her husband, former athletic director Troy Kite, in May 2023. view article arw

A federal court has tossed a lawsuit alleging that South San Antonio Independent School District leaders violated a former board member’s civil rights and arrested him as an intimidation tactic. Abel “Chillidogg” Martinez filed the lawsuit on Dec. 3, claiming that South San officials orchestrated an unlawful scheme last year to retaliate against the trustee for being outspoken in his criticism of the district.   view article arw

A Sabinal Independent School District employee has been arrested after attempting to entice what he believed to be a teenage boy online, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. On Oct. 11, 2024, Kenneth Wayne Mulkey, a high school coach and teacher for Sabinal High School, allegedly asked an undercover special agent for their age, sex and location over Snapchat, the release says. view article arw

A Mansfield ISD student was arrested after a gun was found in his backpack on Friday morning, officials said. He now faces a second-degree felony charge of possessing a weapon in a place where it's prohibited. Texas School Shooting Legacy High School Principal Stephanie Bonneau informed parents via email about the incident involving a student carrying a firearm on campus. view article arw

A Sabinal Independent School District employee was taken into custody and is accused of unspecified crimes involving a minor, the district announced Friday on social media. Coach Kenny Mulkey was removed from the campus and has been placed on administrative leave due to the investigation, according to The Uvalde Leader-News. view article arw

An Irving ISD administrator resigned this week after a hidden camera video apparently revealed the administrator discussing whether transgender students could play on sports teams that align with their gender identity despite Texas law. Gov. Greg Abbott called for the administrator’s firing and investigations into the school district after the video was posted. view article arw

Gov. Greg Abbott called for criminal and civil investigations into Irving ISD after a hidden-camera video showed a school administrator discussing transgender students playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity despite the state’s ban. In the video, a woman — later identified as an “undercover journalist” — is heard discussing a potential move to Texas with her transgender daughter. She asks a man, identified in the recording as an Irving ISD official, whether her child could play on the girls’ soccer team. view article arw

Last November, a 13-year-old boy tragically lost his life after suffering an asthma attack during his first day of basketball practice at Thornton Middle School. Now, a prominent Houston attorney is getting involved. In a mediation demand letter sent to Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian, attorney Tony Buzbee called eighth grader Xavier Thompson’s death a “preventable tragedy.” view article arw

The Killeen Independent School District on Jan. 28 announced it recently learned about allegations involving a teacher and a student at Eastern Hills Middle School. The district learned about the allegations on Jan. 22 and The Killeen ISD Police Department immediately began investigating. The teacher resigned on Jan. 23 and no longer works for the district, the administration said. view article arw

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is deploying state law enforcement officers across the state to bolster the Trump administration's sweeping immigration enforcement efforts, the governor's office announced Tuesday, just a day after the chief executive directed hundreds of troops to the southern border. view article arw

The Center Square) – With the national debt above $36 trillion, newly-confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to rein in government spending. view article arw

Dozens arrested in Texas ICE raids;

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Dozens arrested in Texas ICE raids; Air Force resumes teaching about Tuskegee Airmen;      view article arw

A TEA examiner is processing witnesses’ testimony from a public hearing surrounding allegations Mart ISD wrongfully terminated its former superintendent Betsy Burnett. Burnett lost her job back in November, leaving some in the community angry and wanting answers. In opening arguments, Mart ISD’s lawyers said Burnett became unprofessional and resentful after she received a lower rating on her annual review from board members in the beginning of last year. view article arw