INSIDER
UNC board slashes diversity program funding to divert money to public safety resources
Read full article: UNC board slashes diversity program funding to divert money to public safety resourcesThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees voted to cut diversity program funding for next year's budget starting July 1.
Vermont's Goddard College to close after years of declining enrollment and financial struggles
Read full article: Vermont's Goddard College to close after years of declining enrollment and financial strugglesVermont's Goddard College is closing at the end of the semester after years of declining enrollment and financial struggles.
15% improvement now required for STAAR test scores after HISD board vote
Read full article: 15% improvement now required for STAAR test scores after HISD board voteThe Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees have voted to approve four student outcome goals set forth by the district in hopes of improving student test scores and readiness for once they leave the classroom over the next five years.
‘Enough is enough’: Spring Branch Board considering keeping ‘excess fund’ payment from state
Read full article: ‘Enough is enough’: Spring Branch Board considering keeping ‘excess fund’ payment from stateSpring Branch Board of Trustees are prepared to send lawmakers a message. The board will decide if they will give the superintendent the authority to not send the state a check for millions of dollars.
Fort Bend ISD calls for $35 million tax rate election to increase pay for teachers, staff
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD calls for $35 million tax rate election to increase pay for teachers, staffThe Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees decided on Monday to call for a November tax rate election to increase pay for teachers and other staff.
Katy ISD board to vote on proposal requiring teachers to inform parents of transgender student, preferred pronoun
Read full article: Katy ISD board to vote on proposal requiring teachers to inform parents of transgender student, preferred pronounThe draft of the policy centers around four topics: parent authority, safeguarding biological females and males, and preferred pronouns.
Katy ISD Board of Trustees votes to approve pay increase for all employees; starting teacher pay now at $62,400
Read full article: Katy ISD Board of Trustees votes to approve pay increase for all employees; starting teacher pay now at $62,400The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to approve the district’s compensation plan during a meeting Monday.
Itasca ISD accepts superintendent’s resignation after he was charged for planning to meet Houston teen for sex
Read full article: Itasca ISD accepts superintendent’s resignation after he was charged for planning to meet Houston teen for sexThe Itasca Independent School District Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of their former superintendent who was accused of planning to meet a Houston teen for sex.
‘I don’t apologize for calling out our elected officials to do their job’: Spring Branch ISD Board responds to lawmakers
Read full article: ‘I don’t apologize for calling out our elected officials to do their job’: Spring Branch ISD Board responds to lawmakersSenator Joan Huffman announced plans to meet with Spring Branch ISD leaders after a Friday board meeting where several members expressed their frustrations with the legislature.
Lubbock-Cooper ISD passed a resolution denouncing racist bullying in schools. Parents say it’s a publicity stunt.
Read full article: Lubbock-Cooper ISD passed a resolution denouncing racist bullying in schools. Parents say it’s a publicity stunt.Students reported enduring racial slurs, the sounds of whips cracking and monkey noises as they walked down school hallways.
Report: Uvalde police chief told kids were alive in school
Read full article: Report: Uvalde police chief told kids were alive in schoolA police commander at the scene of the Uvalde massacre was informed that children were alive in a classroom with the gunman more than 30 minutes before officers breached the room.
Uvalde school officials approve terms of superintendent’s retirement without publicly disclosing them
Read full article: Uvalde school officials approve terms of superintendent’s retirement without publicly disclosing themThe school board also named Gary Patterson as the interim superintendent, but didn’t say when he would start or Harrell would depart.
Alief ISD Board of Trustees approves starting teacher salary of $60,000 and $2,000 supplement for all employees
Read full article: Alief ISD Board of Trustees approves starting teacher salary of $60,000 and $2,000 supplement for all employeesAlief Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a starting salary of $60,000, a $2,000 supplement for returning employees and a $500 step increase for teacher paygrade positions during Monday’s board meeting.
Spring Branch ISD approves pay increase, raises starting pay to $62K, district says
Read full article: Spring Branch ISD approves pay increase, raises starting pay to $62K, district saysThe Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 3% pay increase for all employees in the district as part of the $357.5 million budget for the 2023 fiscal year. Trustees also approved starting teacher pay for 2022-2023 of $62,000, the district said in a news release Tuesday.
