Dr. Hudson's Weekly Family Message

In public education, we all know it was eventually coming down the road.

The Texas Senate has a proposal for school vouchers, and all indications are that it has the votes to pass it.

It’s finally a reality that we’re staring down, despite many years of Democrats and Republicans as well as urban, rural and suburban working together to support the public schools in our respective communities.

Recently, there’s been a statewide effort to elect representatives who buy into the fact that public schools should be underfunded, at the expense of parochial and private schools.

These decisions have consequences at the local level, particularly here in Cedar Hill ISD where a decline in enrollment coupled with a lack of adequate increase in funding has created a very challenging landscape for our administration and Board of Trustees.

While Texas public schools are held to a high standard when it comes to attendance and testing, our private or charter school counterparts don’t have the same requirements.

Let me be clear. We have nothing against private or parochial schools. Parents must make the right choice for their child, and every situation is unique. But to use taxpayer funds for these schools, at the expense of the public good, is unconscionable.

Former Texas Republican lawmakers Dan Huberty and Larry Taylor pointed out as much in a Houston Chronicle editorial last October, titled “We’re conservatives. Texas must stop starving its public schools.”

As we begin our budget planning for the 2025-2026 school year, we will continue to make decisions in the best interest of our scholars – our most precious resource.

But as the state squeezes public schools tighter and tighter, we will sadly have many difficult decisions to make in the coming months.

Horns Up

Dr. Gerald B. Hudson, Superintendent

In last week's Dr. Hudson's Monday Noon Message to families and staff, we provided information regarding the recent Executive Orders associated with immigration and deportation. CHISD leaders want to provide addition guidance to all Longhorns about our district procedures and expectation on this issue.

Several recent executive orders and policy changes have been introduced and have had significant media coverage due to their impact on immigration policies across the United States. A recent executive order has removed schools from the “sensitive location” designation, prompting questions about how we, as a district, respond to potential immigration enforcement activities.

We want to reassure you that Cedar Hill ISD remains a place where every child’s safety and well-

being are our priority. We realize these changes may bring feelings of anxiety and uncertainty to

our students, families, and staff. It is critical that we continue to have open communication and

work together to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone in our

district.

Emergency Contact Information

We encourage all parents to update their information in Skyward to ensure the district has accurate emergency contact information for all students. This includes the names of approved individuals authorized to pick up students. Having accurate and up-to-date information is vital to ensuring families receive district information, allows for consistent communication, and ensures up-to-date emergency contacts in the event your student needs to be picked up by someone other

than yourself.

Confidentiality

District employees will not openly discuss the immigration status of students. Federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), protects the confidentiality of personally identifiable information and students’ education records. The district does not collect or request information regarding the immigration status of students during the enrollment process.

District Services

Our counselors are equipped to provide resources to help staff, students, and families manage feelings of anxiety or uncertainty. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your campus counselor if you need personal support or guidance in addressing these issues.

Given recent uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s availability, many young users are exploring alternative platforms such as RedNote and Lemon8. RedNote, originating from China, emphasizes music and video content, drawing comparisons to Instagram. Similarly, Lemon8, developed by ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company), merges features reminiscent of Pinterest and Instagram.

Despite their growing popularity, these platforms present privacy and data security challenges akin to those associated with TikTok. Experts advise parents to exercise caution, emphasizing the importance of reviewing app privacy policies and understanding the extent of data collection. Given that these apps may lack comprehensive safety measures, it is recommended to delay their use until robust protections are established. Fostering open discussions with teens about online safety and digital footprints can safeguard their online experiences.

Overall, while new social media platforms may offer appealing features, it’s crucial for parents to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring their children’s online safety.

For more information, click here.

The Cedar Hill Independent School District and the Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation (CHEF) will co-host the 2025 CHISD State of the District from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26 at the JoLynn Maddox Teaching & Learning Center, 1533 High Pointe Lane.

The event will provide a comprehensive look at CHISD’s achievements and challenges over the past year. The theme is “Expressions Of Us” with a focus on the district’s Fine Arts Programs.