Education Across the States

Six days before the November 3, 2026 election, North Dakota voters face four school decisions at once — free school meals in the constitution, a 60 percent rule for future amendments, Bismarck's 116.5 million dollar accessibility bond after a 58.68 percent majority failed in June, and Fargo's levy reauthorization — while a new state survey counts more than 250 unfilled education jobs from just 27 percent of districts, half of them in elementary and special education.

Sources:

- North Dakota Secretary of State, Measure 2 Official Ballot Language, 2026 General Election: https://sos.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/elections/measures/ballot-language-2026-general-measure2.pdf

- North Dakota Secretary of State, Measure 1 Official Ballot Language and Analysis, 2026 General Election (House Concurrent Resolution 3003): https://sos.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/elections/measures/ballot-language-2026-general-measure1.pdf

- North Dakota Secretary of State, May 14, 2026, Constitutional Initiative Related to Funding of School Lunches Approved for November 3, 2026 Ballot (49,338 signatures accepted): https://www.sos.nd.gov/news/constitutional-initiative-related-funding-school-lunches-approved-november-3-2026-ballot

- North Dakota Secretary of State, Sept. 21, 2026, Ballot Measure Guide Sent to Voters Ahead of November 3 Election: https://www.sos.nd.gov/news/ballot-measure-guide-sent-voters-ahead-november-3-election

- North Dakota Monitor, Oct. 27, 2026, North Dakota families can face debt collections if they can't afford school lunch: https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/27/north-dakota-families-can-face-debt-collections-if-they-cant-afford-school-lunch/

- North Dakota Monitor, Oct. 8, 2026, North Dakota measure campaigns pull in large group donations: https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/08/north-dakota-measure-campaigns-pull-in-large-group-donations/

- North Dakota Monitor, Oct. 5, 2026, Annual bonuses proposed for North Dakota teachers to improve recruitment, retention (STAYS): https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/10/05/annual-bonuses-proposed-for-north-dakota-teachers-to-improve-recruitment-retention/

- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, Oct. 26, 2026, Elementary and special education lead critical teacher shortage areas in North Dakota: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/news/critical-teacher-shortage-areas

- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, Oct. 5, 2026, Nathe, Bachmeier, Governor's Office, Legislative Leaders Announce Teacher Pay Bill (STAYS): https://www.nd.gov/dpi/news/nathe-bachmeier-governors-office-legislative-leaders-announce-teacher-pay-bill-get-and-keep

- Bismarck Public Schools, Bond November 2026 — A Revised Plan for Bismarck Public Schools (116.5 million dollars; June result 58.68 percent, 9,194 yes votes): https://www.bismarckschools.org/bond-election/the-plan

- North Dakota News Cooperative, School districts struggle to sell bond measures (Will-Moore accessibility; Vallejo; Fastnacht): https://www.newscoopnd.org/school-districts-struggle-to-sell-bond-measures/

- Fargo Public Schools, FY2026-2027 Budget Book (127-mill authority expiring Dec. 31, 2027; 110-mill request): https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1790255381/fargok12ndus/lgn2k0mznaowccjsnhmo/FinalFY2027BudgetBook9232026.pdf

- Mayville State University, Aug. 27, 2026, Mayville State helping address North Dakota's teacher shortage (Para-to-Teacher Pathway; 86 enrolled, 52 active, 20 completed): https://mayvillestate.edu/about-msu/news/mayville-state-university-helping-address-north-dakotas-teacher-shortage-through-innovative-programs/

- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400-1419; 34 CFR Part 300; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; North Dakota Administrative Code Article 67-23, Special Education

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Moore County Schools settled the Wells family's federal lawsuit for two hundred thousand dollars, apologizing for a two-week delay in notifying the family of a nonverbal autistic student and committing to same-day notification, crisis prevention certification, and a program review — this deep dive works through the court record, the settlement, and the North Carolina notification law it goes beyond.

