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Texas
18th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Visa delays threaten classrooms

Thousands of international teachers working in U.S. schools could be forced out of classrooms due to lengthy visa renewal delays and a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, raising concerns about staffing shortages in districts that rely heavily on foreign-born educators. Teachers on H-1B visas are experiencing renewal processing delays of more than 10 months in some cases, forcing some educators onto unpaid leave or out of the country altogether. At the same time, the Trump administration’s proposed six-figure fee for new H-1B applications has created uncertainty for school districts, although a federal judge recently struck down the charge and the administration plans to appeal. Many districts depend on international teachers to fill hard-to-staff positions, particularly in subjects such as math, special education, foreign languages, and dual-language programs. Large districts including Dallas and Washington, D.C., employ hundreds of H-1B visa holders, while smaller districts have also reported disruptions as teachers await immigration decisions. 

STATE NEWS

Hinojosa rallies support with education focus

Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, energized nearly 200 supporters at the Phillips Event Center in Bryan with a strong education-focused message and accusations of corruption against Governor Greg Abbott. "When they were going to shut down my son's school, I got mad. I ran for office," Hinojosa said, emphasizing her commitment to fighting for Texas schools. She criticized Abbott's school voucher program, claiming it diverts $1bn from public schools to private institutions. Hinojosa highlighted the struggles of Texans, stating: "Our public schools in Texas and the American Dream are on life support." She called for a focus on economic issues rather than culture wars, asserting that "enough working Texans just don't have access to opportunity." Hinojosa aims to create a vision for change in Texas, urging voters to support her campaign for a better future.

NATIONAL NEWS

House Democrat moves to impeach Education Secretary Linda McMahon

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat and member of the House education committee, has announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Education Secretary Linda McMahon, alleging she violated federal law and her oath of office by transferring Education Department programs and responsibilities to other federal agencies without congressional approval. The move follows the Trump administration’s decision to shift civil rights enforcement to the Department of Justice and special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services. While the effort is unlikely to advance given Republican control of Congress, it underscores growing Democratic opposition to the administration’s restructuring of the Education Department and could signal future action if control of the House changes.

New bill would fund overdose-reversal drug supplies and staff training

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the School Access to Naloxone Act of 2026, which would provide federal funding to help K–12 schools stock naloxone and train staff to administer the opioid overdose-reversal medication. Led in the House by Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio and Rep. Kelly Morrison of Minnesota, the legislation would clarify that existing federal grant funds can be used to administer overdose-reversal drugs and establish a new grant program specifically for schools. Participating schools would be required to maintain accessible naloxone supplies, designate trained personnel during operating hours, and ensure legal liability protections are in place for staff. Supporters say the measure is a practical, life-saving response to the ongoing opioid crisis, particularly as fentanyl continues to be found in counterfeit pills and other illicit substances.

DISTRICTS

Austin schools face state takeover threat

In 2026, STAAR scores at Dobie, Burnet, and Webb middle schools in Austin showed improvement, yet the threat of a state takeover looms large. Despite the enhancements, less than 40% of students passed the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, indicating that "the percentage of students on grade level remains far lower than state and district averages." If any of the schools receive a failing grade from the Texas Education Agency in August, state intervention may be mandated. The schools have struggled since 2019, when they all received an F rating. Senate Bill 1882 allows for partnerships to unlock additional funding, but recent changes in standards have complicated these efforts. Keri Heath, a K-12 education reporter, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by these schools.

Fort Worth ISD test scores soar

Fort Worth ISD has reported an increase in the percentage of students meeting grade level on the STAAR test for spring 2026, with gains in reading and math across most grades. According to the Texas Education Agency, the percentage of students achieving a "masters rating" also rose. Notably, seventh graders improved from 35% to 41% in reading, while eighth graders saw a jump from 31% to 41% in math. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said: “The 2026 results demonstrate both the progress Texas students are making and the work that remains ahead of us.” Despite these improvements, Fort Worth ISD's performance remains below the state average, particularly in grades 6 and 7. Superintendent Peter Licata acknowledged the ongoing challenges and the need for additional resources for struggling schools, with a $25m investment planned for the Elevate network.

New Caney ISD expands special education

New Caney ISD is responding to a significant increase in its special education student population, which has grown by approximately 1,800 students over the past five years. As of the 2025-26 school year, special education students represent 17.8% of the total enrollment, up from 9.9% in 2021-22. To accommodate this growth, district officials plan to hire at least 75 new staff members before the 2026-27 school year, including 20 paraprofessionals and 19 teachers. The rise in special education enrollment is partly due to the Texas Education Agency's new requirement for students with dyslexia to be included in special education programs starting in 2023. "We are committed to meeting the needs of all our students," said district officials during a presentation on June 15.

FINANCE

Fort Bend ISD faces budget shortfall

Fort Bend ISD's budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year reveals a significant shortfall of $32.8m, an increase from the previously estimated $26.2m. The board of trustees approved the budget on June 15, with executive director of finance Kelly Schlacks stating that the ending fund balance meets the required 90-day threshold, with $857.9m in revenue against $898m in expenditures. The budget includes a compensation plan aimed at attracting and retaining educators, featuring differentiated teacher steps and retention allotments. Additionally, the district plans to expand its Pre-K3 program and introduce new middle school choice programs. The tax rate is projected to decrease to $0.9969 per $100 valuation, while no changes to employee health benefit premiums are expected for the upcoming school year.

