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Texas
23rd June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Texas schools to read Bible passages

The Texas State Board of Education is set to vote on a proposal requiring schoolchildren to read selected Bible passages, igniting a debate over the role of religion in public education. The proposed curriculum includes about 200 passages, primarily from Christian texts, with stories like "Noah's Ark" and "David and Goliath" for younger students. David Holland, a professor at Harvard Divinity School, said: "The minute you use a textual translation of a book that is shared across religious traditions... you're inevitably going to privilege certain kinds of Christian understandings of that text." Critics, including Rebecca Bell-Metereau, argue that this approach violates the Constitution's Establishment Clause, while supporters believe it offers valuable insights into Western civilization. The board's final vote is expected between June 22-26, with changes potentially implemented by 2030.

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STATE NEWS

Texas schools face enrollment crisis

Texas public school enrollment is declining as families explore more educational options, including charter schools and private school vouchers. The state's largest districts, such as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, are experiencing significant drops in student numbers. Houston ISD has lost over 30,000 students in the past decade and anticipates further losses, prompting the district to cut 300 central office jobs and close 12 schools. A report from Texas 2036 estimates that public schools could lose an additional 100,000 students by 2030. Meanwhile, Northside ISD, once the fourth-largest, is facing competition from charter schools and may ask voters for a tax increase to address a $31.6m budget deficit.

NATIONAL NEWS

More than half of districts tap reserves as insurance costs continue to climb

A new national study by AASA and the Association of School Business Officials International has found that rapidly rising health care costs are placing significant pressure on public school budgets, forcing many districts to delay hiring, reduce educational spending, and draw on reserve funds to cover escalating insurance expenses. Based on responses from 767 school superintendents and business officials across 42 states, the report found that 98% of district leaders said rising health care costs had a measurable impact on their budgets. During the 2025-26 fiscal year, 92% of districts spent up to 30% of their operating budgets on employee insurance benefits. The primary drivers of premium increases were higher prescription drug costs, cited by 60% of respondents, followed by increased claims for expensive treatments and greater use of high-cost specialty medications such as GLP-1 drugs, both identified by 56% of districts. AASA and ASBO concluded that without additional funding, greater flexibility, and policy reforms, school districts will continue to face difficult trade-offs between maintaining employee health benefits and investing in educational opportunities for students.

FINANCE

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's revenue boost plan

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD) is set to generate over $570,000 in additional revenue over three years by implementing new strategies, including selling reserved stadium seating and advertising on speed bumps and stadium seat backs. During a June 15 meeting, trustees unanimously approved the formation of an implementation committee to explore these ideas. John Klein, managing director of CEVOH, suggested starting with a manual booking system and later developing a dedicated portal for bookings. The district anticipates earning $122,700 in the first year, $204,500 in the second year, and $245,400 in the third year, with revenues directed to a restricted fund.

Alvin ISD considers insurance premium cut

Alvin ISD's board of trustees is set to review a property insurance premium recommendation of over $5.4m during a meeting on June 23. District officials suggest awarding the 2026-27 insurance to Houston-based Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance. If approved, the premium would decrease by nearly $430,000 from the previous year's cost of over $5.875m. This reduction is attributed to a $0.015 drop in the insurance rate, now at $0.25 per $100 of total insured value (TIV). The TIV is also decreasing by over 0.8% due to Walt Disney Elementary no longer requiring insurance, as noted in district documents.

EXAMS

Leander ISD students shine in STAAR scores

Leander ISD families can now access their students' STAAR scores for grades three to eight, as well as high school end-of-course exam results. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released scores for various subjects in June, using a four-tiered grading system to assess student performance. Data shows that LISD's scores exceeded state averages in most subjects for 2025 and 2026.

Conroe ISD shines in STAAR results

According to the June 10 results from the spring 2026 STAAR, Conroe ISD outperformed the state for the second consecutive year. CISD achieved higher passage rates in all categories, with the Biology end-of-course exam scoring 95% compared to the state's 93%. However, internal scores showed a decline from 2025, particularly in third through seventh grade math, where third grade dropped from 80% to 75%.

