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USA
19th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Federal judge closes case on federal anti-DEI directive

A New Hampshire federal judge has formally dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s directive targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in public schools, after both sides agreed the case was no longer necessary. The lawsuit stemmed from a February 2025 “Dear Colleague Letter” issued by the U.S. Department of Education, which warned school districts that DEI-related policies or contracts could violate federal civil rights laws and risk the loss of federal funding. The letter prompted concern among school officials nationwide and led New Hampshire districts to review contracts for potential violations. The National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with several New Hampshire school districts, sued the administration, arguing the directive was unconstitutional. The plaintiffs secured early court victories, including a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement in New Hampshire. Similar rulings in other jurisdictions further weakened the policy. In early February, the Department of Education agreed it would no longer rely on or enforce the challenged actions, leading Judge Landya McCafferty on Wednesday to dismiss the case as moot. Plaintiffs welcomed the decision, saying it protects educators’ ability to teach subjects involving race, gender, and inclusion without fear of federal penalties.

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DISTRICTS

Cincinnati Public Schools launches safe sleep lot

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is set to open a safe sleep lot for homeless families living in vehicles, now scheduled for mid-April instead of March. The initiative addresses the growing homeless student population, which has nearly doubled since 2015, with CPS reporting 4,326 homeless students in the 2024-25 school year, a 77% increase over the past decade. The lot will provide 12 parking spaces, a kitchenette, bathroom facilities, and safe sleep car kits. Rebeka Beach, manager of Project Connect, said: "Our hope is that it will increase shelter placement rate and families having to return to the lot don't have to stay there for long." The initiative aims to expedite families' placement in shelters, with local organizations struggling to meet the rising demand due to a lack of affordable housing.

Investigation launched into Portland's Center for Black Student Excellence

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has initiated an investigation into Portland Public Schools regarding allegations of "flagrant racial preferencing" related to the establishment of the Center for Black Student Excellence. The complaint, filed by the nonprofit Defending Education, claims that the center's creation violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clause of the Constitution. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said: "Discrimination disguised as ‘equity' is discrimination." While Defending Education's leaders expressed satisfaction with the investigation, Portland Public Schools has maintained that the center will serve students of all racial backgrounds. The center aims to provide tailored programming to address the needs of Black students and families, and plans to open in two to three years. The federal department has previously scrutinized the district for other civil rights issues, indicating a broader commitment to monitoring equity-related initiatives in education.

Springfield's new superintendent salary revealed

The Springfield School District 186 in Illinois has appointed Terrance Jordan as the new superintendent, with a negotiated base salary of $230,000 for his first year. This figure is within the advertised salary range of $200,000 to $250,000 but is lower than some recent hires in the state. Buffy Lael-Wolf, board vice-president, stated: "We felt it was a respectable salary, based on what was going on around us." The average base pay for superintendents in the West Central region of Illinois is $176,970. Despite the competitive salary, concerns have been raised regarding the district's $18.5m deficit for fiscal year 2026/27. Lael-Wolf acknowledged the "optics" of the contract, emphasizing the need for integrity and transparency in the hiring process. Springfield Education Association President Aaron Graves expressed discomfort among teachers regarding the financial burden they may bear amidst administrative salary increases.

LEGAL

Teacher unions urge SEC to investigate Apollo over Epstein ties

Two major US teachers’ unions have called on the SEC to investigate Apollo Global Management over what they describe as a “lack of candour” from the firm’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter to the SEC’s enforcement division, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors said Apollo’s past disclosures to investors gave an “inaccurate and incomplete picture” of the firm’s and its executives’ connections to Epstein. Their request follows recent revelations that senior Apollo figures, including chief executive Marc Rowan, had extensive discussions with Epstein and shared internal documents, raising questions about Apollo’s 2020 statement that it had “never did any business” with him. Apollo’s links to Epstein have drawn scrutiny before. Co-founder Leon Black stepped down as CEO in 2021 after an independent review found he had paid Epstein $158m for financial and other advisory services. The unions argue that documents filed with the SEC in 2021, including that review, understated the breadth of Epstein’s ties to other Apollo executives.

Vallejo school board may have breached open meeting law over closures

Text messages suggest Vallejo City USD officials may have discussed school closures in private ahead of a public vote, raising concerns about a potential violation of the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law. Messages obtained through a public records request show Superintendent Rubén Aurelio and Trustee Glenn Amboy agreeing to discuss the issue in closed session before the board unanimously voted on December 17 to close three elementary schools. The vote included Highland Elementary, a decision that surprised the community and was made without public debate at the meeting. Legal experts say the exchange and lack of open discussion could indicate a breach of the Brown Act, which requires most board deliberations to occur publicly. While no definitive violation has been proven, the incident has prompted concerns about transparency and accountability. Any confirmed breach could require the board to reconsider its decision, though only if formally challenged within 90 days.

