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A federal appeals court has denied the Trump administration's request to block the release of millions in grants aimed at addressing the shortage of mental health workers in schools. These grants, established by Congress following the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, are intended to help schools hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers, particularly in rural and underserved areas. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson previously ruled that the administration's attempt to cancel these grants was arbitrary and capricious. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this ruling, stating that the government failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success in its claims. The grants were initially awarded under President Joe Biden's administration, with a focus on increasing diversity among mental health professionals in schools. Evanson's ruling specifically benefits grantees in 16 Democratic-led states, restoring significant funding in areas like Madera and Marin counties, California.

 

U.S. News

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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.

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Senate Democrats have accused Education Secretary Linda McMahon of unlawfully dismantling the Education Department by outsourcing key responsibilities to other federal agencies without congressional approval. In a letter signed by 35 senators, including Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), they claim the move undermines public education and burdens states and schools with added bureaucracy. “The other federal agencies that will suddenly have significant responsibilities in administering billions in education funding, have provided no information about their roles or their capacity to carry out these programs and activities,” the senators wrote. “The plan seems clear, to jam these changes through for a talking point, whatever the consequences may be for states, school districts, schools, students, and families.”

 

The Hill

As Corpus Christi ISD considers closing Travis Elementary School due to budget deficits and declining enrollments, community members have expressed their strong support for the school. "This is a conversation," said Sandra Clement, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction, emphasizing that no decisions have been made yet. The district is exploring options for the 2026-27 school year, which may include closing several schools to save costs. Closing Travis could save over $1m in the first year, while all proposed closures might save about $11m. Concerns were raised about transportation and access for families if Travis closes, highlighting the community's deep connection to the school. The district plans to hold more public meetings to gather feedback from families and community members.

 

Caller-Times

Fort Bend ISD is set to unveil a proposal regarding potential school closures and rezoning at a meeting on December 15. The district's long-term boundary planning is driven by declining enrollment, with Deputy Superintendent Chief of Staff Beth Martinez stating, "We are working very hard to make sure that all students are going to be okay." Factors influencing the proposal include enrollment numbers, budget considerations, community impact, and academic performance. With some elementary schools operating at only 50% capacity, the district is also concerned about the upcoming Texas school voucher program, which could exacerbate enrollment issues. The district aims to present draft boundary scenarios in January, allowing for community feedback before final recommendations are made in early spring.

 

KTRK-TV

Lewisville ISD officials are contemplating relocating several programs from the Student Success Center and Learning Center, which were declared surplus in August. At a December 1 work session, Superintendent Lori Rapp proposed moving the Virtual Learning Academy to Downing Middle School, which has a capacity of 865 students. Other proposed relocations include the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) and accelerated credit programs to various campuses across the district. Rapp noted, “We are expected to continue to decline over the next several years,” as enrollment is projected to drop from 46,371 in 2025 to 42,008 by 2035. The earliest these relocations could occur is the 2026-27 school year, with potential revenue generation from leasing or selling the Learning and Success Centers.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Allen American

Prosper ISD is preparing for the 2026-27 school year by establishing new attendance zones for its middle schools. The board of trustees approved these boundaries during a meeting on November 17. Bill McLaughlin, Deputy Superintendent, said, "We are still growing ... but we are not growing at the extreme rates we've seen the last three years." While Bridges Middle School will open next year, Watkins Middle School is anticipated to open in the 2027-28 school year. Students currently at Reynolds and Moseley middle schools will remain at their campuses.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

School districts face significant challenges in aligning financial and academic goals due to barriers such as short-term thinking, siloed decision-making, and staff turnover. According to the EdWeek Research Center report, which surveyed 223 educators, 71% identified federal funding uncertainty as a major obstacle. The report outlines six actionable steps for districts, including adopting outcomes-based contracts and promoting internal staff to mitigate turnover. A district leader from Missouri emphasized the impact of federal funding cuts on professional development, explaining: "It's really impacting our ability to provide ongoing professional development." The report highlights the importance of strategic planning and early discussions among stakeholders to ensure alignment with long-term goals.

 

Education Week News

In a proactive effort to prevent the closure of Dove Elementary School, Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate has offered to raise $1.2m for the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD). In a letter to school board President Shannon Braun, Tate stated, “I would like to personally raise funds for GCISD while the options are reassessed.” The district is facing a significant funding loss of approximately $10m due to a drop in enrollment. The school board is set to vote on the proposed closures of Dove and Bransford Elementary Schools on December 10. If the closures proceed, projections indicate that the district could save about $2.6m. Tate plans to meet with local business taxpayers to solicit contributions and will present any donations exceeding $5,000 to the trustees.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Victoria ISD is offering the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) Program, which allows eighth graders to earn industry certifications and college credits at no cost. Collaborating with Victoria College and Texas A&M University-Victoria, the program provides four career pathways: healthcare, computer science, engineering, and education. The healthcare pathway boasts a 100% pass rate for the Medical Assistant Certificate among its first graduates. Students can apply for the program until January 23, 2026, and are encouraged to attend the P-TECH and Freshman 2 Freshman Parent Information Night on January 8, 2026, for more details.

 

Victoria Advocate

Waymo has issued software fixes after 19 incidents of its autonomous vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses in Austin, Texas, sparked a federal safety investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is probing the incidents, which were captured on school bus cameras. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, said the violations stemmed from a software issue, now resolved, and acknowledged the need to better follow road rules. Critics have raised broader concerns about the safety and oversight of driverless cars, despite Waymo’s claims of a lower crash rate than human drivers.

 

ABC News

Reuters

The Aransas Pass ISD has appointed Wayne Bennett as its new superintendent following a mandatory 21-day waiting period. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously for his hiring. Bennett has been serving as the interim superintendent since May 2025 and previously held the position of assistant superintendent. "We are excited to have Wayne lead our district," said a board member, highlighting the confidence in his leadership.

 

Caller-Times

Justin Turner has been named the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of Ingram ISD, following a thorough selection process that reviewed 48 applicants. The Board of Trustees will cast their final vote on December 29. Turner, a seasoned education leader with 21 years of experience, has held various roles including English teacher and principal. He is currently completing his third year as a superintendent, having previously served at Hubbard ISD. "I am excited about the opportunity to lead Ingram ISD," Turner said. He will succeed Robert Templeton, who retired in July after 13 years of service.

 

Daily Times

In the Netflix documentary "All the Empty Rooms," director Joshua Seftel explores the untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings, including nine-year-old Jackie Cazares from the Uvalde tragedy. The film, featuring CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman, highlights the emotional impact of these losses on families. "Each child in this film was an individual who had a rich and unique life," Seftel said, emphasizing the importance of understanding their lives to grasp the depth of their loss.

 

Star-Telegram

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

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has launched a comprehensive review into student learning outcomes following the release of disappointing EQAO standardized test results. The data showed that only 58% of Grade 9 and 51% of Grade 6 English-language students met provincial standards in math, figures that have seen only marginal improvement over the past year. Calandra criticized the lack of progress despite the government's back-to-basics education reforms and placed further emphasis on addressing achievement gaps in reading, writing, and math. An advisory body will be appointed to lead the review, coinciding with increased provincial oversight of several school boards, including Toronto and Near North. Critics, including the Ontario Liberals and the teachers' union, have challenged the delay in releasing the results and questioned the government’s priorities.

 

Toronto Sun

CBC News

Toronto Star