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Texas
27th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Department of Education to vacate HQ as overhaul accelerates

The U.S. Department of Education has announced it will leave its Washington, D.C., headquarters by August and transfer the building to the Department of Energy, in a move that underscores the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce and potentially dismantle the agency. The decision to move out of the Lyndon B. Johnson Building follows significant staff cuts, the reassignment of major programs, including student loan management and education grants, to other federal departments, and broader attempts to shrink the federal education footprint, with officials citing cost savings of about $4.8m annually and more efficient use of space. While supporters argue the move to 500 D Street SW,, around a block away, changes reduce bureaucracy and improve government efficiency, critics warn the restructuring could create confusion, weaken oversight, and negatively impact services for students, particularly as the administration continues to pursue its goal of shifting education responsibilities away from the federal level.

MCGRAW HILL - TEKS ALIGNMENT

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STATE NEWS

Judge upholds Texas gun ban

A federal judge upheld Texas restrictions on carrying firearms in certain sensitive locations, preserving the authority of establishments to prohibit guns at places such as school events, bars, stadiums, and racetracks. The ruling came after Attorney General Ken Paxton declined to defend the law, prompting the court to seek outside legal support. Judge Mark T. Pittman concluded the policy fits within longstanding limits on gun rights in sensitive places, writing, “Texans can renege on the Firearms Prohibition if they so choose through their elected representatives.”

FINANCE

Hays CISD plans deep cuts

Hays CISD is proposing $12.25m in budget cuts after years of funding strain, a failed tax ratification effort, and a shrinking fund balance. The plan would affect more than 1,000 employees through layoffs, reassignments, reduced workdays, and suspended stipends, though most eliminated positions would come through attrition. District leaders say the goal is to rebuild reserves over five years while limiting damage to schools. Superintendent Eric Wright warned: “These cuts will, in varying degrees, affect all of us.”

Eanes still faces budget gap

Eanes ISD is still projecting a budget shortfall of more than $2m for 2026-27 even after approving optimization steps intended to reduce the gap. District leaders say savings from staff attrition and added local revenue should help, but uncertainty around tax growth, special education funding, and possible enrollment effects from education savings accounts continues to cloud the outlook. Chief financial officer Chris Scott said officials may not know key state funding details before the board adopts the budget in June.

McKinney eyes budget gap

McKinney ISD is projecting a possible $7.5m shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27 as expected expenses outpace anticipated revenue. District officials said the estimate could shift as attendance, property values, and other factors are updated, but current projections show about $261.7m in revenue against roughly $269.2m in costs. Chief Financial Officer Marlene Harbeson said the current year remains fluid, calling it “definitely a moving target,” while the district awaits updated property value estimates to refine its outlook.

DISTRICTS

Houston ISD's secret luncheon: A new era

The Houston ISD State of the District address transitioned to a private, ticketed event this year, costing $250 to attend. Houston Chronicle Senior Education Reporter Megan Menchaca noted that Superintendent Mike Miles received a warm welcome, stating: "There was no booing, there was no jeers." The event emphasized the district's new Accelerate Houston plan, which includes initiatives like accelerated math for middle schoolers and the launch of Future 2 schools, aimed at preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. Menchaca highlighted that the Future 2 schools will focus on critical skills and will serve students from pre-K through 8th grade. However, she pointed out the lack of discussion regarding the district's declining enrollment and its impact on the closure of 12 campuses.

Austin partners on middle schools

Austin ISD has approved a three-year agreement with Texas Council for International Studies to operate Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools beginning this fall. The partnership is designed to improve three campuses that each received a fourth straight F rating, while also introducing an International Baccalaureate pathway over time. District leaders say the arrangement brings added resources and turnaround expertise, though it also gives the nonprofit broad authority over staffing, curriculum, and finances. 

