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USA
20th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Clean school bus funding paused as EPA seeks input on gas, hydrogen and biofuels

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to revamp its Clean School Bus Program, expanding the range of eligible fuel and technology options beyond primarily electric buses. The agency has launched a 45-day public comment period through a Request for Information to gather feedback from manufacturers, school districts, and fleet operators on the cost, availability, and performance of alternative technologies. The updated program is expected to place greater emphasis on biofuels, compressed and liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. As part of the transition, the EPA confirmed it will cancel the 2024 rebate funding round, encouraging applicants to instead apply for the 2026 grant cycle. A formal funding notice outlining eligibility criteria is expected soon. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the overhaul aims to improve fiscal responsibility and provide school districts with more flexibility to meet transportation needs. The Clean School Bus Program was originally created to replace older, high-emission buses with cleaner models to improve air quality and protect student health. 

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Prepare Your Students For Their Future, Today

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide provides school leaders with the tools needed to elevate CTE, from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists.  

In the guide, you’ll have access to:
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LEGAL

Justice Department joins Los Angeles USD lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has petitioned to join a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles USD (LAUSD), which challenges the district's longstanding desegregation policy. This policy, aimed at providing additional resources and smaller class sizes to predominantly minority schools, is alleged to discriminate against white students. The lawsuit, initiated by the 1776 Project Foundation, claims that LAUSD's practices violate both California and federal constitutional provisions. Asst. Atty. Gen. Harmeet K. Dhillon stated: "Racial discrimination is unlawful and un-American, and this Civil Rights Division will fight to ensure that every LAUSD student is treated equally under the law." LAUSD officials maintain their commitment to equitable access for all students, asserting that their programs address real inequities. The district's demographic data shows a significant majority of Latino students, with ongoing debates about the implications of race in educational resource allocation.

Charter school funding ruled unconstitutional in Kentucky

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that public funding for charter schools is unconstitutional, affirming that state funds “are for common schools and for nothing else.” This decision follows a 2022 measure enacted by the Republican-dominated legislature, which was previously struck down by a lower court. Justice Michelle M. Keller stated in a unanimous opinion that the Constitution does not allow for the diversion of public education funds outside the common public school system. In 2024, Kentucky voters also rejected a ballot measure that would have permitted the allocation of public tax dollars to support students attending private or charter schools. While charter schools have been legal in Kentucky since 2017, none have opened due to funding issues. Keller emphasized that the court was not evaluating the effectiveness of charter schools, leaving such assessments to the General Assembly.

DISTRICTS

Cuts loom for Santa Monica-Malibu schools

Santa Monica-Malibu USD plans to lay off over 27 employees, including teachers and custodial staff, by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Parents are particularly concerned about the elimination of five teachers who provide essential Language and Literacy Interventionist (LLI) services, which are crucial for struggling readers. Yaso Thiagarajah, a parent, said: "I have seen firsthand how this targeted instruction acts as a critical bridge between struggling to read and academic success." The layoffs also include more than 20 custodial positions, raising concerns about the impact on school cleanliness and safety. SEIU Local 99, representing many affected workers, is frustrated with the district's handling of negotiations and the lack of transparency regarding the layoffs. The union emphasized that the proposals are about "stability, safety, and respect for the work we do every day." The district has until March 15 to notify affected employees, with cuts set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

Portland Public Schools faces backlash over closures

Portland Public Schools leaders faced significant criticism this week regarding a decision to eliminate high school grade levels at Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC). Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong acknowledged the lack of community input prior to the announcement, stating: "We could have done better, and we recognize that." The decision, linked to a $50m budget deficit, has raised concerns about the future of the school and the district's overall enrollment decline of 13% since the fall of 2019. Community members expressed their emotional attachment to MLC, emphasizing its role as a safe haven for students. Armstrong indicated that the district would engage in broader discussions about potential school closures in the coming months, with the possibility of recommending the closure or combination of multiple schools by fall 2027.

LEGISLATION

Wyoming lawmakers add $127m to K-12 funding in school recalibration vote

The Wyoming Senate has approved a revised school funding bill on first reading that includes a significant increase in support for K-12 public schools. Senators voted by voice vote to adopt an amendment from the Senate Education Committee adding $127.1m in funding over two years to Senate File 81, known as the school recalibration bill. The measure, titled “K-12 public school finance-2,” now allocates substantially more resources to school districts than originally proposed during interim discussions.

FINANCE

$1.92bn proposed 2027 school budget moves forward in Anne Arundel

The Anne Arundel County Board of Education has approved a proposed $1.92bn operating budget for fiscal year 2027, sending it to the county executive for review. The plan represents a $139.7m increase over the current 2026 budget. The board adopted 14 of 15 amendments recommended by Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell, adding nearly $23.5m to the proposal. The budget includes funding for 147 new positions, with more than 96% of those roles involving daily interaction with students. Superintendent-driven amendments include $10m for rising employee health care costs, $2.3m for high school laptops, and $1.8m for higher utility expenses. The board also approved $11m in additional member-sponsored amendments, including a 1% cost-of-living pay increase for employees, higher wages for temporary support assistants, and funding adjustments for music programs, athletics, and student events. The county executive will review the budget before submitting recommendations to the county council in May. A public hearing will precede a final council vote in mid-June, with the board expected to adopt the final budget on June 17.

