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A "deepfake" audio recording of a principal making derogatory comments has sparked serious concerns in Baltimore County, showing the damaging potential of AI in schools. The incident involved Dazhon Darien, the athletic director at Pikesville High School, who created a fake audio of Principal Eric Eiswert uttering racist and antisemitic remarks. This deepfake not only divided the community but also led to Darien’s arrest for multiple charges, including theft and disruption of school operations. The case highlights a growing issue within educational settings, where the misuse of AI technology can lead to significant harm. Principals and school officials, often public figures due to their roles, are particularly vulnerable to such attacks, which can damage reputations and lead to serious professional consequences. The ease of creating deepfakes and the challenge of distinguishing them from real recordings complicate the response even further, raising fears among educators about their potential misuse. School districts are currently ill-equipped to handle the rise of deepfakes, lacking policies to govern the use of AI and protect against its abuse. This incident underscores the urgent need for educational institutions to develop strategies to mitigate these risks, including educating staff about AI, updating policies, and perhaps even incorporating AI detection tools. As AI technology evolves, so too must the safeguards against its misuse in schools to protect educators and uphold the integrity of educational environments.

 

Education Week News

A recent survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics has highlighted a significant gap in the ability of U.S. schools to address the mental health needs of students, with only 48% of schools feeling adequately equipped to offer necessary support. This challenge has grown as students face increasing pressures from social media, the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, and issues like the opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide. Despite a rise in the number of students seeking mental health services—58% of schools reported an increase this year—many institutions are hampered by insufficient staff, funding, and access to licensed mental health professionals. According to the survey, 55% of schools lack adequate mental health staff, and 54% are hindered by inadequate funding. School counselors are available in 75% of schools, but even this is down 8% from the previous year. Schools are trying to adapt by offering professional development for teachers on supporting students’ social-emotional wellbeing and by integrating mental health services ranging from telehealth to external referrals. The situation underscores a critical need for enhanced resources and strategic planning to ensure that schools can effectively support the mental and emotional well-being of their students, which is vital for their overall education and development.

 

Education Week News

A recent federal report on public education finance highlights potential financial challenges for U.S. schools with the looming expiration of federal COVID-relief aid. During the 2021-22 school year, schools experienced unprecedented funding variations, with states like Utah spending approximately $9,500 per student while New York spent over $29,000. Notably, federal funding surged during the pandemic, comprising 13.7% of total educational funding, significantly higher than the typical 8-10%. This infusion helped schools navigate the pandemic's challenges but is set to expire soon, causing many districts to consider cuts such as teacher layoffs and school closures. The report also noted a 2.6% decrease in state funding and a 2% drop in local revenues when adjusted for inflation. Schools have rapidly utilized the Emergency Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, with billions spent on immediate pandemic needs. However, as these funds dry up by September 30, with the possibility of extensions, districts face rising costs, especially in food and transportation services, which saw increases of 21.3% and 14.5% respectively. Salaries and benefits remain the largest expenses, consuming $595bn of the $767bn total spent on K-12 education. Instructional expenses accounted for nearly 60% of spending, emphasizing the high cost of maintaining educational staffing and quality amid financial constraints. As federal aid diminishes, schools must navigate these fiscal challenges without compromising educational quality.

 

Education Week News

Frisco ISD officials have outlined a fiscal year 2024-25 budget that looks to avoid any program closures despite an anticipated $30.81m shortfall. However, Deputy Superintendent Todd Fouche said the district has sufficient funds to get through another year or two of budget restraints. Officials are expecting to pull $7m out of FISD’s total $77m reserves for fiscal 2023-24, with an additional $9m to be pulled from the fund for the 2024-25 budget. Frisco is not the only Texas district facing a budget shortfall in the year ahead; a survey by the Texas Association of School Business Officials found that 57% of districts are anticipating budget cuts and using its reserve fund balance to balance budgets for fiscal year 2024-25. Ten percent are expecting a balanced budget.

 

Community Impact

The East Greenbush School District is seeking approval for a $116m bond issue to fund upgrades and expansion. The plan includes expanded libraries, outdoor improvements and athletic upgrades across the district's seven schools. The bond will also cover air conditioning for all elementary schools and other necessary improvements. Superintendent Jeffrey Simons emphasized the importance of these improvements in preparing students for the future. The project will be funded through a combination of capital reserves, state aid and redirected funds from prior capital project debt. The bond vote will take place on May 21, coinciding with the annual budget vote.