Georgetown ISD adopts balanced budget

The Georgetown ISD board of trustees has unanimously approved a balanced budget of approximately $191.74m for the 2026-27 school year, which includes pay raises for select positions. The budget anticipates a 7-cent increase in the tax rate, contingent on a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE). If passed, the VATRE could generate an additional $6.4m in revenue. The budget also allocates $668,000 for pay raises, including increases for teachers, bus drivers, and school nurses. However, starting teacher pay will remain at $57,000. The district is also addressing rising health insurance costs, which have impacted available funds for raises. A community survey will gauge support for the VATRE before the August deadline for calling the election.

Carroll ISD budget boosts staff salaries

Carroll ISD has approved a balanced budget of over $160.78m for the fiscal year 2026-27, which includes staff raises ranging from 3% to 5%. The budget, unanimously approved by trustees on June 15, allocates $21.5m for a recapture payment to the state. Chase Park, Carroll's deputy superintendent of business and finance, stated that the cost of compensation adjustments is $2.4m, funded partly by $1.3m saved from staffing reductions. The proposed tax rate remains unchanged at $0.9294 per $100 valuation, with Superintendent Jeremy Glenn noting: “We put a placeholder for the tax rate... the board is going to have flexibility in August when we officially adopt the tax rate.” The final tax rate will be adopted in August after the Tarrant Appraisal District publishes certified values.

Bryan ISD balances budget amid challenges

Bryan ISD trustees approved a balanced operating budget of $186.5m for the 2026-27 school year during their June 15 meeting, despite challenges such as declining enrollment and stagnant state funding. The budget, which includes a $2.2m employee compensation package, aims to maintain a zero-balance approach, ensuring expenditures do not exceed revenue. Chief financial officer Norma Friddle noted that the budget anticipates a 1.75% decline in property values and is based on an average daily attendance of 14,189 students.

Round Rock ISD's budget balanced, but...

Round Rock ISD approved a balanced budget for the 2026-27 financial year on June 16, anticipating a tax rate election in November. The budget shows a slight surplus of $75,000, with expenses projected at $486.1m against revenues of $486.2m. However, without the tax rate election, there will be no pay raises for employees not covered by House Bill 2. If the election passes, Round Rock chief of human resources Eddie Curran said the district could provide a 2% pay raise and increase starting teacher salaries to $58,000. The proposed tax rate increase would raise total revenues to $518.4m, allowing for a similar surplus.

WORKFORCE

El Paso schools face job cuts

The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to reduce job cuts from 94 to 55 positions in a special session aimed at addressing a budget shortfall. "This board has been very committed to making sure that students are at the center of what we're doing," said Leah Hanany, El Paso board president. The district has been spending approximately 89% of its budget on salaries since 2005, leading to insufficient cash reserves. The cuts will affect various schools, including Andress, Austin, and Franklin High Schools, as well as several elementary and middle schools. Superintendent Brian Lusk emphasized that the focus was on contract employees, while school psychologist positions were spared, eliciting emotional responses from staff. The total number of jobs claimed in a mass layoff notice to the Texas Workforce Commission remains at 250, pending finalization.

GOVERNANCE

TEA clears San Antonio ISD

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has concluded its investigation into San Antonio ISD regarding a child abuse allegation. District spokeswoman Laura Short confirmed that the TEA dropped the inquiry, stating: "The circumstances surrounding the investigation were deemed not to warrant further action." The investigation began on June 15, when the TEA requested information about the district's notification to Child Protective Services (CPS) concerning the alleged incident. SAISD provided documentation showing that CPS was contacted. This closure comes as SAISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino prepares to retire in January 2027, with Toni Thomson appointed as interim superintendent.

New leadership at Beeville ISD

Beeville ISD has appointed Dr. Dawn DuBose as its interim superintendent following the exit of the previous superintendent. Dr. DuBose began her role on Monday, bringing her experience to the district during this transitional period. "We are excited to have Dr. DuBose lead us forward," said a district representative, highlighting the confidence in her leadership.

NUTRITION

Summer hunger crisis hits Texas kids

As summer approaches, many Texas children lose access to school meals, leading to increased food insecurity. According to the Texas Education Agency, over 2.4m public school students, or 44% of the student population, qualified for free or reduced-price meals in the 2025-26 school year. Celia Cole, chief executive of Feeding Texas, emphasized the negative impact of food insecurity on children's learning and health, stating: "Kids who are food insecure face greater challenges learning, they have more health problems." Families are struggling with rising food costs, and the Community Food Bank of Fort Worth is seeing a surge in demand, serving over 2,000 people weekly. The recent national report by Zero to Three highlighted that 15% of families with infants or toddlers experienced low food security in 2025. The need for food assistance is critical, especially as federal SNAP funding faces cuts.

INTERNATIONAL

India's government tightens controls after exam leak scandal

India has introduced unprecedented security measures for its national medical entrance exam retest, borrowing tactics from China’s highly controlled Gaokao system after a paper leak scandal affected more than 2m students. The government has temporarily restricted access to messaging platform Telegram, deployed the Indian Air Force to transport exam papers for the first time, and placed question setters under strict surveillance with limited communication access. The measures are designed to prevent further leaks and restore confidence in one of the country’s most important academic examinations. The approach mirrors China’s handling of the Gaokao, where authorities use police escorts, armed guards, information controls, and strict monitoring to protect exam integrity. China has also previously restricted access to AI tools during exam periods to reduce the risk of cheating.
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