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Texas
3rd July 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Texas' Ten Commandments law challenged
The constitutionality of a Texas law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is under scrutiny. The law requires framed copies to be placed in a "conspicuous place," which critics argue promotes religious indoctrination among Texas' 5.5m public school students. The lawsuit is backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, representing a diverse group of parents from various faiths. The outcome may depend on a similar case in Louisiana, where a federal court recently blocked a Ten Commandments requirement, ruling it unconstitutional.
NATIONAL NEWS
Tribal nations seek justice over Native American boarding schools
Greg Johnson, known as Biskakone, reflects on the traumatic history of Native American boarding schools, where children were stripped of their identity and culture. His grandmother, Helen Chapman, endured this experience, resulting in a loss of cultural transmission. Today, Biskakone and tribal leaders are advocating for accountability from the Catholic Church and the U.S. government for their roles in these schools. A significant class-action lawsuit has been filed by the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and the Washoe Tribe, alleging violations of trust responsibilities. Biskakone emphasizes the need to reclaim lost traditions, stating, “Now, we have to make it right.” Efforts are underway to teach Indigenous languages and practices in tribal schools, aiming to restore cultural heritage.
TECHNOLOGY
Almost 70 tech groups sign White House pledge to invest in AI education
The White House has announced that 67 tech companies and associations have signed a pledge supporting the Trump administration's aim of making artificial intelligence (AI) education accessible to all students. The “Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education,” signatories of which include Google, Microsoft, IBM, Meta, NVIDIA, MagicSchool, and Varsity Tutors, supports efforts to “provide resources that foster early interest in AI technology, promote AI literacy, and enable comprehensive AI training for educators.” “It is clear there is a lot of energy about AI and how it can be used responsibly in education,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “The resources and tools that have been pledged through this initiative will help our teachers and learners leverage AI in classrooms and communities across America.” The Software & Information Industry Association said it will create a working group among its corporate members to develop strategies for transparently disclosing how AI tools are used in the classroom. It added: These best practices will help companies communicate to the K-12 community, parents, and students about AI’s use in school environments and equip them to responsibly use it."
Empowering principals for tech integration
In a recent discussion at the ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference, Saicy Lytle, an instructional technologist from the Clyde district in Texas, emphasized the crucial role of principals in technology integration within schools. Lytle said: "If principals have a vision and they plan and talk with the staff about things like digital citizenship, it actually can help with the teachers' technology acceptance." She highlighted the importance of developing a clear tech plan, engaging in professional development, and modeling the use of technology. However, challenges such as gaining teacher buy-in and managing multiple responsibilities can hinder principals. Lytle advocates for collaboration among teachers, principals, and technology coaches to ensure effective tech integration, ultimately aiming for improved student outcomes.
DISTRICTS
Brenham ISD takes steps for efficiency
The Brenham ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved hiring Patillo, Brown and Hill LLP for a $15,000 efficiency audit, a necessary step before potentially calling for a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) this fall. This audit aims to facilitate discussions on increasing the tax rate to enhance compensation for teachers and staff.
Eanes ISD rebrands bond committee
Eanes ISD is transitioning its Bond Oversight Committee into a Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) in preparation for a potential bond vote in May 2026. The board approved the change on June 26, following recommendations from the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee (LRFPC) presented on May 20. The LRFPC, which began meeting in January 2024, proposed several campus renovation plans, including moving to a four elementary school model and modernizing existing facilities.
Union Grove ISD superintendent under scrutiny
Union Grove ISD Superintendent Kelly Moore is currently under investigation by the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office for “failure to report.” The inquiry began after officials received information on June 11 regarding an incident of invasive visual recording on school grounds. The sheriff's office stated that the investigation has revealed details leading to a criminal investigation against Moore. The case, along with the investigation of the student involved, will be forwarded to the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office once completed.
CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
Spring ISD approves $41.5m for school
Spring ISD has approved significant funding for two facility projects. On May 13, trustees allocated $41.5m for the construction of the new Spring High School (SHS), which will span 740,000 sq ft and is expected to be completed by fall 2028. The total budget for SHS is $430m, funded by SISD's $850m bond approved by voters in 2022. Additionally, on June 24, SISD approved $5.3m for renovations to the Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Family and Community Engagement Center, which includes pool renovations and a new parking lot. Mark Miranda, chief of district operations, highlighted the importance of these projects during the board's meetings.