 

Star-Telegram

Texas education officials have approved a new certificate for aspiring teachers who complete a residency program, with the hope of encouraging more educators to enter the field better prepared. The enhanced standard certificate recognizes students who complete a residency on their path to obtaining a teaching license in Texas. Residency programs, which are growing in popularity, have been shown to create better developed first-year teachers and better outcomes for students. The program involves a teaching candidate being embedded in a teacher's classroom and acting as a second teacher. The new certificate aims to standardize the practice of residency programs and provide a more realistic understanding of the classroom.

 

Austin American-Statesman

Dozens of Houston ISD teachers are being laid off, although the job losses are not related to a $450m budget gap, according to district leaders. At Herod Elementary, parents say around a dozen teachers are out of a job. Other parents at another campus, Briargrove Elementary School, said about a dozen teachers were also told they're out of a job. On Thursday, school leaders would not confirm the numbers. HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said: "I don't have any hard numbers today. We'll have firmer numbers in a couple of weeks." Miles said it is not about money but performance. He said if teachers are not asked to come back, the positions will be filled.

 

KTRK-TV

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has initiated an investigation into Katy ISD's gender identity policy, citing gender harassment under Title IX. This move follows the district's adoption of a policy nine months ago, which mandates parental notification if a student requests to use a different name or pronouns at school. While Katy ISD has not disclosed how many parents have been notified under the new policy, reports suggest at least 23 notifications since its adoption. The policy also prohibits teaching "gender fluidity" and restricts students from participating in sports based on their gender identity, echoing state legislation regulating K-12 athletics. Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a student-led advocacy group, filed a complaint with the Department of Education in November, denouncing the policy.

 

The Texas Tribune

Florence ISD has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Florence Elementary School, a $36m project set to be completed by August 2025. The 82,252-square-foot building will sit on 20 acres and have a student capacity of 764. Enrollment is expected to be around 600 students. Superintendent Rick Kirkpatrick expressed gratitude to the former superintendent and community for their support. The project is being funded by two school improvement bonds totaling nearly $54m. The construction cost has increased due to inflation, but the passage of the 2024 bond is not expected to raise property taxes.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Mrs. Maria M. Vidaurri, Superintendent of Sharyland ISD, is retiring in June after six years of dedicated leadership. Her tenure has been marked by a deep commitment to student success and a clear vision for excellence. She plans to venture into educational consulting after her retirement, assisting school districts and boards in strategic planning. Reflecting on her time at Sharyland ISD, Mrs. Vidaurri expressed deep gratitude for the community that supported her and the opportunity to lead such a dedicated team. “I want to end by saying that the Sharyland community is unique. It’s unbelievable. It’s amazing. And this has been an honor of a lifetime.”

 

Texas Border Business

Alvord ISD was placed on lockdown after a shooting threat, which was later determined to be a swatting attempt. The caller claimed that their son was en route to the school with a stolen AR 15. Law enforcement responded swiftly, securing all campuses and initiating a lockdown. Tactical teams cleared every campus, and students were released in a controlled manner after the threat was deemed low. Additional law enforcement officers were present on campuses the following day, and counselors were available to support students. The investigation into the source of the call is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Alvord ISD Police Chief Tony Vo praised the joint effort of staff and officers, highlighting the benefits of the guardian program.

 

Wise County Messenger

The Temple ISD community is showing their appreciation for local teachers by gifting them Temple Education Foundation All-Star pins. These pins, priced at $10 for one and $25 for three, can be purchased online or by calling the TEF office. For every pin sold, the giver can write a personal note to show appreciation. The pins will be delivered as ordered. The Temple ISD school board has been provided with a detailed report on how TEF has benefited students, with a focus on maximizing classroom success for teachers and students.

 

Temple Daily Telegram

The Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas in Amarillo offers free services to help teachers and students handle reading difficulties, specifically Dyslexia. The center is supported by the Freemasons and local philanthropist Glen Ashton. The annual graduation ceremony celebrated the success of both students and teachers who attend lessons at the center to become licensed Therapists and Qualified Instructors. The program, which lasts for two years, has helped students gain confidence in their reading abilities.

 

Denton Record-Chronicle

Moore County News Press

No Kid Hungry has invested $90,200 in seven Texas school districts, including Gonzales ISD. The campaign aims to support school breakfast programs and alleviate language barriers by providing resources in Spanish. Studies show that healthy breakfasts promote academic success and positive behavior. “We see children being able to focus more, showing higher attendance rates, and having a more overall positive school day following breakfast,” said Rocio Madrigal, director of Food Services for Rio Hondo ISD. Robert Cuellar, Child Nutrition Program Director for Laredo ISD, said: “‘Breakfast by curb’ is an innovative way we will be able to offer breakfast just before students walk into the school doors, providing delicious, nutritious, and appetizing grab-and-go meals that students will enjoy.”

 

The Gonzales Inquirer