You are receiving this email newsletter because you are a subscriber of Education Slice (formerly Principal News) or you signed up for our email newsletter on our site.

Texas schools are facing a funding crisis as they remain among the lowest funded in the nation. Despite a record surplus, per-student funding has remained flat at $6,160 since 2019, putting immense pressure on public schools. Many districts, including HISD, Spring, Spring Branch, Katy, Tomball, and Conroe, are projected to have budget shortfalls. While Fort Bend and Klein ISD expect no shortfall, they are exceptions. Schools are forced to make huge budget cuts due to rising inflation and increased costs. A bill to increase funding and give teachers a $15,000 raise was never heard or voted on. Tomball ISD Superintendent Martha Salazar Zamora, the state's Superintendent of the Year, emphasizes the need for better funding to continue providing quality education. A recent survey shows that 80% of districts face budget and resource issues, with over half having a deficit and expecting spending cuts.

 

ABC 13

KTRK-TV

Rankings for the nation's best high schools have been released by U.S. News & World Report. The organization analyzed data from nearly 25,000 public high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) in Dallas, Texas, topped the list as the best public high school in the state and the sixth best in the nation. With a 100% graduation rate and a perfect score for college readiness, TAG stood out among the 1,555 public high schools analyzed in Texas. The rankings are based on factors such as student performance in state assessments, college-level exams, and graduation rates.

 

Austin American-Statesman

During a heated U.S. House of Representatives hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona faced sharp questioning over several pressing issues, including the botched rollout of a simplified FAFSA form, increasing reports of antisemitism in schools, execution of student-debt relief, and changes to Title IX regulations. Cardona advocated for the Biden administration's 2025 budget proposal, emphasizing the need for increased funding for the Education Department’s civil rights office to handle a growing number of discrimination complaints more efficiently. Republicans criticized the recent Title IX updates, arguing they could harm girls' sports and privacy, while also expressing frustration over persistent technical problems with the FAFSA application process, which has deterred students from seeking federal aid. Despite these controversies, there was bipartisan support for enhancing career and technical education, highlighting a rare agreement on the importance of expanding vocational training opportunities. Cardona’s testimony underscored ongoing debates about educational priorities and the federal role in ensuring fair treatment and access to education amidst policy challenges.

 

Education Week News

Unofficial early returns indicate that voters are leaning towards rejecting Anna ISD's $100m stadium proposal for a second time. The proposal was part of nearly a dozen North Texas districts' propositions totaling about $2.5bn, which included new campuses, safety improvements, and technology upgrades. Anna ISD officials had sought to bring the new stadium before voters as its own ask this year, but about 56% of voters seem to have rejected the measure. Meanwhile, other districts like Cedar Hill ISD and Lewisville ISD appeared to be on track for approval of their bond propositions for facility improvements and athletic upgrades. The Argyle school district's $482.4m proposal for new schools and expanded classroom space is currently split with 49.93% supporting and 50.07% rejecting it. Mansfield ISD voters seemed ready to support $589m for upgrades and safety measures, but rejected bond packages for stadium renovations and fine arts additions.

 

Dallas News

Bastrop County residents participated in the May 4 General Election, determining the outcome of city council positions and the fate of school bonds. In Elgin, Al Rodriguez and Sue Prinz Brasher won the contested city council positions. Beth Walterscheidt and Pete Bega earned Trustee spots for the Elgin ISD. Elgin ISD's two propositions for a $375m bond were passed. Kerry Fossler claimed a seat on Bastrop's city council, while Carol Armstrong won the Trustee Place 1 vote for Bastrop ISD. Michelle Gaertner, Paul Johnson, and John Sabol emerged victorious in the Bastrop Appraisal District's Board of Directors election. Sharon Foerster retained her mayoral seat in Smithville, and Mitchell Jameson and Cathy Meek won city council positions. Bryan Jones secured the Trustee Place 3 race for Smithville ISD. McDade ISD's $4m bond for additional school building sites was approved. Overall, 9% of registered voters cast their ballots in the election.