Barbers Hill ISD sees enrollment surge

Barbers Hill ISD is experiencing notable growth, with an increase of 1,179 students over the past five years, as reported by David Bloom, communications director. For the 2025-26 school year, enrollment rose by about 184 students, marking a nearly 3% increase. Projections indicate that enrollment could reach 9,539 students by the 2030-31 school year and further climb to 10,791 by 2035-36. "The district’s ongoing upward trend" reflects its commitment to accommodating the growing student population.

Keller awaits closure plan

Keller ISD’s Long-range Planning Committee is expected to present school closure recommendations on April 2 as the district confronts declining enrollment and financial strain. The process will include guidance on which campuses may close and how consolidation could work, with district leaders saying community input has shaped their thinking. With a projected $9.4m budget shortfall and underused buildings, officials say difficult choices are necessary.

Denton ISD votes for boundary changes

Denton ISD's board unanimously approved new attendance boundaries affecting schools in the U.S. Highway 380 area, following the closure of Paloma Creek Elementary School. This decision is part of the "Building Forward" improvement plan mandated by the Texas Education Agency for schools that have not met accountability targets for three consecutive years. The changes will redistribute approximately 400 students from Paloma Creek to Bell, Union Park, Sandbrock Ranch, and Savannah elementary schools, ensuring that no school exceeds 1,000 students.

WORKFORCE

Katy ISD slows staffing growth

Katy ISD is projecting a net staffing reduction of 106 positions for 2026-27 as flat enrollment and lower birth rates cut expected revenue by $11m. District leaders said current employees will remain employed, with adjustments handled through vacancies, attrition, and excess staffing rather than layoffs. Officials framed the move as a response to changing growth patterns and budget pressures, while trustees raised concerns about staff uncertainty and the district’s reliance on personnel adjustments.

GOVERNANCE

State appointees take charge at Fort Worth

Fort Worth ISD’s first board meeting under state control will center on organizing the new Board of Managers, formally approving acting Superintendent Peter Licata, and weighing a waiver because he lacks Texas certification. The agenda also includes suspending several local board policies tied to board operations and employment practices. These moves follow the Texas Education Agency’s takeover after persistent campus failures. Licata was chosen after a national search as leaders seek to address “long-standing” academic struggles in the district.

Denton ISD board race heats up

Two candidate forums are set for the Denton ISD Board of Trustees Place 6 race, featuring former Denton City Council member Vicki Byrd and Greg Petolick, a substitute teacher and secretary of the Denton Public School Foundation. The seat became available after current trustee Lori Tays announced she would not seek reelection.

New leader for Abilene ISD

Abilene ISD has appointed Melissa Scott as the new executive director for elementary curriculum and instruction. In her role, Scott will be responsible for enhancing teaching and learning practices across all district elementary schools, focusing on the success of students, teachers, and staff.

Nichols named Hunt ISD superintendent

Sarah Nichols has been named the lone finalist for the position of superintendent at Hunt ISD, following over a decade of service in the district. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Federal investigation targets diversity practices at top U.S. medical schools

The Trump administration has launched investigations into admissions policies at several major medical schools, including Ohio State University, UC San Diego, and Stanford, focusing on potential race discrimination following the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action. The Justice Department is seeking extensive data on applicants over the past seven years, as well as internal communications related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The probes form part of a broader crackdown on universities, including threats to withhold federal funding, and have drawn criticism from education advocates concerned about academic freedom, privacy, and government overreach, while the institutions involved say they are reviewing the requests and remain compliant with anti-discrimination laws.

INTERNATIONAL

Lawsuit claims AI chatbot failed to flag warning signs before British Columbia attack

The family of a 12-year-old student critically injured in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT provided the suspected gunman with information about violent crimes, weapons, and tactics, failed to prevent account misuse by a minor, and did not escalate warning signs despite the user being flagged internally before the attack. The case centers on whether the platform should have identified credible threats and alerted authorities, while OpenAI has stated that updated safeguards introduced after the 2025 incident would now require law enforcement notification in similar circumstances, and that it is working with experts and officials to strengthen prevention measures.
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