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In a significant 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the federal E-rate program, which provides essential internet funding for schools and libraries. The case, Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research, addressed the constitutionality of the $9bn Universal Service Fund's funding mechanism. In the court's majority opinion, Justice Elena Kagan wrote: “For nearly three decades, the work of Congress and the Commission in establishing universal-service programs has led to a more fully connected country. And it has done so while leaving fully intact the separation of powers integral to our Constitution.” The decision was met with dissent from Justice Neil Gorsuch, who argued it violated the Constitution's separation of powers. “Within the federal government, Congress ‘alone has access to the pockets of the people,’” he added in his dissenting opinion, which Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas joined. The ruling is crucial for the education sector, as over 106,000 schools benefited from E-rate funding, impacting more than 54m students. The decision was hailed by the Education and Libraries Networks Coalition (EdLiNC), of which the Association of School Business Officials International is a member. “Expanding the E-Rate eligible services list to include Wi-Fi hot spots and services is common sense policy that will allow our schools to meaningfully address ongoing post-pandemic needs to connect students at home for homework, learning, research, and more,” said James Rowan, CAE, SFO, chief executive officer and executive director, ASBO International. “We thank the chairwoman for her continued support for and leadership on E-Rate and connectivity for students.”

 

AASA

Education Week News

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Washington Post

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of parents in a case against Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools regarding the opt-out policy for certain storybook readings. The court's 6-3 decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor found that the school board violated parents' First Amendment rights by not allowing them to opt their children out of lessons that conflict with their religious beliefs. Justice Samuel Alito stated that the school board's actions “substantially interfere with the religious development of petitioners' children.” The ruling comes after a lawsuit from a group of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish parents who argued that mandatory participation in LGBTQ+-themed lessons constituted coercion. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the ruling could lead to chaos in public education, imposing burdens on schools to provide advance notice for every lesson that might conflict with parental beliefs.

 

The Baltimore Sun

NPR / National Public Radio

PBS

Politico

California's Assembly Bill 84 is raising concerns among taxpayers and parents as it seeks to expand bureaucracy and impose new regulations on charter schools. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi claims the bill promotes "accountability" and "transparency," but critics argue it represents a dangerous power grab. The proposed Office of the Inspector General would have extensive authority to audit charter schools, potentially targeting them for political reasons. Critics highlight that existing systems already address fraud effectively. Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, emphasizes that "AB 84 isn't about fighting fraud — it's about fighting school choice." The bill would also increase fees for charter schools, diverting funds from classrooms and student programs. Opponents of the bill are urging lawmakers to reject it to protect educational freedom and fiscal responsibility.

 

LA Daily News

Sulphur Springs USD has approved its 2025-26 budget and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), aimed at enhancing student support. The district, which oversees nine elementary schools in Santa Clarita Valley, projects a total revenue of $85.9m, with $63.4m from local control funding. The LCAP focuses on improving services for all students, particularly vulnerable groups such as low-income and English learners. The district aims to strengthen student engagement, provide high-quality curriculum, and foster community involvement to ensure academic success.

 

Signalscv.com

The San Mateo Union High School District is expanding its Empowerment Through Action program to support over 1,000 underserved students. Initially launched in 2018 at Hillsdale High School, the program has successfully provided academic and emotional support to more than 200 students. Board president Robert Griffin emphasized the program's broad support, saying: "This is one of those items that I think is supported by anyone who ever saw it." The expansion will include San Mateo High School, Aragon High School, Bridge Academy, and Abbott Middle School, with a focus on long-term partnerships to address the challenges faced by students. Brett Stevenson, dean of students at Hillsdale High School, noted that the program aims to close the achievement gap, asserting: "It's not from a lack of ability that holds students back, but rather a lack of opportunity or coordinated support." The initiative will begin implementation in January 2026, with plans for additional services to be introduced over the following years.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

The U.S. Education Department has reinstated the original deadline for spending pandemic relief funds, allowing state education agencies and school districts until March 2026 to utilize the remaining dollars. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said: “The original intent of the policy... was to treat all states consistently,” addressing fairness issues arising from litigation. Previously, only certain states benefited from temporary court rulings that halted the deadline change. Julia Martin, director of policy and government affairs for education law firm the Bruman Group, advised states to spend their funds quickly to avoid further policy shifts. The reinstatement comes after a tumultuous period of funding disruptions that led to canceled services and layoffs in schools.

