Appointed school board managers in eight Texas school districts under state takeover said they are preparing to leave office after Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office on January 19. Hinojosa campaigned to end state takeovers and replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator.
Where
Statewide
When
Nov. 6, 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Gina HinojosaGovernor-elect
Mike MorathTexas Education Agency Commissioner
Ric CampoHouston ISD board of managers president
Pete GerenFort Worth ISD appointed board president
Elizabeth ChapmanEnglish teacher and parent in Houston
Jessi HeinerOrganizer with Houston Federation of Teachers
The facts
Eight Texas school districts are under state takeover due to persistently failing academic standards.1
During state takeover, a commissioner appoints managers with authority of elected trustees.1
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Stephanie Okechukwu, a 7-foot-1 center from Nigeria, made her collegiate debut for Texas Tech women's basketball on November 5, 2026, after the NCAA granted her four years of eligibility. She is the tallest player in women's college basketball history.
Stephanie Okechukwu, 7-foot-1 women's basketball center; Erik DeRoo, Texas Tech associate coach and general manager; Krista Gerlich, Texas Tech women's basketball head coach
In election results Tuesday, Democrats won enough seats to break a Republican supermajority on the Texas State Board of Education. Democrat Dana Van De Walker defeated Republican incumbent Audrey Young for District 8 by about 500 votes, giving Democrats control of the board for the first time in recent cycles.
$$3 million for additional funding for curriculum implementation
Dana Van De Walker, Democratic candidate for State Board of Education District 8; Audrey Young, Republican incumbent for State Board of Education District 8; Brandon Hall, Republican State Board of Education member, term ends 2029 and 3 more
The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Executive Board ruled on November 3 that Argyle Liberty Christian violated transfer eligibility rules. The decision removes the Warriors from the 2026 TAPPS Division I playoff bracket and forces them to forfeit games. The school disputes the ruling and is considering legal action.
TAPPS Executive Board, Issued eligibility ruling; Argyle Liberty Christian, School removed from playoffs; Michelle Witten, Parent who rejected the ruling and 1 more
Voters in Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District rejected a voter-approval property tax rate increase on November 4, 2026. The district had sought to increase the maintenance and operations portion of its property tax rate beyond state law limits, requiring voter approval.
$Supporters said if the proposition did not pass, the district will face staffing reductions, larger class sizes and cuts to student programs and services. [2]
Lubbock-Cooper ISD Board of Trustees, Approved the property tax rate and budget in August; Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Supported Proposition A
Following election results, the Texas hemp industry expressed optimism about new state leaders more favorable toward THC products. A San Antonio councilman filed a request for the city to study cannabis legalization's economic impact and opportunities for state legislators.
Mark Bordas, Executive director of Texas Hemp Business Council; Vikki Goodwin, Elected lieutenant governor-designate, campaigned on THC legalization; Gina Hinojosa, Governor-elect and 3 more
The 15th Court of Appeals canceled oral arguments scheduled for December 8 and 9 after voters elected three Democratic justices to replace three Republican justices in the Nov. 5 election. The court said cases will be reset at a later date.
$$258 to $10,000 per facility for hemp-derived THC manufacturer licensing fee
15th Court of Appeals, court that canceled oral arguments; Justice Scott Field, Justice on the 15th Court of Appeals; Texas Department of State Health Services, issued THC regulations under challenge
In the November 3, 2026 election, Democrats won enough State Board of Education races to appear poised for an 8-7 majority on the 15-member board, marking the first Democratic majority in more than 30 years. One race faces a possible recount. The board sets curriculum standards for Texas public schools and approves instructional materials.
James Talarico, Candidate who won U.S. Senate race; Gina Hinojosa, Candidate who defeated Governor Greg Abbott; Vikki Goodwin, Candidate who unseated Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and 4 more
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver reversed a lower-court decision that had granted players who graduated high school in 2022 a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. The ruling was in the case Wisne vs. NCAA.
10th Circuit Court of Appeals, federal appeals court that reversed the lower-court decision; NCAA, defendant in the case