Leon|Alcala, PLLC

Congratulations to the following New Supers

 

82 Superintendent Vacancies Click to expand

Vacant Elkhart ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Rains ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Lumberton ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Presidio ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Vacant Tom Bean ISD; Search by: Tom Bean ISD Board of Trustees & Kelly LuskINFO
Vacant Willis ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Montgomery ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Goldthwaite ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Santa Rosa ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Uvalde CISD; Search By: Region 20 ESCINFO
Vacant Brenham ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Ingleside ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Fairfield ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Vacant Woodsboro ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Abilene ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
Vacant Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Calvert ISD - Latisha Crockett-Tennell, Interim Superintendent,Calvert ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Blooming Grove ISD; Search by: Blooming Grove ISD Board of Trustees & Gary MartelINFO
Vacant Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Rogers ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Lufkin ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Carrizo Springs ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Sabinal ISD; Search by: Richard W Grill & Sabinal ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Duncanville ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Vacant Royse City ISD; Search by: Thompson & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike MosesDavid Thompson & Dr. Curtis CulwellINFO
Vacant Valley View ISD; Education Solutions and Services Mike Smith & Letha HopkinsINFO
Vacant Rockport-Fulton ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Mrs. Charlotte BakerINFO
Vacant Panhandle ISD; Search by: Panhandle ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Vacant Dickinson ISD; Search by: Dickinson ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Muenster ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Vacant Wilson ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Lorenzo ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant La Gloria ISD; Search by: La Gloria ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Whitney ISD; Search by: Whitney ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Dickinson ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant Corsicana ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Pineywoods Community Academy
(Lufkin); Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Vacant Claude ISD; Search by: Claude ISD Board of Trustees & Jody JohnsonINFO
Vacant Crowell ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Vacant Dilley ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Grand Prairie ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Vacant Clyde CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Kermit ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Olton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Vacant Tenaha ISD; Search by: Tenaha ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
Vacant Prairie Lea ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Pewitt CISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Vacant Burton ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, Dr. Danny LovettINFO
Lone Finalist Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD - Gary Laramore, Principal,Balmorhea ISD; Search by: Dr. Nelson Coulter assisted by Collegiate Edu-NationINFO
Lone Finalist Henrietta ISD - Jaime Clark, Chief of Schools,Lewisville ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Lone Finalist Thorndale ISD - Zach Kleypas, Principal,Pflugerville ISD; Search by: Danny Lovett, Powell Law GroupINFO
Lone Finalist Bloomington ISD - Eric Cormier, Principal,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist City View ISD - Dr. Jesse Thomas, Interim Superintendent,City View ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Lone Finalist Pawnee ISD - Anthony Annis, Assistant Principal,San Antonio ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Windthorst ISD - Jason Nolan, Principal,Burkburnett ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Lone Finalist Perryton ISD - Greg Brown, Superintendent,Claude ISD; Search by: Perryton ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Dr. Tanya Larkin, Exec. Dir.INFO
Lone Finalist Gold-Burg ISD - Jonathan Lloyd, Principal,Detroit ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO
Lone Finalist West Hardin Co. CISD - Donald Heseman, Principal,Clyde ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Lone Finalist Spurger ISD - Jeff Burnthorn, Director,Silsbee ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESC (Short Timeline)INFO
Lone Finalist Roby CISD - Kenny Border, Assistant Superintendent,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
Lone Finalist Cotulla ISD - Dr. Ramiro Nava, Assistant Superintendent,Somerset ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO
Lone Finalist McAllen ISD - René Gutiérrez, Superintendent,Brownsville ISD; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
Lone Finalist Ponder ISD - Dr. James Hill, Director of Operations,Frisco ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Hale Center ISD - Jance Morris, Superintendent,Savoy ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist Rocksprings ISD - Justin Del Bosque, Principal,Georgetown ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO
Lone Finalist Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (Deadline Updated); Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - Dr. Mike Moses & David ThompsonINFO
