HTX-SLM: Impact 9/10/2025

As Fort Bend ISD faces a potential temporary tax hike to subsidize staff raises, a compensation study shows that while teacher pay remains competitive, there are discrepancies in the minimum pay for auxiliary staff.

For the first time since the 2012-13 school year, the Texas Association of School Boards compared FBISD’s 2024-25 pay to 13 nearby districts, similar-sized districts across the state, as well as to private companies and other public jobs—like police officers, custodians and office staff—outside of schools.

The recommendation: While the adjustments to pay increase are recommended for budget constraints and only focus on market corrections, the overall 3% pay grade increase is recommended for increased retention and morale. 

"Every district wishes they had all the money to make all of these corrections—but that's not realistic,” said Amy Campbell, director of human resource services at TASB

Next steps: The compensation study will be voted on at the Sept. 15 board meeting, board President Kristin Tassin said.

National Youth Theatre, a Chicago-based organization known for blending creativity and Christian values, has opened its doors in Richmond at Grand Parkway Baptist Church.

The organization will host auditions, theater practices and full shows for families in Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg and Katy areas, per a news release.

The gist: Founded in 2013 after two decades with Christian Youth Theater and Spotlight Theater in Chicago, National Youth Theatre was established to create a faith-centered, accessible theater program for youth communities across the country, per the website.

West Houston becomes the third official NYT location, aiming to serve local families who value a program rooted in faith, creativity and youth development.

Dates to know: After hosting the Summer Musical Theater Camp, NYT West Houston is preparing for its fall performance of "Frozen Jr." The show will brings the story of sisters Anna and Elsa to life on stage with songs from the Disney Pixar movie.

Austin-based private school Alpha School is aiming to expedite learning for more students using artificial intelligence at new academies opening across the country.

What happened: On Sept. 9, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Alpha School in Austin alongside Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price highlighted how the school is using AI to personalize and improve students’ education.

What they're saying: “It's the most exciting thing I've seen in education in a long time,” McMahon said about Alpha School. “I'm incredibly enthusiastic about this.”

How it works: Students complete their academic learning in two hours each day using an AI platform known as 2 Hour Learning. Price said the Alpha School model enables students to learn twice as fast as they would in a traditional school setting.

The update: Alpha School opened several new academies across the United States this school year, including a K-3 school in Plano and K-8 school in Fort Worth. The company is planning to open an academy in Houston this winter.

When Texas students returned to school in August, some substantial changes awaited them.

The overview:

• House Bill 2 increases state funding for public schools by $8.4 billion.
• House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using cellphones and other personal communication devices throughout the school day.
• Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for students to receive "medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment" on campus.
• Senate Bill 13 gives parents and school boards more oversight of library materials.
• House Bill 6 gives teachers more discretion to remove repeatedly disruptive or violent students from class.
• Senate Bill 10 requires most schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
• Senate Bill 11 allows districts to set aside time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts at school.
• Senate Bill 965 codifies school employees' rights to "engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty."