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At least two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed, and 17 others were injured during a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning that occurred while students were attending Mass. The shooter, a male in his 20s, reportedly fired from outside the church using multiple firearms before taking his own life in the parking lot. All the injured victims are expected to survive, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said. FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency is “investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matt DeBoer said the school’s teachers acted quickly and heroically during the shooting, adding: “It could have been significantly worse without their heroic action. This is a nightmare, but we call our staff the dream team, and we will recover from this.”

 

CNN

The Hill

Education Week News

The Minnesota Star Tribune

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
  
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

In a recent memo Miroslava Mejia Krug, Chicago Public Schools' chief financial officer, addressed concerns from the district's board members regarding the district's $10.2bn budget proposal. She emphasized that the board could authorize emergency borrowing with a simple majority vote after the budget is passed, commenting: “This would ensure that any additional borrowing would be used to prevent cuts to schools.” The budget currently excludes a $200m loan and a $175m pension reimbursement to the city, which has raised opposition among board members. Some argue that not reimbursing the city could harm partnerships, while others worry that taking a short-term loan could jeopardize the district's financial future. The district must finalize its budget by Friday to avoid being labeled in “financial difficulty.” Krug's memo highlights the complexities of borrowing and budget amendments, indicating that a two-thirds vote is required for new expenses but not for emergency loans.

 

Bloomberg

Chalkbeat

The Newark Board of Education is set to hold a public hearing on September 25 regarding a proposed new five-year contract for Superintendent Roger León, which would extend his tenure by two years. The new contract, retroactive to July 1 2023, would replace León's current deal, which is scheduled to expire on June 30 2028. Board President Hasani Council emphasized the importance of transparency, explaining: “We’re making sure that the public does have its voice.” This process contrasts sharply with León's previous contract, which was renewed without public notice or a board vote, leading to public outcry. The district, which serves 41,000 students, has seen improvements in attendance and declining absenteeism, but León has faced criticism for spending and allegations of bias within the schools.

 

Chalkbeat

NJ.com

Portland Public Schools is finalizing negotiations to purchase a building for the long-awaited Center for Black Student Excellence, as confirmed by Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong. The chosen site, located at One North on North Williams Avenue and Fremont Street, is a 35,000 sq ft mixed-use building in the historic Albina neighborhood, which is significant to Portland's Black community. The school board will review the purchase agreement on September 9, with hopes to open the center by next year. The initiative follows a $60m bond approved by voters in 2020 to support the center's establishment amid calls for racial justice. However, concerns remain regarding operational funding and programming responsibilities, as the bond can only cover capital costs. The Center for Black Excellence aims to serve as a community hub for various programs supporting Black families.

 

The Oregonian

California's Pacifica School District and Cabrillo USD are facing significant financial strain due to their reliance on legal representation, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more annually than comparable districts. An investigation by Coastside News revealed that these rising legal costs are draining budgets, highlighting the increasing tensions within the districts. As noted in the report, "Districts’ reliance on lawyers highlights rising tensions and drains budgets." This situation raises concerns about the impact on educational resources and overall district operations.

 

Half Moon Bay Review

The Green Bay Area Public School District will now manage its own elections after the city clerk's office ceased providing election services. This change, effective immediately, was prompted by the absence of city races in recent election cycles. Legal counsel Melissa Thiel Collar explained that the decision was made to clarify responsibilities, adding: "the cleanest answer would be for the district to run its own elections." While the city will still oversee polling places and ballot counting, the school board will handle candidate paperwork and validation. Concerns were raised by board members regarding potential liabilities and the ability to meet statutory requirements, especially with the board clerk position changing annually. However, the district is confident in its training and resources to navigate this transition successfully.

 

Green Bay Press Gazette

A panel of lawmakers in Mississippi recently convened to discuss expanding school choice, receiving strong encouragement from national education officials. House Speaker Jason White emphasized the importance of this issue for the upcoming legislative session, while Lindsey Burke, deputy chief of staff for policy and programs at the U.S. Department of Education, urged legislators to consider a universal education savings account (ESA) program, which would allow parents to allocate state funds for various educational expenses. Burke noted that “it’s time to think differently” about K-12 education delivery in Mississippi. However, some legislators expressed concerns about the potential impact on public schools, which are already under-resourced. Rep. Jeffrey Hulum III suggested waiting to assess the effects of the new funding formula before diverting public funds. The committee plans to reconvene on September 25 to continue discussions on this critical topic.

 

U.S. News

David Nelson, a new 9th grade science teacher in Flint, Michigan, is benefiting from a $10,000 commitment bonus offered by the Flint Community Schools district. The initiative aims to attract and retain teachers amid challenges such as declining enrollment and low graduation rates. Nelson, who moved from Lansing, expressed his desire to teach in his community, commenting: “I've always felt like I wanted to teach in the community I live in.” The district is also implementing outreach efforts to boost enrollment and fill teaching vacancies, as over half of its teachers are nearing retirement. The bonuses, funded by a state grant, are part of a broader strategy to revitalize the school system and support the community's recovery from a water crisis.

 

Education Week News

Delays in visa processing have resulted in approximately 750 fewer international students arriving at the University at Buffalo for the fall semester. Tomás Aguirre, the dean of students, acknowledged the challenges faced by these students, commenting: "We know you have had to overcome hurdles to be here." The Trump Administration's tightened visa policies have led to significant delays, with many students unable to secure appointments in time. Fanta Aw, from the Association of International Educators, predicts a drop of about 150,000 new international students this fall, which could cost local economies up to $7bn. Despite these challenges, the University at Buffalo maintains that international students do not take spots from qualified American students, emphasizing their cultural and financial contributions to the campus.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Nearly one in three school students in India now takes private lessons, according to the government's latest Comprehensive Modular Survey, with the practice far more common in urban areas. The survey, which covered over 52,000 households and nearly 58,000 students, found that government schools dominate nationally, accounting for 55.9% of enrollments; however, in cities, that figure shrinks to 30.1%, with parents showing a preference for private unaided institutions. Twenty-seven percent of students took private coaching this year, rising to 30.7% in urban areas. Coaching costs vary from ₹525 ($5.98) at pre-primary level to ₹6,384 ($72.67) at higher secondary.

 

The Times of India

The Leo Catholic High School choir from Chicago's South Side has advanced to the semifinals of “America's Got Talent,” competing for a $1m prize. After a thrilling quarterfinal performance of “Believer” by Imagine Dragons, the choir was voted through by viewers. Choir director LaDonna Hill, who recently retired after 25 years, has been a significant influence on the boys, many of whom plan to pursue music studies. Simon Cowell praised Hill, stating: “Everyone in life, I believe, does need a mentor.” The boys view their choir as a brotherhood, and if they win, they plan to share the prize for their college expenses.

 

Chicago Sun Times