Lone Finalist San Angelo ISD - Dr. Christopher Moran, Superintendent,Whitehouse ISD; Search by: Thomposon & Horton LLP - David Thompson & Dr. Mike MosesINFO
Lone Finalist Rotan ISD - Michael Rudewick, Assistant Principal,San Angelo ISD; Search by: Ronnie KincaidINFO
Lone Finalist Boerne ISD - ​Kristin Craft, Associate Superintendent,Spring Branch ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Johnson City ISD - Ben Eubanks, Superintendent,Glasscock County ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
Lone Finalist Colmesneil ISD - Sharon Tule, Interim Superintendent,Colmesneil ISD; Search by: Fisher FirmINFO
Lone Finalist Iowa Park CISD - Kevin McCasland, Superintendent,Olton ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Corrigan-Camden ISD - Mr. Brian Aiken , Assistant Superintendent,Crockett ISD; Search by: Leon|Alcala PLLCINFO
Lone Finalist New Home ISD - Toby Tucker, Director,ESC 16; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist Kennard ISD - Chad Smith, Interim Superintendent,Kennard ISD; Search by: Arrow Educational ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Ira ISD - Garrett Luft, Assistant Principal,Lubbock ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Lone Finalist Hamlin Collgiate ISD - Dr. Chanda Bloch, Director,San Marcos CISD; Search by: Collegiate Edu-Nation, Dr. Nelson CoulterINFO
Lone Finalist Prairiland ISD - Jason Hostetler, Principal,Prairieland ISD; Search by: Prairieland ISD Board of Trustees and Supt. Jeff BallardINFO
Lone Finalist Laneville ISD - Terry Young, Director,Woodville ISD; Search by: SPALDING NICHOLS LAMP LANGLOISINFO
Lone Finalist Greenville ISD - Joe Lopez, Superintendent,Kermit ISD; Search by: Impact Education Specialists - Doug Williams, Kevin Worthy, Blake Cooper and Stan SurrattINFO
Lone Finalist Weimar ISD - Chase Seelke, Assistant Superintendent,Paradise ISD; Search by: Region 3 ESC, Exec. Dir. Morris LyonINFO
Lone Finalist Glasscock County ISD
  - Mallory Marr, Chief Academic Officer,Sweetwater ISD; Search by: CCR Educational Consultants, Dr. Skip Casey, Staci Robertson, & Rod TownsendINFO
Lone Finalist Brooks County ISD - Scott Rogers, Superintendent,Brazos ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Mason ISD - Sean Leamon, Superintendent,Winters ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO
Lone Finalist Anahuac ISD - Dr. Cody Abshire, Interim Superintendent,Anahuac ISD; Search by: Dr. Byron Terrier, Exec. Dir. Region 5 ESCINFO
Lone Finalist Normangee ISD - Justin Vercher, Principal,Hillsboro ISD; Search by: N2 LearningDr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster (Updated Deadline)INFO
Lone Finalist Sharyland ISD - Elaine Howard, Deputy Superintendent,Boerne ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
Lone Finalist Ropes ISD - Dade Cosby, Superintendent,Cross Plains ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
Lone Finalist Pilot Point ISD - Shannon Fuller, Chief Instructional Officer,East Central ISD; Search by: Pilot Point ISD & Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd and Hullett, consultant Karen
RueINFO
New Super White Oak ISD - William Paul, Superintendent,Windthorst ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Midway ISD - Chris Allen, Superintendent,Marble Falls ISD; Search by: N2 LearningDr. Eddie Coulson & Dr. Brad Lancaster INFO
New Super Anton ISD - Freddie Tobias, Principal,Anton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super Navarro ISD - Mandy D. Epley, Assistant Superintendent,Comal ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO
New Super Hedley ISD - Tracey Bell, Principal,Vega ISD; Search by: Hedley ISD Board of Trustees & Region 16 ESC, Nathan Maxwell, Associate Exec. Dir.INFO
New Super Venus ISD - Patrick Torres, Superintendent,Denver City ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Yantis ISD - Robyn Derington Deputy Supt. Banquete ISD, Deputy Superintendent,Banquete ISD; Search by: Powell Law Group, LLP, Dr. Shaun Barnett (Short Timeline!)INFO
New Super Morton ISD - Mario Aguirre, Principal,Slaton ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Dr. Kyle Wargo, Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super Comfort ISD - Dr. Yvonne J. Munoz, Director,San Diego ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle & Robinson P.C., & Education Consultant Dr. Ann DixonINFO
New Super Coupland ISD - Dr. Earl W. Parcell, Chief Financial Officer,Copperas Cove ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Saul HinojosaINFO
New Super Miami ISD - Krista Solis, Superintendent,Hart ISD; Search by: Interim Supt. Steve Post and Miami ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Knippa ISD - Benny Hernandez, Superintendent,Mathis ISD; Search by: Knippa ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Irion County ISD - Dr. Sara "Nikki" Moore, Principal,Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD; Search by: Region 15 ESCINFO
New Super Liberty-Eylau ISD - Jeff Wright, Interim Superintendent,Liberty-Eylau ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super Keller ISD (Short Timeline) - Dr. Tracy Johnson, Chief of Human Resources,Keller ISD; Search by: Leasor Crass, P.CINFO
New Super New Diana ISD - Marshall Moore, Superintendent,Crowell ISD; Search by: TASB Executive Search ServicesINFO
New Super Jayton-Girard ISD - Scott Bicknell, Superintendent,Muenster ISD; Search by: Region 17 ESC, Kyle Wargo Exec. DirectorINFO
New Super Brownsville ISD - Jesus H. Chavez, Executive Director,South Texas Association of Schools; Search by: O’Hanlon, Demerath & CastilloINFO
New Super Sam Rayburn ISD - Dr. Dustin Evans, Assistant Superintendent,Bland ISD; Search by: Sam Rayburn ISD Board of TrusteesINFO
New Super Burnet CISD - Dr. Aaron J. Peña, Assistant Superintendent,Midway ISD; Search by: Walsh, Gallegos, Trevino, Kyle & Robinson P.C.& Education Consultant Dr. Sherri BaysINFO
New Super Archer City ISD - Jon Hartgraves, Superintendent,Hico ISD; Search by: Region 9 ESC, Darren Francis and Kenny MillerINFO