Treasury: Russia war bolsters need to combat illicit finance
Read full article: Treasury: Russia war bolsters need to combat illicit financeRussia’s war in Ukraine is one of the biggest considerations in the U.S. Treasury’s latest strategy document outlining how the agency plans to combat significant illicit finance threats to the U.S. financial system.
Klein ISD Board approves $60K starting teacher pay, competitive raises, loyalty incentives for returning employees
Read full article: Klein ISD Board approves $60K starting teacher pay, competitive raises, loyalty incentives for returning employeesThe approved compensation package includes planned pay raises for current employees, an increase in the starting teacher salary to a competitive $60,000 per year, and Klein Family loyalty payments for current employees who return to Klein ISD.
With divisive cases coming, Barrett says 'Read the opinion'
Read full article: With divisive cases coming, Barrett says 'Read the opinion'Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett says judges are not deciding cases to impose a “policy result,” but are making their best effort to determine what the law and the Constitution require.
Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees respond to elected officials, candidates about possible delay in May 7 election
Read full article: Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees respond to elected officials, candidates about possible delay in May 7 electionSeveral members of the Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees held a press conference to respond to other elected officials and candidates surrounding the timing of the upcoming election.
Houston ISD names Millard House II lone superintendent finalist
Read full article: Houston ISD names Millard House II lone superintendent finalistHISD’S Board of Trustees announced a sole finalist Friday for superintendent of schools on Friday, voting unanimously to select Millard House II for the district’s top job.
Fort Bend ISD board announces next steps in nationwide search for new superintendent
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD board announces next steps in nationwide search for new superintendentThe Fort Bend Independent School District’s Board of Trustees announced the next steps in their nationwide search for a new superintendent during a board meeting Monday.
Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupre to announce resignation
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupre to announce resignationHOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre will announce his intention to resign by December of 2021, he confirmed to KPRC 2 on Monday. “Over the last few years (my wife and I) talked more and more about other opportunities," Dr. Dupre said in an interview. In 2018, Fort Bend ISD was awarded the 2018 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award as the best school district in the large district category, and Dupre was named the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year and finalist for Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2019. During Monday night’s board meeting, Fort Bend ISD said staff will recognize three retiring trustees and newly-elected trustees will be sworn in to begin a three-year term. “The district has come a long way since Dr. Dupre returned to us eight years ago,” said Jason Burdine, FBISD’s outgoing board president.
Heres what Houston-area school districts are doing this week to prepare for the upcoming school year
Read full article: Heres what Houston-area school districts are doing this week to prepare for the upcoming school yearHeres what Houston-area school districts are doing this week to prepare for the upcoming school year:The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Board of Trustees will convene in a special-called board meeting to discuss the districts reopening plan on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in the boardroom of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Instructional Support Center, located at 10300 Jones Road, Houston, Texas. A commitment form will be sent via email to all families later in July, according to a release from the district. Tomball ISD will offer two instructional options for the Fall semester. The commitment form was sent to families on Monday, July 13, 2020. In a letter to parents and guardians, Waller Independent School District announced it would release detailed documents outlining information on online learning and in-person instruction for the upcoming school year on Tuesday, July 21.
Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, district says
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, district saysHOUSTON – The Fort Bend Independent School District will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, the Board of Trustees decided Monday night. “Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 School Year 100% online in order to give students, parents and staff an opportunity to adjust to online learning and safety procedures,” officials tweeted. Here’s what you need to know:No in-person extracurriculars will be held during the start of the school year when students are learning entirely online. Engagement in online learning will be required on a daily basis. All staff, students and visitors will undergo a non-contact temperature check prior to entering FBISD schools and facilities.
Waller ISD: What you need to know about the districts 2020-2021 school plans
Read full article: Waller ISD: What you need to know about the districts 2020-2021 school plansWaller ISD is still working to develop its reopening plans for the upcoming school year with the safety of its students and staff in mind. The district plans to offer instruction in both face-to-face and virtual formats. Heres what to know so far:CalendarThe first day of school is scheduled for August 24, 2020. Measures underway or being consideredWaller ISD has not yet announced social distancing and safety protocols it plans to implement in its schools for the upcoming year. Instruction methods offeredWaller ISD is planning to offer full time in-person and online learning 5-days a week for all students.