Sources:

- Moore County Schools, Wells Family Settlement Agreement statement (posted October 19, 2026): https://www.ncmcs.org/announcements/wells_family_settlement_agreement

- Sandhills News, Moore County School Board settles $200,000 federal lawsuit (October 21, 2026): https://sandhills.news/2026/10/21/moore-county-school-board-200000-federal-lawsuit/

- Sandhills News, Moore County Schools settles lawsuit, endorses SRO memorandum (October 13, 2026, updated October 16): https://sandhills.news/2026/10/13/moore-county-schools-lawsuit-endorsement-of-sheriffs-deputies-as-sro/

- Wells v. Lynch, No. 1:2023cv00412, Document 30, Memorandum Opinion and Recommendation (M.D.N.C., August 15, 2024), via Justia: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/north-carolina/ncmdce/1:2023cv00412/95571/30/

- North Carolina General Statutes section 115C-391.1, Permissible use of seclusion and restraint (notification and written-report requirements): https://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-115c-elementary-and-secondary-education/nc-gen-st-sect-115c-391-1/

- Disability Rights North Carolina, Seclusion and Restraint in Schools (plain-language family guide): https://disabilityrightsnc.org/resources/seclusion-and-restraint-in-schools/

- To verify the settlement amount and terms without a stable document URL: search Moore County Schools website for Wells Family Settlement Agreement, and search Sandhills News for Moore County School Board settles federal lawsuit, October 2026.

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Ninety-eight Connecticut residents spent a summer studying the property tax, and their October 26, 2026 final report recommends the state assume the full $3.26 billion cost of special education — a cost towns now carry about two-thirds of through the one tax they are allowed to levy. This deep dive works through all ten Citizens' Assembly recommendations, the excess-cost mechanics that leave districts exposed, the fiscal guardrails and lock box that stand in the way, both gubernatorial candidates' rejections within a day, and what boards, special education directors, and families should do now.

Sources:

- CT Mirror, Citizens' group wants tolls, tax on rich to finance property tax relief (Keith M. Phaneuf, October 26, 2026), as republished by The Bristol Edition: https://bristoledition.org/2026/10/27/across-connecticut-anxiety-fuels-data-center-backlash-2/

- Connecticut Citizens' Assembly on Property Taxes (assembly mission, Scanlon legislative hearing commitment, October 26, 2026 press conference): https://ct-citizens-assembly.org/

- Simsbury Town News, Bold ideas to lower property taxes in CT (October 27, 2026; $3.26 billion special education figure, ten recommendations, mid-next-year action ask): https://simsburytownnews.beehiiv.com/p/bold-ideas-to-lower-property-taxes-in-ct

- School and State Finance Project, 2025 Legislative Session: Changes to Special Education Funding (Excess Cost threshold of 4.5 times per-pupil spending, FY 2025 allocation of $221,119,782 and 91/88/85 wealth tiers, no special education weight in ECS, SEED grant, CSDE rate schedule by January 1, 2028): https://schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/2025%20Legislative%20Session%20Changes%20to%20Special%20Education%20Funding.pdf

- Connecticut State Department of Education, Special Education Excess Cost data collection (threshold definitions): https://portal.CT.gov/sde/fiscal-services/special-education

- The Quinnipiac Post, Bridgeport Sees $17M Gap in ECS Aid Scenarios (summary of Joseph Sokolovic's October 2, 2026 CT Mirror opinion piece): https://thequinnipiacpost.com/news/regional/bridgeport-board-member-sees-17m-gap-ecs-funding-scenario

- Connecticut State Department of Education, Connecticut Test Scores and Attendance Continue to Improve (August 31, 2026; $30 million Special Education Enhancement Grants and $40 million excess cost investment): https://portal.ct.gov/sde/press-room/press-releases/2026/connecticut-test-scores-and-attendance-continue-to-improve

- NBC Connecticut, Connecticut property owners propose 10 ways to lower taxes (October 2026; Scanlon delay request, Senate Republican reaction) — search YouTube for 'Connecticut property owners propose 10 ways to lower taxes millionaire tax NBC Connecticut'

