[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
>> GOOD EVENING. IT IS 5:30, AND THIS MEETING OF THE ROUND ROCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES CALLED BOARD MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.
IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT, WE HAVE TRUSTEE WEIR, TRUSTEE WEIR, DR. AZAIEZ, TRUSTEE MARKUM, TRUSTEE LANDRUM, AND TRUSTEE ROSS.
TRUSTEE HARRISON WILL BE JOINING US VIRTUALLY SHORTLY.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT, SO WE ARE GOING TO MOVE STRAIGHT INTO OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS STARTING WITH D1,
[D. DISCUSSION ITEMS ]
AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DR. AZAIEZ.>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME EVERYBODY.
WE JUST WELCOME OUR STUDENTS BACK, OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF OVER SEE STARTED LAST WEEK.
I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK. THANK YOU.
THIS IS OUR FIRST BOARD MEETING IN THIS '25, 22ND SCHOOL YEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH A LOT OF POLICIES AND A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE UPDATES.
AS YOU KNOW, LAST SESSION, THE 89TH SESSION WAS A BUSY SESSION.
THEY PASSED A LOT OF LAWS, A LOT OF THEM ACTUALLY RELATED TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING A LOT ABOUT THAT TODAY THIS EVENING AND WITH US, I'M GOING TO LET CINDY, OBVIOUSLY, LEAD THE WAY WITH ALL THE D ITEMS, I GUESS. GO AHEAD.
>> YES, IT IS THE JASMINE AND CINDY SHOW TONIGHT.
WITH SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY OUR WONDERFUL CHIEF OF SCHOOLS WHO WILL HAVE SOME FUN TIMES TELLING US ABOUT OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
AS DR. AZAIEZ SAID, WE HAD A VERY FULL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BEFORE WE GET INTO ALL OF THAT, TASB IN LATE JUNE ISSUED WHAT THEY'RE CALLING THEIR UPDATE 125; 125 IS A HOUSEKEEPING POLICY UPDATE.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO WITH YOU GUYS TONIGHT IS JUST GO OVER THE CHANGES TO THE LOCAL POLICY AND WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS BACK AT OUR REGULAR MEETING FOR A SECOND READING.
THIS IS JUST THE FIRST READING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO WHEN WE PREPARE POLICY UPDATES FOR YOU GUYS IS WE ATTACH TO THE AGENDA FOR NOT ONLY THE BOARD MEMBERS, BUT FOR MEMBERS OF OUR PUBLICS WITH THE ENTIRE 125 UPDATES AS WELL AS THESE RED LINES.
IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE SPECIFIC CHANGES ARE, WE WOULD SEND YOU TO THAT.
BUT TONIGHT WE'RE ONLY GOING TO GO OVER THE CHANGES TO THE LOCAL POLICIES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR FIRST POLICY THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A SMALL CHANGE IS BDAA.
YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'VE GOT A CHANGE AT THE TOP THAT TALKS ABOUT THE BOARD MAY ASSIGN A DISTRICT EMPLOYEE TO PROVIDE CLERICAL ASSISTANCE.
THE REASON FOR THIS CHANGE IS NOT THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR VERY PRECIOUS BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, PATTY, AWAY FROM YOU.
BUT THIS IS JUST A RECOGNITION THAT THE BOARD DOES NOT ASSIGN MEMBERS OF STAFF THAT IS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.
THAT'S WHY THAT CHANGE IS THERE.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ASSISTANCE TO THE BOARD.
THE OTHER CHANGES IN BDAA ARE VERY MINOR CHANGES THAT ARE JUST CLEANUP CHANGES.
YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'VE GOT THE ADDITION OF THE WORD PROPOSED IN FRONT OF RESOLUTION AND JUST SOME GRAMMATICAL CHANGES.
NOW, THE NEXT TWO POLICIES GO HAND IN HAND.
THESE ARE BDB(LOCAL) AND BDF(LOCAL).
