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Port Arthur ISD Student Alleges Corporal Punishment by Coach, Prompting District Review

Port Arthur ISD Student Alleges Corporal Punishment by Coach, Prompting District Review

A student at Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Noah Lopez, alleges he was hit with a paddle by his coach as a disciplinary measure during football practice. Lopez, a sophomore running back, claims the incident occurred after he missed school due to his mother's car accident and wore the wrong-colored football pants. He stated he was told to place his hands on a table and was hit three times. His father, Henry Lopez, expressed outrage, stating he was not informed and that the act felt like an assault. The Port Arthur Independent School District (PAISD) has released a statement acknowledging the concerns and is reviewing the incident to determine if district policies and procedures were followed. PAISD's current policy allows corporal punishment as a disciplinary method, provided it is administered according to district policy and the Student Code of Conduct. The policy does not require advance parental consent; instead, parents must submit a written statement to opt their child out of corporal punishment...
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Former Klein ISD Classroom Aide Charged with Felony Injury to a Child, Highlighting Texas Special Education Camera Law

Former Klein ISD Classroom Aide Charged with Felony Injury to a Child, Highlighting Texas Special Education Camera Law

James Theodor Broussard, a 26-year-old former classroom aide at Klein ISD in Spring, Texas, has been arrested and charged with felony Injury to a Child. The arrest occurred just five days into the new school year following allegations that Broussard unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly caused bodily injury to a student under 15 years of age. Klein ISD Police conducted an investigation, leading to Broussard's immediate termination and arrest. He is currently held in Harris County Jail on a $30,000 bond, with strict bond conditions requested by Assistant District Attorney John Crump, including no contact with minors under 17 and a ban on firearm possession. Broussard is scheduled for his first court appearance on Thursday. This incident has brought renewed attention to Texas Education Code § 29.022, which mandates cameras in self-contained special education classrooms but requires annual written requests from parents or staff for their activation.
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Parents Seek Six-Figure Damages from Surrogate Who Refused Abortion After Fetal Heart Diagnosis

Parents Seek Six-Figure Damages from Surrogate Who Refused Abortion After Fetal Heart Diagnosis

Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, the biological parents of a baby born via surrogacy, are seeking over $100,000 in damages from their surrogate, McKenna West. The couple filed a countersuit alleging breach of their surrogacy agreement after West refused to terminate the pregnancy following a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in the fetus at around 20 weeks. According to TMZ, the parents claim they paid West $60,000 during the pregnancy and that the agreement included provisions for termination. They accuse West of 'malicious, outrageous conduct' and causing them emotional distress. West, who denies wrongdoing, traveled to Texas to give birth after refusing the abortion and is asking the court to dismiss the counterclaims. The dispute has involved legal proceedings in Alaska, California, and Texas, with the biological parents prevailing in key parental proceedings, while West continues to seek parental rights in Texas.
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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Threatens School Districts Over Library Books

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Threatens School Districts Over Library Books

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has issued a warning to Texas school districts, stating that he will pursue penalties if they do not remove books he deems inappropriate from school libraries. Patrick claims that 80% of school districts are not complying with Senate Bill 13, a law enacted in 2025 that expanded parental oversight of school library materials. He suggested that future legislation could lower a district's accountability rating by one letter grade for failing to remove disputed books, even if only a single book is found. Patrick also indicated that state funding could be targeted as a potential punishment. He specifically highlighted the graphic novel "Let's Talk About It," which he claims is geared towards 12-year-olds, despite its publisher, Penguin Random House, recommending it for ages 14 and up.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Affidavit describes allegations of Carroll teacher assaulting student

Affidavit describes allegations of Carroll teacher assaulting student

Carroll High School teacher Corey Bellino was arrested on a charge of sexual assault of a child. An affidavit outlines the allegations against him.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Many Coastal Bend schools improved in Texas scores. See the details

Many Coastal Bend schools improved in Texas scores. See the details

Texas released school accountability ratings for the 2025-26 school year. See the details of how Coastal Bend schools scored.
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Texas Governor Abbott Proposes 70% Classroom Spending Rule for School Districts

