Plumbing 
From new Bible-based curriculum to mandatory posters with the Ten Commandments in every classroom, public education is getting a religious revamp in Texas. This year, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District campuses will make the switch to Bluebonnet Learning, a new curriculum featuring Christian teachings. UCISD trustees unanimously voted to approve the curriculum transition plan on March 10, with trustee Javier […]
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Ayala-Muñoz wants students to be excited for school
Erika Ayala-Muñoz’s children are eagerly counting down the days until they return to school on Aug. 6. Now that she’s a district board member, she said her goal is to get every Uvalde student this excited for class. “My goal is really just to see that these kids are thriving and they’re happy. I mean, my kids are like, ‘Oh, […]
UCISD enrollment down by 600 compared to last day of school
Uvalde public school classes begin Aug. 6, and 3,303 students are registered as of July 31. Of those, 3,038 registered by the district’s deadline. This year, the district held registration in-person July 22-23 “to help families complete their forms thoroughly and accurately,” according to district spokesperson Anne Marie Espinoza. The district did not offer online registration and has not said […]
BARC-to-school: shelter offering free class supplies
For a limited time, students can get their back-to-school shopping and daily dose of cuteness in one spot — Briscoe Animal Resource Center. The rescue, also known as BARC, is giving away free supplies like notebooks, pencils and highlighters to anyone who walks or spends time with a shelter dog. Uvalde public schools start on August 6, and the deal […]
UCISD trustees reject controversial compensation plan
Uvalde school board trustees rejected the proposed 2025-2026 district compensation plan on July 21, which would reduce many athletic stipends and cut some staff work days. After several failed attempts to amend the plan, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Ashley Chohlis asked the board to just vote on approving the plan as-is. Vice president JJ Suarez and Trustee Javier […]
Schools prep for cell phone ban
The Uvalde public school district will ban phones during the school day, but will still allow them on campus and in students’ backpacks, district officials announced on July 21. The district updated their cell phone policy in response to House Bill 1481, which will ban “personal communication devices” in Texas schools starting this fall. The bill requires schools to either […]
Uvalde schools get AI gun-detection grant
Uvalde public schools will implement new artificial intelligence gun-detecting technology thanks to the “Safe Haven” grant, created especially for the district. In March, the Uvalde School Safety and Security Committee said they wanted AI gun detection rather than metal detectors at schools, but the district couldn’t afford the technology. Omnilert, the company that created the AI security service, launched the […]
Gloves for Tess gifts 13 players new gloves
At an emotional ceremony on July 19, nonprofit Gloves for Tess presented 13 new softball gloves to Uvalde players in honor of Tess Mata. The organization, run by the Mata family, also accepted a $4,000 donation from the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation at the event, which was held at the Uvalde softball complex. The donation will go towards the nonprofit’s […]
UCISD lacks teachers for 2025-2026 year
Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District has 41 uncertified teachers and 21 teacher vacancies with just two weeks until school starts, according to July 21 district data. “So if you know anyone certified who isn’t working, or someone who wants to get into a program to be a teacher, please send them our direction. We are still very much hiring and […]
School trustees spar over proposed budget deficit
Trustee Jaclyn Gonzales challenged Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District’s proposed 2025-26 budget – approximately $40 million with a nearly $900,000 deficit – during a July 10 workshop, warning that conservative cuts would strain teachers and undercut education. Gonzales clashed with Superintendent Ashley Chohlis and chief financial officer Pamela Bendele during the budget presentation. She said she worried the deficit and […]
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