Wednesday, Feb. 1

• At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how he’d implement “school choice” policy, Texas Tribune
• State senator expects lawmakers to raise homestead exemption for Texas homeowners, CBS
• Data highlights students’ social media usage as schools’ concerns grow, K-12 Dive
• Comptroller’s Office Awarded $363 Million in Federal Grants to Increase Access to Affordable, High-Speed Internet, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
• Fort Worth ISD ag program gives urban students opportunity to raise animals, Fort Worth Report
• ‘Good For You’: CC Moss Elementary launches pantry to keep families ‘happy and healthy,’ Fort Worth Report

More news...

Policy Online™ is here! On September 14 we introduced the new Policy Online! Visit the Policy Online upgrade page for more information.

Available Now:

• Update 66 to the Regulations Resource Manual, a set of model administrative procedures and forms.
• Update 120 preview, which contains a list of codes being revised for the next numbered update coming in late January, 2023.
• The 2022-23 Annual Review of Key Policies Policy Alert, which identifies the policies and exhibits that commonly need revisions.
• The 2022-23 Employee Notification Policy Alert, which helps districts comply with state and federal laws.

For more resources, see Policy Service’s Publication Information page.

Check out Policy Spotlight, our quarterly newsletter that provides articles on timely policy issues. Sign up to start receiving the newsletter. View all the previous policy articles in the Member Center.

• Deadlines for May 6, 2023 School District Trustee Elections (pdf)
• Mid-Year Pay Increases of School District Employees (pdf)
• Social Media Guidelines for School Board Members (pdf)

Educator Expense Deduction Increase for 2022
Educators may now deduct up to $300 in out-of-pocket classroom expenses when they file their federal income tax returns for 2022.

Spending Requirements in TEC § 48.051
A new HR Services webinar, Spending Requirements in Texas Education Code (TEC) § 48.051, is available now on demand.

Discouraging Teachers from Leaving Mid-Year
Understanding why teachers leave can help leaders develop and implement strategies that can result in fewer resignations during as well as at the end of the school year.

Read all HRX articles

Southwest ISD Names Lone Finalist

On January 17, the Southwest ISD Board of Trustees named Jeanette Ball as the lone finalist for the position of superintendent. Ball most recently served as superintendent in Judson ISD.

Groesbeck ISD Hires New Superintendent

On January 9, the Groesbeck ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Anthony Figueroa as the district’s new superintendent. Figueroa most recently served as the superintendent in Wolfe City ISD. 

Giddings ISD Hires Executive Search Services

On January 5, the Giddings ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire TASB Executive Search Services (ESS) to conduct a search for a new superintendent. Details and updates will appear on our searches page as things progress.

Bluff Dale ISD Hires Executive Search Services

On December 15, the Bluff Dale ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire TASB Executive Search Services (ESS) to conduct a search for a new superintendent. Details and updates will appear on our searches page as things progress.

Sierra Blanca ISD Hires New Superintendent

On December 15, the Sierra Blanca ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Ronni McGraw as the district’s new superintendent. McGraw most recently served as the Middle School Principal in McCamey ISD.

Further details about all search activities can be found on the ESS website.