- To verify the debate exchange: search CT Mirror Lamont Fazio final debate October 27 2026 tolls

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A new state evaluation shows Washington's Ninth Grade Success initiative lifting freshman pass rates — especially for low-income and multilingual students — while its funding remains unguaranteed, and OSPI urges the FCC to protect the E-Rate internet funding that 91 percent of Washington districts use. Sources: Washington State Standard, 'Washington 9th graders perform better with new program, but funding isn't guaranteed,' Aspen Ford, October 27, 2026 (reporting the OSPI Ninth Grade Success evaluation; search washingtonstatestandard.com for the headline); OSPI news release, 'State Superintendent Chris Reykdal Urges Federal Government to Protect Internet Connectivity Funding for Schools,' October 27, 2026, ospi.k12.wa.us news center; FCC E-Rate Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted June 25, 2026 — comments closed October 13, 2026, reply comments due November 12, 2026 (see CoSN, 'FCC Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Changes to E-Rate,' August 14, 2026, cosn.org); Washington SB 5253 (2025), Chapter 256, 2025 Laws, transition plan due October 30, 2026.

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Las Cruces Public Schools moved Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy onto the Rio Grande Preparatory Institute campus in April 2026 with no school board vote — and the Public Education Department says that likely violated state requirements — while the vote to combine the two small schools into a single 6-12 academy, driven by a January restructuring deadline for a high school in the state's lowest intervention category, still has no date; this deep dive works through both schools' state profiles, the approval rule at 6.29.1.9 NMAC, the finances the district has and has not published, the equity argument both sides claim, the staffing reapplication dispute, and what the merger means for students with disabilities whose teacher says they chose the middle school for its environment.

Sources:

- Searchlight New Mexico (Julia Gentin), 'They are totally sacrificing us: Proposed 6-12 school in Las Cruces draws community pushback' (October 26, 2026), via Organ Mountain News: https://www.organmountainnews.com/lcps-6-12-academy-state-approval-community-opposition-2026/

- Organ Mountain News (Damien Willis), 'LCPS 6-12 academy plan draws pushback from MVLA families' (August 19, 2026): https://www.organmountainnews.com/lcps-6-12-academy-mvla-rgpi-family-pushback-2026/

- Organ Mountain News (Damien Willis), 'Union says LCPS created MVLA reapplication plan without required consultation' (August 23, 2026): https://www.organmountainnews.com/lcps-mvla-staff-reapplication-union-consultation-2026/

- Albuquerque Public Schools, 'APS Announces Community Meetings on Right-Sizing' (comparison district's stated process): https://www.aps.edu/news/news-from-2026-2027/aps-announces-community-meetings-on-right-sizing

- Albuquerque Public Schools, Right-Sizing page (no decisions made; community sessions October 2026 through January 2027): https://www.aps.edu/right-sizing

- To verify the state approval rule: search the New Mexico Administrative Code for '6.29.1.9' and read subsection G, 'Organization of grade levels and establishing/closing schools,' on the NM State Records Center and Archives site (srca.nm.gov, NMAC Title 6) or Cornell Law's New Mexico regulations pages.

- To verify Rio Grande Preparatory Institute's designation: search the Las Cruces Public Schools board materials for 'NM Vistas Designations' (MRI = More Rigorous Intervention, a school that did not exit Comprehensive Support and Improvement status after three years), and search NM Vistas (nmvistas.org) for 'Rio Grande Preparatory Institute' for its proficiency data.

- To verify Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy's enrollment: search the NCES Search for Public Schools (nces.ed.gov/ccd) for 'Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy' (94 students, grades 6-8, 2024-25).

AI Generated

New Jersey has opened its school funding formula for the first full review in nearly two decades — a steering committee convened September 25, 2026, public forums running through November 12, and special education at the center: census-based aid versus actual enrollment under Senate Bill S-1767, extraordinary aid thresholds frozen since 2008 while average special education costs reached thirty-eight thousand nine hundred eighty-four dollars, aid caps holding two hundred three districts below adequacy, and a thirty-four point four percent January health premium increase arriving before any recommendation can.

