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The Fort Worth Star-Telegram highlights analysis by Study.com of the United States Census Bureau's Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data from 2022 and 2023, looking at how different states allocate resources to public schools and their differing funding priorities. The figures show that Texas had the 8th-lowest per-pupil spend in 2023, spending $12,304 per pupil, while nine states spent more than $20,000 per pupil. The piece notes that different states focused funding in different areas - with more money for educational equity in Michigan, early childhood education in Minnesota, and school choice and voucher programs in Florida and North Carolina. With many areas facing difficulties hiring and retaining teachers, different states have also responded in different ways, by easing licensing requirements, or increasing funding for training.

 

Star-Telegram

The Texas State Board of Education is requesting legislative approval to review and rate school library books, aiming to ease the burden on local districts and address a legal challenge to House Bill 900. Board member Tom Maynard said: “This board knows how to vet material.... We can create a transparent process to do that work.” The proposed change would likely resolve ongoing litigation regarding the enforcement of the 2023 law, which was blocked by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While some board members express concerns about local control, Maynard reassured that local boards would still maintain policies based on the ratings. The board plans to implement a review process similar to its evaluation of instructional materials.

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Lubbock Independent School District officials proposed school closures due to a $14.8m budget shortfall during a recent board meeting. Superintendent Kathy Rollo stressed the necessity of these consolidations, stating: “This is the last thing we want to be doing is closing schools. We know it’s not easy. It’s hard.” The Future Focus Committee, comprising over 100 citizens, recommended closing Overton Elementary and merging its students with Rush Elementary, redistributing O.L. Slaton Middle School students, and closing Bean and Hodges elementary schools. But some community members criticized the process as rushed and lacking transparency. The board is expected to vote on these recommendations on December 4.

 

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Tom Maglisceau, Celina ISD Superintendent, says that the recent passage of the VATRE in the November election is a crucial initial step to enhance funding for public education. He pointed out that the district is still relying on a funding model from 2019, which “doesn't work in 2024 with the reality of inflation” and highlights the urgent need for a revised approach to meet current financial challenges.

 

Allen American

Members of the Williams-Borden Neighborhood Association are advocating for a say in the future of the L.A. Morgan Elementary School, recently declared surplus by the Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees. Approximately 30 residents gathered to strategize on how to influence the property's future, expressing concerns about the tight timeline before the official declaration on January 22. Don Wilkerson, a neighborhood resident, stated: “I think, categorically, we are the farthest behind of any group in terms of understanding what's going on, but we want to get out ahead of this.” The association is exploring options, including workforce housing and a cultural center, while emphasizing the need for an extension on the decision deadline to develop a comprehensive plan. Christine Bryant, CEO of Vision Galveston, is conducting a study on potential uses for the property, aiming to maintain affordability and benefit the community.

 

The Galveston County Daily News

State Representative Brooks Landgraf has filed House Bill 268 - which would elevate the penalty for hoax threats targeting schools to a third-degree felony, and would allow emergency responders to seek restitution for costs incurred in responding to false reports. Mr Landgraf (R-Odessa) said schools "have faced a disturbing rise in hoax threats, including false reports of school shootings and bomb threats", adding that such threats "are not harmless-they disrupt classrooms, traumatize communities, and place a financial burden on our law enforcement and emergency responders". "This legislation", he said, "has a clear objective: to deter hoax calls, protect public safety, and ensure that our emergency responders can focus on real threats, not false alarms."

 

Star-Telegram

Many children depend on school meals for their daily nutrition, with the Houston Food Bank reporting that one in five children in southeast Houston face food insecurity. Bianca Jones, a school counselor at International Leadership of Texas, comments: "I have encountered students who have told me, 'Yes, I am eating Monday through Friday, but over the weekend, I may not have a meal.'" The school participates in the Backpack Buddy program, which supplies nutritious food for weekends during the school year and summer. For just over $4, the program provides six meals for a child. "Being able to have this program here at the school is amazing because it's a giving resource provided by the community," Jones said.

 

KTRK-TV

Alexander William Salter an economics professor at Texas Tech University's Raws College of Business, writes in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal to address what he describes as "misleading critiques of school choice". He insists that school choice advocates "don't want to drain the public school system of resources", but want to "create an education system that is efficient, accountable, and fair". The "biggest winners" from school choice, he argues, will not be private schools, but will "probably be households that want to explore homeschooling, either individually or in cooperation with other households".

 

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

A Panorama survey carried out to assess student sentiment with regard to self-efficacy, sense of belonging and safety across Round Rock ISD's school campuses has tracked improvements, with 44% of secondary students reporting a better sense of belonging in the fall, compared to 41% in the spring. The metric also improved among primary students, from 66% to 68%. Secondary students reported a slight increase in self-efficacy, or their belief in their ability to achieve, while the same metric slipped by 6 percentage points among primary pupils. 

 

Community Impact Newspaper

Fort Worth ISD's International Newcomer Academy, which caters to students with limited English skills who have recently moved to the United States, many of them refugees, is moving from its current location on Valentine Street to a larger premises on Eastline Drive. The new building was formerly home to the Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center, which was closed and consolidated with Forest Oak Middle School at the start of the school year. The move will provide more space for the school's 431 enrolled students - with the current building having been designed with classroom space for just 200.

 

Star-Telegram

This fall, over 200 Frisco ISD middle school band students were recognized by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) as part of the All-Region band. A total of 227 students were selected from more than 1,400 who auditioned in Region 24, with Frisco ISD students securing 60% of the available seats. The All-Region performances took place on November 16 at McKinney North High School, showcasing the exceptional talent of these young musicians.

 

Allen American