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March 20, 2026
A Texas reckoning over César Chávez’s legacy after abuse allegations
(Texas Standard) The late civil rights icon is facing allegations of sexually abusing women and girls tied to the farmworker movement. The fallout is already reshaping how he’s honored across Texas, from canceled events to ending a state holiday. Related:
- Rio Grande Valley districts to review schools named after Cesar Chavez (Valley Central)
- Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD named schools after Cesar Chavez. Will they sever ties? (Dallas Morning News)
- Houston ISD to rename Chavez-Huerta Day ‘Farmworkers Day’ after sexual assault investigation (Houston Chronicle)
- El Paso renames César Chávez Day as Community & Labor Heritage Day city holiday (KFOX 14)
- San Antonio scraps Cesar Chavez Day plans. Here’s what it’s doing instead (San Antonio Express-News)
4 Islamic schools admitted to Texas voucher program after suing comptroller’s office
(Houston Chronicle) At least four islamic schools in Texas, including one in Houston, have been added to the state’s voucher program after the schools sued the comptroller’s office blocking them from the program. Related:
- Opinion: Let churches build schools in Texas (The Rev. Joshua C. Robertson via Dallas Morning News)
Border Patrol appearance at Northside ISD high school in San Antonio sparks student outrage
(San Antonio Current) Brennan High School invited Border Patrol agents to campus as part of a career day event. Student activists say the move was tone deaf.
Sanford-Fritch ISD moves ahead with four-day school week amid childcare concerns
(KVII) Sanford-Fritch ISD is moving forward with a four-day school week, a change district leaders say could help attract and retain teachers but that has also raised concerns about childcare and student learning.
Houston ISD postpones vote to allow outside partners to run 4 high-performing high schools
(Houston Chronicle) Houston ISD has delayed its vote to outsource management at four high-performing campuses and various pre-K programs, days after organizations confirmed that some contracts were still under negotiation.
Edgewood ISD board may give charter network control over middle school
(San Antonio Express-News) The Edgewood school board will vote Tuesday on whether to hand over day-to-day operations at Brentwood Middle School to Third Future Schools, a charter school network with campuses in Texas, Colorado and Louisiana.
United ISD proposes consolidating two schools, approves resignation incentives
(Laredo Morning Times) United ISD announced Wednesday night it is now weighing consolidating just two campuses in a new proposal presented at its board workshop. The move would potentially allow three schools that were set to close to instead remain open another year, capitalizing on other saving methods from payroll, contracts and stipends. A special called board meeting was also held to approve the early notification incentive program, which incentivizes the voluntary resignation of long-term employees. The program is for employees with 25 or more years of experience with UISD who commit to voluntarily resign, not retire.
Waco ISD to launch virtual education program
(KCEN) The Waco ISD Board of Trustees has moved forward with a recommendation to create a full-time virtual education program under SB 569.
New virtual school in Midway ISD aims to give families more choice
(KCEN) Midway ISD is launching a new virtual school program that will allow students to learn fully online, in person or through a hybrid model that combines both.
Marshall ISD to reopen Friday following city water repairs
(KTBS) While classes are resuming, the district is advising students and staff to bring bottled water to school. Campuses will also have a supply of water available for distribution to students and faculty throughout the day to ensure everyone remains hydrated while the system stabilizes.
UNT to close, consolidate dozens of academic programs amid budget cuts
(Dallas Morning News) The University of North Texas will eliminate or consolidate dozens of academic programs that have seen low enrollment as it aims to close a projected $45 million shortfall, UNT President Harrison Keller announced Thursday.
University of St. Thomas paid nearly $1M in exit packages for departing staff despite financial woes
(Houston Chronicle) While “golden parachutes” are fairly common for presidents, the University of St. Thomas gave payments to several vice presidents, a business dean and at least one professor.
Texas A&M launches $15.3M center to rethink chemical safety testing, reduce animal use
(Community Impact) Texas A&M University is launching a new research center backed by a five-year, $15.3 million National Institutes of Health grant. Officials said it could reshape how industrial and consumer-use chemicals are evaluated for human safety, according to a March 18 news release.
