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At the ASBO International conference, school finance leaders expressed deep concern over future federal funding, with over 75% expecting cuts. Key programs like Title I, IDEA, and school lunch reimbursements are seen as vital, but the Trump administration has proposed slashing or eliminating Titles II, III, and McKinney-Vento. Some districts, like Parkrose in Oregon, are budgeting zero for vulnerable programs due to uncertainty. “It’s too risky for a district to budget something and then not get it,” said Parkrose’s Sharie Lewis. Cuts could mean staff layoffs and canceled academic initiatives, forcing districts to rethink how they allocate limited funds.

 

Education Week News

Connect Students’ Math Classrooms to the Real World

When students do not see a connection between their math classroom and their everyday lives, math learning can feel pointless. How many times do math teachers hear, “When will I ever use this?” When you transform mathematics from a classroom subject into a lens with which students see, evaluate, and describe their world, students experience the true power of math.

One effective approach is a Math Walk which uses real-world Texas locations to find and solve mathematical problems. For example, a video might prompt students to use math to answer a question. Students are encouraged to observe what they notice and wonder about the scenario. They then identify what they already know, what information they need, and which math skills to apply. This transforms an ordinary video into an engaging opportunity for students to become active math explorers who make meaningful connections and recognize math as a problem-solving tool outside the classroom.   

Learn More and Download Classroom Resources Now!

 

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath will replace Fort Worth ISD’s elected board and appoint new leadership, citing persistent academic failures. One campus, Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, failed for five years, triggering the takeover. Only 34% of students districtwide meet grade-level standards, and 20 campuses are chronically underperforming. Superintendent Karen Molinar may be retained, but a new board of managers will assume decision-making power. Critics argue the takeover ignores root issues like poverty and underfunding. Fort Worth's board called the move disappointing, while supporters like Gov. Greg Abbott called it essential for student progress.

 

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Houston ISD is contemplating a significant shift in management for some of its high schools by allowing outside organizations to oversee operations. The district stated: "HISD is exploring new ways to give more autonomy to its top-performing high schools," indicating a move towards what they call level 5 autonomy. This initiative aims to create more "Innovation partner schools" and follows the establishment of S.B. 1882 in 2017, which supports such partnerships. The focus is on enhancing the performance of top schools through collaboration with non-profits and other organizations.

 

KTRK-TV

Liberty Hill ISD has unveiled a new district improvement plan aimed at enhancing student performance for the 2025-26 school year. The plan, presented by Heather Stoner, the new assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, focuses on increasing student achievement in math and reading, as well as college, career, and military readiness (CCMR). Key goals include raising performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) by at least five percentage points for high-focus student groups and decreasing achievement gaps for historically underperforming students. The district aims to boost the percentage of graduates meeting CCMR criteria from 78% in 2022 to 88% by 2026. To support these initiatives, professional development for teachers and targeted support for emergent bilingual students will be provided.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Lamar CISD launched its Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) initiative in September to support high school students in Advanced Placement, dual credit, and dual enrollment courses amid a statewide personal device ban. So far, 1,604 students have been authorized to use their personal laptops, said Monica Baines, director of advanced academics and college and career readiness. The program is limited to students in grades 9-12 who maintain a 90% attendance rate and complete an Acceptable Use Agreement.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Humble ISD has allocated over $3m in the past six weeks to enhance its technology infrastructure, aiming for a one-computer-per-student ratio. During the board meeting on October 21, chief technology officer Chris Cummings reported that while progress has been made, further purchases will be necessary as some devices approach the end of their life cycle. Currently, the district has about three computers for every four students, with 24 out of 45 campuses meeting or exceeding the target ratio.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Hudson ISD Board of Trustees recently announced a perfect financial accountability score, achieving a 100 “Superior” rating from the Texas Education Agency. Assistant Superintendent Barrett Lankford highlighted that this score evaluates 21 financial indicators, including audit compliance. Additionally, the board reviewed a new student reintegration policy proposed by school psychologist Alyssa Grissom, aimed at ensuring safe transitions for students returning from mental health facilities. The policy would require a doctor's release and allow up to 72 hours for staff review before a student returns to class. The board also approved $1.68m in capital projects, including new school buses and HVAC replacements. Students from W.H. Bonner Elementary showcased their projects, demonstrating the district's commitment to digital learning.