Sources:

- Chalkbeat Newark, 'New Jersey is rethinking how it funds schools. What could change for Newark?' (October 13, 2026, updated October 14, 2026): https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2026/10/13/new-jersey-is-rethinking-its-school-funding-formula-what-could-change/

- NJDOE, Statewide School Funding Outreach bulletin (October 1, 2026): https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NJDOE/bulletins/42d1aa1

- NJDOE, NJ School Funding Outreach page: https://www.nj.gov/education/schoolfinance/schoolfunding/

- NJDOE press release (August 5, 2026): http://www.state.nj.us/education/news/2026/SherrillAdministrationAnnouncesStatewideSchoolFundingOutreachEffortToStrengthenOpportunityForNewJerseyStudents.pdf

- Autism New Jersey (October 14, 2026): https://autismnj.org/news/autism-new-jersey-appointed-to-school-funding-steering-committee/

- NJ Senate Democrats, S-1767 (May 12, 2026): https://www.njsendems.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1346

- S-1767 bill text: https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2026/S2000/1767_T1.PDF

- NJDOE, Educational Adequacy Report FY2026: http://www.state.nj.us/education/stateaid/docs/ear/EAR2026.pdf

- NJ Ballot, 'NJ School Funding Review Reaches South Jersey' (October 2026): https://njballot.com/post/nj-school-funding-review-south-jersey-forum

- To verify steering committee summaries: search nj.gov for 'School Funding Outreach' and open the NJDOE School Funding Outreach page for convening notes.

- To verify S-1767 status: search njleg.state.nj.us for bill 'S1767' in the 2026 session.

AI Generated

Six days before the November 3, 2026 election, and with early voting open, Oklahoma voters choose a new Superintendent of Public Instruction — Republican Robert Franklin, a former special education teacher with forty five years in Oklahoma schools, or Democrat Jennettie Marshall, a former Tulsa school board member running on a six pillar Marshall Plan — and this deep dive works through what the office can and cannot control, the reading scores and teacher pay the winner inherits, the four point four billion dollar budget request, testing and Strong Readers, accountability for fifty nine warning districts, and what does not change for students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504, plus State Question 847's school funding stakes.

Sources:

- Oklahoma Voice, October 16, 2026, Oklahoma state superintendent candidates seek more unified approach to education: https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/10/16/oklahoma-state-superintendent-candidates-seek-more-unified-approach-to-education/

- News 9, Oklahoma State Superintendent Race: Where Robert Franklin and Jennettie Marshall Stand on Education (published October 2, 2026; updated October 21, 2026): https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-elections/oklahoma-education-superintendent-franklin-marshall

- The Oklahoman, October 28, 2026, Oklahoma election guide: Key midterm races, state questions for Nov. 3: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/10/28/oklahoma-elections-2026-governor-state-questions-key-midterm-races-voter-guide/92319643007/

- Tulsa Flyer, November 2026 Elections: Federal and state races (voter guide; superintendent, governor, and campaign finance entries): https://tulsaflyer.org/voter-guide/november-2026-elections-federal-and-state/

- Oklahoma State Election Board (via Oklahoma.gov), October 23, 2026, Early Voting Begins Wednesday for November General Election (early voting October 28-30, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; October 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.): https://oklahoma.gov/elections/newsroom/2026/october/early-voting-begins-wednesday-for-november-general-election.html

- To verify the budget request: search the Oklahoma State Department of Education site (oklahoma.gov/education) for the fiscal year 2028 budget request presented to the State Board on October 22, 2026 (four point four billion dollars), and Oklahoma Voice's October 2026 coverage of that presentation.

- To verify your ballot and polling place: use the OK Voter Portal (okvoterportal.okelections.gov) for sample ballots, and the State Election Board's early voting location list at oklahoma.gov/elections.