No, that partially completed 3D-printed home in north Houston wasn’t abandoned. Here’s the update on its construction.

March 2807:23 AM
 

After a monthslong delay, construction is expected to resume in the coming months on a highly anticipated 3D printed home in Houston that has been described as the nation’s first two-story, 3D printed house. The home launched in 2022 to much fanfare because of its scale — a 4,000-square-foot, two-story structure that is reportedly much larger than previous 3D-printed homes in the U.S. Designed by a pair of Cornell University professors, the home is meant to be an experiment in integrating conventional construction techniques with 3D printing. But roughly a year after the initial announcement, activity at the project site on Emnora Lane in Spring Branch quieted. With just the 3D printed walls on the site for several months, speculation about the project’s future abounded on social media. view article  arw

Bonham ISD names superintendent lone finalist by MyParisTexas March 21, 2024

March 2609:00 AM
 

Bonham ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Joy Wilson as the lone finalist for Superintendent of Schools for Bonham ISD at their Mar. 20, 2024, meeting. After the state-required 21-day waiting period, Dr. Wilson is set to become the district’s next leader following the retirement of current BISD superintendent, Kelly Trompler. Dr. Wilson is delighted to return to Bonham ISD where she began her education, attending kindergarten at Stephenson School. Her mother, a class of 1969 Bonhi graduate, is thrilled to have her daughter serve as the next superintendent at her alma mater. view article  arw

PARENT: Allen ISD Principal Berates Students After Active Shooter Drill

March 2608:44 AM
 

After a few students made noise during the drill, the principal allegedly yelled at the 5th grade class until they cried and then took photos of them.  ALLEN—According to a parent, a lockdown drill at her daughter’s elementary school quickly got out of hand when a substitute teacher and principal overreacted. After the experience, Brooke Wilcox pulled her daughter out of the school.   Texas Scorecard offered Allen ISD the chance to respond to Wilcox’s allegations. Their response is printed in full at the bottom of this article.  view article  arw

Cove ISD superintendent says school district not in financial position for new high school

March 2608:38 AM
 

COPPERAS COVE — As voters in Copperas Cove mull over how to vote on an upcoming $175 million bond proposal for the school district, the common opposition from prospective voters is that the proposal should’ve included a new high school rather than renovations to the current one. The election to approve or disapprove the bond is May 4. Copperas Cove Independent School District Superintendent Joe Burns, however, said in an interview with the Herald on Friday that a new high school is not a feasible option as the school district currently sits. view article  arw

Texas State Board of Education faces takeover by GOP challengers backed by influential donors

