A former behavioral specialist for Brownsboro ISD has pleaded guilty to two charges of injuring a child. Kyle Lee Rocha, 40, of Chandler, entered open guilty pleas in court Monday. He has been accused of injuring a 7-year-old by knocking over the student’s desk in class while he was leaning it back. Rocha could face 2-10 years for each charge, but the defense has said there are no offers on the table yet. A judge is set to decide Rocha’s sentence on Dec. 9, following a pre-sentence investigation and report. view article

Police are investigating an unnamed elementary school teacher in Commerce Independent School District who resigned over an “incident” involving “improper physical restraint” of a special education student.  Commerce ISD posted on social media that administrators were alerted on September 8 to “an incident involving a teacher.” view article

Education commissioner says he will recommend suspending educators’ certification for those who ‘call for and incite further violence’Education commissioner says he will recommend suspending educators’ certification for those who ‘call for and incite further violence’ view article

The Klein Independent School District on Friday announced it has fired an employee for making "senseless and completely unacceptable remarks" on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. "Effective immediately, this individual's employment with Klein ISD has been terminated," the district wrote on social media. "This conduct does not reflect the values, standards, or expectations of our school district and will never be tolerated." view article

The Wylie Independent School District confirmed that they have accepted the resignations of two teachers. These resignations come after controversial posts they made online regarding the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. view article

Texas State University has terminated the employment of a professor who called for the overthrow of the U.S. government over the weekend.  “After a thorough review was conducted of the video recordings of the statements, it became clear to me that their actions amounted to serious professional and personal misconduct,” Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse stated late Wednesday. “Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University. I cannot and will not tolerate such behavior.”  “As a result, I have determined that their actions are incompatible with their responsibilities as a faculty member at Texas State University,” Damphousse continued.  “Effective immediately, their employment with Texas State University has been terminated.”  Damphousse was referring to Tom Alter, who was previously an associate professor of history at Texas State. view article

Christine Cockrell was sentenced to eight years of probation as part of her plea deal.  A now-former Gatesville Independent School District teacher was sentenced to eight years of probation after she pleaded guilty to sending a 15-year-old male student nude pictures on Instagram.  The victim’s family reportedly approved of the plea deal.  Christine Paige Cockrell, 54, was an eighth grade teacher at Gatesville Junior High when she was arrested in May 2024 for exchanging sexually explicit messages with the Gatesville High School student. view article

Texas State University fires associate professor for 'controversial statements,' inciting violence   Texas State University announced Wednesday that it had fired associate history professor Thomas Alter for “controversial statements” at a conference that advocated “for inciting violence.”  University President Kelly Damphousse said in a statement that he learned Alter had made comments this weekend that amounted to “serious professional and personal misconduct.” Damphousse said he fired Alter after determining that his actions were incompatible with his responsibilities as a faculty member. view article

Pasadena Independent School District said it is addressing inappropriate and insensitive comments made by an employee regarding the recent death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a statement posted online Wednesday, Superintendent Toni Lopez said the remarks are being handled administratively and emphasized they do not reflect the district’s values, standards, or expectations. view article

A Kemp ISD teacher was arrested for child grooming Sept. 9 by Kemp ISD Police. According to a statement from Kemp ISD Superintendent Dr. James Young Sept. 5, KISD Police and Administration were made aware of a concern regarding the actions of a Kemp High School employee. The district and administration immediately began reviewing and investigating an allegation of the employee engaging in inappropriate conduct. view article

Thomas Alter is the second professor in the state to be terminated for allegedly violating university policy after a video was posted on social media..  A Texas State University professor was fired on Wednesday after he was accused of inciting violence in a video of him speaking at a socialism conference posted on social media.  In a video circulated on social media platform X, Thomas Alter, an associate history professor, can be seen talking during a Zoom meeting as part of the Revolutionary Socialism Conference, an online meeting organized by several socialist groups. During his talk, Alter explains how he feels socialists in the United States can organize an effective party, and criticizes the Democratic Party, the Democratic Socialists of America, China and anarchists for their methods of organization. view article

Shelby Lashombe was reported for misconduct while at West ISD before joining Valley Mills ISD, but her victims reportedly were not students where she taught.  A Central Texas high school teacher and girls’ coach who was previously reported to the state for sexual misconduct was arrested for having sex with underage boys.  Shelby Dawn Lashombe, 25, was charged with one count of sexual assault of a child and two counts of improper relationship between educator and student—although Lashombe said the boys were not students at the schools where she worked.  Both offenses are second-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. view article

Three charter school superintendents who are among the highest paid in Texas are overseeing some of the lowest-performing districts in the state, newly released records show. One of them is at risk of closure by school year’s end. view article

The Arp ISD Board of Trustees is seeking to fire an assistant principal accused of failing to report knowledge of a sexual assault of a child allegedly committed by her adult son. The school board voted Monday to begin the start of the termination process for Karla Florence, who was arrested in August and charged with Class A failure to report and Class B false report to a peace officer. view article

Fort Worth ISD’s Chief Financial Officer, Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, is leaving the district later this month to take on a new role as Director of Budget and Finance for the County of El Paso, the district confirmed Tuesday. The move gives her a chance to return to her hometown and contribute to the community in South Texas. view article