 

Lufkin Daily News

The recent outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) caused significant disruptions in schools across the country, affecting various educational technologies. The outage impacted learning management systems, student information databases, and safety software, forcing educators to adapt quickly. Eva Rodriguez, chief information technology officer for San Antonio ISD, emphasized the need for schools to prepare for such disruptions, noting: "We rely so heavily on technology." To mitigate future risks, districts are encouraged to develop continuity plans and train staff on alternative instructional methods when technology fails.

 

Education Week News

Carroll ISD trustees are set to revise the curriculum by eliminating five low-enrollment courses and introducing five new career electives for the 2026-27 academic year. The new courses, including AP Cybersecurity and AP Business and Personal Finance, are based on employment data from the Texas Workforce Commission. The changes aim to better prepare students for future job markets, with a vote expected at the November board meeting.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Two construction projects by Lewisville ISD concluded under budget, yielding approximately $1m in savings from the 2023 bond funds, as reported during an October 20 board meeting. The Degan Elementary School maintenance project, initially budgeted at $8.68m, was completed for about $7.9m, saving roughly $760,000. Additionally, flooring and casework projects across nine campuses were finished for $4.6m, resulting in $300,000 in savings.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The Brenham ISD board of trustees has approved over $3.6m for repairs related to hail damage sustained during storms in late June. Chief financial officer Darrell St. Clair explained that district policy mandates board approval for expenses exceeding $35,000. The extensive damage required significant restoration efforts across multiple campuses, highlighting the financial impact of the severe weather.

 

Allen American

On October 6, the Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees approved a $6.1m renovation project for Bridgeland High School, funded by a 2019 bond. The renovation will include a new orchestra rehearsal hall, art classrooms, a recoated track surface, an outdoor athletics storage building, and campus safety upgrades.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Chrisa Oakley has been appointed as the first principal of Northwest ISD's Dr. David Hicks Early Childhood Center, set to open in August 2026. With 17 years of experience in the district, including seven years as principal of Cox Elementary, Oakley emphasized the importance of early education, stating: “Early childhood is where it all begins. It's where we first discover our love of learning.” The Hicks Early Childhood Center is part of a broader initiative to accommodate student growth, following voter approval in a 2023 bond election. Construction is expected to be completed by June 2026, with enrollment opening in April.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Valley View ISD introduced its first electric school bus fleet, marking Highland Electric Fleets’ inaugural project in South Texas. The eight new buses and charging stations are expected to cut fuel and maintenance costs by up to 25%. “This project helps us cut transportation costs while giving our students a cleaner, healthier ride,” said interim superintendent Monica Luna. The partnership includes long-term maintenance and supports daily 40-mile routes.

 

School Bus Fleet

The Argyle ISD board of trustees has approved a $30,000 incentive pay plan for bus drivers during an October 20 meeting. Currently, the district is short five drivers, and the new plan aims to address this issue. Starting pay for bus drivers has increased from $23.50 to $24.50 per hour, and the incentive plan includes a $500 sign-on bonus after 90 days and a $250 referral bonus for current employees. 

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday that the province's government will table back-to-work legislation on Monday that seeks to end the teachers’ strike that began on October 6. “We know that this strike is causing harm to kids. We know it’s causing harm to teachers, since there isn’t a strike fund, and we want to be able to end it for the sake of both frontline teachers as well as students and their families,” she said at a news conference. The government has served formal notice of the introduction of Bill 2, the Back to School Act; an order paper outlines potential options for the government to accelerate the legislative process, including a one-hour time limit at each reading as well as the addition of evening sittings. “All I  can say is we’ll look to expedite the process. But as for an actual date the bill could potentially be passed, you’ll have to wait," said Finance Minister Nate Horner. In response, the Alberta Teachers' Association said: “We remain prepared to negotiate solutions that include a student-teacher ratio. Now it’s the government’s turn to take up the challenge of solving these serious issues in co-operation with teachers who want to support their students as best as they can." 

 

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