Mold Remediation in Beaumont, TX

Third Future Schools informed the district of its intent to withdraw from its contract by June 30, 2025, a year earlier than the existing agreement.

BEAUMONT, Texas — In a statement released Friday, Beaumont Independent School District said Third Future Schools informed the district in writing on Feb. 3 of its intent to withdraw from its contract by June 30, 2025.

The district had previously partnered with Third Future in 2023 to help improve Texas Education Agency (TEA) ratings at Jones-Clark Elementary, Smith Middle School and Fehl-Price Elementary.

These are all charter schools.

Beaumont ISD offered to engage in formal mediation to address concerns, but Third Future declined, the district said.

The issue was a topic of discussion during a district special board meeting on Feb. 12, where board members planned to speak with Third Future Superintendent Zack Craddock regarding the organization’s request for a 13% increase in funding. However, Craddock did not attend the meeting, leading the board to take no action on the request.

RELATED: Beaumont ISD 'takes no action' amidst Third Future Schools request to increase compensation

At the time, BISD said Third Future was asking for an additional $3 million. The district declined to say why, but 12News later learned it involved additional money for salaries for teachers and staff at Jones-Clark Elementary, Fehl-Price Elementary and Smith Middle Schools.

BISD never indicated the organization's contract was in jeopardy, however district spokesperson Jackie Simien now confirms to 12News that Third Future actually notified BISD back on February 3, that it intended to cease operations in the district.

When asked why, BISD wasn't transparent about that. Simien says "We were trying to work it out with them. We invited them to participate in mediation. They refused. Their superintendent was scheduled to appear via Zoom on Wednesday. He did not appear, as expected."

School board President Tillie Hickman emphasized that the district remains committed to its financial responsibilities and will act in the best interest of students and the community.

“BISD is a steward of taxpayer dollars and will make decisions that prioritize students,” Hickman said.

BISD maintains that Third Future is contractually obligated to continue providing services through June 2026 under the existing agreement. However, if Third Future does not honor its commitment, the district assured parents that students at the affected campuses will continue to have access to a “safe and effective learning environment.”

The next regular BISD board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20, where this may be discussed further.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Texas Department of Transportation - Beaumont via Facebook

Southeast Texas is under its first-ever blizzard warning – one that reaches from the Golden Triangle, which includes Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, out east into Louisiana, home to what is normally one of the busiest throughways in all of Texas, Interstate 10.

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick joined the Standard with an update on what the area is seeing on Tuesday.

This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity:

Texas Standard: Well, I hear they’re calling this winter event a once-in-a-lifetime event for y’all. What are you actually seeing as you look out the window?

Jeff Branick: Well, we’ve got several inches of snow. I haven’t measured them. They’re covering up the courthouse parking lot and ground. The snow is still coming down, and it’s blowing sideways. That’s something we haven’t seen in a number of years.

As a matter of fact, I think our snowfall record was set way back in 1895, and I think we had a second one, which we may break. The No. 2 snowfall event was in 1960, and we may break that snowfall record, which I think was 4.5 inches.

I think blizzard and obviously I think high winds. How’s that complicating things for you there?

Well, fortunately for us, I went driving around about an hour ago and there was very few vehicles on the road. So people are heeding the advice to stay off the roads. The people that I did see on the roadways were driving one-third or below of the normal posted speed limits.

We’re a real industrialized area, and we provide significant portions of the jet fuel and aviation fuel and diesel for the United States. And so many of those facilities are shut down, operating with essential personnel.

» MORE: Worried about power outages in Texas during this winter storm? Here’s what to know.

So obviously, it’s not business as usual. And you don’t have to worry so much about semis jackknifing and that kind of thing. Although have you had any of those sorts of reports, and do you have any equipment that can help you deal with this?

Yes. TxDOT has brought in some snow plows from the Abilene area of the state. They’re down here assisting on the state roadways, primarily on Interstate 10, to try to keep that artery of commerce open. And our road and bridge crews with the county are assisting TxDOT with the maintainers on some of the state roadways to try to clear snow off of them.

Our local Entergy utility has done a great job so far. Only had about 216 power outages. And we haven’t even determined yet whether or not those were due to high winds or whether they’re just due to breakers tripping because of too many heaters plugged in or something.

