Dallas ISD

Dubbed a “parent rights” bills, Senate Bill 12 bans DEI programs in K-12 schools — and prohibits clubs LGBTQ+ students say are vital resources.

The Texas Education Agency on Friday released 2025 grades along with, after a court delay, scores from 2024. Many North Texas districts earned As, and several improved a full letter grade.

Tuesday was the first day of school for many North Texan students. School districts not only welcomed new students, they’re also managing new laws, from a bill ending DEI policies to another calling for parent-populated library book councils.

Texas lawmakers recently increased school funding, doubling campus safety budgets that could help fund items like glass film, classroom panic buttons and drones. Reports show the industry is worth billions.

Trustees will discuss changes to accommodate Senate Bill 12, which would ban Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program in K-12 schools. Proposed new wording could lead to “robust” discussions.

Following the shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School last month, district trustees are considering opening locked or secured doors a more serious offense.

Dallas ISD’s deficit of $187 million should be down to $128 million by the next fiscal year after the districts cut positions, services, and supplies. Now it waits for state lawmakers to increase state education funding after they passed a bill creating Education Savings Accounts, which will send public dollars to private schools.

In her state of the district address, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said the district is strong, thanks to its employees. That’s even though the state recently lowered the district’s grade from a B to a C.

Dallas County officials said the number of registered voters who cast ballots early in the local election is about 2 percent lower than normal.

Dr. Nolan Estes led the district from 1968 to 1978. During that time, He successfully desegregated the school system and established a network of magnet schools, charter schools and early childhood centers.

With the Texas Education Agency’s release of 2023 A-F grades, most area districts fell one grade. Fort Worth and DeSoto dropped two, from a B to a D.

If the U.S. Department of Education closes, it’s unclear how much money Texas could lose — or how the state might handle a shut-down