The keyword as students head back to school in Alaska's Mat-Su Borough School District is "STAR." Actually, it's an acronym—but not one of the really dull ones.
A new law will require books and other materials to be rated and reviewed by vendors for sexual content before they can be sold to school libraries. Texas lawmakers warned A Midsummer Night's Dream, Of Mice and Men, The Canterbury Tales, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the Bible and other classic works of literature could be restricted.
Newly appointed Superintendent Mike Miles announced that he will be turning libraries at 28 of the campuses within his New Education System into "team centers" for students with disciplinary problems. At at time when reading and math scores nationwide have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, critics call the decision "so awful."
The most notable hire over the last week saw Robert P. Taylor named the new superintendent of the Wake County Public School System, North Carolina's largest district.
Kyle Wieland resigned as Manchester Community Schools' superintendent after he sent a payment to internet fraudsters posing as one of the district's construction contractors.
Some employees of the largest school district in Texas already have been told their positions are being eliminated, and more cuts are expected to be made during the next week and also during the 2023-24 school year.
In one of the most high-profile changes in leadership, Mike Miles will initially earn $1,473 per day to lead the state of Texas' takeover of Houston ISD; his salary is expected to eventually match the $360,000 salary of former superintendent Millard House II.
Sara Johnson announced she will resign from Oregon's Crook County School District in July when a new school board controlled by conservatives takes office, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
Many reform-minded community members believe the New Education System is a step towards better student outcomes. Critics argue the changes will impose a uniform education model on low-income communities across Houston who had no say in its formation, while leaving affluent communities untouched.
Several more large school districts have reached deals with new superintendents as Texas appoints former Dallas superintendent to helm Houston ISD takeover.
