Education

At Thursday’s meeting, the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees approved a new health care plan – with higher out-of-pocket expenses for teachers and staff. While one trustee offered a compromise, LISD administrators say the district remains in a challenging financial position.

Between inflation, costly mandates, and an apparent lack of support from the state government – public school districts across Texas are struggling with their budgets, and Lubbock county is no exception.

Frenship Independent School District is calling for a voter approved tax ratification election and bond election this November. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on what the funding would go toward if approved. And with dangerous heat-conditions across the South Plains, volunteers will be distributing free fans for Lubbockites on Saturday.

Five Texas school districts have filed a new lawsuit over the state’s methods for measuring academic accountability, putting a hold on Thursday’s planned release of A-F ratings.

The Legislature doesn’t reconvene for another five months, but the battle over creating a school voucher-like program in the state is already well underway. A Texas House committee meeting on Monday may provide a preview of what to expect in the battle ahead.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas sent letters to more than 50 school districts across the state last week that appeared to be in violation of the CROWN Act. Among the recipients of these letters were several districts in the greater Lubbock area. KTTZ spoke with the superintendent of one of these districts about their response.

Several school districts from the South Plains received letters last week from the ACLU of Texas, asking that they revise their dress-code policies to comply with the CROWN Act, intended to prohibit race-based hair discrimination.

Lubbock Public Libraries organizes the Back-2-School Bash with more than 60 partners to help kids prepare for the upcoming school year. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on what families can expect this weekend.

During summer months, children across the county struggle with food insecurity. However, food banks and school districts alike are helping provide meals for young people.

Texas Public Radio's Josh Peck reports as of this month, the White House has finalized a new rule that makes many salaried Americans newly eligible for overtime pay. And KERA's Caroline Love says more Texas students are enrolling in special education services, and school districts are struggling to keep up with the added costs.