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Texas
15th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Schools favor select vendor mix

Recent mergers and partnerships between curriculum and assessment companies are reshaping the K-12 education market, with providers arguing that integrated platforms can better align instruction and student performance measurement. A survey of 220 school and district leaders found that nearly two-thirds prefer working with between two and five vendors for curriculum, assessment, and intervention resources, while about one-quarter would ideally use a single provider. Only a small minority favored working with more vendors or keeping all services in-house. Supporters of integrated offerings say they can improve efficiency, interoperability, and data-driven decision-making. However, some educators and administrators remain concerned that industry consolidation could reduce competition, limit school districts’ bargaining power, and weaken the independence of assessments. Education leaders also noted that districts often prefer specialized providers in certain subjects, particularly at the high school level, suggesting that while integrated solutions are gaining traction, most schools still value maintaining a select group of vendors rather than relying on a single company.

NATIONAL NEWS

Schools face rising cyber risk

A ransomware attack that forced Evanston Township High School in Illinois to close for two days has highlighted growing cybersecurity risks facing K-12 school districts, with rating agencies and municipal market participants warning that schools are becoming increasingly attractive targets for hackers. Analysts say budget pressures, staffing shortages, and limited cybersecurity resources leave many districts vulnerable, while the value of student data has risen on the dark web. Fitch Ratings noted that more than half of school districts lack a dedicated cybersecurity leader, even as cybercriminals increasingly target the sector. Investors are paying closer attention to cybersecurity governance, particularly after incidents have led to significant financial losses. In one recent case, a New Jersey school district lost $3.4m after hackers diverted funds, forcing local authorities to issue debt to replenish the shortfall. Experts warn that the rapid development of AI is increasing the sophistication of cyber threats and argue that stronger investment in cybersecurity, employee training, and incident response planning is far less costly than dealing with the financial and operational fallout of a major breach.

STATE NEWS

Hinojosa's uphill battle for Texas governor

Gina Hinojosa, a Texas House Democrat and former Austin ISD board president, is running for governor against the popular Republican incumbent, Greg Abbott. Hinojosa's campaign focuses on education, targeting school parents and teachers, a demographic that has historically been disengaged in Texas elections. "If we're ever going to have an education vote, it's going to be in November," said Glenn Rogers, a former Republican state representative. Hinojosa opposes private school vouchers and plans to fire state Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office. She criticized Abbott's education policies, calling them a "billion-dollar voucher scheme" and described the new curriculum as a distraction fueled by culture wars. Hinojosa believes that public education is in crisis, stating: "Our public schools are on life support right now." With a potential blue wave from U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, Hinojosa hopes to galvanize voters around education issues.

FINANCE

Austin ISD deficit jumps fivefold to $95m

Austin ISD has revealed that its 2025-26 budget deficit has surged to $95m from the $19m shortfall projected last August, forcing the district to draw down more than half of its financial reserves and raising concerns about the accuracy of future budget forecasts. District officials attributed the deterioration primarily to lower-than-expected student attendance and enrollment, which directly affect state funding, as well as a $28m budget hit from property sales that either failed to materialize or generated less revenue than anticipated. Average daily attendance declined from 62,520 students at the start of the school year to 60,525, despite total enrollment of approximately 69,214 students. The worsening financial position comes as Austin ISD seeks to close a projected $181m deficit in its 2026-27 budget through proposed reductions to staffing, transportation services, employee benefits, and student programs. The district’s cash reserves are now expected to fall from 15% to 10% of its budget, down from a previous target of 20%, and officials said Austin ISD will likely need to take out a loan this fall to meet payroll obligations

Allen ISD budget hearing set

Allen ISD is set to hold a public hearing today regarding the proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year. The budget, which anticipates $220.9m in revenue and $226.2m in expenses, is expected to face a shortfall of $3.8m in the general fund. However, former Superintendent Robin Bullock mentioned that the district expects to add a “comparable amount” to its fund balance by the end of the current year due to conservative spending and restructuring. The budget includes three funds: general, student nutrition, and debt service, with the latter two projected to balance. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at 610 E. Bethany Drive and will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.

Alvin ISD approves flat budget

Alvin ISD trustees have approved a flat budget for fiscal year 2026-27, totaling nearly $381.4m in expenses and around $391.4m in revenue. "The unrelenting budgeting priority in Alvin ISD has been classrooms, students and teachers," said AISD Chief Financial Officer Daniel Combs. The budget includes a $10m transfer from the general fund related to the district's tax increment reinvestment zone and a $3m transfer from property insurance funds. Additionally, a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees was incorporated into the budget. The projected tax rate for FY 2026-27 is $1.1353, which would result in an estimated annual property tax bill of about $2,670 for a homeowner with a median homestead taxable value of $234,183.

Denton ISD projects $325k surplus

Denton ISD officials anticipate a surplus of approximately $325,000 for the fiscal year 2026-27, following the board's approval of the general fund budget on June 9. The district expects to generate nearly $380.34m in revenue while spending over $380.01m. The property tax rate is set at $1.1922 per $100 of valuation, with the maintenance and operations rate providing funds for staff salaries and the interest and sinking rate covering bond debt. Jennifer Strewart, DISD's executive director of budget, noted that the Texas Education Authority controls part of the maintenance and operations tax rate, which is $0.6022 per $100 of valuation. The district's largest expense is personnel, making up nearly 79% of expenditures, and a 4% pay raise for teachers and librarians has been approved.

