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Texas
8th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

House Republicans advance education budget

Congress has begun negotiations on the federal fiscal 2027 budget, with House Republicans advancing a spending proposal that would significantly reduce federal education funding. On Friday the House appropriations subcommittee responsible for education approved the bill in an 11-7 party-line vote, proposing a $1.6bn cut to Title I grants that support low-income students, while also eliminating billions of dollars in formula and competitive grants for K-12 schools and colleges and reducing funding for education research. Republican lawmakers described the proposal as a fiscally responsible effort to prioritize spending, while Democrats argued it would undermine public education. During the committee debate, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) proposed restoring funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program and Preschool Development Grants, which currently receive $150m and $315m, respectively. Both programs would lose all federal funding under the House Republican proposal and President Donald Trump’s budget request. Hoyer ultimately did not seek votes on the amendments, criticizing the increasingly partisan nature of budget negotiations.

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STATE NEWS

Texas takes control of schools

Since 2020, Texas has seen a significant increase in state takeovers of local school districts, with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) appointing leaders in eight districts. Mike Miles, chosen to oversee the Houston Independent School District, has connections to many of these new leaders. Critics warn of "upheaval and chaos," as policies similar to Miles' controversial reforms are adopted, which have led to protests and significant changes in Houston. Domingo Morel, an associate professor, noted that Texas has had more district takeovers than any other state since 1989, with a low threshold for intervention. The state's stringent rating system and recent laws have made it harder for districts to appeal takeovers, raising concerns about disenfranchising local communities, particularly among Black and Hispanic students. "It all begins at the school board level to then completely disempower the community," Morel said.

DISTRICTS

Third Future Schools takes over Manor Middle

Third Future Schools (TFS) is set to take over operations at Manor Middle School starting July 6, as outlined in presentation materials for a Killeen ISD Board of Trustees workshop. The meeting will provide updates on the partnership with TFS, including transition activities, student registration, and staffing progress. Killeen ISD announced a meet-and-greet event for parents and students on June 11, where they can interact with Principal Dennise Wooden and TFS Central Texas Director Jeremiah Willis. The board approved a three-year contract with TFS to manage the historically underperforming campus, aiming to avoid state intervention due to poor accountability ratings.

Bell Elementary shines with Lighthouse honor

Tyler ISD's Bell Elementary School has received the FranklinCovey Education Leader in Me Lighthouse School Certification, recognizing its commitment to fostering a student-centered leadership culture. With over 8,000 Leader in Me schools globally, only about 800 have achieved this certification, with fewer than 100 in Texas. The program, based on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, emphasizes leadership development and student empowerment.

FINANCE

Budget talks heat up for Allen ISD

Allen ISD's board of trustees is set to consider the 2026-27 school year budget during a meeting on June 15. Superintendent Robin Bullock stated that the upcoming discussion will be the last before adoption. The budget, presented by Kyle Penn, assistant superintendent of Business and Technology, shows a projected shortfall of $3.8m in the general fund, primarily due to a decrease in student enrollment. “We know that most of our revenue is driven by our student count,” Penn said, highlighting that a reduction of about $5m in revenue is expected. Despite the deficit, Bullock noted, “It is still a deficit budget, but we're sitting pretty good.” The district anticipates finalizing budget line items in June and will address the property tax rate in August.

Eanes ISD eyes $900m bond

Eanes ISD is moving forward with plans for a potential $900m bond aimed at funding projects across all campuses. Chief Financial Officer Chris Scott projected this figure during a board meeting, emphasizing the importance of timely decisions as the deadline to call for a bond election is February 12, 2027. The district is also implementing a "Right Size Plan" to address budget challenges, which could lead to a $1.6m surplus next year, according to Superintendent Kirk Koennecke. The plan includes staff cuts and new revenue strategies to stabilize finances.

GOVERNANCE

Thrall ISD shines as top school board

Thrall ISD has been honored as the "School Board of the Year" by the Texas Rural Education Association, standing out among 900 rural districts. Superintendent Tommy Hooker submitted the nomination, leading to Thrall's selection as one of six finalists. The award will be presented at a luncheon on June 16 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock. Hooker highlighted the collaborative effort of the board, saying: "Our team of eight has been solid in building a plan (for the district) over the past 15 years." Thrall ISD has consistently achieved high academic ratings and has been recognized as a "Destination District," attracting families to the area.

WORKFORCE

Hutto ISD boosts staff retention efforts

Hutto ISD is implementing new strategies to retain qualified staff by introducing additional stipends for certain special education roles and police department members. The board of trustees approved a measure on May 28, allocating $334,500 for these stipends. Special education positions eligible for stipends include in-classroom roles, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. Interim Chief Robert Gauvin mentioned that police officers could earn up to $7,000 based on performance. "That's not the standard we want," Gauvin said, emphasizing the need for long-term staff retention to support students from elementary through graduation.

Quesada set to leave George West ISD

Roland Quesada, the Superintendent of George West ISD, has been named the sole finalist for the superintendent position at Buckholts ISD and plans to depart by the end of June.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New ASTM standard aims to improve school security

A new industry standard, ASTM F3561, has been introduced to help architects and school designers evaluate the ability of window, door, and glazing systems to resist forced entry following a simulated active shooter attack. Unlike traditional standards that focus primarily on glass strength or ballistic resistance, ASTM F3561 assesses the performance of the entire fenestration system, including glazing, framing, anchoring, and hardware, after exposure to gunfire. The standard uses a three-step testing process involving manual manipulation, AR-15 rifle fire, and repeated impacts from a 100-pound pendulum to determine how effectively a damaged system can delay unauthorized entry. Advocates of the standard say its primary benefit is providing additional time for occupants to reach safety and for law enforcement to respond during an emergency.

HEALTH & SAFETY

E-bikes: a safety guide for parents

As e-bikes gain popularity among tweens and teens, parents in Tarrant County face a complex landscape of local laws and safety concerns. Dr. Terence McCarthy, director of the emergency department at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, noted, “It used to be e-bikes where you'd go 5 miles an hour if you used the motor. Now they can just go so fast.” With incidents like a middle schooler being struck by a vehicle and a 21-year-old's fatal crash, the stakes are high. Local regulations vary, with helmet laws differing by city. In Keller, parents could face citations for their children's reckless riding. McCarthy emphasizes the importance of common sense, advising parents to ensure their kids wear helmets and understand the rules of the road. E-bikes are here to stay, and parents must ensure their children ride safely and legally.

NUTRITION

Free meals for kids this summer

The Pflugerville ISD and Aramark Food Services are providing free breakfast and lunch through the United States Department of Agriculture's summer meals program. This initiative is available at nine PfISD campuses for any child under 18, as well as students aged 18 to 21 who are enrolled in special education.

INTERNATIONAL

Ottawa to expand AI and digital skills training in schools

The Canadian government has unveiled a new national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy that includes plans to build AI literacy among students from kindergarten through Grade 12, supported by a C$30 million ($21.53 million) investment in the CanCode program. The initiative will fund free training in coding, AI, and emerging technologies for students and educators, with a focus on underrepresented groups, while also expanding AI training for more than 3,000 teachers. Although the strategy provides few details on how AI education would be delivered in early grades, federal officials said the goal is to help Canadians understand issues such as bias, misinformation, privacy risks, and responsible AI use. Education experts said the proposal is better viewed as a call for AI awareness and digital literacy than as a plan to introduce AI tools directly into kindergarten classrooms. 
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