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Texas
23rd October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Huffines keeps voucher spending under wraps

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines, known for advocating open government, has faced criticism for withholding details about the state's $1bn school voucher program. Despite public information requests, his office has not disclosed how state funds are allocated to private schools and vendors, citing concerns over student privacy. "Comptroller Huffines will protect the confidential information of participating children and their families," said spokesperson Jeff Norwood. This lack of transparency contrasts with practices in other states, where detailed spending data is routinely shared. Democratic opponent Sarah Eckhardt has called for an audit, emphasizing the need for "transparency and honesty" regarding the program's impact on educational outcomes. Critics, including Carrie Griffith from Our Schools Our Democracy, argue that Texans deserve to know how taxpayer dollars are spent, stating, "There's no excuse for the failure to provide answers on who's profiting from the billion dollars."

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

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STATE NEWS

TEA reports surge in educator misconduct cases

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has reported a significant increase in educator misconduct cases, with 19,766 reports filed between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, a threefold rise from the previous fiscal year. Levi Fuller, the TEA's Inspector General for Educator Misconduct, expressed concern, stating: “This is something that is very scary.” The majority of reports (53.9%) involved violence and abuse towards students, while 15.3% pertained to inappropriate relationships. Fuller emphasized the importance of reporting misconduct, noting that failure to do so can lead to criminal charges. Parents are encouraged to report any concerns through the TEA's Parent Complaint Navigator or directly via email. The TEA is committed to addressing these issues and ensuring the safety of students.

NATIONAL NEWS

Calley Means leaves White House health team amid setbacks to MAHA food policy push

Calley Means, a key adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has resigned from the Trump administration amid reported White House delays in implementing major food policy reforms. A prominent figure in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, Means helped advance efforts to eliminate synthetic food dyes, tighten oversight of chemical additives, and restrict soda and candy purchases through federal food assistance programs. His departure follows delays to proposals requiring food manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of certain ingredients in ultra-processed foods, alongside postponed guidance on defining these products. Kennedy and the White House praised Means’ contributions, while the administration has disputed claims that its food reform agenda has stalled. His resignation follows several other departures and leadership changes involving MAHA-aligned officials.

WORKFORCE

Houston ISD cuts 360 staff amid budget woes

Houston ISD has terminated or reassigned at least 360 employees, including teachers and librarians, due to a significant decline in student enrollment. State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles indicated that HISD expects to enroll around 160,000 students this year, down from approximately 168,800 in the previous year. "These decisions were difficult but necessary to ensure the District remains financially sustainable," HISD stated. The district has been adjusting its staffing levels to align with lower-than-anticipated enrollment figures, which are more than double the budgeted decline. In addition to the terminations, 200 employees were reassigned across 118 campuses. Schools like Hilliard Elementary and Long Academy saw the highest number of staff cuts, reflecting the broader trend of budget adjustments in school districts across Texas and the nation.

LEGAL

Dallas ISD settles for $1m

Dallas ISD has agreed to a $1m settlement with federal prosecutors regarding its handling of teacher misconduct allegations involving Michael Raymond Roell. U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said: “This is the textbook definition of ‘pass the trash,’ and what we're trying to stop here in North Texas.” The settlement arises from Roell's inappropriate conduct while teaching, which was not reported to the state, allowing him to continue teaching in other districts. The settlement funds will be allocated for training and resources to improve the reporting and investigation of child abuse and teacher misconduct. Dallas ISD is also required to formalize partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure better oversight of such allegations in the future.

DISTRICTS

Belton ISD approves major improvements

The Belton ISD board has approved significant school improvement plans and extended Superintendent Malinda Golden's contract until June 30, 2031. The board allocated over $500,000 for external educational support to enhance these plans. Golden's salary will be $236,860, with annual increases tied to the district's administrative staff raises. Four schools, including High Point Elementary and Hubbard Branch Elementary, will implement Targeted Improvement Plans due to low performance ratings.  

Affordable housing for teachers on the table

The San Marcos CISD (SMCISD) board of trustees is evaluating a partnership with Upward Communities to create an affordable housing community for district staff. Jason Roberts, founder and chief executive of Upward Communities, presented survey results indicating that over half of the 689 staff members expressed interest in district-supported housing. “People love to be teachers... but as inflation continues to eat up their paychecks... they seek other professions,” Roberts said. The board has postponed a decision on the project, which would involve a master lease agreement allowing SMCISD to control the development for 55 years. This initiative aims to retain and attract staff amid rising living costs, similar to projects already underway in Hays CISD and Lockhart ISD.

Midland ISD opens pre-K survey

Midland ISD has launched its pre-K interest survey for the 2027-28 school year, urging families to participate. The district emphasizes that its pre-K program equips children with essential skills for kindergarten and beyond through engaging activities. Data shows that 67% of pre-K attendees met kindergarten readiness benchmarks, compared to only 38% of non-attendees. The program not only prepares children academically but also helps them adapt to classroom routines and develop social skills. Families are encouraged to complete the survey online, which aids the district in planning for the upcoming school year and provides further enrollment information.

Boyer gets contract extension from Ector ISD trustees

Ector County ISD (ECISD) trustees have unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Keeley Boyer's contract for one year. The meeting included updates on various construction projects, with Vasquez Middle School and the Permian High School JROTC facility now complete. The district is also progressing on the ATLAS Career & Technical Education Center and the Transition Learning Center. The trustees also discussed the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report, where ECISD earned an A rating, marking the ninth time in ten years the district achieved this score.  