El Paso ISD cuts 63 jobs

El Paso ISD has laid off 63 employees as part of efforts to address a $52.8m budget shortfall for the February–June 2025 cycle. The district is also facing an additional $42m deficit for the upcoming budget year. Norma De La Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, said the union's legal counsel has advised affected employees not to sign termination notices, as it may impact their unemployment benefits. De La Rosa criticized the district for a lack of transparency regarding the difference between voluntary resignations and layoffs.

Fort Bend ISD's budget balancing act

Fort Bend ISD is facing a projected $56.4m deficit, prompting reliance on land sales to balance next year's budget. Executive director of finance Kelly Schlacks stated that the district's proposed budget depends on $7.2m from property sales, with $2.4m already secured and $4.7m expected from future sales. Deputy Superintendent Kathleen Brown noted that these proceeds could support the district for about three years, but emphasized that "once they're gone, they're gone." The district has not provided employee raises for three years, leading to recruitment challenges. Despite financial struggles, the district aims to maintain employee benefits, with Brown saying: "Let's keep that stable for our staff members." A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for today.

GOVERNANCE

Fort Worth ISD shakes up leadership

Fort Worth ISD has recently appointed new leaders at numerous campuses following a wave of principal departures amid the Texas Education Agency's takeover. District officials view this turnover as a chance to bring in new principals who can drive academic improvement at struggling schools. Superintendent Peter Licata's team has named 19 principals for the newly established Elevate Network, targeting schools with persistent underperformance. However, experts like Sarah Cordes, a professor at Temple University, warn that frequent leadership changes can hinder school culture and trust. “Consistent leadership can help schools in establishing culture,” Cordes said. Despite concerns, Licata believes these changes are necessary for long-term stability and improvement. He aims to retain high-quality educators while acknowledging that turnover is a natural part of the educational landscape. “Please, please, please stay,” Licata urged teachers and principals considering leaving.

New principals take charge in Katy

Katy ISD has appointed Kristin LaFollett and Elizabeth Paz as principals of Campbell Elementary and Rhoads Elementary, respectively, effective June 8. LaFollett, with over 23 years of experience in education, expressed her commitment to supporting students and families, stating, “I look forward to bringing my experience in Katy ISD’s outstanding elementary schools to Campbell.”

CHARTERS

Priority Charter Schools expands to Killeen

Priority Charter Schools is set to open a new campus in Killeen for the 2026-27 school year, consolidating its Copperas Cove campus. “It's going to be a really great school for kids,” said Scott Moger, Priority Superintendent. The new facility, located at 906 Trimmier Road, will serve students in grades Pre-K through 6, while grades 7-12 will remain at the existing location. The campus will feature a gymnasium, cafeteria, and a bus barn, with free transportation provided for students.

DISTRICTS

Royal ISD redefines its mission

Royal ISD is set to hold a workshop today to redefine its mission, vision, and core values, inviting staff, families, and community members to participate in the discussion. The district announced this initiative on June 3, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in shaping its future. "We want everyone to be part of the conversation," said a district representative.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Nursing boot camp tackles mental health

The University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing is set to host the School Nurse Simulation Boot Camp: Altered Mental Status on Wednesday. This event aims to equip K-12 school nurses with essential hands-on training in critical care simulation. Participants will focus on recognizing and responding to altered mental status in school settings, engaging in high-fidelity simulations tailored to the needs of Northeast Texas school districts.

INTERNATIONAL

South African committee warns literacy failures undermine constitutional right to education

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has warned that the failure of most learners to read for meaning by the expected age represents a violation of their constitutional right to basic education, following a briefing from the Right to Read Campaign on proposals to make early-grade literacy a national priority through legislative reform and binding regulations. The committee cited evidence showing that only around 30% of Grade 1-3 learners are reading at grade level, while 81% of Grade 4 learners were unable to read for meaning according to the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study. Additional assessments found that only 20% of Grade 3 learners perform at or above the expected grade level. Significant inequalities were highlighted across socio-economic groups and languages. Grade 3 learners in the wealthiest quintile of schools were nearly three times more likely to meet home-language reading benchmarks than those in the poorest schools, while English home-language learners were four times more likely to reach required standards than Sepedi home-language learners.

AND FINALLY...

Close.... but no cigar

A group of high school athletes in Ipswich, Massachusetts, has forfeited a state playoff game due to a controversial photo showing them with cigars. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) prohibits tobacco use, leading the school district to block several players from participating. Drew Wile, a parent of one of the students, argued that the cigars were not real, stating, "The crime and the punishment are not even close to each other." John Gianakakis, another parent, explained how he created fake cigars using banana leaves and chamomile, emphasizing their poor quality. Despite the team's excitement for the Division 4 State Semifinals, they chose to forfeit rather than play with a reduced roster. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy criticized the school district's decision, calling it "insane" and suggesting that MIAA officials should face consequences for their actions.
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