Federal school-safety grant review begins before 2026 awards
The Education Department will review state applications Aug. 17-28 for an estimated $93 million school-safety competition. Awards are expected by Dec. 31.
Public Schools
-
-
Mississippi families have until Aug. 23 to comment on proposed kindergarten guideline changes
Mississippi families, teachers and districts can comment by 5 p.m. Aug. 23 on proposed statewide kindergarten curriculum, instruction and assessment guidelines.
-
Cleveland County Schools names Brian Hunnell interim superintendent as permanent search continues
Cleveland County Schools appointed Dr. Brian Hunnell interim superintendent effective July 1, as Dr. Stephen Fisher retires and the board continues reviewing 24 applicants for the permanent position.
-
Alma schools remain designated for Title I support in 2025-26
An Arkansas Department of Education report lists Alma School District and all four of its schools in the state’s 2025-26 Title I status report.
-
Blythe schools prepare for Aug. 10 reopening after campus upgrades
Palo Verde Unified says students return Monday, Aug. 10, with fresh paint and other reported summer improvements completed at three Blythe campuses.
-
Idaho ended fiscal 2026 $171.9 million above its revised revenue forecast
Idaho’s fiscal year ended June 30 with a stronger-than-projected financial position, according to Gov. Brad Little’s administration, which said the state maintained its AAA credit rating and continued prioritizing schools, transportation, water and other services.
-
Alaska job count falls 0.3% year over year as government losses outweigh private-sector gains
Alaska’s statewide employment count fell 0.3% from June 2025 to June 2026, as a loss of 1,900 government jobs outweighed a 1,000-job private-sector increase.
-
Springville Community Academy remains identified as public PreK-8 school, with no new decision documented
Springville Community Academy is identified as Springville’s public PreK-8 school. Approved records do not document a new closure, program, funding, construction or service decision.
-
Texas Bible Reading List Faces Church-State Questions Before 2030
Texas approved a required English-literature list with Bible passages, but implementation is set for 2030-31 and the related rules remain procedurally proposed.
-
Federal Civil-Rights Data Collection Sets 2025-26 Reporting for Schools
A renewed federal civil-rights data collection will require covered public schools and districts to report 2025-26 data on access, discipline, safety and disability services.
-
New federal school-prayer guidance sets October 1 district deadline
The Education Department’s February guidance protects private religious expression but bars school-sponsored prayer as districts prepare for annual certifications.
-
Ninth Circuit Draws Line Between Private Prayer and School Work
The Ninth Circuit upheld limits on student-facing book displays by an Oregon school specialist while preserving stronger protection for private religious expression outside official duties.
-
Gloucester adopts FY2027 budget with $55.8M for schools
Gloucester’s FY2027 budget took effect July 1, with $155.3 million in General Fund spending and a sewer-rate increase appearing in quarterly bills.
-
Louisiana AI Laws Take Effect Aug. 1 for Deepfakes and Political Ads
Two Louisiana laws taking effect Aug. 1 create new criminal penalties for sexual deepfakes and require disclosures on certain AI-generated political ads.
-
Gov. Ivey creates Alabama commission to study K-12 screen use
Gov. Kay Ivey’s July 22 order creates a commission on K-12 screen use. Its report is due Dec. 1, 2026, before possible 2027 legislation.
-
Harrisburg’s $6.8M William Penn demolition enters next phase
The former William Penn High School demolition process began with staging July 28, while asbestos work, air testing and dust controls continue.
-
Education Department takes FERPA action against two school districts
Federal officials are pursuing different actions against Maryland and Michigan school districts over parent access to student records involving gender identity.
-
Chesapeake Public Schools selects new superintendent after 5-4 vote
Chesapeake Public Schools selected Dr. Doug Brubaker after a 5-4 board vote. He starts Aug. 13, 2026—here’s the transition timeline to watch.
-
Texas adds Bible passages to school reading list, setting up church-state fight
United States Church State and Religious Liberty Watch – Texas approved a required reading list with Bible passages on June 26, but the change is slated to take effect in 2030-31.
-
North Carolina budget could raise pay and school rules for Magnolia
Magnolia NC – The ratified state budget would raise teacher and state-worker pay, but it still needs Gov. Josh Stein’s signature before it takes effect.
-
Detroit schools move to full demolition of Cooley High this summer
Detroit MI – DPSCD says Cooley High is headed for full demolition this summer, abandoning partial-preservation plans as it races to use a $15 million state grant by Sept. 30, 2026.
-
Richmond Public Schools approves FY27 budget, closes virtual academy
Richmond Public Schools approved its FY27 budget June 2, closing a $4 million gap with cuts that end Richmond Virtual Academy and lower coverage pay.