A Victoria Independent School District principal faces a driving while intoxicated charge after a single-vehicle crash Sunday night. Sarah Young, principal of Rowland Elementary School, was arrested following the accident on North Navarro, according to police reports. Officers administered field sobriety tests at the scene, which they say Young failed to pass. view article

School officials say the alleged victim is not a student in the district.  An unnamed South Texas school employee is on leave following allegations of “inappropriate” messaging with a child who is not a student in the district.  San Benito Consolidated Independent School District posted a statement to social media on September 6:    view article

The Clint Independent School District on Thursday approved pay raises and a one-time $2,500 payment for qualifying employees during the upcoming school year. view article

Across the nation, school districts are having a hard time keeping and hiring bus drivers. One local school district, Comal ISD, is becoming greatly effected. As one of the fastest growing and largest districts in the San Antonio area, the district covers over 500 square miles in five different counties with over 27,000 students attending. view article

Brenham ISD Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Eliot Allen has accepted a position with a new school district. Brenham ISD announced this (Thursday) afternoon that Allen has been selected as Director of Athletics for Bastrop ISD. He will begin his new position next week. view article

A longtime Lake Highlands High School resource officer has died due to complications from COVID-19, the Lake Highlands Advocate reported. After experiencing breathing difficulties from the illness, Chris Gibson went to a hospital Sunday morning and died shortly after, the report said. Gibson, known as “Gibby,” made a lasting impression on his colleagues and people he knew and worked with in Richardson ISD schools and the Dallas Police Department, according to the report. view article

They say participation is strictly voluntary, but the Fort Worth Independent School District is offering a one-time $500 incentive to employees who get fully vaccinated against COVID. Administrators say the money is an ‘effort to provide safe and healthy environments for students, staff and visitors’. view article

The Victoria I.S.D. Board of Trustees has approved the hiring of Anita Taylor as the new Executive Director of Strategic Planning and School Improvement for the district. The Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability (CIA) department underwent a restructuring that consolidated positions resulting in creating the Executive Director of Strategic Planning and School Improvement. The total number of positions within the CIA department has decreased, allowing for efficient departmental workflow. view article

When Midland ISD leaders approved the salary schedule earlier this month, they increased a starting teacher’s salary that was the highest in the region. The starting teacher at Midland ISD during the 2020-21 school year made $56,500. That was the highest of all districts in a report that the district offered the Reporter-Telegram. Other districts included Ector County ($54,250), Andrews ($53,500), the entire El Paso region, Amarillo ($50,258) and Lubbock ($45,000). view article

Katy ISD’s Mayde Creek High School Principal, Ronnie Edwards was appointed as the District’s new Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership and Support. view article

East Texas Now host Jeremy G. Butler was joined by Longview ISD human relations director, Shalona McCray, and multimedia director, Elizabeth Ross, speaking about their upcoming job fair. McCray called the CareerFest a “job fair with a little more flair”. view article

Students at Eanes ISD’s Cedar Creek Elementary School will begin the 2021-22 school year with a new principal. The EISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Laura Coaxum as the CCE principal during an April 27 board meeting. view article

A Garland ISD employee is on administrative leave after allegedly taking photos of a female elementary school student while she was in the restroom. The incident reportedly took place during the week of March 29 at Abbett Elementary, according to an email sent to parents on Thursday, April 1. view article

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has lost the beloved leader of its fine arts program. David Zahrndt, 46, who was director of fine arts for the district, died March 6, according to the district. “This past weekend, GCISD Director of Fine Arts David Zahrndt passed away unexpectedly,” the GCISD tweeted last Thursday. view article

Longview ISD assistant principal earns state honor

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Longview ISD's Mrs. Christi Coleman has been named 2021 Region VII Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). Mrs. Coleman is in her 26th year in education and truly has a heart for her students and colleagues. As a teacher, she taught on the elementary and junior high levels, as well as special education. "This award is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of the professionals that surround me, along with the great things that are taking place to help students at Hudson PEP," she said. "I am incredibly grateful to work with students and staff who inspire me and I am proud to be part of the Hudson PEP family." view article

Bryan ISD's Board of Trustees have approved a one-time $500 supplement for their salaried employees. Teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, administrators and professional staff receive their pay bonus on their Dec 15 paycheck. view article

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A Hill Country Middle School teacher in the Eanes Independent School District got a special sendoff Thursday afternoon. Pam Fletcher-Friday has taught theatre at the middle school for more than 30 years. She’s preparing to retire soon, so the district wanted to honor her with a parade. view article

The union for Austin Independent School District employees is asking the district and the state not to send employees back to school buildings in August. Union members say it is unsafe for employees and children to be in classes together. During an online news conference Wednesday, Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said the union is asking AISD to commit to online learning only for the first nine weeks of the semester, while monitoring Covid-19 cases in the city. He also asked that increased pay for employees like cafeteria workers and other support staff continue. view article

Third grade teacher Skylar Slaughter and seventh grade teacher Zelma Nico are the elementary and secondary “Teachers of the Year” for 2020-21 in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Slaughter is an English and language arts, or ELAR, teacher at Staff Sgt. Lucian Adams Elementary and Nico is a math teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. view article