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April 15, 2026
The Education Department released new priorities for key programs. Here’s what to know
(K-12 Dive) The agency is showing an increased interest in allocating resources to career and workforce readiness, educator training, literacy and artificial intelligence.
Fort Worth ISD board holds off on contract cuts, approves limited staffing reductions
(WFAA) The new Fort Worth Independent School District board took no action Tuesday on proposals that could have terminated contracts or led to the non-renewal of some teachers and staff, following hours of discussion on a sweeping district overhaul. The broader proposal is part of the Elevate Network, a 2026-2027 initiative targeting 19 low-rated schools. Related:
- Fort Worth ISD takes steps to remove Cesar Chavez holiday and school’s name (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- Fort Worth ISD moves forward on plan to sell, develop land near Farrington Field (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Judson school district cuts 536 jobs, moves toward balanced budget
(San Antonio Express-News) Judson Independent School District is poised to adopt a balanced budget after trustees voted 6-1 Tuesday to eliminate 536 positions next school year. The vote comes after the school board’s decision to close four campuses in the fall, marking a major step toward closing a projected $35 million shortfall. Trustees are expected to vote on a final budget in the coming months.
Cy-Fair ISD braces for $74M budget shortfall next year, following steep enrollment drop
(Houston Chronicle) Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is bracing for a $74M budget shortfall for 2026-27. While leaders aren’t planning cuts, they implored the board to look at every option to boost revenue as their fund balance dwindles.
North East ISD will consider campus closures, open enrollment to reduce $19M deficit
(San Antonio Express-News) After North East Independent School District’s enrollment dropped by 2,000 students this year, the district will open enrollment to families across the city and consider campus closures in the fall. Trustees voted Monday night on “phase one” of an efficiency plan, allowing students living anywhere in San Antonio to attend district campuses. Applications to attend NEISD campuses will open later this month.
Lancaster ISD offers $1,000 incentive for employees who resign early
(CBS Texas) Lancaster ISD is offering the $1,000 early resignation incentive to employees who plan to leave – but with one major exception. “We are not touching teachers, aides,” the district’s hiring lead said. “We are making sure we are protecting our classrooms.” Support and administrative positions are the focus of the incentive, which district leaders say will help them prepare for the fall budget without cutting classroom roles.
Coppell ISD shrinks deficit by half — but says there’s still more to do
(KERA) Coppell ISD faced an $8.5 million deficit last year when trustees voted to keep Town Center Elementary open. Officials have since cut spending, halving the deficit, but say more adjustments might be needed.
‘A monster’: Houston ISD board member questions Mike Miles’ vision for school autonomy
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ idea of tying maximum school autonomy to contracts with outside groups has concerned at least one of HISD’s state-appointed board members. Related:
- Houston ISD Superintendent Envisions 100 AI-Focused Campuses (Government Technology)
Plano ISD plans to use AI to announce graduate names, but some students are petitioning against it
(WFAA) Plano ISD’s plan to use AI for announcing student names at graduations sparks debate over tradition and ‘human factor’ versus modern efficiency and accuracy.
Texas sees record increase in financial aid assistance for 2026-2027 college admissions
(KWTX) Texas is on track to see a record number of students complete the federal form to request financial aid for college.
Lamar CISD police chief, lieutenant fired amid investigation involving ’embarrassing facts’
(KTRK) Lamar CISD Police Chief Henry Garcia and a lieutenant, Maria Molina, have been fired as part of an investigation first reported in February, ABC13 has learned, leaving the district’s police department without a chief. Last week, they were terminated on the same day. ABC13 submitted multiple open records requests, which the district challenged. In a seven-page filing to the Texas Attorney General, the district cited “common law privacy,” arguing the case involves potentially “highly intimate or embarrassing facts” unrelated to public concern.