March 1908:42 AM
 

For more than 20 years, Fort Worth Republican Pat Hardy has been a reliably conservative voice on the State Board of Education. Hardy has fought for Moses to be included in social studies standards, advocated for presenting creationism alongside evolution in science textbooks and said she was an early voice to call for the banning of critical race theory from the state’s public schools.  But in 2024, Hardy is not conservative enough for Republican voters: She lost her primary election earlier this month against Brandon Hall, a former youth pastor who has pitched himself as a fighter for Christian conservative values.  In addition to Hardy’s outright loss, two other Republicans on the board — Pam Little and Tom Maynard — were forced into runoff elections against opponents pitching themselves as stronger conservatives. All three challengers received heavy financial support from Texans for Educational Freedom, a right-wing advocacy group that cut its teeth trying to sway local school board elections but has turned its attention to overhauling the state board, spending more than $300,000 this year. view article  arw

Court order puts Texas law allowing police to arrest migrants who cross illegally back on hold

March 1908:30 AM
 

A federal appeals court late Tuesday issued an order that again prevents Texas from arresting migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally, hours after the Supreme Court allowed the strict new immigration law to take effect. The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes weeks after a panel on the same court cleared the way for Texas to enforce the law by putting a pause on a lower judge’s injunction. But by a 2-1 order, a panel of the appeals court lifted that pause ahead of arguments before the court on Wednesday. Texas authorities had not announced any arrests made under the law.  Earlier Tuesday a divided Supreme Court had allowed Texas to begin enforcing a law that gives police broad powers to arrest migrants suspected of crossing the border illegally as the legal battle over the measure played out.  The conservative majority order rejected an emergency application from the Biden administration, which says the law is a clear violation of federal authority that would cause chaos in immigration law.  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had praised the order clearing the way for the law that allows any police officer in Texas to arrest migrants for illegal entry and authorizes judges to order them to leave the U.S. view article  arw

DISTRICT LOOKS TO MAKE UP FUNDING SHORTFALL

March 1806:39 AM
 

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD will meet this week to discuss funding shortfalls created by a recent ruling by the State Comptroller’s Office. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton said the district’s tax attorneys Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott will be fighting the decision regarding valuation, trying to get the district into an area that would not affect its income. Advertisement The State Comptroller’s Office performed a review in January of San Jacinto County Appraisal District’s property valuations, which led to a discrepancy that would mean school districts would receive less state aid. The more funding a district receives from property taxes, the less it receives in state aid; while the Appraisal District determined values of $564 million in the county, the Comptroller’s Office in its study determined values of $606 million. If the difference falls within 5 percent either way, there would be no change.   view article  arw

Low property values could cost Coleman ISD $500,000 in state funding

March 1508:42 AM
 

COLEMAN, Texas — Coleman ISD could lose up to $500,000 in state funding this year. The State Comptroller on all school district property values recently released its report for the Property Value Study conducted for Coleman ISD. The results from that study estimates the school district will lose $500,000 in lost revenue for 2024. State law requires values to be at least 95% of sales prices but the report shows values are much lower than that requirement. The Coleman County Central Appraiser, Eva Bush, said the state's appraisal of the district came in higher than her appraisal which resulted in the shortfall. view article  arw

CLAY GILLENTINE NAMED LONE FINALIST FOR BRENHAM ISD SUPT.

March 1208:42 AM
 

Acting Brenham ISD Superintendent Clay Gillentine was named as the lone finalist for the Superintendent position at the Brenham School board meeting Thursday night. Trustees voted at their last meeting on February 19th to reopen the search for superintendent to internal applicants only. The School Board now has 21 days to wait before it can vote to formally name Gillentine as the next Superintendent of Brenham schools. view article  arw

Preventive Law: Public Comment Now Open on Sweeping Dyslexia Handbook Changes

March 0408:35 AM
 

The State Board of Education is proposing amendments to 19 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 74, as well as revamping and rewriting the Dyslexia Handbook, proposed to be called the “Texas Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Handbook.”

