Monday, Jan. 30

• With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful they’ll get a raise this year, Texas Tribune
• Katy ISD students will no longer have access to Twitter via the district's Wi-Fi, KHOU Houston
• Dallas ISD to ban TikTok from district WiFi, devices, FOX DFW
• New Conroe ISD bond committee to focus on more than $3 billion in funding needs, Houston Chronicle
• 2023 TEXAS EDUCATION POLL: Strong Support, Clear Challenges, Charles Butt Foundation
• Federal judge again threatens contempt-of-court fines for Texas’ slow progress on foster care reforms, Texas Tribune
• UTSA, Southwest ISD partner to expand mental health services, train graduate students, UTSA Today

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)

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.

Managing Leave Benefits Successfully
District coordinators can rely on various HR Services resources for help understanding leave benefits and managing the leave process.

First Responder Liaison Notice Required for Political Subdivisions
Political subdivisions such as school districts, colleges and community colleges, cities, or counties are required to post a first responder liaison notice.

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.