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Texas school districts are being asked to repay $16m for improper Medicaid reimbursements through the School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program dating back to 2011. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identified 238 ineligible services and widespread documentation issues in a 2017 audit. Following years of appeals, federal officials have given the state six weeks to decide whether to recoup funds from districts or cover the repayment with state funding. The repayments, which range from thousands to over $400,000 for larger districts like Northside ISD, come amid budget shortfalls exacerbated by inflation, expiring pandemic relief, and stagnant state funding. District officials, already strained by a $607m state cut to SHARS funding, warn the repayments will further hinder special education services. Brian Woods of the Texas Association of School Administrators called the timing disruptive, noting districts had already finalized their budgets. Some, like Leander ISD, plan to appeal the charges despite unclear guidance on the process. Advocacy groups and educators are urging lawmakers to address funding shortfalls during the upcoming legislative session, emphasizing the urgent need for special education support.

 

The Texas Tribune

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes stated that the motive behind the recent shooting at Abundant Life Christian School appears to be “a combination of factors.” While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are working to authenticate a document circulating on social media, referred to as a manifesto. Barnes clarified that a call regarding the incident was mistakenly attributed to a second-grade teacher. The shooting, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, has drawn national attention, with President Biden calling it “shocking and unconscionable.” He emphasized the urgent need to protect children from gun violence, referencing past tragedies.

 

CNN Edition

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The Hill

NPR / National Public Radio

Recent data from Bexar County indicates that students have been detected with firearms over 120 times since 2018, with a significant increase in incidents following the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Jacqueline Valdés highlighted that reasons for students carrying guns include gang involvement, mental health issues, and perceived threats.

 

Star-Telegram

On Tuesday, at least eight school districts in Texas experienced a significant internet outage due to a fiber cut affecting areas in San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding regions. North East ISD reported: "We are currently experiencing an internet outage across our district," which disrupted end-of-semester exams for many students. The outage impacted districts relying on Zayo, the internet service provider, which acknowledged the situation and stated that crews were on-site to restore service. Despite the challenges, Northside ISD, the largest district with over 100,000 students, confirmed that classes would continue as scheduled. Other districts, like Alamo Heights ISD, are preparing for exams that do not require internet access if the outage persists.

 

Star-Telegram

The Goose Creek CISD board voted 6-1 to close Lamar Elementary School at the end of the current school year, with only District 2’s Mercedes Renteria opposing the decision. The closure will affect over 500 students, who will be rezoned to nearby Ashbel Smith and George Washington Carver Elementaries. This change aims to convert three underutilized schools into two that will operate at approximately 90% capacity, according to school officials.

 

The Baytown Sun

The Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees has decided to close three elementary schools—Park Hills, Pleasant Valley, and Sunrise—due to a significant enrollment decline of about 4,300 students, or 13%. Board President Doyle Corder stated, “This is not a choice anyone wanted to make,” emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility to preserve educational opportunities.

 

Amarillo Globe News

Ector County ISD has established partnerships with four local colleges and universities to facilitate direct admissions for students, making the transition to higher education easier. Rico Enriquez, Director of CCMR & Post Secondary Education, emphasized that these partnerships help "remove barriers like application fees and the uncertainty that some students might have."

 

Odessa American

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) has introduced its Direct Admissions Program for eligible seniors at Alpine High School, providing automatic admission to nearly 60 students. This initiative aims to simplify the college application process by eliminating the traditional Apply Texas application, allowing students to confirm their admission through an online form, submit their transcripts, and sign up for New Student Orientation.

 

Odessa American

United ISD is currently investigating allegations of misconduct at United High School. The district stated: "UISD is aware of alleged incidents at United High School and takes all reports of misconduct seriously." While the specifics of the incident cannot be disclosed due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), UISD emphasized its commitment to investigating new allegations and ensuring a safe environment for students.

 

Star-Telegram

Georgetown ISD has taken a significant step to address its school counselor shortages by waiving the Texas Education Agency certification requirement. This decision, approved by the board of trustees, aims to broaden the pool of candidates eligible for these vital positions.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Sherman Planning and Zoning commissioners convened to deliberate on the future of Wakefield Elementary School. The meeting focused on the proposed plans for a new early childhood campus under the Sherman ISD.

 

Allen American

Melissa King-Knowles has been appointed as the new deputy superintendent of Waco ISD, effective January 6. She succeeds Josie Gutierrez, who resigned in November. King-Knowles, currently the school support officer for secondary education at Tomball ISD, has over 14 years of experience in public school administration. Previously, she led middle and high schools in Leander and Fort Bend ISDs and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University.

 

Wacotrib

David Russell, the Superintendent of Central Heights ISD, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. With over 25 years of service in the district, Russell will conclude his tenure in June when his contract ends.

 

Dailysentinel.com

Two and a half years after the tragic Uvalde classroom massacre, the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation has secured the final funding for Legacy Elementary School, set to open in fall 2024. The foundation reached its $60m fundraising goal with a significant contribution of $24.5m from Préstamos CDFI, Raza Development Fund, and JPMorgan Chase. Jose Martinez, president of Préstamos CDFI, expressed, "We are humbled to have the opportunity to create long-lasting impact through the financing of such significant projects."

 

Star-Telegram

Voters in the 2023 Liberty Hill ISD School Bond election approved $12m for a new maintenance warehouse. District officials plan to utilize these funds to construct a 10,000-square-foot facility that will serve as office space for maintenance and operations staff. This project aims to enhance the district's operational efficiency and support its maintenance needs.

 

Allen American

Brenham Middle School students are making a positive impact in their community by creating handmade tie blankets for local nursing home residents. The initiative, led by sixth-grade teachers Amanda Dana and Kaitlyn Holder, aims to instill the value of giving back. Dana stated that “A goal of ours is to instill the value of giving back to the community through meaningful projects.” Students, many from the after-school club, learned valuable skills such as measuring, cutting, and knot tying while working collaboratively.

 

Victoria Advocate

The recent soda tab drive at Levelland ISD showcased impressive community involvement, with over 500 students collecting a total of 209.64 pounds of soda tabs. The Levelland Academic Beginnings Center led the effort, contributing 85.79 pounds and winning an ice cream party sponsored by Gandy's and United Supermarket. All collected tabs were donated to the Ronald McDonald House, which expressed appreciation for the students' commitment to recycling and environmental sustainability.

 

Kcbd Tv

Facing school bus shortages, parents like Ismael El-Amin are turning to innovative carpooling solutions such as Piggyback Network. Inspired by his daughter’s commute, El-Amin founded the service, which connects parents driving in the same direction. Charging roughly 80 cents per mile, Piggyback has arranged hundreds of rides in Chicago, with plans to expand to Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. The decline of traditional bus service has impacted families across the U.S., particularly in districts like Chicago, where only 17,000 out of 325,000 students receive bus service. Startups such as HopSkipDrive and Kango also assist districts by offering rigorously vetted drivers and tailored options for students, including those with disabilities. Amid rising crime rates and parents’ demanding schedules, these services fill a crucial gap, ensuring children can access education without relying on traditional school buses. Parents and students alike emphasize the importance of these alternatives for equity, safety, and independence.

 

Press Democrat