WHEN YOU LOOK AT BDB(LOCAL), YOU WILL THINK THAT THIS IS A MASSIVE CHANGE.
[00:05:03]
HOWEVER, BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS THESE POLICIES NEED TO BE READ IN COORDINATION.THE FIRST OF THE POLICIES, BDB, HAS TO DO WITH BOARD COMMITTEES.
THESE ARE NOT COMMITTEES THAT ARE MADE UP OF ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
THEN THE BDF IS OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
BASICALLY, THESE TWO PROVISIONS HAD BEEN MORE OR LESS COLLAPSED TOGETHER, SO THEY'RE SPLITTING THEM OUT SO THAT IT'S CLEAR HOW YOU ESTABLISH A BOARD COMMITTEE AND HOW YOU DISSOLVE A BOARD COMMITTEE.
THE NEXT CHANGE WE HAVE IS TO EI(LOCAL), AND THIS IS TO MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT PARTIAL CREDIT.
THEY'RE JUST CHANGING THE LANGUAGE FROM COMBINED GRADE TO AVERAGE OF BOTH HALVES.
FOR INSTANCE, IF THE FIRST SEMESTER A STUDENT RECEIVED A 70, AND THE SECOND SEMESTER, THE STUDENT GOT A 65, THE AVERAGE WOULD BE TO LOVE FOR FULL CREDIT.
HOWEVER, YOU LOOK AT EACH OF THEM AND YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GET PARTIAL CREDIT.
THE NEXT POLICY THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IS FDE(LOCAL).
BASICALLY, THIS IS A VERY MINOR CHANGE AND IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND INFORMATION THAT WE ARE ALREADY PROVIDING TO THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
WE'RE ADDING BULLYING TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES FOR WHICH WE PROVIDE SAFE SCHOOL DATA TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY.
LIKE I SAID, WE ARE ALREADY PROVIDING THIS DATA TO THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
THIS IS DATA THAT WE ALREADY TRACK.
OUR NEXT POLICY THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT IS FEC(LOCAL).
THE POLICY IS BASICALLY BEING CHANGED JUST FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES.
WE'RE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING IN PRACTICE.
THE POLICY, AS IT WAS PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN, TALKED ABOUT THE BOARD ESTABLISHING ATTENDANCE COMMITTEES.
THIS IS BASICALLY CHANGING THAT TO SAYING THAT THE BOARD JUST AUTHORIZES ATTENDANCE COMMITTEES.
THESE ARE ATTENDANCE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED ON CAMPUS LEVEL FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS IS JUST BASICALLY CLEANING THE STUFF UP.
IT IS GOING TO ALIGN IT WITH OUR PRACTICE AND ALSO WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IN THIS POLICY, AND I'M GOING TO FLIP OVER TO PAGE 2.
YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE IS SOME CLARIFICATION THAT THE ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE IS NOT REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH A SEAT TIME TO COVER IN CORRESPONDING WITH ABSENCES, THAT THE REAL THING HERE IS THAT, THE ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE LOOKS AT WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S MASTERY OF THE TICKS FOR ESTABLISHING WHETHER OR NOT A STUDENT WOULD BE GETTING CREDIT.
FINALLY, OUR LAST CHANGE IN UPDATE 125 IS ON PAGE 3 OF THE 4.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH MEDICATION FOR RESPIRATORY DISTRESS.
THIS IS A TOTALLY VOLUNTARY PROCESS.
THIS IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE DONE.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD IS JUST AUTHORIZING THE DISTRICT TO DO THAT.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HEALTH SERVICES, BOTH JASMINE AND I HAVE TALKED TO THEM AT THIS POINT.
THEY HAVE GONE BACK SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HAD AN INSTANCE WHERE THIS HAS EVER COME UP.
HOWEVER, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN ALLIANCE WITH THE NEW RULES ADOPTED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES.
IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH HAVING UNASSIGNED RESPIRATORY DEVICES, THAT THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO DO THAT WILL HAVE PROPER TRAINING.
