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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating 29 public school districts in Texas to ensure compliance with a recent appeals court ruling requiring the display of Ten Commandments posters in classrooms. Paxton said: "Texas school districts must comply with Texas law by displaying the Ten Commandments and taking a school board vote regarding the implementation of prayer time in schools." Many districts, including Cypress-Fairbanks and Galveston, are puzzled by the investigation, believing they are already compliant. Some districts had previously removed the posters based on guidance from Paxton's office due to ongoing litigation. The ruling from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the constitutionality of the law but did not specify a deadline for implementation. As the end of the school year approaches, districts are preparing to display the posters for the 2026-27 school year.

 

Houston Press

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Colleges and K-12 school districts across the U.S. are developing new workforce-focused education models designed to connect students with high-demand careers before they graduate high school. Educators, employers, and state leaders are increasingly collaborating on programs that combine dual-credit courses, paid internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications, allowing students to gain workforce experience while earning college credit. Governors in several states are supporting the effort through legislation and funding initiatives aimed at strengthening connections between K-12 education, higher education, and regional labor markets. In Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently signed bipartisan workforce development bills that expand career education opportunities for high school students, including apprenticeships in information technology. Pennsylvania awarded $7 million in grants to 10 colleges and universities to expand tuition-free dual-credit programs. Texas is also investing in career pathways through grants supporting healthcare training programs, paid internships, and upgraded classroom equipment across multiple high schools. The initiatives are backed by the Texas Regional Pathways Network, which coordinates workforce development efforts between schools, colleges, and industry partners.

 

District Administration

The Houston ISD is looking to enhance college enrollment by forming partnerships with four Texas universities, including the University of Texas at Austin. This initiative follows a previously established guaranteed admissions partnership with the University of Houston-Downtown. HISD Superintendent Mike Miles is set to negotiate a formalized partnership that will provide admission options and student engagement opportunities for eligible students. The proposed agreement, which would last from June 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029, aims to increase the number of students who enroll in college after graduation. Currently, just over half of the Class of 2024 and 2025 enrolled in college immediately after high school, with less than a third earning a degree. “A formalized partnership ... would increase college matriculation,” the agenda states.

 

Houston Chronicle

Friendswood ISD's board of trustees has approved staff pay increases and expanded stipend allocations, as part of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget update. The district anticipates nearly $70.9m in revenues and $70.6m in expenses, resulting in a projected net surplus of $234,000. The compensation plan includes a 2% raise for all staff, with additional hourly increases for bus drivers and custodians. A one-time salary supplement of approximately $134,000 will be distributed to eligible non-teaching professional staff, with payments scheduled for August 20, 2027. The projected tax rate for FY 2026-27 is $1.0040 per $100 valuation, leading to an estimated annual property tax bill of around $4,300 for a median home value of $424,611.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Trustees of the Huntsville ISD are set to discuss an employee compensation package during their upcoming meeting. This follows a budget workshop where administrators highlighted a "stronger-than-expected budget outlook" driven by increasing property values, stable reserves, and revenue from the district's online education program. While specific compensation figures have not been disclosed, officials indicated that the proposed package would prioritize certified teachers and instructional assistants, while also addressing the rising costs of employee health insurance.

 

Hunstville Item

The Lewisville ISD has approved a $321,000 salary adjustment package for the 2026–27 school year, focusing on hard-to-fill and high-demand positions to remain competitive with peer districts. The Board of Trustees sanctioned the compensation plan during its May 11 meeting, which includes targeted increases for principals and specialized staff, as well as structured raises and stipends for various employee groups.

