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Arkansas panel moves forward plan to let rural schools break away from districts
An Arkansas legislative committee has advanced an amendment to House Bill 1007 that would clarify and facilitate the process for certain “isolated” schools to detach from their parent districts, including provisions on funding transfers and asset division, with the aim of keeping four rural schools open. The proposal, which builds on a 2025 law but…
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California schools get shady makeover
California has invested $156m since 2022 to replace heat-trapping asphalt with trees and plants at 215 schools, as announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Through Cal Fire’s Green Schoolyards program, approximately 6,000 new trees will create safer and cooler environments for about 94,000 students. Newsom said: “Kids shouldn’t have to choose between going outside and staying…
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Milwaukee Public Schools chief outlines challenges and priorities after first year in role
Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has described her first year in the role as “challenging,” grading her performance a B or B+, as she navigated financial mismanagement, a $46m budget overspend, infrastructure issues including lead paint removal, and ongoing tensions with the teachers’ union. Cassellius has begun implementing cost-cutting measures and reallocating resources toward…
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SCOTUS takes up case on faith-based schools, LGBTQ+ access, and public funding
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case examining whether Colorado can deny state-funded preschool subsidies to Catholic schools that do not comply with nondiscrimination rules requiring admission of LGBTQ+ families. The case stems from a broader legal challenge by administrators of two Catholic preschools, who argue that the state’s conditions for…
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Dispute escalates over student privacy and parental rights in Maryland schools
A conservative legal group has filed a federal complaint against Montgomery County Public Schools, arguing that its gender identity guidelines violate constitutional rights and federal privacy laws by limiting what information is shared with parents. The policy allows students to keep their gender identity private and directs staff to assess potential risks before informing families,…
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Bible stays in school libraries
The Redlands Unified School District board recently voted to retain the King James Bible in school libraries after a two-hour debate. The discussion highlighted concerns about the inconsistency of banning certain books with sexual content while keeping the Bible, which contains controversial themes. Board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero said: “The intent of the challenge was not…