[00:10:03]
WE WILL BE BRINGING TO YOU WHEN WE BRING THE NEXT UPDATE, THE POST-LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED POLICY.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME THOUGHT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, WE THOUGHT, WELL, DO WE EVEN WANT TO BRING THIS NOW? THE REASON THAT I AM ASKING YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE PROPOSING NOW IS SO THAT WHEN WE GET OUR CHANGES FOR 126, WE WILL BE UP TO DATE.
IT MAKES IT EASIER TO MAKE THE CHANGES INSTEAD OF TO HAVING TO TRACK CHANGES THAT WE DIDN'T DO BEFORE.
IF THAT MAKES SENSE, IF THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN IT BETTER.
BUT I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT CURRENTLY WE HAVE A POLICY OF HAVING UNASSIGNED RESPIRATORY RESCUE DEVICES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY COMMON WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT MORE RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHERE THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE BETWEEN MEDICAL RESPONSE AND THE SCHOOL.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES AWAY FROM HOSPITALS OR MEDICAL FACILITIES, SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO.
OF COURSE, ALL OF OUR KIDS WHO DO HAVE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS HAVE THEIR OWN ASSIGNED INHALERS.
WE, BOTH JASMINE AND I ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THOSE.
>> TRUSTEES, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DON'T HAVE ANY LIGHTS ON, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BUTTONS ARE WORKING.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO D.2 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
WELL, I KNOW THAT'S WHY THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ON 125.
YOU ALL JUST CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR US TALK ABOUT THESE.
IF WE COULD PULL UP THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
>> IF I CAN JUST INTERRUPT, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT TRUSTEE HARRISON HAS JOINED US VIRTUALLY. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE TRUSTEE HARRISON IS JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES THAT SHE JUST CANNOT STAY AWAY ONE SECOND LONGER.
TONIGHT, WE ARE ONLY GOING TO GIVE YOU 10 OF THESE.
NOW, I THINK YOU GUYS KNOW WAS A VERY BUSY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT, THIS IS A 200-PAGE DOCUMENT THAT I HAVE, JUST ONE OF THE MANY SUMMARIES OF ALL THE LEGISLATION AFFECTING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
WHAT WE PROPOSE TO DO TONIGHT IS JUST GO OVER 10 OF THESE THAT WE FIND TO BE SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ONES THAT WE FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.
SOME OF THOSE ARE LEADING UP TO POLICY ADOPTIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO ASK FOR LATER.
JUST TO HIGHLIGHT, WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT IS WE ARE GOING TO JUST GO OVER SOME OF THESE.
WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS OUR POLICY UPDATES, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A TIMELINE FOR WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO NEXT.
I APOLOGIZE TO ANY OF THE GEN X OUT THERE FOR PUTTING THAT SONG IN YOUR HEAD NOW.
BUT IT JUST FELT LIKE THAT THIS TIME.
I KNOW MOST OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS ARE MILLENNIALS AND GEN ZS, SO THEY WILL NOT POSSIBLE KNOW THAT.
ANYWAY, WE HAD OVER 8,719 BILLS FILED.
OF THOSE, WE HAD THE 1,200 PLUS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE GOVERNOR ISSUED 26 VETOES.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 255 THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
[00:15:02]
BASICALLY, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE 255 THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, IT WAS NOT FUN, BUT WE HAVE JUST PICKED THE ONES THAT WE REALLY THINK YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW ABOUT RIGHT AWAY.THE QUESTION IS, THEN, ARE WE GOING TO SPEND THREE DAYS GOING THROUGH ALL OF THESE? WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS TO YOU IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
BUT BEFORE YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT, I WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING FROM AN EXPERT IN BOARD POLICY.
LET ME LET YOU TALK, AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I KNOW THAT I INTRODUCED THIS VERY YOUNG LADY TO YOU GUYS LATER.