Texas criminal appeals court takes man off death row over intellectual disability

March 2808:45 AM
 

Since Randall Mays was sentenced to death in 2008 for the murder of two sheriff’s deputies, his lawyers have argued his intellectual disability exempts him from execution.  The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals re-sentenced a 64-year-old man on death row to life in prison without parole on Wednesday after a state expert confirmed in trial court that he is intellectually disabled.  Randall Mays was sentenced to death in 2008 for the murder of two sheriff's deputies in Henderson County but in the years since his legal team has filed multiple appeals arguing he is exempt from execution due to his mental competency and intellectual disability.  Over two decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing people with intellectual disabilities violates the Eighth Amendment’s restriction of cruel and unusual punishments, which the criminal appellate court cited in its resentencing decision. view article  arw

Texas immigration law remains on hold after late-night appeals court ruling

March 2808:42 AM
 

Late March 26, a federal appeals court further blocked a Texas law that would allow police officers to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. In a 2-1 ruling issued minutes before midnight, a panel of judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Texas’ request to allow the law, known as Senate Bill 4, to take effect as a legal battle continues. The court is scheduled to hear arguments April 3 on the legality of SB 4. One week earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court briefly allowed SB 4 to take effect March 19 before it was halted by the appeals court. view article  arw

Texas immigration law remains on hold after late-night appeals court ruling

March 2808:42 AM
 

Late March 26, a federal appeals court further blocked a Texas law that would allow police officers to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally. In a 2-1 ruling issued minutes before midnight, a panel of judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Texas’ request to allow the law, known as Senate Bill 4, to take effect as a legal battle continues. The court is scheduled to hear arguments April 3 on the legality of SB 4. One week earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court briefly allowed SB 4 to take effect March 19 before it was halted by the appeals court. view article  arw

Cows at two Texas dairy farms have bird flu, another blow to Cattle Country following wildfires

March 2808:42 AM
 

LUBBOCK — Cows in the Texas Panhandle have tested positive for the bird flu, another blow to the Texas dairy industry following historic wildfires that killed at least 7,000 livestock.  The discovery, reported at two different dairies, is believed to be the first time the disease was found in livestock, researchers say.  Strains of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as the bird flu, were confirmed Monday by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The state agriculture department is also monitoring the outbreak. Similar outbreaks have been reported at dairies in Kansas and New Mexico.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture said there is no safety concern to the commercial milk supply. Consumer health is also not at risk, the department said. The milk from impacted animals is being dumped or destroyed and will not enter the food supply. view article  arw

Bulletin Board

Submit Event »

Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.

The Legal ABCs of DAEPs

April 25, 2024

View Bulletin Board »

Lindale ISD submits Surratt for superintendent of the year

March 2808:42 AM
 

The school said under Surratt’s leadership, the school district has passed two bond elections, three tax ratification elections and received A ratings.  “First, I want to thank the Board of Trustees for wanting to nominate me for the honor of Region VII Superintendent of the Year,” said Surratt. “Superintendents get nominated when things go very well in a school system. Because of our wonderful students and families, plus our fantastic staff, things have gone extremely well for Lindale ISD for many, many years. I am so blessed to be a part of this great school district and excited about the future of Lindale ISD.” view article  arw

Archer City ISD hires Hartgraves as next superintendent

March 2808:42 AM
 

The Archer City ISD school board officially hired Hico Superintendent Jon Hartgraves as the district’s next superintendent during its board meeting Tuesday, March 26. Hartgraves has served as superintendent of Hico ISD since 2012 and served as superintendent of Gordon ISD before that. He grew up in Hamilton and attended Tarleton State University. His first job was at Waco Connally as a math… view article  arw

Once the Texas GOP’s “weak link,” Attorney General Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful

March 2808:41 AM
 

Ten months ago, things looked bleak for Attorney General Ken Paxton. The beleaguered Republican had just been impeached and suspended from office by more than 70% of his own party in the Texas House. He faced an array of career-threatening legal battles: a federal investigation into corruption allegations lodged by his former top deputies, a whistleblower lawsuit from those deputies who said they were illegally fired for reporting Paxton to law enforcement, a separate lawsuit from the state bar seeking to penalize Paxton for attorney misconduct, and of course, an indictment on three felony counts of securities fraud that have loomed over nearly his entire tenure as attorney general. The outlook is now considerably brighter for Paxton, whose political stock continued its ascent this week when prosecutors agreed to drop the nine-year-old fraud charges if he fulfills the terms of a pretrial agreement. It was another major vindication for Paxton after the Senate acquitted him of the House’s impeachment charges last fall, bringing him one step closer to a political career devoid of legal drama and burnishing his reputation among the party’s most conservative flank as a fighter who has defied political “persecution.” “The pundits, lobbyists and consultants have written his political obituary many times and yet they greatly underestimated General Paxton’s tenacity and grit,” said Nick Maddux, a Paxton adviser and political consultant, in an email. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. Once seen as a political liability within his own party, Paxton now has the wind at his back. With two major political and legal wins behind him, he’s poised to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2026, a prospect he has openly entertained. The end of Paxton’s most persistent legal woe also provides another burst of momentum for the Texas GOP’s hardline wing as it looks to build on a March primary where a record number of House Republicans were unseated by Paxton-aligned firebrand challengers. view article  arw