AI Generated

Virginia lawmakers voted Monday to hire an expert to study replacing the state's 52-year-old, staffing-based school funding formula with a student-based model — and the two paths on the table would rewrite how special education and English learner funding follows the child.

Sources:

- Virginia Mercury via WHRO, Virginia lawmakers approve plan to advance new K-12 school funding formula (Oct. 28, 2026; subcommittee approval Monday Oct. 26, Sen. Mamie Locke and Del. Cia Price quotes, VDOE chief of staff Holly Coy on the RFP and January start, subcommittee staff report funding figures FY2023-FY2028): https://www.whro.org/education-news/2026-10-28/virginia-lawmakers-approve-plan-to-advance-new-k-12-school-funding-formula

- Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), December 2023 study of Virginia's K-12 funding formula (local spending vs. Standards of Quality; student-based options for special education and English learner funding) — search jlarc.virginia.gov for the 2023 K-12 funding formula report

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A federal Title IX lawsuit filed October 22, 2026 by two former Syracuse High students tests how the Davis School District handled reports of online image-based harassment — what the complaint alleges, the district's on-the-record rejection, the supportive-measures and coordinator duties the case turns on, and three dated Utah calendars: USBE rule comments closing November 2, Jordan District 5 applications due November 16 with an appointment expected November 24, and the Uintah Middle School closure-study hearing on November 18.

Sources:

- Davis Journal (Davis County News), Lawsuit alleges Davis School District failed to respond to sexual harassment complaints, October 26, 2026 (complaint allegations and the district's full statement): http://www.davisjournal.com/2026/10/26/588849/lawsuit-alleges-davis-school-district-failed-to-respond-to-sexual-harassment-complaints

- KSL TV, Title IX lawsuit against Davis School District (filing press conference; federal civil rights, Title IX, and 18 U.S.C. Section 2255 claims): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFma3tCpubw

- KSL TV, Former Syracuse High School students sue district over claims involving sexual harassment, bullying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LshaBM9VHHs

- The Salt Lake Tribune, original reporting on the lawsuit (reporting-form routing, supportive measures, coordinator jurisdiction statement, district code of conduct) — no stable URL retrieved; search sltrib.com for: Syracuse High Davis School District lawsuit October 2026

- Utah State Board of Education, Rules in Process (October 1, 2026 bulletin batch: comments accepted until November 2, 2026; first possible effective date November 9, 2026; November 5 board report / November 6 committee review): https://schools.utah.gov/adminrules/administrativerules/rulesinprocess

- Jordan School District, Announcement of Board of Education Member Vacancy, Voting District 5 (published October 27, 2026; applications due 8 a.m. November 16, 2026; appointment expected November 24, 2026): https://jordandistrict.org/2026/10/announcement-of-jordan-school-district-board-of-education-member-vacancy-voting-district-5/

- Basin Now, Uintah Middle School Closure Study Update (enrollment data 2018-2026, comment November 11, hearing November 18, meetings December 9 and December 22, 2026): https://www.basinnow.com/uintah-middle-school-closure-study-update/

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The October 26 opening of a new Head Start center on St. Thomas completed a $42 million federal disaster-recovery rebuild of six early childhood facilities across St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas — what was built, how the money split, and what the announcement does not yet tell us about children served. Sources: Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, 'Administration Opens Dilsa Capdeville Head Start Center, Completing $42 Million Rebuilding Initiative,' vi.gov, published October 26, 2026 (https://www.vi.gov/administration-opens-dilsa-capdeville-head-start-center-completing-42-million-rebuilding-initiative/); St. Croix Times, USVI Local Clips, October 27, 2026 (search stcroixtimes.com for 'USVI Local Clips October 27 2026 Head Start'); U.S. Virgin Islands research brief on file for the Department of Human Services / VIDE governance distinction and territory staffing context from VIDE legislative testimony, May 9, 2025 (search legvi.org Committee on Education and Workforce Development May 9 2025 VIDE testimony).

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