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11th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Federal policy clarifies that teachers may join students in prayer

The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance emphasizing the rights of students and teachers to express their religious beliefs in public schools. This guidance allows for prayer as long as it does not disrupt school activities or coerce participation. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said: "Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic." The guidance also mandates that schools protect students from religious harassment and accommodate those needing to pray at specific times. However, schools cannot sponsor religious activities and must treat religious student groups like any other student club. The document reflects a shift towards prioritizing individual religious expression, particularly for educators, while maintaining a neutral school environment.

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DISTRICTS

Local organization supports students during ongoing San Francisco strike

San Francisco USD remained closed for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as teachers continued to strike for higher wages and improved health benefits. The United Educators of San Francisco, representing 6,000 educators, is demanding a 9% salary increase and full health benefits. However, officials assert that the district, under state fiscal oversight since 2024, cannot accommodate these demands. As of Tuesday morning, the district has distributed over 2,650 Independent Study packets and provided meals to students through the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The district said: "We understand the strain that school closures place on families, and we will continue to update our website regularly with up-to-date information and community resources." Negotiations between the district and the union have been stalled since October, with no agreement reached during the ongoing strike.

Milwaukee schools set for $13m upgrade

Four schools in Milwaukee are set to receive $13m in renovations by fall, following a plan approved by the Milwaukee School Board committee on February 10. While these investments do not guarantee the closure of neighboring schools, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has indicated that closures may be necessary in the future due to declining enrollment. Cassellius said: "I want more time before recommending any closures." The renovations, which still require final approval on February 26, include significant upgrades to facilities, furniture, and security across the schools. Additionally, the board has approved funding for programs at two other schools unrelated to the closure proposal. Cassellius is also advocating for the addition of sixth grades in elementary schools to retain students transitioning from fifth to sixth grade, as enrollment tends to drop by 7% during this period.

Northwest ISD opens doors to out-of-district students to avoid school closures

Northwest ISD in Texas is launching a limited open enrollment program starting in the 2026-27 school year to help stabilize campuses operating below capacity and avoid potential school closures. The initiative will allow students living outside district boundaries to apply for available seats at select elementary, middle, and high schools. District leaders say the move is a proactive response to uneven enrollment trends, with some neighborhoods experiencing slower housing growth, declining birth rates, and fewer incoming young families, even as the district remains one of the fastest-growing in North Texas overall. Amanda Brownson, deputy executive director for the Texas Association of School Business Officials, said allowing transfer students across Texas is common, adding: “I have visited with a number of districts who are considering allowing transfer students, and this does seem to be picking up as demographic shifts have led to declining enrollment in a number of districts."

LEGISLATION

Florida education unions back away from lawsuit on course transparency rule

Florida’s two largest teachers unions have withdrawn their legal complaint against a state rule requiring college instructors to post course syllabi online at least 45 days before classes begin. The Florida Education Association and United Faculty of Florida filed a brief notice ending their challenge after an administrative law judge rejected the state’s motion to dismiss but asked the unions to provide more detailed arguments about how the rule would affect their members. The unions had previously argued the rule represented an unlawful overreach, undermined academic freedom, and raised campus safety concerns. Union president Andrew Spar said the decision to withdraw came after receiving additional information, though he did not provide specifics. Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the unions, calling the lawsuit frivolous and framing the withdrawal as a victory for transparency. Kamoutsas said posting syllabi and reading lists benefits students and families.

CHARTERS

Iowa Gov. pushes charter school funding initiative

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has introduced House Study Bill 676, aimed at aligning state funding for public charter schools with that of traditional public schools. The bill focuses on enhancing funding for Area Education Agency media and special education services for charter schools, allowing charter students to participate in public school programs, including drivers education and athletics. Reynolds said of the legislation that "It's only reasonable that those state dollars follow the student." The proposed changes also enable new teachers at charter schools to count their teaching time toward obtaining a standard license. Since 2021, the number of charter schools in Iowa has increased from two to 19, reflecting Reynolds' commitment to expanding school choice. The bill is expected to provide additional funding that would have otherwise gone to students' resident school districts, thereby enhancing educational opportunities for charter school students.