FINANCE

Bryan ISD audit reveals funding gaps

Bryan ISD's recent voluntary efficiency audit has uncovered significant financial challenges, revealing that the district generates less revenue per student compared to similar districts while incurring higher expenditures. The audit was presented to trustees as the district prepares for its upcoming voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) on November 3. The report highlighted that Bryan ISD's per-student revenue is below the peer average, and its expenditures are higher. The audit also examined staffing, academic performance, and the district's self-funded programs, revealing a $5m deficit in the employee health insurance program. Bryan ISD is seeking voter approval to increase its maintenance and operations tax rate by two cents, which is projected to generate an additional $5.6m in revenue for the 2026-27 school year.

Texas City ISD earns TEA's top financial rating

The Texas Education Agency has awarded Texas City ISD a perfect score and the highest rating, Superior Achievement, under the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for 2025-26. This rating, the best among Galveston County districts, evaluates financial management practices based on fiscal year 2025 data.  

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

East Side schools construction greenlit

Construction at two East Side schools is set to commence following a unanimous vote by the San Antonio ISD (SAISD) board. The projects were previously paused due to scrutiny over the district's $1.3bn 2020 bond package, which still has $420m unspent. SAISD is seeking voter approval for a new $600m bond package in November for various upgrades. The board allocated an additional $40.6 m for the replacement of Martin Luther King Academy and approved $14.2m for renovations at Davis Middle School. SAISD serves around 42,000 students and has closed 17 schools in the past three years due to declining enrollment.  

Arlington ISD tackles funding challenges

Arlington ISD has decided to allocate approximately $17m from its 2019 bond interest earnings to fund projects after voters rejected a $31m bond proposition for athletic and fine arts facilities.  

POLICY

Boerne ISD introduces daily prayer periods

Months after Boerne ISD became one of the few Texas public school systems to allow prayer during the school day, trustees outlined the policy's implementation. Students and faculty can choose to participate in daily prayer periods, which must be scheduled by each principal without conflicting with instructional time. This initiative follows the passage of Senate Bill 11 in 2025, which permits districts to set aside time for religious reflection. While only 15 out of over 1,000 Texas districts adopted this policy, Boerne ISD has previously welcomed religious activities, including a program that transports students to churches for religious instruction. The prayer policy draft is pending final approval from the board.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Caffeine pouches face school bans as experts warn of health risks

Schools across the U.S. are introducing bans on caffeine pouches amid concerns about their potential health risks, discreet use, and resemblance to nicotine products. The small oral packets, placed between the lip and gum, can contain up to 200 milligrams of caffeine, equivalent to approximately two cups of coffee. Health experts warn that excessive consumption can cause anxiety, sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, and, in severe cases, seizures. School districts in New York, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Missouri have restricted the products, citing difficulties identifying their contents and monitoring student use. Although there is no federal minimum purchase age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children avoid caffeine. Experts are also concerned that teenagers may unknowingly consume excessive amounts by combining pouches with energy drinks and other caffeinated products.

NUTRITION

SNAP cuts drive rising school lunch debt

U.S. school districts have reported rising student lunch debt and reductions in universal free meal programs following federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have reduced eligibility for school meal assistance. More than 5 million Americans, including an estimated 2m children, have lost SNAP benefits since last year, while the average number of students receiving free school lunches declined by 600,000 to 20.7m between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Schools are increasingly losing access to the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides federal funding for free meals to all students at qualifying campuses. In Indiana, Knox Community School Corporation has accumulated $10,000 in lunch debt, while a San Antonio district reported more than $25,000 in unpaid balances during the first six weeks of school, an 83% increase. Districts in Houston, Miami-Dade, and Virginia have also reduced free meal coverage, raising concerns about food insecurity, financial pressures on families, and growing school budget shortfalls.

RECRUITMENT

Research highlights mentorship and representation as key to recruiting more men into education

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has published research examining the factors influencing men's decisions to pursue careers in education, highlighting the importance of mentorship, family encouragement, and early exposure to teaching opportunities. Funded by a $500,000 Walton Family Foundation grant, the qualitative study interviewed 15 participants across the North Carolina Research Triangle, including high school students, undergraduates, and educators. The findings come as men account for just 21% of North Carolina's public school teachers, despite representing approximately 51% of K-12 students. Nationally, Black and Hispanic men collectively represent less than 4% of public school teachers. Researchers identified parental influence, community involvement, and encouragement from former educators as key factors shaping career choices. NCCU has emphasized the need for greater male representation, stronger mentoring programs, and increased awareness of education-related careers to help diversify and strengthen the educator workforce.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan proposes paid teacher training program to cut qualification time

Japan’s education ministry has announced plans to introduce a one-year graduate school program allowing working adults to transition into teaching careers, as the government seeks to address teacher shortages. The proposed initiative, targeted for introduction in fiscal 2030, would enable university graduates to qualify for elementary, junior high, or high school teaching licenses after completing at least 36 credits, including classroom instruction and practical school training. Participants would receive pay during their practical placements while working under temporary teaching licenses, reducing financial barriers to career changes. The program would also recognize previous professional experience toward licensing requirements, significantly shortening the current three-year qualification process. The ministry plans to submit legislation to parliament in 2027.
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