I WILL REMIND EVERYBODY THOUGH THAT WHILE SHE MAY LOOK YOUNG NOW, I HAD BLOND HAIR, NOT FOUR YEARS AGO.
I'M GOING TO LET JASMINE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU ONE OF THE SAVING THINGS BECAUSE WE CANNOT POSSIBLY GET ALL THESE POLICIES TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU, CINDY, FOR THE COMPLIMENTS AND FOR PASSING THE MIC.
WE'LL START WITH HARMONY WITH THE LAW.
ESSENTIALLY, THIS SESSION AND EVERY SESSION, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW LAWS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST OR EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE CAN AUTOMATICALLY COMPLY WITH ALL OF THESE NEW LAWS.
EVEN TEA, THERE HAS TO BE SOME LEADING OFF POINT TO GET EVERYTHING READY.
BF(LOCAL) ACTUALLY HELPS US WITH THAT ISSUE.
THAT IS A LOCAL POLICY ADOPTED BY ROUND ROCK ISD AT SOME POINT.
IT SAYS THAT, BASICALLY, WE FOLLOW THE LAW EVEN WHEN IT CHANGES.
IF WE HAVE A POLICY THAT'S IN CONFLICT WITH A LAW CHANGE, THAT PART OF THE POLICY IS INOPERABLE.
TO THE EXTENT, YOU SAY, WELL, OUR POLICIES AREN'T ALREADY AUTOMATICALLY ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE BILLS.
IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE BF(LOCAL) THAT SAYS, WE FOLLOW THE LAW AND OUR POLICIES ADJUST.
JUST TO NOTE, THERE WERE AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF POLICY REQUIREMENTS COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU GUYS HAVE MORE WORK THAN EVER COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THEY'LL BE MORE, AS WE'LL TALK ABOUT, THAT ARE COMING TO YOU IN THE MONTHS TO COME.
BUT TODAY, WE'RE REALLY HIGHLIGHTING AND FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT HAD THESE IMMEDIATE DEADLINES, SOMETHING IN THE BILL REQUIRED YOU ALL TO MAKE A DECISION EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER.
>> RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO BECOME THE MOST POPULAR PERSON TO EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN ALL SEVEN HIGH SCHOOLS.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT OUR CELL PHONE BILL.
THE CELL PHONE BILL WAS HB 1481.
THIS IS NOT A DISCRETIONARY BILL.
IT REQUIRES THE BOARD TO ADOPT A POLICY PROHIBITING STUDENT USE OF CELL PHONES, WATCHES, SMARTWATCHES, OTHER PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES.
THIS WOULD BE THINGS SUCH AS EARBUDS THAT YOU CAN GET INTERNET OVER.
THERE IS NOT A QUESTION, WE HAD TWO CHOICES.
OUR CHOICE WAS EITHER TO PROHIBIT ANYTHING COMING INTO THE SCHOOL WHATSOEVER OR TO PROVIDE WAYS THAT THESE ARE STORED DURING THE CLASSROOM DAYS.
WE WERE VERY SENSITIVE TO WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HAD SHARED WITH US.
WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS BOTH ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL, HAD MEANS TO CONTACT THEIR PARENTS.
WE WILL BE RECOMMENDING A POLICY TONIGHT THAT PROVIDES FOR STORAGE OF THESE DEVICES AS OPPOSED TO PROHIBITION FROM ANYTHING EVEN BEING CARRIED ON CAMPUS.
NOW, JUST SO OUR COMMUNITY KNOWS THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR IEPS IN 504 PLANS OR A DOCUMENTED REASON FROM FORMER PHYSICIAN.
WE KNOW THAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS REQUIRE THEIR DEVICES TO MONITOR THEIR MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR TO HELP THEM MANAGE THEIR CONDITIONS.
THERE WILL BE EXCEPTIONS FOR THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE IS ANOTHER SMALL EXCEPTION WITH REGARD TO ALLOWING DEVICES IN TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY MEASURES OR DISTRICT PROTOCOLS ON SAFETY.