POLICY

NJ Congressman calls for ban on Native American mascots in school

U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., has introduced a resolution aimed at banning Native American mascots from public schools. The resolution seeks “an end to unsanctioned Native American mascots and imagery in schools,” emphasizing that “Native Americans should not be reduced to stereotypes and caricatures in places that should be dedicated to learning, respect, and human dignity.” This initiative follows investigations by the Trump administration into New York schools that complied with a state rule to phase out such mascots. Pallone criticized the administration's stance, stating: “It's absurd to see the Trump administration twist civil rights law to defend offensive imagery instead of protecting the students those laws were meant to serve.” The resolution has garnered support from the National Congress of American Indians, which has long advocated for the elimination of these mascots, citing their roots in racism and cultural appropriation. Maine was the first state to fully ban Native American mascots in public schools and colleges in 2019, with several other states following suit.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Audit logs reveal school surveillance data used in ICE-linked investigations

Police departments across the U.S. are using school district security cameras to assist federal immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s crackdown, according to an investigation by The 74 and The Guardian. Audit logs from Texas school districts show that law enforcement agencies nationwide searched a shared database of license plate reader data—including footage from school-operated cameras—for immigration-related investigations. The cameras, made by Flock Safety, capture license plate numbers and upload them to a national network accessible to thousands of police agencies. While school districts themselves do not appear to use the cameras for immigration enforcement, out-of-state law enforcement agencies frequently access the data for that purpose. In one Texas district, more than 700,000 searches were conducted in a single month, including hundreds tied to immigration cases. Some local law enforcement leaders confirmed they assisted federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, often without hesitation. Civil immigration searches—such as locating individuals unlawfully present in the U.S.—were more common than those involving criminal investigations. Flock Safety maintains that it does not provide federal agencies direct access and that data-sharing decisions are controlled by local customers.

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Indiana students get hands-on career experience

Central 9 Career Center in Greenwood, Indiana, offers 26 career pathways to approximately 1,200 students from nine high schools in Johnson and Marion counties. During a recent visit, Gov. Mike Braun emphasized the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in addressing workforce shortages. "We need a lot of HVAC professionals," said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, highlighting the demand for skilled workers. The center provides students with hands-on experience, including internships and industry connections through advisory boards. Executive director Bill Kovach noted that federal Perkins grants support the program, enabling the purchase of essential equipment. Students appreciate the real-world training, which prepares them for adult-level responsibilities and college-level curriculum. The goal is for students to graduate with a diploma and a clear vision for their future.

LEADERSHIP

Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler to step down on Friday

Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler will step down Friday after more than three years in the role, Gov. Maura Healey’s office announced. Tutwiler, the first Black Cabinet member appointed by Healey and a former Lynn superintendent, is leaving to become president and CEO of Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs, a Needham-based nonprofit focused on child welfare, behavioral health, and special education. Salem Superintendent Stephen Zrike is expected to assume the role in March, with Amy Kershaw, commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care, serving as interim secretary. Zrike, a former teacher, principal, and superintendent who has also led school reform efforts in Holyoke and Wakefield, is widely praised by education leaders as innovative, equity-focused, and results-driven. Supporters say his experience across multiple districts positions him well to tackle the state’s academic and budget challenges.

Memphis board's superintendent decision looms large

The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board is set to vote today on the future of interim Superintendent Roderick Richmond amid ongoing discussions of a potential state takeover. Richmond's contract, which expires at the end of July, could be extended with a simple majority vote, a move some board members support. The board has three options: extend Richmond's contract, declare a vacancy and appoint a new leader, or conduct a full search for a new superintendent. As state lawmakers push for a takeover that would diminish the board's authority, Sen. Brent Taylor remarked: "At this point, the school board and the superintendent can make whatever decisions they want... they're as irrelevant as a nutrition chart on a bag of ice." Richmond emphasized the need for stability in a district that has seen five superintendents in the past decade, commenting: "You build trust through relationships."

INTERNATIONAL

Mass shooting at B.C. school leaves 10 dead, community in shock

Ten people, including a female suspect, were killed in shootings at a secondary school and a nearby home in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in what officials described as a devastating tragedy. RCMP said eight people, including the suspected shooter, died at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. The suspect, described in an alert as a woman wearing a dress with brown hair, was found dead at the school from what are believed to be self-inflicted injuries. Police have not released further details about the shooter's identity or a possible motive. More than 25 people were injured at the school, including two with life-threatening injuries. About 100 students and staff were evacuated after police received reports of an active shooter around 1:20 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes and encountered what they described as a “very dramatic scene.” Two additional bodies were later discovered at a residence believed to be connected to the incident, bringing the total number of dead to 10. Support services are being mobilized for students, families, first responders and residents as the community begins to process the events.
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