How Odyssey rose from tech startup to manager of Texas’ $1B school voucher program

When Texas chose a company to roll out the state’s $1 billion private school voucher program, it passed over more established vendors in favor of a four-year-old tech startup that said it could do it for almost half the cost. Now, Odyssey must execute on its promises to meet an aggressive timeline while avoiding missteps that have dogged other program launches. The New York-based company has rapidly expanded in recent years, launching programs in eight states that subsidize students’ private education costs with taxpayer dollars.
Trials of two Uvalde school officers see delays amid federal lawsuit, venue change

Pete Arredondo, the district’s former police chief, and ex-officer Adrian Gonzales face charges over the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 school shooting. The trials for the two former school police officers facing charges over the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde will be delayed, and one will be moved out of the city where the attack occurred, their lawyers said Tuesday. Former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales have pleaded not guilty to dozens of counts of child endangerment and abandonment in connection with the massacre at Robb Elementary School. Both men were set to stand trial on Oct. 20. Gonzales’ trial will be moved to a January start in Corpus Christi, about 200 miles from the school, attorney Nico LaHood said Tuesday. Judge Sid Harle confirmed the agreement for a change of venue for Gonzales, but said no formal order had been filed yet.
Trials of two Uvalde school officers see delays amid federal lawsuit, venue change

Pete Arredondo, the district’s former police chief, and ex-officer Adrian Gonzales face charges over the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 school shooting. The trials for the two former school police officers facing charges over the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde will be delayed, and one will be moved out of the city where the attack occurred, their lawyers said Tuesday. Former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo and officer Adrian Gonzales have pleaded not guilty to dozens of counts of child endangerment and abandonment in connection with the massacre at Robb Elementary School. Both men were set to stand trial on Oct. 20. Gonzales’ trial will be moved to a January start in Corpus Christi, about 200 miles from the school, attorney Nico LaHood said Tuesday. Judge Sid Harle confirmed the agreement for a change of venue for Gonzales, but said no formal order had been filed yet.
Central Texas School District Confirms ‘Alphabet Soup’ Club on Hold Pending Review

A new state law prohibits school districts from authorizing or sponsoring a student club based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Austin ISD families and trustees respond to sweeping school closure plan

Families across Austin mourned the potential closure of or changes to their neighborhood campus over the weekend after the Austin school district released a proposal Friday to shutter 13 campuses, revamp six others as non-zoned special program schools and dramatically redraw attendance boundaries across the entire district. If approved by trustees in November, the plan will significantly shift boundaries for thousands of students only six years after another emotional school closure process. Roughly one-quarter of all district students could be impacted under the sweeping proposal.
Texas selects company that will help develop its school voucher program

Finance and technology company Odyssey will help design the application process, manage payments and review complaints for the state’s education savings accounts. Texas’ chief financial officer on Monday named the organization that will help the state build the school voucher program lawmakers approved earlier this year. Odyssey, a technology company, will work with the comptroller’s office, which oversees finances for all of Texas state government, to design the process through which Texas families can apply to receive thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds to cover their children’s private or home-schooling costs. Odyssey will also develop a system for those families to shop for educational products and pay tuition. Applications for Texans to participate in the program are expected to open at some point early next year. The program, named “Texas Education Freedom Accounts,” will then launch at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

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Forney ISD releases statement on racist video circulating social media

June 0208:20 AM

Forney ISD officials revealed today that they are aware of a video circulating social media of students taking part in underage drinking that has been deemed racists. In the snapchat video clip obtained by inForney.com, five students are shown toasting one another with bottles of liquor as they recite a chant in unison that ends with a racial slur. view article

Nederland ISD, LU report new coronavirus cases

May 2808:20 AM

Lamar University and Nederland Independent School District both confirmed Wednesday that employees had tested positive for the coronavirus. The NISD employee was last on campus on May 20 and self-reported a positive test according to a statement. view article

Terrell ISD, community celebrate military-bound seniors unable to attend graduation