[00:20:02]
HOWEVER, THOSE DO NOT OVERRIDE A PARENTS WANTING THEIR CHILD UNFORTUNATELY TO HAVE A CELL PHONE.IT DOES NOT OVERRIDE STATE LAW ON THIS.
THIS IS THE PROPOSED POLICY THAT WE WILL BE BRINGING TO YOU.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO AUTHORIZE DISTRICT EMPLOYEE TO CONFISCATE A PHONE IF NEEDED FOR REPEATED VIOLATIONS, I'LL TURN THIS OVER TO NATALIE AND HER FOLKS LATER TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, AND THEY'LL TALK ABOUT SPECIFICS ON THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE.
BUT IF THE PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE ISN'T RETRIEVED, THE DISTRICT IS ABLE TO DISPOSE OF THE DEVICE.
WE HOPEFULLY WILL NOT HAVE A SITUATION LIKE THAT, BUT THAT IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS.
>> OUR NEXT HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU ALL IS ABOUT LIBRARY BOOKS.
THAT WAS SOMETHING WE ALSO SAW LEGISLATED IN 2023, AND WE SAW MORE LEGISLATION COME BACK IN THE 2025 SESSION.
THANKS. WE'RE GOING TO POINT OUT THESE CHANGES AND LATER WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE POLICY AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN THE POLICY.
BUT JUST TO TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 13 GENERALLY, IT INCLUDES PARENTAL ACCESS AND THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE IN THE POLICY NOW, INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF A PARENT TO GIVE THE LIBRARY AND A LIST OF BOOKS THAT THEIR STUDENT CANNOT CHECK OUT.
IT MAKES POSSIBLE A SCHOOL LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL ALSO CALLED A SLAC AS A CHOICE FOR DISTRICTS.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE NOT SELECTED TO HAVE A SLAC IN OUR DISTRICT AND BECAUSE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT PURCHASES THAT NEED TO GO THROUGH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND THE SLAC GETTING THAT MEETING TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING MIGHT HAVE SLOWED DOWN THOSE PURCHASES, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE.
IN ADDITION, IF 50 PARENTS PETITION THE DISTRICT, WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A SCHOOL LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL.
THAT SLAC DOES SIMILAR THINGS TO WHAT A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE OR COMMITTEE THAT WAS LOOKING AT BOOKS THAT WERE BEING CHALLENGED WOULD DO, THEY COULD PARTICIPATE IN THAT AND THEY CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL.
THE MAJORITY OF A SLAC MUST BE PARENTS.
THE OTHER CHANGES TO THIS POLICY INCLUDE MAKING A LIST PUBLICLY AVAILABLE LIBRARY BOOKS THAT WE INTEND TO ACQUIRE.
THE BIG CHANGE FOR YOU ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THAT THAT LIST OF LIBRARY BOOKS THAT WE ARE GOING TO ACQUIRE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, 30 DAYS AFTER THAT LIST IS MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.
THIS IS A DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE DISTRICT HANDLES THE ACQUISITION OF LIBRARY BOOKS.
WE'LL SHOW YOU THIS POLICY LATER.
ANOTHER THING TO NOTE ABOUT EFB IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME REGULATIONS AND SOME PROCESSES PUT IN PLACE FOR YOU ALL TO HAVE THAT.
I KNOW THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING WITH LIBRARY SERVICES TO HAVE THOSE PROCESSES READY.
ONCE THEY ARE, WE'LL CONNECT THEM TO THAT POLICY ONLINE SO THAT'S PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC, OUR PARENTS TO SEE OUR PROCESSES.
OUR NEXT TOPIC IS ABOUT HOME SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
THIS IS SOMETHING MAYBE THAT IS FAMILIAR TO YOU FROM 2024.
THE BOARD HAS ALREADY LOOKED AT A POLICY REGARDING HOME SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BEFORE THERE WAS A LAW.