Snow removal operations continue within the Beaumont District. This is at IH-10 westbound near SH 62 in Orange County. For the latest road conditions, please visit https://t.co/nsB9tyrqKC #KnowBeforeYouGo #BeSafeDriveSmart pic.twitter.com/Kvp5Zj4pxJ

— TxDOT-Beaumont (@TxDOTBeaumont) January 21, 2025

Of course, as you get snow melt later on and in the hours ahead, could start seeing refreeze and perhaps branches coming down and that sort of thing. I guess you’re ready for that?

That is the biggest concern as we head into night is some clearing this afternoon with some slight melting in the snow and then temperatures going into the teens overnight and creating black ice and other more dangerous conditions on the roadways.

» GET MORE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE: Sign up for Texas Standard’s weekly newsletters

You know, I’m thinking a lot of people where you are have never seen this kind of weather. How are folks reacting there?

Well, I think there’s kind of a combination of excitement and awe and just fear at never having seen anything like this before. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it were people in Canada or Alaska. But, you know, down here where we don’t have the studs or chains on our tires.

And this is such an infrequent event – you know, just every 20 to 50 years – we’re not prepared for it. We don’t know how to drive on it. So, you know, the best thing, obviously, is for people to stay home.

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.

BEAUMONT, TX- -The 'U' continues their travels as they head to Beaumont, Texas. The Gophers will take on McNeese State on the campus of Lamar University. Minnesota will stay in the central time zone for the rest of the season after traveling to each time zone in the United States to start the season. Minnesota vs. McNeese State will start at 1:00 PM CT

GAME ONE

Minnesota (11-12, 0-0 B1G) vs. McNeese State (13-12, 1-2 Southland)

Date: Tuesday, March 11

Time: 1:00PM (CT)

McNeese State

The Gophers continue their 51st season of competition against McNese State. The Cowboys are 13-12 on the year and 1-2 in the Southland conference. McNeese comes into the matchup with the 'U' having lost 2 straight. Minnesota went 2-2 over the weekend to come into the game on a 1 game losing streak

Checking Out the Field

Minnesota continues their run of facing stiff competition. The Gophers and Cowboys have only 2 common opponents. Both teams were run ruled by #6 Tennessee and both teams have beaten South Alabama. McNeese is hitting .285 on the year and allowing opponents to hit .298 against them. The Cowboys have hit 11 homeruns on the year and are slugging .420 as a team. McNeese likes to run when they get on the base paths. They have stolen 53 bases in 66 attempts to begin the year. The Cowboys have struck out 100 times and have a team on-base percentage of .371

History

The Gophers and Cowboys will meet this week for the first time since McNeese State beat the 'U' twice in the Seattle Regional in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. McNeese beat the Gophers 5-4 in 13 innings to begin the regional. Current Gopher Sydney Schwartz ended up taking the loss in that contest when she came in from the Gopher bullpen. McNeese then defeated the 'U' 1-0 to end their season in the NCAA Tournament. That tournament loss was the last time the Gophers appeared in the NCAA Tournament having not made the field last season. McNeese ended the Maroon and Gold's 10 year streak of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Current Gophers Kayla Chavez, Taylor Krapf, Nani Valencia, Breezy Burnett, and Sydney Schwartz were all on the 2023 team that fell to McNeese twice

Stats Highlights From Last Weekend The Gophers went 2-2 beating South Alabama twice and falling to #4 LSU twice. Taylor Krapf was one of the standout players at the plate as she hit .273 with 3 hits and 2 of those were solo home runs. She recorded 10 putouts in the field and slugged .818 for the weekend. Margaret Tobias was another standout performer on the weekend. She hit .600 with 6 hits in 10 at-bats. She scored 1 run, had 2 RBI, and walked 3 times. Her on-base % was .692 for the weekend. Freshman Tinley Easton had a good weekend at the plate as well. She hit .308 with 4 hits, 1 RBI, and an on-base % of .308. Only 2 Gophers hit over .300 this weekend. Highlighted by Tobias hitting .600. In the circle, Sydney Schwartz had another standout weekend. She posted a 1.50 ERA going 1-1 with 1 save as well on the weekend. She threw a 9-inning complete game shutout against South Alabama to help the 'U' secure the win. She appeared in 3 games, having started 2 of them. She had 7 strikeouts and held opponents to a .217 average over her 3 appearances.

For more information on Gopher Softball, fans can continue using GopherSports.com, as well as follow along on X, Instagram, and Facebook.