 

Allen American

Pflugerville ISD is preparing to vote on optimization actions to address a projected budget shortfall of $5.2m by the end of the 2029-30 school year. The district, in collaboration with Civic Solutions Group, reviewed various scenarios, including closing schools and redesigning programs. Board president Chevonne Lorigo-Johst noted that some proposals, such as closing Westview Middle School and redesigning Dearing Elementary, were removed due to community concerns. To stabilize finances, PfISD may need to implement cuts ranging from $3m to $18m over the next three years.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Lufkin ISD's board of trustees convened to discuss the next steps for recently approved bond projects aimed at district improvements and a new stadium. The board unanimously approved the canvassing of the bond election results, with Proposition A passing 2,219-965 and Proposition B passing 1,810-1,360. Trustee Matt Knight expressed gratitude for the dedication of his colleagues, stating, “Those are great numbers.” Superintendent James Hockenberry emphasized the importance of transparency in the bond process and recommended Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong as the architectural firm for Proposition A projects. 

 

Lufkin Daily News

Georgetown ISD officials announced a price increase for school meals during a May 4 meeting, with breakfast rising by 10 cents and lunch by 50 cents. This adjustment aims to generate an additional $250,000 to cover food service costs and other expenses. Currently, breakfast costs $2.05 and lunch $2.30 at elementary schools, while secondary schools charge $3.30 and $3.55, respectively.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The ongoing conflict between Judson ISD board President Monica Ryan and trustee José Macias has escalated, with Macias making contentious remarks about Ryan's reelection prospects. Ryan's response included a 4-3 vote to censure Macias for alleged intimidation and violations of governing rules. A judge subsequently issued a temporary restraining order allowing Macias access to district property, countering the censure's most severe aspects. Macias's pursuit of over $1m in damages raises concerns about the district's interests. 

 

Star-Telegram

The Keller ISD is set to review a proposal that would keep Shady Grove Elementary open amid plans to close several schools due to declining enrollment. The Long-Term Planning Committee had previously recommended closing Shady Grove along with Bear Creek Intermediate and others, but the new plan aims to transition to a Pre-K through fifth-grade model at elementary schools by the 2027-28 school year. The district anticipates saving $3m annually and avoiding $39m in improvements. Board member Chelsea Kelly emphasized the need for transparency in the decision-making process, highlighting the importance of community input. The school board meeting to discuss these changes is scheduled for May 14.

 

Star-Telegram

Fort Bend ISD has partnered with Edmentum, entering a $4.2m agreement to establish a virtual high school set to launch this fall. The online school will cater to 100 rising ninth graders for the 2026-27 school year, offering accredited courses entirely online. Edmentum will provide a Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills-aligned curriculum and support for faculty to monitor student performance. The three-year contract begins on July 1, with potential one-year extensions. Funding will be offset by average daily attendance revenue, with expectations of generating $3,529 per student if attendance meets the district average of 95%. 

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Beaumont ISD middle school students celebrated their graduation from the ExxonMobil sponsored NASA Space Center STEM program during a ceremony at the West Brook Performing Arts Center. Nearly 120 students participated in the program, which included hands-on education in engineering, robotics, and coding, thanks to a $150,000 grant from ExxonMobil.

 

Beaumont Enterprise

New Caney ISD's board of trustees has decided to request an exemption from a new state law mandating three-point seat belts on school buses, which would cost the district nearly $11m to implement. Senate Bill 546 requires compliance by September 1, 2029, and the district has about 95 buses that would need retrofitting or replacement. Transportation Director Danny Mealer outlined a hybrid plan costing $10.98m, involving phasing out older buses and purchasing new ones. The trustees unanimously voted to petition the state, emphasizing that the funds required for compliance could instead support teaching positions, as the budget for seat belts would come from the same source as employee salaries.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Japan’s education ministry is proposing a major overhaul of high school Japanese language education to help students develop communication skills, emotional awareness, and other qualities seen as uniquely human in the age of artificial intelligence and social media. The proposed revisions, presented Monday to a panel of experts, would introduce new elective subjects for second-year high school students and above. These include courses focused on modern and classical literature to strengthen emotional sensitivity and cultural understanding, particularly among science-focused students who are considered to have less exposure to literature. Another proposed subject would emphasize the analysis of argumentative and critical essays, alongside debate and discussion techniques designed to improve communication and reasoning skills. 

 

NHK