Muri, trustees discuss potential budget cuts

March 2808:41 AM
 

With the state taking no action on increasing student funding, Ector County ISD Superintendent Scott Muri and Chief Financial Officer Deborah Ottmers discussed potential budget cuts Tuesday with the board of trustees that could include raising the number of students in some classrooms. Last June, trustees adopted a $346 million budget with a $14 million deficit. view article  arw

HISD outlines 10 priorities for 2024-25 school year in draft action plan. Here’s what it says.

March 2808:40 AM
 

Community members in the Hays school district support and donate money to families impacted by the Friday school bus crash. Houston ISD is expected to expand several of its controversial reforms during the 2024-25 school year, according to a preliminary version of the district's plans shared earlier this month. HISD's state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles presented a draft version of the district’s action plan to the District Advisory Committee last week, along with the Board of Managers. He also previewed the plan with the Principal Advisory Committee and the Teacher Advisory Committee. The plan, as of March 17, lists 10 of the district’s planned “key actions” for next year, which include plans to reduce hundreds of central office staff positions, call a bond election in November and mandate leadership training for principals. view article  arw

Small nuclear reactors may be coming to Texas, boosted by interest from Gov. Abbott

March 2808:40 AM
 

Gov. Greg Abbott took the stage at the University of Texas at Austin last August to discuss building up an energy source in the state. Unlike the oil and gas industry that Abbott often promotes, this fuel could create reliable power without also pumping pollution into the air. Abbott was there to talk about nuclear power — not big reactors like the ones that already operate in Texas, but a new generation of smaller nuclear reactors that companies are pitching as both safe and less financially risky than large nuclear power plants because they cost less. Abbott joined a panel with the CEO of chemical and plastics manufacturer Dow and the head of a newer business, called X-energy, which plans to build small nuclear reactors for Dow. The reactors will produce steam and electricity for the company’s complex just up the coast from Corpus Christi. view article  arw

Socorro ISD Superintendent Carman placed on administrative leave after audit presentation

March 2808:29 AM
 

Socorro Superintendent Nate Carman took several steps shortly after arriving in the district in 2022 that led to the award of contracts to a company he had previously done business with in South Texas, an external auditor hired by the district told the school board Monday. After a presentation from the auditor and a lengthy closed-door discussion, the board voted 6-0 to place Carman on administrative leave with pay. Board Chair Michael Najera abstained from the vote without explanation. view article  arw

Ector County ISD facing $24 million budget deficit

March 2808:25 AM
 

On Wednesday night, Ector County ISD looked to make tough decisions after Tuesday night's board meeting discussion on the school district's budget. According to ECISD, the district faces a $24 million budget deficit for its 2024-25 school year. This comes on the heels of the Texas Legislative session where lawmakers did not increase funds for public schools. view article  arw

Seguin ISD student one of 40 children in Bastrop bus crash

March 2808:25 AM
 

A cement truck veered into a school bus carrying more than 40 pre-K students — including one from Seguin ISD — returning from a field trip to a Texas zoo Friday, killing a boy on the bus and a man in another vehicle, authorities said. Seguin ISD Superintendent Veronica Vijil on Monday said that one of her district’s students was on the bus. She provided few additional details but said the student was alive and not in the hospital as of Monday afternoon. view article  arw

Fort Bend: FBISD police officer’s pepper-spraying to break up fight affects students not involved, parent says

March 2808:25 AM
 

Lake Olympia Middle School parents are upset after a Fort Bend Independent School District police officer used pepper spray to break up a fight, affecting students who weren't involved. Stacey Alvarez said she got a text from her 13-year-old son on Tuesday afternoon saying there was a fight as he padded through the hallway between classes. He said that the officer used pepper spray to separate the students who were fighting, and the mist got on him. view article  arw