May 2108:00 AM

The Terrell Independent School District and Terrell community came together to celebrate two military-bound seniors who would be unable to attend graduation ceremonies due to their scheduled leave for basic training. "Terrell ISD and the Terrell community have a long standing respect and reverence for our veterans and active duty men and women," read a statement from the district today. "It was our honor to celebrate these young men and give them the opportunity to receive their diploma in their cap and gown before leaving for basic training." view article

Student Voice: The Joys of Reading in Quarantine. At a Time Dominated by Technology, I’m Getting Lost in Books

May 1508:25 AM

Talia Natterson is a sophomore at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, a private school in Los Angeles, California. She writes for her school publication, Crossfire.

Fort Bend ISD focusing on what school will look like in fall

May 1108:20 AM

Fort Bend ISD launched its extended learning program, which is designed to keep young students engaged during the summer, at three of its elementary schools this week. view article

Teachers of the Year surprised, celebrated by Port Arthur ISD

May 0608:00 AM

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

Tomball ISD cancels end-of-year celebrations; graduations still tentatively set for July

April 2808:10 AM

Despite announcing April 24 all end-of-year celebrations would be canceled for the school year, Tomball ISD's tentative graduation plans for July are still on, said Allison Suarez, TISD director of communications and marketing. view article

How Dallas ISD Is Changing Its Grading During the Pandemic

April 2708:20 AM

Dallas ISD is in a precarious position when it comes to grading. About 86 percent of its student body is classified as economically disadvantaged, more than 25 percent higher than the state’s average. Its population of limited English speakers is almost half, more than double the state’s. There are significant challenges when it comes to making sure all of its students are receiving adequate learning despite the disruption from the pandemic. More than 12,000 hot spots were purchased for students who lacked access to internet. All of these things affect grading, especially when these kids don’t have a school to go to. view article

GARRISON ISD COACH CREATES SUCCESSFUL “ADOPT A SENIOR” FACEBOOK PAGE

April 2208:20 AM

Only three days ago, a Garrison ISD volleyball coach, Lee Ann Lusk, created a Facebook page that has done nothing but sky rocket in the Nacogdoches and Shelby County communities. Creator of “Nacogdoches and Shelby County Adopt a Senior,” Lusk says she can’t believe the amount of growth that the page for supporting 2020 seniors has received. view article

Houston ISD will distribute food for up to 3,000 families at NRG Stadium parking lot Saturday

April 1708:30 AM

Now is the chance to help your local community succeed. Contribute to community journalism and gain daily insight into what's happening in your own backyard. Thank you for reading and supporting community journalism. view article

Dallas ISD opening two of their schools to provide free childcare for frontline workers

April 1708:11 AM

For many frontline workers, finding reliable childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge. To help them out, Dallas ISD is now teaming up with a couple of non-profits to give the kids a safe place to stay while their parents are at work. view article

Manor ISD employee tests positive for COVID-19

April 1408:20 AM

Manor ISD is confirming that an employee who recently prepared and distributed curbside meals at Manor New Tech High School has tested positive for COVID-19. According to Manor ISD, the employee’s last day on campus was April 9. All staff who may have had contact with the employee have been contacted and directed to self-quarantine for the next 14 days. view article

Amarillo ISD consolidates breakfast and lunch services, offers new Wi-Fi locations

April 0808:20 AM

Starting April 6, students at the Amarillo Independent School District will have new options when it comes to meal and internet service. According to a release issued Friday, the district will now hand out breakfast and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., replacing the prior 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. breakfast pickup. view article

Alief ISD employee tests positive for COVID-19, district says; MD Anderson suspends laboratory research after staff member tests positive for the virus

March 2508:25 AM

Alief ISD has been notified that a female in her 40‘s who works for Owens Intermediate School has been diagnosed as positive with COVID-19, the district said Tuesday. The district said Owens Intermediate School continues to be deeply sanitized and although schools and offices have been closed since March 13 and remain closed at this time, all Alief ISD employees and students have been instructed to continue to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations and to continue to practice social distancing. view article

