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The abrupt termination of federal grants for school mental health services has left many initiatives in jeopardy. Ian Levy, an assistant professor of school counseling at Rutgers University, expressed disappointment, commenting: "The grant funding would have ended in five years, but the work of the grant would have lived well beyond the period." The U.S. Department of Education terminated these grants, citing inconsistencies with the new administration's priorities. This decision affects 174 initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of mental health professionals in schools, which are crucial given the ongoing mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding cuts have prompted appeals and legal challenges from affected organizations, but few have been successful. As a result, many school districts may struggle to retain newly hired counselors, further impacting student mental health services.

 

Education Week News

Unify Your Fleet Fast

School transportation teams are under constant pressure to deliver safer, more reliable routes with fewer staff, tighter budgets, and rising parent expectations. This white paper shows how districts are eliminating operational chaos by moving to one integrated platform built specifically for student transportation. Instead of juggling multiple routing tools, telematics vendors, and driver apps, transportation leaders gain a single system that ties together live fleet data, turn-by-turn navigation, ridership verification, on-time performance metrics, and parent communication. The result is fewer late buses, fewer ghost stops, and dramatically less manual work. Real-time dashboards let teams spot problems before they escalate. Drivers get clear, consistent instructions. Parents get accurate ETAs. Leaders get the visibility they need to run a safer, more efficient operation. If your transportation department is ready to replace workarounds with a connected, purpose-built ecosystem, this white paper lays out the roadmap.

Download the white paper

 

The White House and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) have endorsed the SCORE Act, a bill aimed at regulating college sports, despite criticism that it favors the NCAA and its most influential schools. The House is set to vote on the legislation, which has garnered significant Republican support but faces opposition from Democrats. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a key critic, described the situation as “a David and Goliath fight,” arguing that the bill would disproportionately empower the SEC and Big Ten conferences. The USOPC, while initially withholding support, has indicated readiness to collaborate on a model that benefits Olympic sports. The NCAA claims the bill codifies rules from a multibillion-dollar lawsuit settlement allowing player compensation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) acknowledged concerns regarding federal involvement in college sports, highlighting the contentious nature of the legislation. The SCORE Act aims to establish stability and national standards in college athletics, according to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

 

U.S. News

A fourth lawsuit has been filed against Celina ISD, involving 17 new families and alleging new evidence against the district and former Moore Middle School teacher William Caleb Elliott. The lawsuit was submitted to the 471st District Court in Collin County. The families are not part of the previous three lawsuits.

 

Allen American

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a proposed order against Illuminate Education, requiring the ed-tech firm to delete unnecessary student data, strengthen its cybersecurity practices, and cease making misleading privacy claims after breaches in 2021–22 exposed data of over 10m K–12 students. The FTC found the company had weak security measures, delayed breach disclosures, and stored sensitive data improperly. The order mandates a comprehensive security overhaul, detailed data retention policies, and regular audits, with penalties of up to $51,000 per violation if finalized. 

 

Compliance Week

Government Technology

Georgetown ISD has purchased a significant 188.7-acre site in northeast Georgetown for $8.4m, as approved by the board of trustees on July 21. This acquisition aims to accommodate future schools, with Melinda Brasher, executive director for communications and community engagement, stating that the property is large enough for a high school, middle school, and elementary school "eventually, when needed." While there are no immediate construction plans, voter approval will be required for any future campus developments through a bond election. The last bond election in 2024 funded the construction of a new elementary school and middle school, both set to open in the 2026-27 school year.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Following the $1.26bn bond election, Fort Bend ISD projected a one-cent increase in its interest and sinking tax rate. However, chief financial officer Bryan Guinn said, "The district has an active debt management program, and that has allowed us to maintain a low tax rate while saving taxpayers money.” The district's strategies include refinancing loans and utilizing a commercial paper program, which has saved over $30m. With $1.84bn in outstanding interest, 75% of the debt has fixed rates, and the weighted interest rate is currently 3.6%. Fort Bend ISD maintains an AA+ bond rating, indicating strong financial management. Administrators are proposing new parameters to issue up to $200m in new debt and refinance $50m in commercial paper, with a board vote scheduled for December 15. Guinn anticipates the need for future increases due to $868m in authorized but unissued debt.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

The application period for Fort Worth ISD's state-appointed board of managers concluded on Monday. Texas Education Agency officials will now review the applications, with plans to conduct governance training and interviews for selected candidates. Education Commissioner Mike Morath expressed hope for having a state-appointed board in place by spring. Meanwhile, the district's elected school board has voted to appeal the TEA takeover, which will be reviewed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

 

Star-Telegram

A long-time principal at Chico ISD has been placed on administrative leave, as confirmed by the school. The school has not provided further details regarding the reasons for this action, leaving the community in speculation.

 

Wise County Messenger

School attendance in Australia remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with only 62% of students attending at least 90% of school days in 2025 compared to 73% in 2019. Experts cite cultural shifts, more permissive parenting styles, and increased digital distractions at home as contributing factors. The national average attendance rate is 88.8%, with the government targeting a return to 91.4% by 2030. Education leaders warn that sustained low attendance could harm workforce reliability and the broader economy, calling for a national strategy to improve student resilience and daily school engagement.

 

The Australian

Frisco ISD is set to launch the EDGE Dual Credit Program in the 2026-27 school year, allowing students to complete the full 44-hour Texas Core Curriculum before graduating high school. “At Frisco ISD, we're constantly exploring new and innovative paths to help students build their futures,” said Christy Fiori, chief academic officer. The program emphasizes project-based learning and will be held at Collin College's Frisco campus. Tuition is $67 per credit hour, with free options available for eligible students. Applications are open until February 12.

 

Community Impact Newspaper