Parents pack Morton ISD school board meeting to support Coach Zack Williams

March 2808:25 AM
 

It was a packed house at the Morton ISD school board meeting on Wednesday as trustees discussed the status of Head Basketball Coach Zack Williams. But after several hours, the board decided to table the decision. Several people reached out to KCBD after hearing rumors the school board would be making a change to Coach Williams’ position, possibly moving him to assistant coach. view article  arw

Beaumont ISD gives update on middle school closure during parent meeting

March 2808:22 AM
 

Days after Beaumont ISD voted to close Martin Luther King Middle School, the district gave parents a chance to ask questions and learn more about the closure during a sparsely-attended meeting at the school Wednesday night. view article  arw

Navasota ISD board of trustees to call for May bond election

March 2808:22 AM
 

The Navasota bond totals $74 million and residents zoned for Navasota ISD will vote on the bond in the May election. Navasota ISD superintendent, Dr. Stu Musick, says he hopes voters will help the district prepare for the future. “With more growth coming throughout all of Navasota ISD both to the northwest side in Brazos County as well as to the southeast part of Grimes County as well,” said Musick. view article  arw

Mid-year testing shows growth in Fort Worth ISD classrooms

March 2808:20 AM
 

There is a massive construction project underway at Glen Park Elementary in Fort Worth. The construction crew may be in third grade but they’re focused on building better grades with a swimming pool on the side. "We need to count each side of these but not in the corners," said one student, while calculating dimensions. view article  arw

Mansfield ISD voters call for review of trustee candidate’s eligibility

March 2808:20 AM
 

Some residents in Mansfield ISD are asking the board to review a trustee candidate’s eligibility after records showed he wasn’t registered to vote when he filed to run. County records show Place 2 candidate Angel Hidalgo, a Spanish instructor at Tarrant County College, registered to vote in Tarrant County on Feb. 25, a week after the filing deadline. Under state law, candidates must be registered voters in the territory where they are running. view article  arw

Denton DA Fails to Respond to Voters’ School Electioneering Allegations

March 2708:50 AM
 

Texas law requires district attorneys to investigate criminal election complaints if two or more voters submit affidavits.  Four weeks ago, Denton County voters submitted criminal complaints alleging local school district officials illegally electioneered during the March primaries, using taxpayer-funded resources to promote political candidates.  Denton County District Attorney Paul Johnson has failed to respond to repeated inquiries about whether his office has opened a criminal investigation as state law requires.  Local voters submitted affidavits to Johnson on February 27 that alleged criminal election interference by Denton Independent School District administrators.  Using Denton ISD’s email system, district administrators incentivized employees to vote in the Republican primary against candidates identified as supporting school choice. view article  arw

Small nuclear reactors may be coming to Texas, boosted by interest from Gov. Abbott

March 2708:45 AM
 

A nuclear power plant hasn’t been built in Texas in decades because of cost and public fears of a major accident. Now the governor wants to find out if smaller reactors could meet the state’s growing need for on-demand power.  Gov. Greg Abbott took the stage at the University of Texas at Austin last August to discuss building up an energy source in the state. Unlike the oil and gas industry that Abbott often promotes, this fuel could create reliable power without also pumping pollution into the air.  Abbott was there to talk about nuclear power — not big reactors like the ones that already operate in Texas, but a new generation of smaller nuclear reactors that companies are pitching as both safe and less financially risky than large nuclear power plants because they cost less. view article  arw

In Texas, ex-oil and gas workers champion geothermal energy as a replacement for fossil-fueled power plants

March 2708:41 AM
 

STARR COUNTY — In 2009, on a plot of shrub-covered cattle land about 45 miles northwest of McAllen, Shell buried and abandoned a well it drilled to look for gas. The well turned out to be a dry hole. Vegetation grew back over the site. In 2021, a Houston-based energy company run by former Shell employees came looking for it. This company wasn’t drilling for oil or gas, though. Its engineers were looking for a place to experiment with their technology for producing geothermal energy, created by Earth’s underground heat. view article  arw

Texas lawmakers and agency leaders experiment, ponder policies for an AI future

March 2708:41 AM
 

Agencies like the Texas Department of Transportation are using the technology to react to crashes and prepare invoices. More uses and regulations are coming. view article  arw