school districts

The finance committee of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is reviewing a proposed $2.1 billion budget while the district remains under investigation. The budget review covers district spending plans for the coming year, with the ongoing inquiry adding scrutiny to financial oversight. Details of the investigation's scope and its potential impact on the budget process were not provided in the report.

More school districts are adopting four-day school weeks, prompting guidance for parents on what the shift means for childcare, schedules and learning. The article outlines why districts make the change, often citing costs and teacher recruitment, and what families should consider as the trend spreads.

Barbers Hill Independent School District in Texas built a $200 million education foundation, and the structure of that foundation is now under scrutiny. Reporting from Houston and Texas public media outlets is drawing attention to how the entity was organized and how its funds are handled. Questions are being raised about the governance and financial arrangements behind the large education foundation tied to the district.

Education leaders in Wisconsin have put cybersecurity at the center of their budget proposal, seeking funding to protect school districts from growing digital threats. The push reflects broader concerns among state education officials about ransomware attacks and data breaches targeting K-12 systems, and signals that digital security is becoming a budget priority alongside traditional spending areas like staffing and facilities.

Two challengers — a teacher and a parent — have entered the race for the Oakland Unified School District's District 4 board seat ahead of the 2026 election, setting up a contest against the incumbent. The matchup gives District 4 voters a choice between an educator's perspective, a parent's perspective, and the sitting board member's record. Coverage of the race comes as Oakland school board elections continue to draw close local attention.

A threatened strike at Berwick Area schools has been averted, according to a report in The Citizens' Voice. The news means students, families and staff in the Berwick Area School District will avoid the disruption of a work stoppage. Details of the agreement or compromise reached between the district and its workers have not yet been made public.

Lake Worth ISD in Texas is providing students with a free course in AI literacy, aiming to build skills and understanding of artificial intelligence among young people. The district-level initiative reflects a broader push by US school systems to prepare students for a workforce increasingly shaped by AI tools.

Health officials in North Carolina have confirmed that a person tested positive for tuberculosis within the Rowan-Salisbury School System. The announcement was made by local health authorities, who are expected to notify anyone who may have been exposed and offer testing. Details about the individual's identity, school, and condition have not been released, and officials have not said whether others have shown symptoms.

The Riverside School District is asking voters to approve a 1 percent earned income tax as part of the 2026 election. The measure would shift part of the district's local funding onto residents' earned income, and it is drawing attention as local school ballot issues take shape ahead of the vote. Details on how the revenue would be used have not yet been widely reported.

The Utah State Board of Education has determined that the Davis School District board is not required to hold public discussions of appeals over banned books. The finding resolves questions about how the district handles challenges to library materials, drawing criticism from advocates who argue community input on removals should be transparent.

Complaints related to special education in Maryland have risen sharply, increasing 200% since 2022. The Baltimore Banner examines why families are filing more grievances over special education services, pointing to growing strains in how schools meet students' legally mandated support needs. The surge raises questions about staffing, service delays and whether school districts are complying with individualized education plans.

Jessica Biggs, a candidate for president of the Chicago school board, is calling for the district to put student success ahead of politics. She argues the board's focus should shift toward outcomes for children in Chicago's public schools. The stance comes as education remains a contested issue in the city.

The New Jersey Supreme Court is weighing Absecon's effort to withdraw from the Pleasantville public school district and send its high school students elsewhere. A ruling remains pending, and local officials and residents are watching closely because the decision would determine where Absecon students attend high school and how funding responsibilities are divided between the two Atlantic County communities.

Massachusetts' top education official traveled to Chicopee for talks with local school leaders about funding and staffing needs. The visit comes as districts across the state press for more resources to address budget pressures and teacher shortages. Local officials are expected to highlight staffing gaps and funding priorities in the city's public schools.