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Texas
3rd April 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Florida school exploits voucher loophole

A Florida-based virtual school, NFC Academy, has become the first out-of-state institution approved for Texas' private school voucher program, despite laws intended to prevent such participation. The Texas Comptroller's office approved the academy on March 13, allowing it to receive taxpayer funds from the state's $1bn program. Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency, raised concerns, asking: “Who's benefiting: private entities or the Texas public?” The academy applied as a vendor rather than a traditional school, which may exploit a loophole in the law. While NFC Academy is registered to do business in Texas, it remains unclear if it meets all requirements, including having a physical office with Texas employees. Rick Fielding, the academy's director, said: “We have neither requested nor received special consideration.” The approval raises questions about the legislative intent behind the voucher program, which aims to keep funds within Texas.

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STATE NEWS

Paxton's office steps back from lawsuit

In a significant legal development, U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has agreed to allow Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office to withdraw from representing acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock in a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination in the state's $1bn school voucher program. "I do not want the comptroller to be unrepresented," Bennett said, emphasizing the need for a smooth transition as Hancock seeks new legal counsel. The lawsuit, initiated by several Muslim families and Islamic schools, challenges the exclusion of these institutions from the voucher program. Hancock criticized Paxton's legal strategy, claiming it failed to address critical connections between the Houston Quran Academy and the Muslim Brotherhood. The ongoing feud between the two GOP officials has raised concerns about the state's handling of the voucher program, particularly regarding its treatment of Islamic schools.

NATIONAL NEWS

Utah mandates Bible study in schools

Utah has enacted a law requiring students in grades 3-12 to study specific Bible passages and stories that influenced American political thought, starting in the 2028-29 school year. Governor Spencer Cox stated: “It’s about understanding history and the things that influence people,” emphasizing the educational intent behind the law. This move aligns Utah with other states that have integrated Christian teachings into K-12 education, although it is distinct in being codified into law. Critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue that this approach risks blurring the line between education and religious endorsement. Mark Chancey, a professor at Southern Methodist University, noted that the law reflects a growing trend influenced by Christian nationalism within the Republican Party. The operationalization of this mandate remains to be seen, as state board members have yet to determine which specific Bible passages will be included in the curriculum.

WORKFORCE

Texas teachers see mid-career exodus

According to a recent study from the University of Houston, Texas is experiencing a significant loss of mid-level teachers, with over 5,000 traditional public school teachers leaving between the 2023 and 2024 school years. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, expressed her concern, stating: "It really saddens me because as a long-term educator... I came into this profession for it to be a career to help students." The report highlights that the percentage of teachers with six to ten years of experience has dropped from over 24% in the 2021-22 school year to about 22% by 2024-25. This trend raises alarms about the potential negative impact on students, as experienced teachers are crucial for effective instruction. Additionally, the number of uncertified teachers has risen due to changes in certification requirements made a decade ago. Anderson advocates for stricter certification processes to ensure quality teaching

Google launches AI training for educators

Google, in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, is launching a free AI educator training series aimed at K–12 and higher education, reflecting growing demand for practical AI skills, classroom-ready tools, and structured digital training. The program, available from May, offers short, flexible modules focused on foundational AI knowledge, teaching applications, and administrative use, with sessions tailored to fit educators’ workflows and leading to micro-credentials. It emphasizes hands-on use of tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM, supporting tasks like lesson planning, student engagement, and reducing administrative workloads. The initiative highlights a broader shift in education toward applied AI use, personalized learning, and workforce readiness, as well as ongoing gaps in educator confidence around responsible AI adoption.

GOVERNANCE

Fort Worth superintendent's hefty pay revealed

The Fort Worth ISD has released the initial employment contract for its new state-appointed superintendent, Peter Licata, who earns nearly $1,400 per day. The contract, effective from March 24, outlines his responsibilities and a one-time relocation stipend of $25,000. Licata's daily wage of $1,384.62 is based on the previous superintendent's salary of $360,000. The contract mandates that Licata perform his duties with "full time, skill, labor and attention." This change in leadership follows a state takeover due to a campus receiving five consecutive failed ratings. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath replaced the former superintendent and the elected school board with a Board of Managers.

Election canceled for unopposed seat

The Plainview ISD school board has opted to cancel the election for the unopposed District 4 seat. With four seats available, only three will be on the ballot for the May 2 election. District 2 features incumbent Sofia Rivera against Chris Castillo, while District 3 includes incumbents and challengers. District 4's incumbent, Amber Bass, did not seek reelection, leaving Tiffany Wilhelm as the sole candidate. "There is no need to run an election when there is a candidate in a position that's unopposed," said Superintendent H.T. Sanchez. The board unanimously agreed to cancel the election.