Spring Branch Independent School District: What you need to know so far about the 2020-2021 school year
Read full article: Spring Branch Independent School District: What you need to know so far about the 2020-2021 school yearSpring Branch is asking parents for their input on the 2020-2021 school year. During a special meeting with the Board of Trustees, Superintendent Jennifer Blaine discussed the option of starting the school year with both in-school and online instruction. No other information was provided, as the district continues to evaluate other measures to ensure the safety of students this coming August. Measures not in placeSocial distancingTemperature screeningsPartitioningMasks/PPEClass size limitsExtracurricular activitiesNo information provided at this time. Do you have questions about Spring Branch ISDs plan?
Spring ISD looking at reopening scenarios for 2020-2021 academic year
Read full article: Spring ISD looking at reopening scenarios for 2020-2021 academic yearHOUSTON – After revealing their 2020-2021 academic calendar late last month, Spring ISD’s Board of Trustees will introduce a few reopening scenarios during a June 30 special meeting. A spokesperson for Spring ISD said that the calendar has been approved already, with staggered breaks throughout the year based on TEA’s recommendations to accommodate possible disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a press release, the district will assemble teams to look into class configurations, instruction, student and staff support, nutrition and transportation issues. Spring ISD parents will receive a survey next week to give feedback on the new school calendar and possible reopening scenarios should an outbreak occur, whether schools reopen with strict social distancing measures or continue with distance learning, the release said. “Spring ISD has a strong commitment to offering opportunity and choice to our students and families,” said District Superintendent Rodney Watson.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, June 12
Read full article: 5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, June 12Here are things you need to know for Friday, June 12:1. The system, which was paid for by funding from FEMA the CARES Act, breaks down threat levels in four tiers that are color-coded. At present, Harris County is at Threat Level 2, Hidalgo said. The holiday on Friday celebrates the day enslaved people in Texas learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had granted them freedom three years earlier. QUOTE OF THE DAYOne could not pluck a flower without troubling a star. - Loren EiseleyMore headlines you may be interested in
Cy-Fair ISD announces 2020-2021 academic calendar for students, teachers
Read full article: Cy-Fair ISD announces 2020-2021 academic calendar for students, teachersHOUSTON – The Cy-Fair ISD Board of Trustees has voted to approve a new instructional calendar for the 2020-2021 school year during its regular meeting on Jan. 16. A district-wide committee -- formed in Fall of 2019 between teachers, support staff, and campus administrators -- worked on the calendar for the school year which will begin on Aug. 24, 2020 and will conclude on May 27, 2021. State law mandated that the first day of school cannot start earlier than the fourth Monday in August, and the district must use the allotted 75,600 minutes. There will be two make-up days designated for inclement weather on Feb. 15 and May 28, 2021. The committee also recommended the following holidays for students and teachers:Sept. 4, 2020 – Labor DayNov. 23-27, 2020 – Thanksgiving BreakDec. 24, 2020 to Jan. 4, 2021 – Winter BreakMarch 15-19, 2021 – Spring BreakApril.
Katy ISD approves measures to bring relief to busing needs
Read full article: Katy ISD approves measures to bring relief to busing needsKATY, Texas – The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees approved two measures Monday that it hopes will help improve the transportation of students. “The camera system upgrade will provide the latest in technology and safety measures available in school bus transportation,” said Ted Vierling, Katy’s assistant superintendent of operations. The agreement with GoldStar Transit, a Texas-based transportation company, will service at least 40 bus routes for Katy. GoldStar already provides service to school districts such as Fort Bend ISD, Bastrop ISD, Waco ISD, and Navasota ISD. The GoldStar drivers will go through the same training as Katy ISD bus drivers and the company’s buses will display Katy ISD signage and the equipment will be on level with standards set by the school district for all of its buses.