Two school district employees are under investigation for alleged misconduct with students.
West Texas
As School District Shrinks, Lubbock ISD Asks Voters To Grow Bond Debt
With interest, the district’s $290 million bond would cost property taxpayers almost double the amount voters will see on the May ballot.
Christian School CFO Accused of Grooming 16-Year-Old Stepdaughter
The girl told police that Rory Waide left a sex toy in her underwear drawer.
‘Recognized’ Texas Teacher Charged With Child Grooming
Scott Strobel is accused of sexually grooming a 14-year-old girl he was tutoring.
San Angelo ISD Teacher Jailed for Alleged Sexual Misconduct With Student
A school resource officer with the San Angelo Police Department is also under investigation in connection with the case.
MOST RECENT
Couple Charged With Producing Child Sex Abuse Videos
Teachers aide Dava Pound is accused of helping her boyfriend Justin Liford produce child sexual abuse content featuring her prepubescent daughters.
Amarillo Police Chief Allowed To Retire After Supporting Sex-Abuser School Coach
Martin Birkenfeld asked a federal judge to consider Perryton ISD coach Cole Underwood’s “redeeming qualities” when sentencing the confessed child predator.
Amarillo Police Chief Suspended After Supporting Child-Predator High School Coach
Chief Martin Birkenfeld asked a judge to consider Perryton ISD football coach Cole Underwood’s “redeeming qualities.”
Perryton ISD Football Coach Gets 30 Years for Sexually Abusing 15-Year-Old Student
Cole Underwood allegedly earned the nickname “Perv” while previously working for Amarillo ISD but was still hired by Perryton.
Female Teachers Get Probation After Admitting to Sex With Students
The women will not be required to register as sex offenders.
Analysis: Jeff Davis County Lowers Tax Rates Across the Board
Taxing entities in the stargazing county lowered rates from 2019 to 2022.
Amarillo Teacher Gets 30 Days in Jail for Sexual Contact With Student
Kegan Abram taught at Accelerate Christian School.
Amarillo ISD Wrestling Coach Charged With Student Sex Crimes
Nick Herrmann coached at Tascosa High School, where he was once a state-champion wrestler.
Analysis: Who’s Raising and Lowering Taxes in Upton County?
Upton County property tax rates are a mixed bag of cuts and hikes over a three-year period.
West Texas Teacher, Coach Charged With Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child
Justin Esquell is accused of sexually abusing a victim for four years, starting when the child was under the age of 14.
ARCHIVE
Analysis: Shackelford County Property Taxes Are a Bright Spot Thanks to Moran ISD
Most of Shackelford County’s tax entities have lowered rates, easing the property tax burden for residents.
Parents Win: Canyon ISD Puts Bibles Back in School Libraries
Texas legislators blasted the district’s superintendent, who blamed the Bible removals on a law prohibiting sexually explicit content.
Canyon ISD Parents Want Bibles Back in School Libraries
Superintendent Darryl Flusche told parents a new Texas law prohibiting sexually explicit books requires the district to remove the Bible.
Laredo Educator Arrested for Production of Child Pornography
Carlos Jobany Castaneda Lechuga was a lecturer at Texas A&M International University, but has since been removed from the staff directory.
West Texas Teacher Arrested for Displaying Harmful Materials to Minors
Crane Middle School teacher Lyndell Ray Lee has since resigned from his position.
Analysis: Tiny County Sees Massive Tax Swing From 2019 to 2022
Loving County provides a snapshot of taxing trends in Texas.
Valentine ISD Employee Admits Stealing $300K From School District
Ernesto Villarreal Jr. embezzled tax money from the tiny Texas district for six years.
El Paso ISD Asks Students For Their Gender Identities and Sexual Orientations
The district circulated an “Equity Assessment Survey” to 9th through 12th graders.
Illegal Alien Arrested in El Paso for Sex Trafficking
The illegal alien is believed to be the leader of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua’s sex trafficking ring.
El Paso ISD Trustees OK $2 Million for Bond ‘Strategist’ Despite Budget Deficit
School officials say their vision is to make El Paso a “Destination District.”