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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has released a statement describing the findings of a House report into law enforcement responses to the Robb Elementary shooting as "beyond disturbing," adding that they "raise serious concerns about the response that day." “There are critical changes needed as a result of the Texas House’s findings,” his statement read. “With multiple investigations still ongoing, including those by the Texas Senate, FBI, and Texas Rangers, we will begin working with the legislature to develop and implement the necessary changes to improve public safety, school safety, and mental health assessment and treatment.” Also on Monday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said it is reviewing how 91 state troopers and Rangers responded to the shooting. It has formed an internal committee for the inquiry, which will also determine “where the department can make necessary improvements for future mass casualty responses.” 

 

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The Texas Tribune

Uvalde Consolidated ISD officials presided over a district meeting on Monday night that saw relatives of the students and teachers killed during the worst school shooting in Texas history demand the resignation of the school district superintendent, criticize school board members and threaten to keep their children out of school until officials promised to improve campus security. The school board called the special meeting to let parents and residents provide their thoughts and ask questions about what the district plans to do regarding security for the upcoming school year. Many parents also said they should’ve been given an open platform to voice their concerns much sooner. As parents continued to ask questions and criticize officials’ response to the shooting, school board members on the stage kept their responses to a minimum, repeatedly promising residents and parents that their concerns would be addressed. They heard demands for Superintendent Hal Harrell and school board members to resign unless they fire Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo by noon Tuesday. Mr. Arredondo was among the first officers to arrive at the school the day of the shooting.  For weeks, state leaders have said he was the incident commander and blamed him for law enforcement waiting more than an hour to confront the gunman; however, he has said that he did not consider himself the incident commander. 

 

The Texas Tribune

Dallas ISD announced Monday that it will require students to carry clear or mesh backpacks to class, joining other Texas districts in implementing new security measures following the Uvalde school massacre. The new rules apply to 6th-12th grade students and will take effect when the upcoming 2022-2023 school year begins in August. Other types of bags will no longer be allowed. The district has already purchased the clear bags, and is set to distribute them before the start of the school year. Dallas isn't the only Texas district, requiring clear backpacks, with Greenville, Southside and Ingleside all adopting the policy.

 

CNN

Aldine ISD has expanded its Additional Days School Year program to two more campuses. The two schools included in the expansion are Harris Elementary and Smith Elementary. Both schools will welcome students on the first day of instruction on Monday. After the program's successful pilot launch at Vines Primary and Ermel Elementary in the 2021-22 school year, the district moved to expand the program. According to the school district, students at Harris and Smith will attend school for 210 days during the 2022-23 school year, while staff will attend eight days of professional development for 216 days. "Based on the amazing year both Ermel and Vines had implementing ADSY at their respective campuses, we are looking forward to implementing the initiative here at Smith," said Smith Principal Ida Carter. "We are thrilled to bring the opportunity of carrying the momentum of each school year through to the next for our students while also applying innovative learning practices that will equip our students with the tools, they need to be successful in life."

 

ABC 13

Liberty-Eylau ISD has hired Crystal Noiel as middle school assistant principal for the 2022-23 school year. "My goals for this upcoming school year are to serve and assist the faculty, the students, the community, and to promote overall growth," Noiel said. She said her familiarity with the culture and climate of Liberty-Eylau are her biggest assets in her new position. "Liberty-Eylau set a strong foundation that gave me the ability to navigate the social, cultural and emotional aspects of the academic realm. I'm excited to give back what was instilled in me."

 

Texarkana Gazette

In a push to help communities utilize American Rescue Plan funds alongside other state and local funds to help support the provision of high-quality out-of-school time (OST) programs, the U.S. Department of Education has now formally announced the Engage Every Student Initiative. The public-private partnership features five coordinating organizations, including the Afterschool Alliance, The National Comprehensive Center, the National League of Cities, who will work with more than 20 allied organizations to ensure that students have access to these critical learning and development opportunities year-round. The Initiative will encourage and support schools, districts, local elected officials, local government agencies, community-based organizations, states, and others connected to out-of-school time efforts to take up ED’s call to action on universal access, and to encourage the utilization of American Rescue Plan resources in addition to other federal, state, and local resources to support access to out-of-school time as an evidence-based strategy to support student recovery from lost instructional time during the pandemic.

 

Ed.gov

Trustees for the three largest school districts in El Paso, Texas, last week approved the largest pay increases for teachers in recent years, an effort to retain staff and fill vacancies in an increasingly competitive market that comes with the warning of massive budget deficits down the road. El Paso ISD, the last to vote on a budget, on Thursday bested the Ysleta and Socorro by raising teacher pay by 7%, EPISD’s largest raise in recent memory. Socorro trustees boosted teacher pay by 6%, while Ysleta trustees settled on a 5% increase. All three school boards additionally approved $2,500 retention stipends for all employees, to be paid for with federal coronavirus relief money. The employee salary increases come at a financial cost to the districts. None of the three districts will bring in sufficient revenues this next fiscal year, which runs from July through June, to sustain the compensation packages trustees adopted. Ysleta will face an estimated $10.6m budget deficit, according to numbers the district provided. If the district cannot make that money up, it will have to dip into its fund balance reserves, she said. That would leave YISD with 75 days worth of operating expenses in its unassigned fund balance. The Texas Association of School Boards recommends that a district’s fund balance doesn’t drop below 60 days. Dipping too much into the fund balance can also negatively impact a district’s credit rating.

 

The 74

In a piece for The Brookings Institution Reuben Jacobson, director of the education policy and leadership program at the American University, examines the community school model increasingly used by the superintendents of smaller districts. The term community school refers to a type of publicly funded school that serves as both an educational institution and a center of community life. A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. The approach adds intention and strategy by mobilizing the resources in these communities, uniting school, business, faith, and community leaders together with families and residents to create learning and other opportunities for their students. 

 

The Brookings Institution

Ransomware attacks targeting the education sector have risen sharply worldwide. Globally, 56% of K-12 schools and 64% of colleges and universities report being hit by an attack in the past year, according to an independent survey of 5,600 IT professionals in 31 countries by security software and hardware company Sophos. In 2021, the survey found 44% of respondents across both sectors reporting an attack. In the U.S., cybersecurity experts have warned over the past decade that K-12 is an increasingly popular target for ransomware, as the combination of lagging progress on cybersecurity measures and the wealth of student and employee personal data necessary for operations have made the sector low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. In the U.S., cybersecurity experts have warned over the past decade that K-12 is an increasingly popular target for ransomware, as the combination of lagging progress on cybersecurity measures and the wealth of student and employee personal data necessary for operations have made the sector low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. 

 

K-12 Dive

Medina Valley ISD athletic director Lee Crisp has resigned months after multiple complaints were filed against the head football coach about his bullying behavior toward students. The athletic director has been the subject of bullying and favoritism accusations over the past year. Two formal complaints were made to the school district in January, where one family said Crisp mocked their son's speech impediment. Other parents came forward with similar allegations of bullying, including not letting a student ride the bus home from an away game, which violates district policy. Over 50 parents signed a letter containing more accusations  and gave it to then superintendent Kenneth Rohrbach in January, but action was never taken. 

 

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