Austin ISD announces it has canceled classes due to coronavirus

March 1708:25 AM

Days after several people in Austin and Travis County were diagnosed with coronavirus, leaders with the Austin Independent School District announced March 16 that it had canceled classes from March 23 to April 3. view article

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Austin ISD looks to feed students during extended Spring Break

March 1608:25 AM

Austin ISD is announcing changes to its food services amid the coronavirus outbreak. After the City of Austin announced the first cases of coronavirus in Travis County, AISD canceled classes and extended Spring Break for students. view article

Irving ISD urges individual precautionary measures as school districts brace for coronavirus outbreak

March 0308:25 AM

As school districts around North Texas and the country brace for possible coronavirus cases, Irving ISD is stressing calm and highlighting preventive measures families can take to prevent infections. Following a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the U.S. is likely inevitable, the district is emphasizing that the need for immediate concern is minimal. view article

Harleton ISD Superintendent Lone Finalist

February 2608:35 AM

The Board of Trustees has named Jay Ratcliff (current Superintendent of Big Sandy ISD) as Lone Finalist for the superintendent's position. Jay is a very experienced superintendent and is well known in the area. He will be a GREAT fit for Harleton ISD. Jay will be in-district one day this week and I will try to introduce him to as many folks as possible. He will begin duties sometime after March 15th.

view article

Royal ISD lockdown lifted after threat prompts district-wide increased security

February 2408:25 AM

The lockdown of all Royal Independent School District campuses that was prompted by an unspecified threat was lifted Thursday afternoon. According to a message posted on the district’s website, the lockdown meant no one was allowed in or out of any buildings on campus. By 3:40 p.m., a message on the district’s Facebook page said the lockdown had been lifted. view article

Georgetown ISD names Sue Harrison as director of human resources

February 2008:08 AM

The Georgetown ISD board of trustees approved the hiring of Sue Harrison as the new director of human resources for the district Feb. 18. Harrison previously served as human resources coordinator for Round Rock ISD as well as a variety of human resource roles in public education and for communications industry companies such as Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Sue also previously served as a campus administrator and assistant director of staffing for RRISD, according to a news release. view article

Classes cancelled for Columbia-Brazoria ISD students following water line damage from construction, district says

February 1308:20 AM

Classes have been cancelled for Columbia-Brazoria ISD students Thursday, district officials announced. The cancellation comes after water lines in the city of Brazoria were damaged during construction work. view article

Affidavit: Former Hudson ISD math teacher touched student inappropriately

February 1208:25 AM

Officers with the Hudson ISD Police Department arrested a former math teacher for the school district on Monday in connection to allegations that he had an improper relationship with a high school student that included sexual contact. view article

ACLU files grievance against Wimberley ISD after email threatens parents with legal action for altering logo

January 3108:25 AM

On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) officially filed a grievance against the Wimberley Independent School District, according to our partners at the Austin-American Statesman. The grievance is the result of an email Superintendent Dwain York sent to some parents in December 2019 regarding the altering of the district's logo to include the colors of the gay pride flag, according to the Statesman. view article

City of Marlin hires former Waco ISD superintendent Nelson as charter school consultant

January 0908:20 AM

Facebook Twitter Email Print Save The Marlin City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire former Waco Independent School District Superintendent A. Marcus Nelson as a consultant to study the possibility of creating a charter school if the embattled Marlin school district closes this spring. view article

Researcher creates assessments to aid Head Start programs

January 0808:10 AM

Lloyd Potter, researcher and director of UTSA’s Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, is supporting local Head Start and Early Head Start programs toward being more effective. Potter has worked with the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services Early Head Start-Child Care and Head Start Programs, and with local nonprofit San Antonio AVANCE Inc. to better assess their programs to provide information about how they are meeting the needs of the children and families they serve. view article

School Board Asks Austin ISD To Better Communicate Transition Plans To Families From Closed Schools

December 1108:25 AM

The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees discussed transition plans for the four schools it voted to close at last month’s meeting at a work session Monday night. Board members asked the district to improve its communication to families and staff. Many said they want school communities to have clear and timely information about their school closing and moving to a new school.