 

Education Week News

Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), member of the Environment and Public Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, have written to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and House Speaker Mike Johnson regarding a budget reconciliation proposal to eliminate federal tax credits that fund solar infrastructure projects in schools. “More school districts are planning solar projects that will help lower energy costs and prevent state budget cuts from impacting students, educators, and staff," the letter stated. "There are at least 251 school solar projects in 26 states in various stages of planning and construction. Projects that are not able to commence construction before proposed repeals take effect risk delay, wasted local and state investments in project development, higher energy costs, and increased burden on taxpayers." James Rowan, CAE, SFO, chief executive and executive director, ASBO International, said: “Clean energy incentives help schools provide safer and healthier learning environments, lower energy costs, save taxpayer dollars, and redirect resources from paying expensive utility bills to supporting student success. We urge lawmakers to preserve these federal programs for local communities."

 

Ed Markey - Press Release

Turlock USD in California has introduced nine new electric buses, along with solar-powered charging infrastructure, marking a significant step towards its goal of an all-electric fleet by 2035. The buses, provided by Blue Bird, will replace diesel vehicles, thereby reducing air pollution. The charging system, developed by The Mobility House, optimizes solar energy use to minimize costs. Greg Hintler, chief executive of The Mobility House North America, expressed pride in TUSD's commitment to sustainable transportation, commenting: “Solar energy and electric buses are complementary technologies that provide a vision for the future of sustainable school transportation.” The initiative aligns with California's broader efforts to promote electric school transportation.

 

School Bus Fleet

Eric Gustafson, a journalism teacher at Lowell High School in San Francisco, has filed a lawsuit against the district, claiming he was removed as a student newspaper adviser due to a controversial article. The article in question featured students alleging verbal harassment by teachers. Gustafson also asserts that a proposed story about artificial intelligence's role in education contributed to his reassignment. He argues that this action creates an "untenable — and unlawful — set of choices" for student journalists, limiting their ability to cover controversial topics. A district spokesperson said: "We take students’ freedom of expression very seriously," but did not comment on the lawsuit.

 

EdSource

San Jose USD has appointed Joseph Heffernan as the new assistant principal at San Jose High School, despite significant community opposition. The board voted 3-2 in favor of Heffernan, who previously served as principal at Abraham Lincoln High School. Allegations of racist behavior and a hostile work environment have been raised against him, with many parents and community members expressing their concerns during the board meeting. Although an investigation found no evidence of misconduct, Heffernan has publicly denied the allegations, asserting that they are "entirely false and deeply troubling." The board confirmed an outside investigation into his conduct, with Trustee Carla Collins stating that any confirmed misconduct would lead to dismissal.

 

Mercury News

New research from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University reveals that incumbents in school board elections often run uncontested and win over 80% of the time. The study analyzed over 50,000 elections across 16 states from 2002 to 2017, highlighting that more than one-third of these races were uncontested. Vladimir Kogan, a political science professor at Ohio State University, noted that "half of the time you really don't have a choice at all," adding: “Instead, it's really decisions that candidates made about whether to run again, and that's the key mechanism through which we get changes of who's serving on school boards." The findings suggest that local democracy may not significantly influence school board composition, as many incumbents choose not to run again, leading to high turnover rates. Kogan emphasized that this turnover could disrupt student learning due to changes in policy and staffing decisions. Overall, the study raises questions about the effectiveness of school board elections in holding officials accountable for educational quality.

 

Education Week News

The push for a nationwide private school choice program has encountered significant obstacles following a ruling by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. On June 27, she rejected a provision from the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill,” which aimed to allocate $5bn in federal tax credits for private school funding. MacDonough's decision, based on the Senate's Byrd Rule, requires a supermajority for such measures, complicating efforts for Senate Republicans who support the initiative. Senate Republicans have numerous options open to them, including an appeal, a rewritten proposal, or a vote to waive the Byrd Rule that made the program ineligible.

 

Education Week News

The rise of false information poses significant challenges for schools and districts, undermining public trust essential for effective learning and engagement. A January 2024 survey by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) revealed that 96% of school communications officials view misinformation as a pressing issue, a notable increase from 81% in 2020. Barbara Hunter, the executive director of NSPRA, emphasizes the need for a robust communication strategy to counter misinformation, commenting:  "Districts should 'inoculate' the public against misinformation." The article outlines six strategies for addressing misinformation, including distinguishing between misinformation and disinformation, responding promptly to rumors, and establishing the district as a trusted information source. By acknowledging community concerns and maintaining transparency, schools can effectively combat the spread of false information.

 

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