New superintendent set to lead Medina Valley

Emily Lorenz has been named the lone finalist for the superintendency of Medina Valley ISD, following a unanimous vote by board members. Currently the superintendent of Calallen ISD, Lorenz has a strong track record, with her district receiving high marks from the Texas Education Agency during her tenure.

Maglisceau's contract extended by Celina ISD

Celina ISD officials have approved the extension of Superintendent Thomas Maglisceau's contract with a 5-2 vote during a board meeting on March 30. 

DISTRICTS

New Education System gains traction

The New Education System (NES) in Houston is gaining interest, with nine more schools considering joining the model, which offers standardized curriculum and increased funding for educators. Trey Serna, an Houston ISD spokesperson, mentioned that these principals have "voluntarily expressed interest" in the reform led by state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. Kasey Bailey, chief of HISD's west and central division, noted that principals are motivated by the "strategic amount of resources" available through the NES model. Since its introduction, NES campuses have shown significant improvements in the Texas Education Agency's A-F accountability ratings, with only seven rated D in 2025, down from 108 in 2023. However, the district has not confirmed which schools will join NES or the associated costs. Currently, HISD has 130 NES campuses, but plans to close 10 by the end of the school year due to declining enrollment.

Southwest ISD's election shift sparks debate

Southwest ISD has made a notable change by joining the Bexar County-wide ballot for the May 2 elections, allowing voters to participate in school board races alongside municipal elections. This shift is seen as a positive step, especially compared to the district's previous practice of holding elections separately from San Antonio, which often led to lower voter turnout. However, critics argue that the district's leadership has historically aimed to limit voter engagement, stating: "What they are really saying is they want to choose their voters." While the change may simplify voting for some, it raises questions about the district's commitment to transparency and public oversight.

Fredericksburg ISD meeting highlights safety and success

The Fredericksburg ISD convened to discuss updates from Fredericksburg High School (FHS), including safety measures and the cancellation of the upcoming board of trustees election. FHS Principal Chris Weirich reported zero fights this year, attributing the positive behavior to new policies like “What I Need” (WIN) periods and stricter cell phone regulations. He emphasized the importance of the new security measures, including Verkada and Centegix wearable badges, which enhance safety. Weirich also highlighted the Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs, stating: “The banks have sent some of their employees to be able to work with the students.” Additionally, Transportation Director Blaine Hahn presented the need for seatbelt replacements in 23 school buses, estimating costs near $1.1m.

North East ISD moves forward with bond projects

The North East ISD board of trustees has approved a pool of 14 design-build firms for 30 projects under the 2025 bond program, which represents about 20% of the total 96 projects. The selected firms will handle various tasks, including mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work, and were chosen based on rigorous evaluations. The bond, approved by voters with 97% support, allocates $483m for capital projects, including renovations, safety enhancements, and technology upgrades. Future meetings will address individual project approvals.

FINANCE

Richardson ISD cuts staff to save

Richardson ISD has approved significant staff reductions and program cuts aimed at saving approximately $25.7m. The cuts will eliminate around 95 full-time positions, including 38 from central office and 57 from campus support roles. The district is facing declining enrollment and rising costs, with a projected $27m fund balance deficit for fiscal year 2025-26, which could grow to $41m by FY 2026-27. Branum emphasized the need to align staffing with current enrollment, noting: “There is no way for us to get to that $24 million savings mark without impacting staffing models.” The changes are set to take effect with the 2026-27 budget, pending approval in June.

Slaton ISD seeks $51m bond approval

Slaton ISD is urging local residents to approve over $50m in bonds aimed at enhancing educational facilities. The primary bond, valued at $51m, will fund the construction of a new elementary school, additional classrooms, and various safety upgrades. Furthermore, it will support the development of new baseball and softball stadiums, as well as a track and tennis courts. A secondary bond of $2.8m is designated for improvements to the football stadium.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Grapevine-Colleyville schools get summer upgrades

Six campuses in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD will undergo significant repairs and renovations this summer, following a $9.43m approval by trustees on March 30. The projects, which exceed the budget by approximately $1.4m, will be funded by $4m in savings from previous projects, according to Chief Operations Officer Paula Barbaroux, who said: “The amount we were able to save on the [2025] projects [was] up to $4m.” The renovations include upgrades to air conditioning units, stage sound systems, and security cameras, with completion expected by early August.

INTERNATIONAL

UAE school ethics questions

The Daily Telegraph reports that private schools in the United Arab Emirates, run by top British independent schools, are required to provide mandatory morality lessons to all pupils, with Muslim pupils required to receive additional lessons on subjects like dealing with "rebellious" wives. Morality lessons, the paper reports, include state propaganda about how the UAE "empowers women" and "ranks first in terms of peaceful co-existence". Analysis carried out by the paper suggests that top British private schools have "funnelled almost £79m ($105m)" back to the U.K. from overseas campuses tax-free using Gift Aid, much of it originating in the Middle East.
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