GOVERNANCE

Quinones takes the helm at Denton foundation

Katherine Quinones has been appointed as the new executive director of the Denton Public School Foundation. A graduate of Denton High School, Quinones brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising and community engagement. The foundation, established in 1995, has awarded nearly $3.5m in grants and $1.5m in scholarships to Denton ISD seniors. Quinones will start her new role on July 6.

DISTRICTS

Liberty Christian wins TAPPS Henderson Cup again

Liberty Christian School in Argyle has secured the TAPPS Henderson Cup for the 2025-2026 school year, marking its 15th overall win and second consecutive year of triumph. “Liberty Christian Athletics is proud to bring home the TAPPS Henderson Cup for the second consecutive year,” said the school in a social media post. The TAPPS, or Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, awards this honor based on points earned in various championships throughout the school year. The award is named after Johnnie and Evelyn Henderson, who significantly contributed to the organization, with Johnnie being the first executive director.

Belton students shine in documentary competition

Two documentary teams from Belton ISD have gained national recognition for their historical explorations. The team from Lake Belton Middle School, consisting of Emery Hobson, Sarah Jackson, and Mya Kacal, achieved first place in the National History Day Junior Group Documentary category. Their accomplishment highlights the dedication and talent of students in presenting historical narratives effectively. "We are proud of our students for their hard work and creativity," said a representative from Belton ISD.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Milestone celebration for Midland Lee High School

Midland ISD will host a Topping Out Ceremony at 9 a.m. tommorow to celebrate a significant construction milestone for the new Midland Lee High School. This event marks the placement of the final structural beam, symbolizing the completion of the building's framework. Attendees will have the chance to sign the final beam before it is lifted into place.

Midland ISD seeks land approval

Midland ISD is pursuing the platting of the 5.32-acre land that encompasses Sam Houston Elementary School. The district has submitted a preliminary plat request, represented by Maverick Engineering. Although the property has never been platted, it is zoned for single-family dwellings, which includes schools.

LEGAL

Uvalde police chief faces trial

Joshua Gutierrez, the former Uvalde police chief, is set to stand trial on February 1, 2027, for evidence tampering related to a March 2024 incident involving a package of feces sent to Uvalde Elementary. Gutierrez allegedly instructed officer Melissa Castañeda to dispose of the package without checking for hazardous materials, which later caused allergy-like symptoms in three staff members. Prosecutors argue that Gutierrez's actions were intended to obstruct an investigation, as the package was deemed a threat to the Uvalde CISD. Gutierrez, who served as police chief from November 2022 to June 2024, has an inactive Texas Peace Officer license since September 2025 and remains active on TikTok, where he has nearly 630,000 followers.  

HEALTH & SAFETY

Boerne ISD pushes for safer roads

Boerne ISD board has unanimously approved a resolution urging the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to expedite safety improvements along Texas 46 West, a route heavily used by students and staff. Board President Courtney Darter-Bruce emphasized: "The safety of our students, staff, families, and school transportation operations remains one of our highest priorities." The resolution follows advocacy from community member Brad Dobson, who presented crash data and proposed safety measures. TxDOT has already begun installing rumble strips and repainting traffic lines. 

INTERNATIONAL

Beijing eliminates 12,000 degree programs in push for AI leadership

China has launched one of its most sweeping education reforms in decades, reshaping its academic system to prepare students for an economy increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced computing. As part of the overhaul, Chinese authorities have eliminated more than 12,000 university degree programs deemed outdated and introduced over 10,000 new courses focused on AI-related disciplines. Universities are also expanding into emerging fields such as "embodied intelligence," which combines artificial intelligence with real-world physical systems, with nine institutions already offering specialized degrees. The reforms extend well beyond higher education. China is introducing AI literacy into schools for children as young as six, treating knowledge of algorithms and artificial intelligence as foundational skills alongside reading and writing. The education transformation supports Beijing's broader ambition to become a global AI leader. The government is considering investments of approximately $295bn in a national AI data-center network and is increasingly integrating AI into fields ranging from medicine and engineering to the humanities.
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