LEADERSHIP
Aristoi Academy welcomes new Superintendent
Aristoi Classical Academy has appointed Jonathan Mueller as its new Superintendent. Previously, Mueller served as Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Instructor of Great Texts at The Saint Constantine School. He holds a Master of Liberal Arts from Houston Christian University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English literature from Biola University.
Camino Real welcomes new principal
Javier González has been appointed as the new principal of Camino Real Elementary School, succeeding Yvette Soliz. With over a decade of experience in education, González emphasizes the importance of inspiring and empowering others. Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright expressed confidence in González's leadership, noting that “great things are going to continue to happen at Camino Real.” González has been with Hays CISD since 2013 and holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.
Marshall moves up in ECISD leadership
Julie Marshall, a seasoned educator with 35 years of experience, has transitioned from principal of Dowling Elementary to the role of executive director of leadership at Ector County ISD, effective July 1. She aims to support campus principals and foster their development, emphasizing the importance of focusing on student needs. Marshall has a strong background in education, having served as a principal at various schools and as an instructional services director. She said her first goal in this new position is to build relationships with the principals she will oversee.
New leadership at Dripping Springs ISD
The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees has appointed three new directors: Daniel Brown as director of assessment & accountability, Brook Roberts as director of special services, and Alex Salazar as director of finance. Brown, with over 15 years in public education, previously worked at the Texas Education Agency, where he developed systems for tracking performance indicators. Roberts brings over 20 years of experience in special education and school psychology, having led special services at Lake Travis ISD. Salazar, with nearly 10 years in public school finance, managed a $200m budget at Hays CISD.
Newburgh school board suspends superintendent
The Newburgh school board voted to suspend acting Superintendent Lisa Buon during a recent meeting, leaving her unaware of the reasons behind the decision. The board also decided to end her employment contract by the end of September, though it remains unclear if this affects her previous role as principal of Balmville Elementary School. Meanwhile, deputy Superintendent Onyx Peterson has been appointed as the temporary district chief while the current superintendent, Jackielyn Manning Campbell, is suspended amid an ongoing investigation.
INTERNATIONAL
Gender equality in developing countries underfunded by $420bn annually
Developing countries currently face a $420bn annual gap in the funding needed to achieve gender equality, UN Women estimates; a gap that means programmes and services for women and girls are chronically underfunded. The estimate comes in the midst of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development underway in Sevilla, Spain. “We cannot close gender gaps with budgets that are lacking a gender lens … Gender equality must move from the margins of the budget lines to the heart of public policy,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, deputy executive director of UN Women. Recommendations to address this include expanding gender-responsive budgeting which carefully tracks where funding is most needed and supporting programs which target those areas. Currently, three-fourths of countries do not have systems to track the allocation of public funds in relation to gender equality.  Specifically, investment in public care systems, such as child and elder care programmes – is essential to ensuring that women can enter the workforce.
France faces up to private school abuse scandal
A report written by two French lawmakers and published on Wednesday calls for stricter regulations on the nation's private schools, following allegations of decades-long abuse at the Catholic institution, Notre-Dame de Betharram, now known as Le Beau Rameau. The investigation was prompted by numerous complaints from former pupils, including Didier Vinson, who stated, "Aside from the women serving us food at the canteen, everyone was part of the violence." The report revealed around 250 complaints against 26 alleged perpetrators, with 90 related to sexual abuse. Lawmakers Paul Vannier and Violette Spillebout are advocating for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for abuse against minors and to establish a compensation fund for victims. They emphasized the need for regular inspections and better training for school staff to prevent future incidents.
AND FINALLY...
Students save the day with tech repairs
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, a unique solution to the challenges of maintaining a 1-to-1 computing environment has emerged: high school students are being enlisted, and paid, to fix Chromebooks. Megan Marcum, the district's digital learning coach, shared insights at the ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference, describing the system as “a pretty well-oiled machine.” The student-run repair team has been operational for a decade, allowing IT staff to focus on more significant projects while providing students with real-world experience. The program not only saves costs by avoiding external repair fees but also ensures faster turnaround times. Students receive class credit and can earn $10 an hour, fostering a career-ready learning environment. Marcum emphasizes the benefits, noting that students take pride in their work, which enhances their confidence and ownership of the program.

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