 

Elgin Courier

Thousands of Bell County voters rejected local school bond elections in Rosebud-Lott and Buckholts independent school districts. The $24m bond election in Rosebud-Lott ISD had all three propositions fail, including funding for new facilities and renovations. The $11.1m bond election in Buckholts ISD, which aimed to fund a new middle school addition and other improvements, also failed. Residents expressed disappointment and sadness over the results, while others cited concerns about increased property taxes. Despite the need for better school facilities, some voters felt that the cost outweighed the benefits.

 

Temple Daily Telegram

The $161m Granbury ISD (GISD) bond proposal has been rejected by voters. The bond included a new elementary school, renovations to nine GISD campuses, a new transportation center, and more. This is the third time a GISD bond proposal has failed in recent years. GISD Superintendent Jeremy Glenn expressed gratitude for the community's participation and stated that the proposed facilities were necessary to accommodate future student growth. However, the bond failed by approximately 398 votes in Hood County. The previous bond proposals in 2022 and last November also faced defeat.

 

Hood County News

Florence ISD voters have approved $53.8m in back-to-back bond packages to pay for a new elementary school, a band hall at the high school, and other improvements. The 2024 bond will be applied to the new elementary school project, as the 2022 bond was not enough to cover what the students deserved. The margin of approval is a testament to the community support of FISD. Inflation has caused the cost of construction to increase, resulting in a $4.5m budgetary deficit. Florence voters also filled seats on the FISD Board of Trustees and elected members to the city council. Ben Daniel ran unopposed for the Florence mayoral seat.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Multiple school districts in the Texas Panhandle held bond elections over the weekend to raise money for school infrastructure. The results were mixed, with some propositions passing and others failing to resonate with voters. Bovina ISD saw both of its propositions pass, while Clarendon ISD had all three of its bond measures fail. Canadian ISD and Sanford-Fritch ISD had overwhelming support for their propositions, while Panhandle ISD had both of its bonds rejected. Overall, the elections showcased a variety of outcomes for school bond propositions in the Texas Panhandle.

 

Amarillo Globe News

Preliminary election results show that voters in Cedar Hill ISD approved the district’s $282.4m bond referendum by a nearly 2-to-1 margin on Saturday. Unofficial results show residents supported Proposition A with 64% in favor, authorizing the district to fund $278.5m worth of capital improvements. Proposition B also passed with 62% in favor, allowing the district to purchase technology devices. Cedar Hill ISD Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hudson expressed excitement and gratitude for the community's support, stating that the bond package will provide the facilities that students and staff deserve.

 

Focusdailynews

Comal ISD constituents will see a familiar face in the District 2 trustee position for the next three years while also welcoming new board member Amy Shaw to the District 5 seat. Courtney Beach Biasatti was reelected to the CISD school board District 2 seat. She was first elected to the school board in 2021. According to unofficial May 4 election results from the Comal County Elections Office. Erica Wilson is the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung's education and nonprofit reporter.

 

Herald Zeitung

Cameron ISD Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles has announced the unofficial results of the Cameron ISD school board election. The top three vote getters were Linda Richter with 348 votes, Annisha Williams with 306 votes, and John Anderle with 292 votes.

 

The Cameron Herald

Senator Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, was honored in Athens ISD for his advocacy for public schools in Texas. Nichols received an award from Raise Your Hand Texas, a public schools advocacy organization. He was chosen for his dedication to the needs of Texas' 5.5m public school students and teachers, as well as his opposition to school vouchers. Nichols has been a strong voice for public schools and has fought against defunding local schools and diverting taxpayer dollars to private schools. The award ceremony took place in Athens ISD, where Nichols praised State Rep. Keith Bell and Athens ISD Superintendent Janie Sims for their support.

 

Palestine Herald

The Canyon ISD has appointed John Peterson as its new athletic director. Peterson, who has been in the district since 2016, will replace Toby Tucker. Peterson expressed his excitement about the new role, stating that he has learned a lot from working with Tucker and intends to build off the foundation he laid. He emphasized the importance of wearing different hats and utilizing his administrative skills in the new position.

 

Amarillo Globe News