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On Friday, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping tax and spending bill into law in a high-profile White House ceremony. Celebrated as a major legislative win, the "Big Beautiful Bill" extends most of Trump's 2017 tax cuts and adds deductions for tips, overtime, and seniors. The bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will aid $3.4tn to federal deficits over the next 10 years, is being partially paid for by significant cuts to health care and nutrition programs, including Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to over 13m children and makes kids automatically eligible for free meals at school. It also largely terminates numerous tax incentives from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency programs, ending tax credits for new and used electric vehicles, the installation of home EV charging equipment, and for insulation and energy efficient heating and cooling systems. It creates a new voucher-like program that will pay for private school scholarships, although states will be allowed to opt out if they wish. Individuals can subtract $1,700 off their tax bill if they donate that amount to an organization that awards scholarships to kids who attend private school. The cuts to Medicaid, the fourth-largest source of federal funding for schools, have caused alarm; Jessie Mandle, the national program director at the nonprofit Healthy Schools Campaign, said it is the equivalent of cutting district budgets, adding: “School districts are very much aware of how important Medicaid dollars are to serve students with disabilities, address the youth mental crisis, [and] address students’ behavioral health needs.”  

 

CBS News

Chalkbeat

Last Thursday, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear two cases testing the constitutionality of state laws that bar transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams. The cases, one from West Virginia and the other from Idaho, involve transgender athletes who at least initially competed in track and field and cross country. An appeals court ruled that Idaho’s law violates the Constitution’s equal protection cause by targeting transgender people, while another appeals court concluded that the West Virginia law violates Title IX, the federal law banning most sex discrimination by schools. The West Virginia case, West Virginia v. B.P.J., was filed by a then-middle school student who told the Supreme Court she was “devastated at the prospect” of not being able to compete after the state passed a law banning trans women athletes’ participation in public school sports. The Idaho case, Little v. Hecox, was filed on behalf of several plaintiffs, including a 17-year-old girl who was a junior at Boise High School and concerned about be being subjected to invasive “sex verification” testing under a new law. Arguments in the cases are likely to take place in the fall with decisions expected from the high court by June 2026.

 

CNN

New York Times

Politico

Wall Street Journal

About 7,000 educators gathered in Portland for the National Education Association's (NEA) annual meeting, which took place in Portland from July 1-7. NEA President Becky Pringle emphasized the importance of educators' involvement in decision-making, stating, "Educators must be at the core of all decisions that are made." The meeting served as a platform for setting the union's agenda, electing officers, and discussing education policies. Pringle also addressed the impact of the Trump administration's withholding of $7bn in federal funding, calling it "unconscionable" and highlighting the need for accountability in the upcoming elections. Congress had already appropriated that money. A part of our challenge and our responsibility is to take this very example and say that now our kids will be going back to school, some of them in a couple of weeks, in the middle of chaos, because that money that was promised was taken, and now they have to prepare for all these other cuts. And so our job is to make sure that people know it and understand that the people they elected, the people who were elected, did this to them, their children, and their community. That's our job right now," she added.

 

The Oregonian

Texas public schools are receiving an $8.5bn funding boost, the largest one-time investment in recent history, but the mood among educators is mixed. As Casey Adams, superintendent of Woodson ISD, stated, “Why call us independent school districts if you're not going to give us the local control?” The new funding comes with strict regulations that limit how districts can allocate the money, reflecting a lack of trust from state lawmakers. While the funding aims to improve teacher salaries and special education services, many school leaders feel constrained by the restrictions. For instance, the basic allotment per student was only increased by $55, which many argue does not address the varying needs of districts. Despite the challenges, some educators, like Chris Whorton of Mildred ISD, believe the bill will still bring positive changes, stating it will do “really good things” for most districts.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

The San Benito school board has approved a $134.6m budget that includes pay raises for all 1,570 employees, thanks to the state's House Bill 2. Board President Ariel Cruz-Vela stated, “This year’s budget has given us the opportunity to give a pay raise to all our staff, which was not the case last year.” To balance the budget, officials withdrew $4m from the district's $31m fund balance. The district anticipates an enrollment increase to 8,355 students, up from 8,155, as they combat declining numbers attributed to charter school expansions and ongoing homeschooling trends post-pandemic. The budget allocates $100.2m for payroll and $65.5m for instructional programs, with state funding contributing $101.9m.