Texas State University students investigate unsolved homicides in partnership with Texas AG
(KXAN) A group of young investigators is lending a fresh set of eyes to some of the more than 20,000 unsolved homicides in Texas.
Improving driver education for neurodivergent teens, young adults focus of UT Arlington research
(Fort Worth Report) The study aims to inform the development of driver education programs for neurodivergent teens and young adults, officials said. The research is funded by a yearlong grant of nearly $172,000 from the Texas Department of Transportation.
As Texas High School Football coaches bolt for college ranks, why are local basketball coaches staying put?
(Dallas Morning News) The trend for Dallas-area high school basketball coaches is wildly different than what’s happening in local football.
Jefferson County judge emphasizes probation’s role in curbing youth crime trends
(KBMT) As youth crime rises in Southeast Texas, Judge Raquel West emphasizes probation programs’ role in steering young offenders towards rehabilitation instead of prison.
Teacher hospitalized, then arrested after meth found in Livingston ISD Junior High classroom
(KPRC) A Livingston ISD teacher has been arrested after police say methamphetamine was found inside a classroom at Livingston Junior High School. Investigators responded and found that the substance was methamphetamine. Officers also said they found other items that were commonly linked with drug use. During the investigation, witnesses were interviewed and police identified Amanda Stanzel, a teacher at the school, as a person of interest. Authorities said Stanzel had already been taken to a hospital for medical treatment at the time.
Teen arrested on 6 indecency charges in Canyon ISD school bus investigation
(KVII) An arrest has been made in the investigation into criminal activity reported on a Canyon ISD bus in early March. According to the Randall County Sheriff’s Office, on March 19, 2026, Ayden Sanning was arrested and booked into the Randall County Jail on three counts of indecency with a child sexual contact and three counts of indecency with a child by exposure.
Former Bowie ISD Educator Charged With Sexual Assault of Student
(Texas Scorecard) Matthew Conley is accused of sexually assaulting a Bowie High School freshman 10 years ago.
Former Bartlett ISD teacher indicted on child pornography, improper relationship charges
(KCEN) Former educator Jerod Knox has been indicted on charges of possession of child pornography and improper relationship with a student. The affidavit states that a 17-year-old student accused Knox of touching them inappropriately and making “explicit statements” while they were at Knox’s home.
How McCamey ISD hopes a multimillion-dollar bond will help retain and recruit teachers
(NewsWest9) The McCamey ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called for a $12 million bond election on the May ballot. If approved, the bond would fund district-owned housing designated for educators, aimed at increasing affordable living options and strengthening teacher retention.
What did Fort Worth ISD spend money on in February? Emergency pay, turf projects and more
(Fort Worth Report) Fort Worth ISD trustees approved about $14.5 million in new spending during their Feb. 24 meeting. The largest expense was $9.6 million to continue paying employees during emergency school closures. Campuses were closed for a few days during the late-January winter storm.
Study: Conroe ISD to see 73,000 students by 2030-31
(Community Impact) Conroe ISD is projected to see enrollment grow to 73,000 students by the 2030-31 school year, according to a new Zonda Demographics study presented to the board of trustees at its March 17 meeting. A previous 2022 study performed by Population and Survey Analysts projected higher numbers, with nearly 100,000 students expected by 2032-33.
Pearland ISD trustees approve agreements with San Jacinto College, ADAPT programs
(Community Impact) Pearland ISD’s board of trustees approved two agreements at its March 17 meeting, including one with ADAPT, or Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, programs to support substance abuse prevention efforts, and another with San Jacinto College to continue its dual-credit partnership.
Richardson ISD approves new math, language arts instructional materials
(Community Impact) Richardson ISD approved new math and language arts instructional materials at the March 12 school board meeting. District committees recommended expansion of the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning curriculum for elementary math, while recommending alternative materials for elementary language arts and middle school math.
Somerset ISD trustees to expand welding lab, program after students line up for classes
(San Antonio Express-News) Somerset Independent School District trustees on Monday unanimously approved a $1.4 million overhaul of the district’s lone high school’s welding lab as 100 students wait for a spot in the popular trade class.
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