January 17, 2020

• Analysis: A seasonal change in Texas politics, as November trumps March, Texas Tribune
• Public education the focus of upcoming forums with candidates for the Texas Legislature, Community Impact, Richardson
• East Texas school districts stepping up fight against vaping, CBS 19
• Op/Ed: Good schools are not enough when children lack adequate housing, Houston Chronicle

More news...

• TASB Legal Services' Deadlines for May 2, 2020 School District Trustee Elections (pdf) provides important dates and deadlines applicable to school districts preparing for the May 2, 2020 trustee election.
• TASB Legal Services' After the School Board Election (pdf) explains what to do immediately following the board election, including canvassing votes and reorganization.
• TASB Legal Services' HB 2840 - Public Comment and Testimony at Board Meetings (pdf) provides basic information about House Bill 2840, effective September 1, 2019, that affects how school boards must address public comments from citizens during board meetings.
• TASB Legal Services' article Visitors to School Property and School Events (pdf) provides guidance related to school visitors, including visitor screening, sex offenders, prohibited activities, and excluding disruptive parents and others from school property or school events.
• TASB Legal Services' document Guidelines for Responding to Allegations of Educator Misconduct (pdf) was developed in collaboration with representatives from school districts, law enforcement, TEA, SBEC, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, and other entities. The Guidelines provide considerations for school districts to develop plans with local authorities for responding to allegations of sexual harassment, improper relationships, and child abuse.

Teacher Preparation Programs Experience Enrollment Decline
A drop in teacher preparation program enrollment nationwide may result in a teacher shortage, but a lack of detailed enrollment data leaves question marks about how to fix the problem.

Preparing Assistant Principals to be Successful Principals
As principal retention rates decline, district need to find ways to prepare new campus leaders and improve local retention rates.

Upcoming Workshop: Effective Documentation of Teachers
TASB HR Services and ED311 present Effective Documentation of Teachers, a one-day workshop for HR administrators, principals, assistant principals, and teacher appraisers.

Read all HRX articles

Bullard ISD Hires New Superintendent

On January 14, the Bullard ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Jack Lee as the district’s new superintendent. Lee most recently served as the superintendent in Blooming Grove ISD

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Hires New Superintendent

On January 7, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Clark Ealy as the district’s new superintendent. Ealy most recently served as the superintendent in College Station ISD

Southside ISD Hires Executive Search Services

The Southside ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire TASB Executive Search Services (ESS) to conduct a search for a new superintendent. 

Pewitt CISD Hires New Superintendent

On December 16, the Pewitt CISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Melissa Reid as the district’s new superintendent. Reid most recently served as the Principal in New Boston ISD. 

Karnes City ISD Hires New Superintendent

On December 9, the Karnes City ISD Board of Trustees voted to hire Hector Madrigal as the district’s new superintendent. Madrigal most recently served as the assistant superintendent of academic services in San Benito CISD.

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