FINANCE

Des Moines Public Schools proposes tax hike

Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) is proposing a property tax rate increase to $16.41 per $1,000 of valuation, up from the current rate of $14.61. This change, which will affect homeowners with a median sale price of $315,000, results in an annual increase of $567. The proposed increase is part of the district's 20-year, $265m Reimagining Education initiative, aimed at enhancing educational offerings and improving student outcomes. The Des Moines School Board will finalize the tax rate during a hearing on March 24. Additionally, the district is facing a $16.2 million budget cut for the 2026-27 school year, with staff attrition and early retirements expected to mitigate some of the deficit. Chief financial officer Shashank Aurora said that the increase in property taxes would have been $1.44 if the state's budget guarantee had not kicked in.

Budget challenges ahead for Green Bay schools

The Green Bay Area Public School District is projected to face a budget deficit of up to $32m by 2028, primarily due to inadequate state funding. Superintendent Vicki Bayer said: "The challenge is to navigate through a perfect storm. Inflation, underfunding and policy shifts." Proposed cuts include reducing school days, closing pools, and merging schools. Community meetings revealed a strong consensus against budget cuts, with many advocating for increased state funding instead. Participants expressed concern over the impact of potential cuts on the district's desirability and ability to attract quality staff. The district's financial challenges are exacerbated by a state budget surplus of $5.5bn, which many believe should be allocated to support public schools.

WORKFORCE

Flagstaff teachers launch campaign to close pay gap amid high living costs

The Flagstaff Education Association (FEA) has launched a campaign to raise teacher salaries in the Flagstaff USD in Arizona, citing a significant pay gap and the city’s high cost of living. At a recent governing board meeting, educators highlighted a report from the Arizona auditor general showing that FUSD’s average teacher salary in fiscal year 2024 was $57,710, $7,403 below the state average of $65,113. While salaries have increased since 2017, the district’s pay has consistently lagged behind the state. Teachers also pointed to Flagstaff’s steep housing costs, with average rents reaching nearly $2,000 per month for a two-bedroom apartment and median home prices exceeding $660,000. Several educators shared personal accounts of struggling to afford living in the area, saying many rely on second jobs or additional household income. Some warned that low pay is contributing to recruitment and retention challenges. Board members voiced support for raising compensation, and an educator pay taskforce has been formed to study solutions and develop a long-term plan to narrow the salary gap.

TECHNOLOGY

New AI test helps teachers adapt to latest technology

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has introduced the Futurenav Adapt AI test, designed to assess teachers' abilities to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 classrooms. This initiative comes as AI technology increasingly permeates education, with approximately 80% of teachers already utilizing AI tools for various tasks. Vince Dean, an associate vice president for the Praxis program, emphasized the importance of appropriate AI use, stating: "There's this universal concern around appropriate use: for protecting students." While many districts have begun providing training on AI, teachers often feel unsupported in navigating these technologies. The test evaluates skills in recognizing generative AI, navigating ethical considerations, and using AI tools in lesson planning. However, experts like Akhil Verghese, founder of Krazimo, argue that clear guidance from school leaders is essential for effective AI integration, as only two states currently mandate AI policies for districts.

RECRUITMENT

Detroit schools seek special education teachers

Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), is addressing the ongoing shortage of special education teachers in Michigan. He emphasized the need for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to expand access to special education programs and provide incentives for new educators. Vitti stated: "There's just so few teachers that are generally going into the profession, but especially special education." The shortage has led to reliance on temporary credentials, with over 5% of special education positions vacant, significantly higher than the statewide average of 2.8%. The rising number of students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder further complicates the situation, necessitating at least 400 additional teachers. Vitti advocates for changes in the certification process to facilitate the entry of more qualified educators into the field.

MANAGEMENT

The personal development disconnect between teachers and leaders

In a recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center, nearly half of the over 1,400 teachers reported that the professional development (PD) they are required to attend is irrelevant. In contrast, 41% of more than 650 school leaders believed the PD they provided was “very relevant.” This disparity highlights a disconnect between teachers and school leaders regarding PD effectiveness. To address this, some principals are empowering teachers to take control of their own learning. For instance, Chris Young, principal of North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont, encouraged teachers to select a research project for their PD. Similarly, Tony Cattani, principal of Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey, established a peer-to-peer learning system that has facilitated over 200 observations this school year. Courtney Walker, assistant principal of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, designed a program allowing teachers to choose areas of focus for their professional growth. Such initiatives suggest that when teachers have ownership over their PD, engagement and effectiveness increase.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario teacher groups accuse province of deflecting blame with school board takeovers

Teacher unions, student representatives, and civil liberties advocates say Ontario’s recent takeover of seven school boards is a distraction from years of chronic underfunding in public education. At a news conference at Queen’s Park earlier this week, representatives from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association argued that provincial supervision does not address staffing shortages, larger class sizes, or the financial pressures facing schools. They cited estimates that public education has been underfunded by C$6.3bn ($4.6bn) since 2018. Education Minister Paul Calandra has defended the interventions, saying the province stepped in over financial mismanagement and to protect classroom resources. He has also signaled he may eliminate elected school board trustees entirely in favour of provincial supervisors. Critics say the moves undermine democratic governance and silence student and parent voices, with some student trustees reporting limited access to provincially appointed supervisors.
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