Texas Governor Abbott Proposes 70% Classroom Spending Rule for School Districts

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proposed a new rule that would require school districts to allocate at least 70% of their funds directly to classroom activities, aiming to reduce administrative bloat. Speaking in El Paso, Governor Abbott stated that despite record levels of public school funding in Texas, increased spending has not consistently led to improved student outcomes. He highlighted concerns about administrative spending and financial inefficiencies in some districts, citing examples like Austin ISD and El Paso ISD, where administrative spending per student reportedly increased significantly while enrollment declined. The proposal also mandates comprehensive audits by the Texas Comptroller for the state's lowest-performing school districts. Governor Abbott emphasized that districts would retain discretion over the remaining 30% of their funds. He also suggested eliminating laws and reporting requirements that create expenses without enhancing student outcomes, extending this call to state governme...
El Paso Times El Paso Times
Gov. Abbott blames EPISD's financial woes on 'bloated' bureaucracy

Gov. Abbott blames EPISD's financial woes on 'bloated' bureaucracy

In a stop In El Paso, Gov. Greg Abbott called out 'bloated' EPISD bureaucracy and poor taxpayer accountability for the district's financial exigency.
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Governor Abbott Proposes Ban on H-1B Workers and Foreign Funding in Texas K-12 Schools

Governor Abbott Proposes Ban on H-1B Workers and Foreign Funding in Texas K-12 Schools

Governor Greg Abbott has introduced a new initiative aimed at restricting foreign influence in Texas public schools. The proposal includes a ban on H-1B visa workers in K-12 education and prohibits public schools from accepting gifts or entering into financial arrangements with foreign governments or entities connected to them. Abbott stated that the objective is to prevent foreign governments and foreign-backed organizations from influencing Texas education and to ensure that jobs in public schools are available to Texans. This move follows a broader focus by his administration and the Trump administration on the use of H-1B visas. The governor's proposal would require legislative action to be enacted into law. Previous examples cited include Qatar Foundation International providing funds to Austin ISD for Arabic language and culture instruction, and similar concerns raised regarding Houston ISD's Arabic Immersion Magnet School.
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U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman Supports Proposal for Post-Labor Day School Start in Texas

U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman Supports Proposal for Post-Labor Day School Start in Texas

U.S. Representative Craig Goldman has publicly supported a proposal to mandate that Texas public schools begin their academic year after Labor Day and conclude in late May or early June. This initiative, spearheaded by State Representative Jared Patterson, aims to shift the current school calendar. While current Texas law generally prohibits instruction before the fourth Monday in August, many districts utilize 'District of Innovation' plans to start earlier. For instance, Dallas ISD, Houston ISD, and Austin ISD all commenced their academic years in August this year. Patterson argues that an August start is detrimental due to the intense heat, posing safety risks for student athletes during recess, football, and band activities. He also contends that cooling large school buildings in August is an inefficient use of funds and strains the electric grid. The proposed bill would not reduce the required instructional time but would instead adjust the calendar, potentially shortening mid-year breaks. The Texas L...
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Texas Families Petition Supreme Court to Challenge Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms

Texas Families Petition Supreme Court to Challenge Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Public School Classrooms

More than two dozen Texas families are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a state law, Senate Bill 10, which mandates the display of a Protestant version of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom from kindergarten through 12th grade. The families, represented by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, filed a joint petition for a writ of certiorari. This action follows an April decision by the en banc U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which narrowly ruled that S.B. 10 does not violate the Establishment or Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment. The petitioners argue that the law infringes upon students' and parents' religious freedom by promoting a state-favored religious belief and interfering with parental rights to guide their children's religious instruction.
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Fort Bend Independent School District Proposes Boundary Changes Affecting Over 1,500 High School Students

Fort Bend Independent School District Proposes Boundary Changes Affecting Over 1,500 High School Students

The Fort Bend Independent School District (ISD) in Texas is currently presenting proposed attendance boundary changes that could impact more than 1,500 high school students. These proposals include one draft middle school boundary scenario and two high school scenarios. The primary goal is to alleviate overcrowding at Austin, Travis, and Elkins high schools and improve feeder-pattern alignment. District leaders emphasize that these proposals are still in draft form and no final decisions have been made. Both high school scenarios involve five common changes in the northern and central parts of the district, with a significant move shifting approximately 464 students from Travis High School to Bush High School. The main difference between the two high school scenarios lies in the extent of relief provided to Elkins High School. Scenario 1 would move part of Elkins' attendance zone to Clements High School, while Scenario 2 would move more students out of Elkins, with students from the Quail Valley Middle Sch...