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USA
4th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

FCC seeks public input on E-Rate program

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, a roughly $3bn annual subsidy scheme that has funded internet connectivity for schools and libraries for nearly 30 years. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said a proposal outlining potential changes will be released this week, with an initial commission vote scheduled for June 25. The review comes amid growing concerns about excessive screen time among children. Carr noted that several states and school districts are already limiting device usage, particularly for younger students, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued the first Surgeon General's warning on the potential harms of excessive screen use. The FCC is seeking public feedback on both the legal and policy implications of children's access to subsidized internet services, including how parents, guardians, and teachers should be involved in related decisions. A senior FCC official said the review will examine whether the program has fulfilled its original mission and whether ongoing funding remains consistent with congressional objectives. The E-Rate program is funded through fees collected from telecommunications companies and passed on to consumers via the Universal Service Fee on phone bills. The review follows the FCC's September decision to end subsidies for Wi-Fi on school buses, after the agency allocated $48m to support onboard internet access in 2024.

TITLE IX

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

Download Guide

 

DISTRICTS

Austin ISD to cut 558 positions, reduce transportation, and scale back benefits.

Austin ISD has unveiled a broad cost-cutting plan aimed at closing a $181m budget deficit, including the elimination of 558 positions, reduced transportation services, and cuts to employee benefits. Superintendent Matias Segura said the measures reflect the growing gap between state education funding and the rising costs of operating schools. The Texas district's staffing reductions include 112 certified teachers, 27 uncertified teachers, 11.5 librarian positions, 22 counselor positions, and 11 assistant principal positions. Austin ISD also plans to save $15.9m by reducing teacher planning time at non-high-needs schools and $6.5m by increasing class sizes in second through fifth grades at those campuses. Transportation changes are expected to generate at least $5.1m in savings through the elimination of after-school activity buses for middle and high school students, expanded use of transportation hubs, increased reliance on public transit partnerships, and the introduction of income-based transportation fees for magnet school students. The district will also reduce its contributions to employee health benefits by $4m, trim staff stipends by another $4m, and cut $1.1m in funding for nonprofit partners that provide mentoring, tutoring, and college readiness programs.

Denver Public Schools appoints Sito Narcisse as interim superintendent

Denver Public Schools has appointed Sito Narcisse as the interim chief of schools, a position that has been vacant since administrative cuts last year. Narcisse, who began his role on May 1, has over fifteen years of experience in education administration, including serving as superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. His tenure there was met with mixed reviews, with supporters praising his initiatives linking high school students to college courses, while critics pointed to communication issues and low employee morale. In Denver, Narcisse's responsibilities include providing vision and strategic direction to drive educational excellence. Superintendent Alex Marrero announced plans to realign central office positions and reestablish the chief of schools role, with no timeline yet provided for a permanent appointment. Narcisse may be a candidate for the permanent position.

Milwaukee Public Schools scales back restorative practices initiative

Milwaukee Public Schools' restorative practices program, which educators credit with improving attendance, reducing suspensions, and strengthening student engagement, is at a crossroads after the district eliminated 10 positions within the department as part of broader budget cuts affecting 260 non-classroom roles. The layoffs are part of a restructuring that will also eliminate positions across several equity-focused initiatives, including Black and Latino Male Achievement, Gender and Identity Inclusion, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. In total, 26 equity and inclusion-related jobs are being cut. District officials say the work will continue under a newly created nine-person office that combines the four teams, with a greater reliance on school psychologists, counselors, social workers, and expanded staff training to support restorative practices rather than dedicated coaches. Supporters of the program argue the cuts risk undermining a framework that has delivered measurable results. According to district estimates, schools receiving restorative practices support saw chronic absenteeism decline by approximately 29% over the past four years and suspension rates fall by about 5% over the last three years. 

Pittsburgh PS says consolidation will support broader access to academic programs

Pittsburgh Public Schools has begun implementing its Future Ready Facilities Plan after the school board approved the closure of nine schools, including seven set to close next month and two more the following year. Several additional schools will undergo grade reconfigurations or relocate to different buildings as part of the district's restructuring effort. Superintendent Wayne Walters said the plan is designed to address years of declining enrollment and uneven educational opportunities across the district. By consolidating schools and adopting clearer elementary, middle school, and high school models, the district aims to provide more consistent access to programs such as art, music, STEM, and world languages, while encouraging families to remain in the public school system. The next phase of the plan will include ongoing community meetings and opportunities for parents to provide input on building use, feeder patterns, and program offerings as the changes are rolled out.

TECHNOLOGY

AI adoption in schools skyrockets

The latest State of EdTech report from the Consortium for School Networking reveals significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among K-12 schools, with 79% of districts now having AI guidelines, up from 57% in 2025. CoSN chief executive Keith Krueger noted: “It’s shocking at how quickly at least the guidance around responsible use of AI is.” However, schools are grappling with insufficient resources, staffing, and funding, which hinder effective implementation. While many districts support AI guidelines, they prefer to avoid state or federal mandates due to the fast-paced nature of AI developments. Concerns about cybersecurity are paramount, with 98% of respondents worried about new cyber threats linked to AI. Additionally, the report highlights the need for better vetting of educational technology, as many schools rely on vendor data without adequate safety checks. Krueger emphasized the importance of prioritizing procurement and training to ensure effective and safe use of AI in education.