Head baseball coach on leave amid Hays CISD bullying investigation, records show
(KXAN) The head coach of the Lehman High School baseball team is on administrative leave in connection with an investigation of “a potentially serious pattern of bullying” involving his players, Hays Consolidated Independent School District confirmed to KXAN. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the bullying, including a video the district said shows “clear violations of expected student behavior and possibly violations of the law.” Multiple sources tell KXAN the video shows at least one student in the locker room simulating a sex act on a student with disabilities while other kids watched.
Former Goose Creek CISD high school counselor wanted on charges related to alleged sexual relationship with student
(KPRC) Lorinda Bocardo, 43, has been charged with improper relationship with a student and indecency with a child. Court documents say the suspect allegedly met the victim in middle school before moving to Goose Creek Memorial High School ‘to be with him.’ According to the student’s statement in court documents, sexual interactions with Bocardo started happening in her office at the high school during the school day. The student also told officials that she told him about “having sex in her car” and offered to pick him up if he ever wanted to do that with her. The district confirmed she is no longer employed with GCCISD as of Jan. 5, 2026. She is not in custody as of this writing, according to court records and reporting information.
Former Celina ISD athletic director faced sexual misconduct complaint before turning in teaching license
(Fox 4 KDFW) Former Celina ISD athletic director Bill Elliott was facing a sexual misconduct complaint in March when he voluntarily gave up his teaching license in March. Celina ISD found out about the incident, which happened in 1995, in January 2026, one week after Elliott retired from his role as AD and football coach. The allegation was first reported to Celina Police in Nov. 2025 in the wake of Elliott’s son Caleb’s arrest, who faces federal child exploitation charges.
‘Someone is getting shot’: Former employee accused of threatening San Antonio charter school, SAPD says
(KSAT) Police say Brian Joseph Ciaravino, 50, sent threatening text messages to school staff after failing a breathalyzer test. A spokesperson for the BASIS Education charter confirmed Ciaravino was a former employee of the charter school but declined to state his length of service at the school or his position.
Arrest Warrant: Valley Mills man asked female Waco ISD High student to get in his car, offered money
(KWTX) A man accused of trying to get a 15-year-old Waco High School student to get in his car was arrested on April 13 and charged with enticing a child away from custody of parents, online jail records and court documents show. The incident happened April 7 at the Circle K near Waco High School, police said. Surveillance footage, facial recognition software led the investigator to the suspect, documents reflect.
UT Austin president says there was no education compact to sign — but Trump letter says otherwise
(Austin American-Statesman) In his first media interview as UT president, Jim Davis said “not much” happened after offering feedback on the Trump compact.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner calls for immediate gas tax suspension
(News4SA) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, April 14, to immediately suspend the state’s motor fuel tax to offset “skyrocketing” diesel and gasoline prices.
Maps highlight 140 planned data centers in Texas
(Center Square) As of April 2026, Texas has 84 operating data centers and 140 planned projects, according to an analysis by Cleanview, “a software platform that helps visualize clean energy data.” Operating data centers in Texas have a total capacity of 3,789 MW. Planned data centers would add another 75,089 MW of capacity, it says.
Turning Point USA’s high school push in GOP states meets free speech and religion concerns
(AP) In recent months, the Republican administrations of Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Florida, Tennessee and Indiana have each announced partnerships with Turning Point USA to promote school chapters, called Club America, in every high school in those states. The governors’ endorsements of Turning Point USA, to the exclusion of other student clubs, has come under criticism from teachers unions and civil liberties groups.
Houston Mayor Seeks Repeal of ICE Policy After Gov. Abbott Threatens to Pull $110 Million in Funding
(Texas Scorecard) Less than a week after Houston City Council voted to curtail cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents, Mayor John Whitmire is asking the council to reverse course under threat of losing $110 million in state funding.
City of Mineola is denied appeal to keep senior class street artwork
(Wood County Monitor) The City of Mineola will spend $50,000 to repave a street near Mineola ISD high school where seniors have annually painted murals with the city’s approval. The Texas Department of Transportation denied the city’s request for a waiver from the governor’s order to remove non-standard markings on Texas crosswalks and streets, or lose state and federal funding. City officials expressed concerns about what would happen should more artwork appear on the street clandestinely.
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