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Texas
15th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Superintendent turnover starts to stabilize

U.S. school districts are seeing superintendent turnover fall toward pre-pandemic levels, while research suggests that leadership stability is associated with stronger student outcomes. An ILO Group analysis of the 500 largest districts found turnover fell to 17%, from 20% to 23% over the previous five years, with only 78 districts maintaining consistent leadership since the pandemic. Students in districts without leadership changes between 2019 and 2025 recorded at least one additional month of learning in reading and math, while separate research found that repeated turnover in high-poverty districts was associated with students falling roughly two months behind in math and six weeks behind in reading. Financial pressures may also be discouraging leadership changes, given the cost of superintendent searches, while women now account for 34% of superintendents across the 500 largest districts.

CLASSROOM READY

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TEACHING

Students fear judgment in civics class

High school students are increasingly hesitant to express their opinions in civics classes due to fear of judgment from peers. A recent survey by the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute revealed that 58% of respondents held back from sharing their views on political issues, with 91% citing classmates as their primary concern. Liam Julian, chief of programs and public policy at the Institute, emphasized the need for civics education to go beyond knowledge of government, stating: "Civic education has to teach students how their government works and also how to stay in the conversation when they disagree." Texas is addressing this issue with a new civics training program for teachers, set to begin in summer 2027, which aims to foster respectful classroom discussions and improve civic engagement among students.

Book vending machines boost literacy

In Texas, Sabinal Elementary School is one of five schools nationwide receiving a book vending machine from Save the Children as part of the “Learn Without Limits” initiative, launched to coincide with International Literacy Day. The initiative aims to address low literacy rates, particularly in rural areas, where children often lag behind their urban peers. The “State of Childhood in Rural America” report highlights that many rural Texas families face challenges accessing childcare, impacting early learning. Mary McInerney, national head of program implementation for Save the Children, noted that grade-level reading fosters confidence in the classroom, essential for academic success. The organization is also launching Rural Child Well-being Dashboards to provide insights into children's literacy and well-being across states.

FINANCE

Plano ISD cuts tax rate again

The Plano ISD board approved a new tax rate of $1.03275 per $100 of taxable value for the fiscal year 2026-27, a decrease from the previous rate of $1.03955. District Chief Financial Officer Courtney Reeves said the decline is "primarily driven by state-mandated tax rate compression." Despite the lower rate, homeowners in Plano will likely see an increase in their tax bills due to rising property values, with the average market value of homes now at $614,707. Additionally, PISD anticipates sending 24% of collected property taxes to the state as part of the recapture program, which redistributes funds from wealthier districts to those deemed property-poor. The district's recapture bill for fiscal year 2025-26 was over $111m, representing around 21% of collected tax revenue.

Abilene ISD slashes property tax rate

The Abilene ISD Board has approved a reduced property tax rate of $0.8887 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, marking a 6-cent decrease from the previous year. This decision accompanies a balanced budget of approximately $163.8m, which reflects the district's efforts to eliminate a $12m budget deficit over the past two years. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hinds said: "This is quite a moment," emphasizing the district's commitment to effective spending for students. The board also maintained the interest and sinking tax rate at $0.2159, which will help pay off debt about 1.5 years early, saving taxpayers over $12m in future interest costs. Additionally, the district has entered recapture under Chapter 49, with an estimated payment of $1.2m due to rising local property values.

DISTRICTS

Paredes Middle School closure shocks community

The Austin ISD trustees' decision to close Paredes Middle School on July 30 surprised many staff and families. Superintendent Matias Segura cited declining academic performance and staff vacancies as reasons for the closure, stating: "We are not in a position to ensure that our students at Paredes Middle School grow academically in 2026-2027." Most of the 848 students were transferred to Bailey Middle School, while 45% moved to Mendez Middle School. The decision followed a series of closed meetings, with trustees questioning the impact on educators and families. Trustee Arati Singh expressed concerns about the abruptness of the closure, emphasizing the need for better communication in the future. The Texas Education Agency criticized the late announcement, suggesting it caused unnecessary hardship for families.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Bus driver shortage: a national crisis

As school districts nationwide grapple with bus driver shortages, the North East ISD has achieved its highest staffing levels since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, nearby districts like Northside, San Antonio, and Judson ISDs still face significant challenges. Judson's director of transportation, Earl Stewart, noted that the district is currently five drivers short of its 84 bus routes. Budget constraints exacerbate these issues, with Northside ISD freezing salaries amid a $38m shortfall. "Nobody wants to be on the bus a long, long time, but we're doing the best that we can with the resources that we have," said Tesilia Soliz, Northside ISD's Director of Transportation. In contrast, NEISD has a retention rate of nearly 80%, with Executive Director of Transportation Bill Harrison stating, "That's unheard of since the pandemic." NEISD aims to be fully staffed by Thanksgiving, showcasing a successful approach amidst widespread staffing difficulties.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Rivalry turns into generosity

Tyler High School and Tyler Legacy High School recently revealed the results of the 36th Annual Pantry Raid during the Tyler ISD Rose City Rivalry football game, collecting 20,000 pounds of food and raising $17,906 for the East Texas Food Bank (ETFB). This friendly competition, which began in 1991, has contributed over 2m meals during the ETFB's Hunger Action Month. Jennifer Hines, chief communications officer at Tyler ISD, said: "The biggest win of the night was not on the scoreboard, but it was in the fight against hunger." The event supports essential programs like the BackPack Program, which provides nutritious food to 7,500 children in East Texas every weekend. Hines expressed gratitude to all who contributed, emphasizing the event's impact on fighting hunger in the community.

Denton ISD honors veterans with free events

Denton ISD has introduced the Honor Card Program, allowing resident veterans and active-duty service members to attend most district home events at no cost. This initiative includes athletic competitions and fine arts performances, with eligibility extending to those living within DISD boundaries or related to a DISD student. “Service is something we talk about in our classrooms, and it lands differently when students can see it in the people around them,” said Superintendent Susannah O'Bara. To obtain an Honor Card, individuals must present valid identification and proof of military service.

HIGHER EDUCATION

New leadership at UTA: Archie Holmes steps in

Archie Holmes has been appointed as the acting president of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) following the departure of Jennifer Cowley, the university's first female president. Cowley, who served for over four years, will remain at UTA as a faculty member and will assist Holmes during the transition. Holmes, currently the UT System's executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, will continue in that role while overseeing UTA. UT System Chancellor John Zerwas praised Cowley for her "transformative initiatives" that aimed to enhance research funding and student enrollment, although UTA faced challenges in international enrollment and financial stability during her tenure. Holmes, who holds a Bachelor's degree and a PhD in electrical engineering, is expected to lead UTA through this transitional period as the search for a permanent president begins. "We consider the selection of top UT presidents among our most important responsibilities," Zerwas said.

AND FINALLY...

AI of the Tyga

Tyga's latest album, "$TARFACE," released in July, has received overwhelmingly negative reviews, with Pitchfork labeling it "smug and complacent and depressing." The criticism stems not from the music itself but from Tyga's use of generative AI, which has sparked a broader backlash against AI in the music industry. FSU business management major Tegan Sutton said: "If artists are just using AI for their scripts and editing their voices then it is not really true music anymore." While some students at Florida State University express skepticism about AI in music, FSU chemistry professor Oliver Steinbock believes generative AI will persist, stating: "I am fairly sure that generative AI is here to stay." The ongoing debate includes legal challenges, as companies like Suno face lawsuits over copyright issues related to AI-generated music.
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