LEGISLATION

Wyoming lawmakers to examine the state's educational 'basket of goods'

Wyoming’s Joint Education Committee has launched its 2026 interim work by identifying key education issues for further study ahead of the 2027 legislative session, including a review of the state’s educational “basket of goods,” the core academic instruction and standards guaranteed to all students. Lawmakers heard testimony on efforts to streamline Wyoming’s academic standards, which have been reduced from roughly 2,000 to around 1,000 in recent years. State Board of Education Chair Mark Mathern said the changes were intended to make standards more manageable for educators without reducing academic rigor. A working group led by Rep. Ocean Andrew will explore organizing standards into grade-level tiers. The committee also established a separate working group to examine the governance structure of Wyoming’s public education system, including the roles of the Wyoming Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the Professional Teaching Standards Board, and the state’s charter school authorizing board. The review could result in proposals to bring the State Board of Education under the Department of Education.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Ohio Supreme Court reviews Forest Hills Schools' ICE enforcement policy

The Ohio Supreme Court is to proceed with a lawsuit concerning the Forest Hills school district's secret plan to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. The court rejected the school board's request to dismiss the case, which seeks transparency regarding a plan approved in a closed session. The plan was developed amid rising concerns about ICE's presence in schools, particularly following the detention of a young asylum seeker in Minnesota. Attorney Curt Hartman, who filed the lawsuit, said: "We're glad the case is going forward so the school district will now have to justify to the court and the public its effort to equate law enforcement officers to terrorists." Forest Hills officials argue that Ohio law protects the plan's confidentiality, claiming its release could endanger students and staff. The court has instructed both parties to submit briefs and evidence within the next month.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

SLO County high schools gain $300K to broaden student wellness resources

San Luis Obispo County in California is enhancing student mental health services through a new grant program, allocating $300,000 to high schools for on-campus wellness initiatives. The Pathways to Student Wellness initiative will distribute $37,500 to each of the eight participating high schools, which include Arroyo Grande High School, Atascadero High School, and San Luis Obispo High School, among others. These wellness centers will monitor student outcomes biannually to identify access gaps and mental health trends. Mandee Culbert, county behavioral health supervisor, said: "Expanding behavioral health and social-emotional learning services on school campuses creates meaningful opportunities for students to access support." This investment aligns with California's broader $4.9bn initiative to enhance school-based mental health support, reflecting the county's commitment to the wellbeing of its students and families.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

Surge in pediatric e-bike injuries prompts schools to strengthen safety policies

School districts across the United States are introducing stricter rules for student e-bike use as the growing popularity of the vehicles has been accompanied by rising numbers of crashes, injuries, and traffic concerns. Districts are increasingly grappling with how to safely manage e-bikes, which can travel at speeds of up to 28 mph and are often subject to limited regulation. Safety concerns are being reinforced by new research showing a sharp increase in pediatric e-bike injuries. A California emergency department treated 201 children for e-bike-related injuries in 2025, compared with just one case in 2021, with e-bike accidents becoming the leading cause of trauma-related emergency room visits at one children's hospital. Researchers found that higher-speed bikes and failure to wear helmets were associated with more severe injuries and hospitalizations. Other districts and local governments are taking similar action. Some have banned e-bikes or e-scooters for younger students, while others require registration, safety courses, or restrict students to lower-powered Class 1 e-bikes. Schools are also working with law enforcement and local authorities to address confusion between legal e-bikes and more powerful e-motos, which are often subject to motorcycle regulations.

TEACHER TRAINING

Experts call for greater investment in school principal training

A new report from the Learning Policy Institute argues that effective school principals are one of the most important, yet often overlooked, factors in addressing many of education’s most pressing challenges, including teacher retention, student achievement, chronic absenteeism, and school culture. The report, The Principal Effect: How Investing in School Leaders Is Key to Solving Education's Challenges, synthesizes research showing that strong principals improve academic outcomes by fostering teacher collaboration, providing instructional coaching, involving educators in goal-setting, and creating positive working environments. These conditions help retain teachers, improve school stability, and support stronger student performance. Linda Darling-Hammond, the report’s lead author and chief knowledge officer at the Learning Policy Institute, said policymakers have historically underinvested in leadership development despite evidence of its impact. The report highlights examples of more comprehensive principal development programs in places such as Delaware and Chicago, where aspiring school leaders receive structured training, mentoring, and year-long internships under experienced principals.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario teacher unions serve notice to bargain

Ontario’s five major education unions have formally served notice to bargain with the provincial government, beginning negotiations for new contracts covering teachers and education workers in public, Catholic, and French-language schools before existing agreements expire in August. Union leaders say their priorities include reducing class sizes, particularly in kindergarten and Grades 4 to 8, increasing staffing levels, boosting special education funding, and securing wage increases. They argue that schools are facing mounting challenges, including staff shortages, larger and more complex classrooms, rising student mental health needs, and increased incidents of violence. Education Minister Paul Calandra has acknowledged that negotiations are likely to be difficult but said he remains optimistic about reaching agreements through collaboration rather than labor disruptions.
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