Growing NJ school budget gaps spark calls for more funding and reform

A wave of budget deficits across New Jersey school districts prompted lawmakers to hold a public hearing Thursday, where education advocates and officials agreed that inadequate state funding is the central cause of mounting financial strain. Districts including Hackensack, Montclair, Perth Amboy, and Toms River have faced deficits ranging from $5m to $100m, leading to layoffs, program cuts, property sales, and tax increases. While witnesses cited factors such as rising health insurance, transportation and special education costs, along with occasional management issues, most stressed that state aid has not kept pace with mandated expenses. Some lawmakers and union representatives also pointed to leadership failures in certain districts; however, Susan Young, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, said: “The financial challenges we are discussing today are not the result of poor administration or lack of oversight. They are the result of a misalignment between rising, largely uncontrollable costs and the constraints placed on local decision makers. School business administrators are doing exactly what they are trained to do [which is] advising boards honestly, managing resources responsibly, and implementing difficult decisions they did not create but are required to carry out.”

WORKFORCE

New bill could reshape Tennessee's teaching landscape

Tennessee's Senate Bill 2019 proposes allowing private school teachers without a college degree to obtain temporary public school teaching waivers. This legislation, which received unanimous bipartisan support from the Senate Education Committee, aims to address teacher shortages in public schools. To qualify, candidates must have 10 years of experience in specific private school categories. Senator Dawn White, who sponsored the bill, said: "Rutherford County could not find someone to fill this position." However, concerns have been raised by Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, who warned that the bill may lead to unprepared teachers, emphasizing the importance of licensure for effective teaching. The bill will now proceed to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Schools under pressure to reconsider Flock surveillance ties

Amazon-owned Ring has ended a planned partnership with surveillance company Flock Safety following public backlash over a Super Bowl ad promoting neighborhood-wide camera networks. Privacy advocates say schools should follow suit, as many districts use Flock’s automated license plate readers, which have been accessed by law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement. Audit logs from Texas districts showed out-of-state agencies conducting searches tied to immigration cases, raising concerns about student and family privacy. Flock says schools can disable immigration-related searches using a filter tool, and maintains its cameras are primarily used for campus safety, such as monitoring banned individuals or investigating crimes in school parking lots. However, critics argue the broad sharing of surveillance data creates serious privacy risks and may deter families from attending school events or even sending children to school. More than 100 school districts use Flock cameras, though few have publicly addressed how their data are shared.

LEADERSHIP

New training tools for superintendents unveiled

Superintendents are increasingly confronted with political challenges that are often overlooked in their training. Jennifer Perry Cheatham, a former superintendent and now a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, emphasized: "This is not something you want to learn on the job." To address this gap, new resources, including case studies and simulations, have been introduced. The Initiative on Superintendent as Civic Leader aims to support superintendents and enhance preparation programs nationwide. The simulations, which can be conducted online or in-person, allow superintendents to engage in discussions about hypothetical crises, helping them navigate complex issues such as school closures and teacher recruitment. As Cheatham noted, "The role of the superintendent has changed," highlighting the importance of civic leadership in education.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Billings school district proposes innovative campus change

Billings School District 2 Superintendent Erwin Garcia proposed converting Washington Elementary into a high school focused on early college and technology careers for the upcoming academic year. This initiative comes as the Billings Public Schools board considers purchasing the former Rocky Mountain Bank building, despite some concerns from trustees. Last year, the district experienced a drop in student enrollment, with 140 students leaving, a significant decrease from the three hundred thirty-three who left in the previous year. Garcia emphasized the importance of this transformation, stating: "We are committed to providing our students with the best opportunities for their future." The proposed changes aim to address educational needs and enhance career readiness among students.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Trump administration warns colleges over high student loan default rates

The Trump administration has warned more than 1,800 colleges that they could lose access to federal student aid if too many of their students fail to repay federal loans. The U.S. Department of Education issued new guidance urging institutions to prioritise lowering delinquency and default rates, noting that schools with nonpayment rates of 25% or higher risk losing eligibility for federal aid programs. The warning comes as officials confront a surge in borrowers falling behind, with around 10m at risk of default last year. More than 42m Americans hold federal student debt, totalling over $1.6tn. However, consumer advocates argue the administration’s own policies have worsened repayment challenges. They point to staff cuts at the Education Department, a backlog of more than 600,000 income-driven repayment applications, and delays affecting over 86,000 borrowers awaiting forgiveness decisions. Critics also say recent legislative changes eliminating some affordable repayment options could sharply increase monthly payments for many families, intensifying financial strain rather than addressing the root causes of rising defaults.

INTERNATIONAL

Maternity pay for teachers in England to rise from 2027-28

Maternity pay for teachers in England will increase for the first time in 25 years under reforms set to take effect in the 2027-28 academic year. The government will raise full-pay maternity leave from four weeks to eight, followed by 10 weeks at half pay and 21 weeks at statutory maternity pay. The changes, to be outlined in the forthcoming schools white paper, aim to improve staff retention, particularly among women aged 30 to 39, who make up the largest group leaving the profession. Nearly 10% of qualified teachers left state schools in 2023-24, and only 68% remain five years after qualifying. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reform addresses long-standing stagnation in maternity pay and will support more women returning to teaching. Unions welcomed the move but noted that teachers’ maternity packages still fall short of those offered to civil servants. The white paper will also include proposed reforms to special educational needs provision, including reassessments at the transition from primary to secondary school, and tighter eligibility criteria for full support.
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