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Texas
20th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Schools under pressure to reconsider Flock surveillance ties

Amazon-owned Ring has ended a planned partnership with surveillance company Flock Safety following public backlash over a Super Bowl ad promoting neighborhood-wide camera networks. Privacy advocates say schools should follow suit, as many districts use Flock’s automated license plate readers, which have been accessed by law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement. Audit logs from Texas districts showed out-of-state agencies conducting searches tied to immigration cases, raising concerns about student and family privacy. Flock says schools can disable immigration-related searches using a filter tool, and maintains its cameras are primarily used for campus safety, such as monitoring banned individuals or investigating crimes in school parking lots. However, critics argue the broad sharing of surveillance data creates serious privacy risks and may deter families from attending school events or even sending children to school. More than 100 school districts use Flock cameras, though few have publicly addressed how their data are shared.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Prepare Your Students For Their Future, Today

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide provides school leaders with the tools needed to elevate CTE, from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists.  

In the guide, you’ll have access to:
  • An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
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  • Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
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NATIONAL NEWS

Property tax battles threaten schools

State lawmakers are weighing property-tax reforms that could shrink K-12 revenue, since property taxes provide more than a third of U.S. school funding. The push is fueled by post-pandemic bill increases and GOP efforts to curb government spending, though full repeal faces voter resistance; Wyoming lawmakers recently killed an elimination proposal. The text outlines four approaches: replacing property taxes with sales or income taxes, pursuing constitutional amendments, adding local veto mechanisms, and expanding caps or exemptions. Experts warn alternatives may underfund services, making districts cut staff or rely more on state aid.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Social media giants face courtroom reckoning

Social media companies, including Meta and TikTok, are facing trials across the U.S. over allegations that their platforms harm children's mental health. The lawsuits, initiated by school districts, families, and government entities, argue that these companies deliberately design addictive features and fail to protect young users from harmful content. Matthew Bergman of the Social Media Victims Law Center said: “This is a monumental inflection point in social media,” highlighting the significance of these cases. The outcomes could challenge existing legal protections for tech companies and lead to substantial changes in their operations. As the trials unfold, experts draw parallels to past cases against the tobacco and opioid industries, emphasizing the potential for significant legal and financial repercussions for the defendants.

POLICY

Prayer policy divides Houston school districts

School districts in the Houston area are responding differently to Senate Bill 11, which mandates public school boards to vote on implementing a daily period for voluntary prayer or religious reading by March 1. The Magnolia ISD has adopted the policy, allowing voluntary participation outside instructional time, with parental consent required. In contrast, the Conroe ISD voted against the measure, citing existing rights for individual prayer and logistical challenges. Similarly, Katy ISD leaders plan to oppose the policy, arguing it may be redundant. The differing decisions highlight a broader debate in Texas about balancing religious expression with constitutional limits, as districts prepare for the upcoming deadline.

WORKFORCE

Lubbock ISD's bold teacher certification plan

Lubbock ISD is committed to ensuring that all core subject teachers are certified by the 2029-2030 school year. The district plans to reduce its reliance on uncertified teachers through certification tracks, recruitment pipelines, and improved retention rates. Currently, 16% of teachers in foundational classes are uncertified, with plans to hire uncertified teachers until 2029-30, requiring them to work towards certification within two years. The district will provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 for certification costs and support through mentorships and professional development. Additionally, the district aims to attract and retain teachers by increasing pay and enhancing professional development opportunities.

DISTRICTS

New campuses reshape Liberty Hill ISD

Liberty Hill ISD has approved new attendance zones for the 2026-27 school year, coinciding with the opening of four new campuses. Lariat Trails Elementary will open in August 2026, serving students from several nearby neighborhoods. Saddleback Elementary is set to open in August 2027, drawing students from the Saddleback subdivision and surrounding areas. Legacy Ranch Middle School will welcome sixth to eighth graders next year, with Peter Bongard appointed as principal. The district will maintain existing high school zones, with Legacy Ranch High School opening for ninth to eleventh graders in fall 2026. A spokesperson mentioned that most students from Louine Noble Elementary will be rezoned to Saddleback Elementary in 2027-28, and the district is considering converting Louine Noble into a prekindergarten center.

Arlington school board approves boundary changes

The Arlington school board has voted to approve changes to the district's enrollment boundaries following the decision to close Blanton Elementary School in May. Blanton, a primarily Hispanic school, has faced failing grades from the Texas Education Agency since 2023 and requires costly repairs. Students will be reassigned to four nearby elementary schools.

Midland ISD secures $674k grant

Midland ISD has received $674,000 through the Leveraging Instructional Frameworks for Transformation (LIFT) grant, part of the Texas Education Agency's Local Accountability System Outcome (LASO) Cycle 4 funding. This grant aims to enhance classroom instruction by providing high-quality materials, professional learning, and coaching. The funding will support various initiatives, including the Grow Your Own and Mentorship programs, which are designed to develop educators and improve student outcomes.

Corpus Christi students walk out for immigration rights

Students in Corpus Christi protested against immigration enforcement last week, leaving their classrooms despite warnings from the Corpus Christi ISD. The protests featured students holding signs with messages like “ICE Out,” and were coordinated through social media across multiple high schools.

