Lawmakers, school officials meet over facial recognition technology in schools – By Kathleen Shannon, Montana Public Radio
State lawmakers reviewing the use of facial recognition technology raised concerns about student privacy and oversight when the technology is deployed in K–12 settings. Montana Public Radio reported at least one school district is already using the technology, which prompted the Economic Affairs Interim Committee to convene a meeting with school officials and education groups.
At the session, committee members heard from a district using facial recognition and representatives of major public school associations and state education agencies. Kris Goss, Director of Policy Services for the Montana School Boards Association, told lawmakers there are no specific Montana statutes that apply exclusively to facial recognition in schools. Instead, companies and districts must rely on broader state and federal privacy laws and existing contractual protections when handling student data.
“Compliance matters for vendors and districts alike,” Goss said, noting that student privacy is a top concern for those who advise school boards on legal and policy issues. The committee discussed how current legal frameworks apply and whether additional safeguards or clearer rules are needed to protect children’s biometric and personally identifiable information.
Representative Katie Sullivan, a Democrat in the Montana House, emphasized the trade-offs involved. While facial recognition can support campus safety and access control, she pointed to the important question of who controls and uses students’ data and whether those third-party companies use it appropriately.
Nebraska schools using federal COVID relief to invest in social emotional learning – By Laura Wagner, Omaha.com
This school year, many Nebraska classrooms have added new morning routines focused on students’ emotional well-being. Alongside traditional items such as the Pledge of Allegiance and attendance, teachers are introducing mood check-ins, listening sessions and other activities designed to help students express how they are feeling.
Districts statewide are directing federal COVID-19 relief dollars toward social and emotional learning (SEL) programs. Schools are using these funds to hire additional mental health professionals, expand SEL curriculum that teaches coping strategies and emotional regulation, and provide tools that support student resilience after the pandemic.
State and national data show the pandemic has intensified mental health needs among children and adolescents since 2020. In response, Nebraska districts and schools across the country are investing federal relief money to bolster supports that prioritize students’ social and emotional health as part of their recovery and long-term success.
Governor Greg Abbott appoints Texas’ first school safety and security chief – By Micah Ward, District Administration
Texas Governor Greg Abbott named John P. Scott as the first chief of school safety and security for the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The position was created in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde and is intended to strengthen statewide coordination on school safety policies.
According to public information, Scott is a former U.S. Secret Service agent who served in the Vice Presidential Protective Division and later in the Dallas field office. In accepting the TEA role, Scott said he intends to collaborate closely with partner agencies and local school systems to promote best practices and help ensure campuses are taking appropriate measures to protect students and staff.
The new chief’s responsibilities are expected to include ensuring implementation of school safety policies passed by the legislature and advising districts on actions that reduce the risk of violent incidents and other threats to school communities.
NC’s school bus shortage is real – despite new pay raises – By Alex Granados, EdNC
Across North Carolina, districts are reporting persistent shortages of school bus drivers, even as some systems have raised pay to attract and retain staff. In one district, superintendent Keith Parker temporarily drove a bus route himself after a driver shortage threatened to delay students’ arrival to school.
District leaders say the shortage forces remaining drivers to cover multiple routes and can lead to late starts for students — a challenge that is particularly acute in districts working to improve academic outcomes. School administrators statewide continue to seek solutions, from recruitment campaigns to improved pay and training, but many report the driver shortage remains a significant operational issue.
Katherine Joyce, executive director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, has heard concerns from districts across the state. While exact statewide figures are difficult to quantify, feedback from local leaders indicates the shortage is widespread and ongoing.
This week’s News briefs were brought to you by The Learning Counsel.