SCHOOL NEWS
Judge blocks use of accountability ratings calling them ‘unlawful’
This week, a Travis County judge temporarily blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its annual school accountability ratings calling them “unlawful.”
A new updated rating system was set to debut back in August, but then the state pushed it to September, which has since been postponed as state officials said they needed more time to adjust scores under the new system.
The ruling from Judge Catherine Mauzy was released on Oct. 28 and stems from a lawsuit from more than 100 of school districts across the state that sued the TEA to delay the ratings claiming the new school evaluation methodology primarily changes to the calculation of the scores, would result in unfair drops in their ratings.
TEA officials have said they plan to appeal. Mauzy has set a trial day for Feb. 12, 2024. She stated the new rating system is “unlawful and would harm districts across the state.”
Districts allege TEA and Commissioner Mike Morath did not provide adequate notice of the changes being made. The school leaders testified earlier this month that the changes could have lowered the scores for campuses even if they had improved their performance.
Mauzy stated the districts had given sufficient evidence showing Morath’s implementation of the A-F accountability system for the 2022-2023 school year “violates Texas law and would cause irreparable harm” to school districts in the state.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Members of the Mighty Marching Maroon Band of Bowie High School crowned its royals during halftime ceremonies on Oct. 16. Band Sweetheart is Lilli Zilfo and Band Beau is Adam Hofbauer. Congratulations to the marching band for its work at UIL contest Saturday. While the band did not advance to area Director German Torres said he was very proud of their work this year.
Autumn has arrived in Montague County, and local school districts are gearing up for a full lineup of family-friendly fall festivals throughout the month of October.
From games to coronations, residents will have plenty of opportunities to support local students and celebrate the season.
Forestburg Independent School District starts its festival at 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, featuring games, a silent auction, gift baskets and a coronation of festival royalty.
Bowie Elementary will have its fall festival from 5 to 7 p.m on Oct 24. The event features both live and silent auctions along with carnival games.
Tickets are on presale at five for $1, or at the festival four for $1. Unlimited game wristbands also can be purchased for $20.
The seasonal celebrations wrap up on Halloween.
Saint Jo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization hosts its fall fest from 12 to 2 p.m on Oct. 31, in the Saint Jo Cafeteria, featuring various activity booths and local vendors.
Gold-Burg ISD follows from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31, on the GISD campus.
Attendees can enjoy games, a haunted house, food and a pie-in-the-face booth. Tickets may be purchased with cash or check only.
Other fall events include a family fun night hosted by Calvary Baptist Church at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, at 204 Decatur St. The event will include food and a trunk-or-treat.
The Bowie Independent School District Board of Trustees celebrated student achievements and reviewed a perfect school security audit at its Oct. 19 meeting.
The meeting opened with recognitions. High School Principal Dr. Dean Johnson recognized teacher April Word and her theater students, Adryana Torres, Aowyn Word and Lilliana Zilfo, for excelling at Theaterfest 2026.
Johnson said the students earned the title of featured performers, placing them in the top 15 performers in the state. Word also got an award for exemplary campus theater director at the event.
Read the full school board story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo- The school board recognized the Bowie Junior High cross country boy’s team after they won district runner-up at the recent meet. (Photo by Caroline Crain)
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