Should every special-education classroom be recorded? Dallas ISD trustees are debating cameras

November 1208:25 AM

Children with severe disabilities often don’t have the ability to speak up when they are hurt at school, so determining what happened can be difficult. That’s why one Dallas ISD trustee wants to require each special education classroom in the district to have video cameras. Texas public schools are already required to place one in a special education setting if a parent requests it. view article

Round Rock ISD principal placed on administrative leave following discrimination allegations

October 0708:15 AM

The principal of Early College High School is under fire. Veronica Coss has been placed on administrative leave over reports of discrimination. Former staff member Stephanie Martin stood in front of the Round Rock ISD board members last week detailing the harassment and disparaging comments she said Coss has made toward students. “The following are things I personally heard her say If I shared everything it would take a longer time than I am allotted here,” Martin said. “Immigrants don’t teach their kids how to behave, we need to ween 504 children off their accommodations, ADHD kids just need to exercise.” view article

Sweeny starts social media reading program

September 2608:25 AM

Started as a means to get children engaged with reading outside of class, Sweeny ISD officials have begun reading books to children on social media each week with “Bulldog Bedtime Stories.” “We realize not every family has a library of books,” Sweeny Elementary Principal Michael Heinroth said. That realization prompted Heinroth to start recording himself reading books in brief videos on social media, allowing families not to have to spend money on new books, he said. view article

Georgetown ISD students to see big changes thanks to $150M bond project

September 1908:10 AM

Students with Georgetown Independent School District are about to see a lot of changes. Voters approved a $150 million bond for the district in November 2018, and some upgrades have already been made as a result. In January, KVUE reported that crews finished installing new football and softball fields at East View High School in Georgetown. view article

What not to study: The 20 college majors with the highest unemployment rates

September 1108:22 AM

Having a high-paying job doesn't necessarily mean you'll have job stability, and vice versa. Some college majors that lead to high-paying jobs also come with above-average unemployment rates - and that includes majors in fields like engineering, cognitive science, and the arts. The financial-education company Bankrate found the unemployment rates for college majors, based on the most recent available data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Using weighted data, Bankrate determined the unemployment rates and median incomes for graduates across 162 majors that employed at least 15,000 people. view article

Back to School is August 26th, Teachers Receive Pay Raises

August 2208:25 AM

Eagle Pass Independent School District Superintendent Samuel Mijares announced at a press conference on August 15, 2019 that all schools of the local school district will commence classes on Monday, August 26th, with over 14,000 students expected to attend during the 2019-2020 school year. Mijares noted that all local public Pre-Kindergarten schools will now be providing instruction all day from 8:15 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. as mandated by the Texas Legislature. Parents are encouraged to prepare their young children for attending school during the full day. view article

Houston-area schools fare better than state average on new A-F grading system

August 1908:30 AM

For years, Stephens Elementary School in Aldine ISD has been defined by the challenges that it faces rather than its academic successes. Nearly 90 percent of its students are considered economically disadvantaged by the Texas Education Agency. Nearly half are English language learners. And to state education officials, the school was failing academically. view article

Former Student Sues Dallas ISD After Losing Salutatorian Status Day Before Graduation

August 0708:25 AM

A former student has filed a lawsuit against Dallas ISD after he lost his status as his high school’s salutatorian a day before graduation due to a last minute change in rankings. In June, the district apologized after class rankings at Woodrow Wilson High School were changed right before graduation because of a calculation error. Now a former student is suing Dallas ISD, claiming that the change will affect his applications to universities and employers. view article

Austin ISD to discuss restyling dress code policies that unfairly target female students, cultures

May 1408:15 AM

Austin Independent School District leaders will meet with parents, students and employees to discuss potential dress code changes Wednesday evening. According to our partners at the Austin American-Statesman, leaders want to remove language that unfairly targets female students and specific cultures. The last time the district's dress code was updated was more than 10 years ago in 2007. view article

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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.

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