Schools

Texas Schools Embrace Major Overhaul for 2025-26: Cell Phone Bans, Religious Displays, and Historic Teacher Pay Raises

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Longview, Texas — As the 2025-26 school year commences, educators in Longview and across Texas are adjusting to significant changes that include teacher pay raises, cell phone restrictions, and new legislation regarding prayer and religious displays in schools. A recent state law prohibits students from using cell phones during school hours, prompting districts in Longview, Pine Tree, and Spring Hill to enforce policies that require students to store their devices in backpacks from the beginning of the school day. Representative Caroline Fairly, who authored House Bill 1481, aimed to create a distraction-free environment for students. … Read more

Florida Schools Introduce New Law Allowing Corporal Punishment with Parental Consent: A Controversial Compromise

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a controversial move, Florida has enacted a law allowing certain parents the choice to authorize corporal punishment in schools, a practice that remains legal in just 14 states across the country. This new law permits families to opt-in to corporal punishment, contingent on approval from their respective school districts. As part of the legislation, school districts that choose to adopt corporal punishment are mandated to create a formal policy ratified by the school board. Once this policy is in place, parents can sign a consent form that grants school staff the … Read more

West Virginia Supreme Court Upholds Nurses’ Claims Against Berkeley County Schools, Paving Way for Pursuit of Fair Compensation

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BERKELEY COUNTY, W.Va. — A recent ruling from the West Virginia Supreme Court has allowed a lawsuit filed by 29 school nurses from Berkeley County to move forward. The nurses are alleging inadequate compensation from the Berkeley County Board of Education. In a decision handed down on July 28, the state’s highest court rejected a petition from the school board aimed at halting the legal proceedings. Teresa Toriseva, the attorney representing the nurses, emphasized their passion for their work but stated that fair compensation has become a pivotal issue. “The nurses truly enjoy their roles, … Read more

Victorious Verdict: Bernalillo High School Family Awarded $1.8M After School’s Failure to Address Bullying

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Bernalillo, New Mexico – A jury awarded $1.8 million to the family of a Bernalillo High School student after finding that school officials neglected their duty to protect the student from escalating bullying before a violent attack in October 2023. The decision, rendered in Sandoval County’s 13th Judicial District Court, highlights significant failures in adhering to state laws designed to prevent such incidents. The court’s decision came after Richard and Valerie Ortiz, the parents of the victim, presented substantial evidence demonstrating that school authorities, particularly Principal Alyssa Sanchez-Padilla, were informed of serious threats against their … Read more