 

The Monitor

Comal ISD is preparing to open the new Mayfair Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year. Located at 5912 Guthrie Trail in a 1,900-acre development in New Braunfels, the school is currently 91% complete. The project is part of a larger initiative funded by a $588.56m bond approved by residents in May 2023, which supports multiple campuses across the district.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Hays CISD is preparing to celebrate the opening of Lamont Ramage Elementary School for the 2025-26 academic year. This new campus, the 17th elementary school in the district, was approved by voters as part of a $367.8m bond in May 2023. The school will feature 117,611 sq ft of space and accommodate 900 students. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 1 at 10 a.m. at 575 Gristmill Road in Kyle. Named after Lamont Ramage, a former HCISD official and community member, the school honors his contributions, including serving on the HCISD board from 1976 to 1988.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Spring ISD is set to award raises and retention bonuses to employees for the 2025-26 school year, starting August 12, despite facing a $13m funding shortfall. The approved budget of $353.2m reflects a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Interim Superintendent Kregg Cuellar stated, “This budget approval reflects our ongoing commitment to our students and staff.” The raises include a $1,000 retention bonus for returning full-time employees, with funding from House Bill 2 expected to provide an $8.5bn boost to Texas public schools over two years. However, concerns about potential layoffs due to budget constraints were raised by trustee Carmen Correa, highlighting the delicate balance between employee compensation and fiscal responsibility.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

In a recent KDH News online poll, over 60% of Killeen ISD parents expressed a lack of confidence in their children's safety on campus this fall. This concern follows a tragic incident involving a fatal stabbing at a middle school in March. The district has decided not to disclose the results of an internal investigation into its safety protocols, which has further fueled parents' anxieties. As one parent noted: "We just want to ensure our kids are safe." The situation has left many families feeling uneasy about the upcoming school year.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Mark Estrada, Superintendent of Lockhart ISD, has been honored as the 2025 Region 13 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). This accolade recognizes his transformational leadership and commitment to public education. Estrada has led Lockhart ISD since 2018, focusing on a vision of “Building a Legacy of Excellence” and ensuring every student grows 1.5 years in reading and math annually. His innovative initiatives, such as the Shared Leadership Model, have significantly improved teacher retention and instructional quality.

 

Lockhart Post-Register

Dr. Peter Braveboy has been appointed as the new principal of Legacy High School, as announced by Wichita Falls ISD. This leadership change is expected to bring fresh perspectives and initiatives to the school community.

 

Wichita Falls Times Record News

The 89th Texas Legislative Session introduced significant reforms in public education, including a historic $8.5bn funding increase through House Bill 2. Bob Popinski, senior director of policy for Raise Your Hand Texas, emphasized the urgency of addressing inflation's impact on school districts, stating, "Overall, our main goals were to ensure schools could operate effectively and offer competitive pay to attract and retain teachers." The session also saw the establishment of a statewide education savings account program under Senate Bill 2, allowing families to use public funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses. However, concerns remain about the potential impact on public school funding and equity.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Texas school districts are adapting their support for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) due to new legislation, House Bill 1188, known as the Handley Act. Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, the law mandates that public schools refer students with IDD to their Local IDD Health Authority during their first admission, review, and dismissal meeting. This change aims to address the long waitlists for services, which can extend up to 15 years. Gwen Coffey, assistant superintendent for special education at Katy ISD, noted that the law emphasizes required referrals, enhancing communication with families. The Texana Center anticipates an increase in referrals and is preparing to manage this without additional state resources.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

As three prominent university presidents in North Texas step down, the region faces a pivotal moment in higher education. Richard Benson of UT Dallas, Victor Boschini of TCU, and Gerald Turner of SMU have significantly influenced local workforce development and cultural growth. Benson emphasized his “greatest legacy” as enhancing arts and culture at UTD, while Boschini noted the medical school's impact on healthcare access. The incoming leaders must navigate challenges such as federal funding cuts and international student enrollment.

 

Dallas News