The Midland school district has said it has followed the law. Six teachers and the school principal have either resigned or been fired over the alleged abuse of special needs students.

The spending package will give schools more money for staff pay raises, operational expenses, special education and more.

The legislation includes new pots of money for teacher raises and other school costs like insurance and transportation. It now heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass.

The proposal would heavily invest in teacher pay and special education. It includes a modest $55 increase to schools' base per-student funding, significantly lower than what the House had sought.

In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students will see an erosion of their disability rights protections.

Proponents say the changes would better serve special education students with widely varying needs — and help schools pay for it.

KSAT exclusive video shows an altercation between two students and a special education teacher at an NEISD school in October 2024.

School officials says the state decision to cut federal money likely will hurt their ability to recruit and retain critical staff for students with disabilities.

Edgewood ISD is one of many districts in the area and statewide working to recruit special education teachers. The starting teacher salary is nearly $60,000, with a $3,000 stipend for certified special education teachers.

Texas public schools can allow corporal punishment, which includes hitting, spanking, paddling or deliberately inflicting physical pain to discipline students.