Bryan trustees to discuss school improvements

Bryan ISD trustees will hold a public hearing on targeted improvement plans for its intermediate schools during the board meeting on February 23. Barbara Ybarra, associate superintendent of teaching and learning, and Jill Morris, director of accountability, research, evaluation, and assessment, will present plans for Sadberry, Long, Rayburn Intermediate Schools, and SFA Middle School.

GOVERNANCE

Superintendent cleared of wrongdoing at Treetops

James Whitfield, the superintendent of Treetops School International, has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a lengthy investigation by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Parents had accused him of financial mismanagement and failing to report an alleged incident of physical abuse by a teacher. However, the TEA found the allegations to be unfounded, stating there was "no evidence of rules violations that could have impacted Whitfield's educator certification." The investigation stemmed from a controversial decision to adopt a four-day school week and eliminate upper grades, which upset some parents.

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CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Katy ISD board to vote on new center

The Katy ISD school board is set to vote on the design of the new Opportunity Awareness Center (OAC), following a presentation that raised concerns among board members. The OAC serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade who have violated the Texas Education Code or district conduct rules, according to Principal Janelle Coleman. The new $10m center will be located near the current facility and will be approximately 20,000 sq ft, reducing the number of secondary seats from 345 to 180.

Highland Lakes High School unveiled

The Lake Travis ISD board of trustees has officially named the upcoming second high school Highland Lakes High School, with colors of dark green, blue, and white. The school is set to open in the 2029-30 school year, a delay from earlier projections. The school will accommodate 1,500 students and feature various amenities, including a performing arts center and competition fields. Construction is expected to begin in May and take approximately two years and nine months to complete, with the district anticipating ownership by March 2029.

De Zavala Elementary to close early

De Zavala Elementary will close three months earlier than planned due to structural issues at a nearby Montessori campus, which requires relocation of those students. Fort Worth ISD officials announced the change, citing declining enrollment and the transfer of De Zavala's principal as contributing factors. Starting in fall 2026, students will be rezoned to nearby schools, with the Montessori program also moving to De Zavala's building.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

FBI warns: hoax threats are serious

In response to recent bomb threats affecting Texas schools and a Hill Country hospital, the FBI has reiterated its 2018 warning about the serious consequences of hoax threats. "Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources, and put first responders in unnecessary danger," said former FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich. Each false threat requires a full law enforcement response, and offenders can face federal charges, including up to five years in prison for interstate communications. Recent incidents in Texas involved multiple schools receiving similar bomb threats, leading to evacuations and extensive police investigations.

Midland ISD adopts AI gun detection

Midland ISD has announced the implementation of ZeroEyes, an AI-based gun detection platform designed to enhance school safety. This technology, which has already been adopted by Midland Christian School and Stonegate Fellowship, utilizes existing security cameras to identify firearms and share images with a dedicated operations center staffed by military and law enforcement veterans.

LEADERSHIP

New training tools for superintendents unveiled

Superintendents are increasingly confronted with political challenges that are often overlooked in their training. Jennifer Perry Cheatham, a former superintendent and now a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, emphasized: "This is not something you want to learn on the job." To address this gap, new resources, including case studies and simulations, have been introduced. The Initiative on Superintendent as Civic Leader aims to support superintendents and enhance preparation programs nationwide. The simulations, which can be conducted online or in-person, allow superintendents to engage in discussions about hypothetical crises, helping them navigate complex issues such as school closures and teacher recruitment. As Cheatham noted, "The role of the superintendent has changed," highlighting the importance of civic leadership in education.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Clean school bus funding paused as EPA seeks input on gas, hydrogen and biofuels

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to revamp its Clean School Bus Program, expanding the range of eligible fuel and technology options beyond primarily electric buses. The agency has launched a 45-day public comment period through a Request for Information to gather feedback from manufacturers, school districts, and fleet operators on the cost, availability, and performance of alternative technologies. The updated program is expected to place greater emphasis on biofuels, compressed and liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. As part of the transition, the EPA confirmed it will cancel the 2024 rebate funding round, encouraging applicants to instead apply for the 2026 grant cycle. A formal funding notice outlining eligibility criteria is expected soon. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the overhaul aims to improve fiscal responsibility and provide school districts with more flexibility to meet transportation needs. The Clean School Bus Program was originally created to replace older, high-emission buses with cleaner models to improve air quality and protect student health. 

INTERNATIONAL

Maternity pay for teachers in England to rise from 2027-28

Maternity pay for teachers in England will increase for the first time in 25 years under reforms set to take effect in the 2027-28 academic year. The government will raise full-pay maternity leave from four weeks to eight, followed by 10 weeks at half pay and 21 weeks at statutory maternity pay. The changes, to be outlined in the forthcoming schools white paper, aim to improve staff retention, particularly among women aged 30 to 39, who make up the largest group leaving the profession. Nearly 10% of qualified teachers left state schools in 2023-24, and only 68% remain five years after qualifying. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reform addresses long-standing stagnation in maternity pay and will support more women returning to teaching. Unions welcomed the move but noted that teachers’ maternity packages still fall short of those offered to civil servants. The white paper will also include proposed reforms to special educational needs provision, including reassessments at the transition from primary to secondary school, and tighter eligibility criteria for full support.
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