BUT NOW WE DO HAVE SENATE BILL 401, AND THAT REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO MAKE A POLICY CHOICE BY SEPTEMBER 1ST THAT STATES WHETHER OR NOT STUDENTS THAT ARE BEING HOME SCHOOL CAN PARTICIPATE IN UIL ACTIVITIES.
IF YOU DON'T MAKE A POLICY, THEN THE DEFAULT IS THAT HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN UIL.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BUT LUCKY FOR ROUND ROCK ISD, WE MADE THAT CHOICE IN MAY 2024.
UP ON THE SCREEN IS THE LANGUAGE THAT THE BOARD DECIDED TO ADOPT IN THAT CHOICE, THAT HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS OR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OUR UIL OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, THAT'S IN REFERENCE TO JROTC, WHICH THERE IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT REQUIRES US TO ALLOW THE PARTICIPATION IN JROTC.
ME AGAIN. WHAT ARE THEY PAYING YOU FOR? NO. WELL, WE'LL MOVE INTO THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.
CHILD ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT REPORTING.
REALLY, FOR OUR STAFF, WHAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO TRAIN ON IS THE CHANGE IN MANDATORY REPORTING.
THE PRIOR LAW GAVE 48 HOURS TO A MANDATORY REPORTER TO MAKE THAT REPORT.
[00:25:02]
THAT LAW HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 24 HOURS.THAT'S A BIG CHANGE TO TRAIN ON.
IT ALSO EXPANDS FOR MISCONDUCT, THE PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT REPORTING.
PRINCIPALS HAVE TO REPORT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF BEING AWARE OF MISCONDUCT, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO REPORT TO SPEC, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION WITHIN 48 HOURS, SO REALLY SPEEDING UP THOSE TIMELINES, THAT REPORTING IS DONE THROUGH A TEA PORTAL.
IN ADDITION, IT EXPANDS THE DO NOT HIRE REGISTRY TO INCLUDE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THERE IS GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL TRACKING OF WHO THE DISTRICTS CANNOT HIRE.
THIS NEXT 4623 IS A DIFFERENT BILL, BUT IT IS RELATED BECAUSE WHAT THIS BILL DOES, I'M SURE AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE DISTRICT IS GENERALLY IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY.
WE GENERALLY CAN'T LOSE IN A LAWSUIT UNLESS SOMEHOW IMMUNITY IS WAIVED.
THERE IS A BRAND NEW WAIVER IN HOUSE BILL 4623 IF THE DISTRICT IS GROSSLY NEGLIGENT, RECKLESS, OR THERE'S INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT THAT IS RELATED TO AN EMPLOYEE THAT LATER COMMITS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OR FAILS TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE.
THAT'S A BIG EXPANSION OF OUR IMMUNITY WAIVER.
IN THAT CASE, THE DISTRICT COULD BE LIABLE FOR UP TO $500,000 FOR EACH TIME THAT HAPPENS.
JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING, ESPECIALLY AS THOSE LAWS HAVE CHANGED, THOSE TIMELINES HAVE SHORTENED, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON IN THE DISTRICT.
>> PLEASE IGNORE THE PHONE THAT WAS NOT TURNED OFF THAT IS PLAYING THE ROCKFORD FILES RIGHT NOW, THAT I'LL STOP IN A SECOND.
WHILE JASMINE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW SHE HAD TO DO FOREIGN ROW, SHE LEAVES THE DIFFICULT ONES TO ME LIKE CELL PHONES AND EXPLAINING THE PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL.
THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE BILL THAT HAS MULTIPLE CHANGES.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COVER ALL OF THEM TONIGHT.
WE WILL TALK ABOUT THESE AS WE COME UP WITH NEW POLICIES.
IMPLEMENTING THEM, BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO GO OVER RIGHT AWAY.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS THE REQUIRED PARENTAL NOTICE AND CONSENT ABOUT HEALTH SCREENINGS AND HEALTH RECORDS.
WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT OUR SCHOOL TEAMS AS WELL AS OUR HEALTH SERVICE TEAMS AND OUR IT FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY TO GET ALL OF THIS TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN NOTIFY OUR PARENTS ABOUT THESE THINGS.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PUSHING THAT OUT TO THE PARENTS EITHER TOMORROW OR MONDAY.
SORRY I HAD TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT.
WE WILL HAVE THAT TAKEN CARE OF SO THAT OUR PARENTS KNOW WITH REGARDS TO ANY OF HEALTH SCREENINGS, ANY TREATMENTS, AND ANY HEALTH RECORDS, THEY'LL GET THAT.
THIS WAS A FAIRLY CONTROVERSIAL BILL WHEN IT WAS IN SESSION, BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN WOULD IMPLY THAT YOU'VE GOT TO GET CONSENT FOR ANY SINGLE THING, AND THAT'S LIKE IF I HAVE TO PUT A BAND AID ON A KID'S KNEE, HAVE TO GET CONSENT BEFORE I DO THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO REALLY ENCOURAGE OUR PARENTS JUST FOR ROUTINE STUFF.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW YOU GET BOMBARDED WITH EMAILS PARENTS, BUT THIS MAY BE ONE THAT WE NEED YOU TO RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THERE IS NO GAP IN BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE ROUTINE HEALTH SERVICES TO OUR KIDDOS.
ANOTHER PART OF SENATE BILL 12 PROHIBITS DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THAT'S FAIRLY BROADLY DEFINED.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR TRAINING ARE ALL IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
BUT WE ARE EXPECTING TO GET ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE BOTH FROM THE TEA AS WELL AS TASB ON THAT PORTION OF SENATE BILL 12.
THE NEXT PROHIBITION THAT SENATE BILL 12 CONTAINS IS THE PROHIBITION ON ANY ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL TRANSITIONING OF GENDER.
[00:30:06]
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AFFIRMED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE TEA HAS PROVIDED SOME PRETTY ROBUST GUIDANCE ON THAT.WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ANNUAL CERTIFICATION THAT WE ARE COMPLYING WITH THESE THINGS, THAT COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION WILL NOT BE UNTIL 2026.
WE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO GET PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ANY SCHOOL SPONSORED CLUBS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CHANGED FOR THIS YEAR IS THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPONSOR OR AUTHORIZE ANY CLUBS HAVING TO DO WITH SEXUAL IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
THAT IS A SEPARATE BILL IN AND OF ITSELF.
FINALLY, WE ARE GOING TO SEE MASSIVE CHANGES IN OUR LOCAL GRIEVANCE POLICIES AND OUR PROCEDURES.
WE WILL BE BRINGING THOSE TO YOU IN 126 BUT JUST SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE INCLUDED ARE LONGER TIME PERIODS.
THERE WILL BE SPECIFIC LEVELS OF REVIEW.
THEY'RE VERY ALL ENCOMPASSING AND I COULD PROBABLY SPEND AN HOUR TELLING YOU ALL ABOUT ALL THE CHANGES.
WE WILL BE HANDLING THOSE IN THE INTERIM UNTIL WE GET THE FORMAL POLICIES IN EFFECT, WE WILL BE HANDLING THOSE IN THE LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WITH REGARDS TO THIS BILL, I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DISCUSSION ABOUT LITIGATION WITH REGARDS TO SENATE BILL 12.
AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY GUIDANCE FROM THE COURTS, BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WILL BE SOME LEGAL CHALLENGES TO SOME OF THESE THINGS.
WE'LL BE SURE AND KEEP YOU APPRISED, BUT AS OF TODAY, WE CHECKED RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING FILED ON IT.
THE NEXT POLICY I WANT TO BRING YOU GUYS UP TO UP TO DATE ON IS OUR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
THIS IS A POLICY THAT REALLY IS VERY MUCH MORE CONCERNING FOR SMALLER DISTRICTS THAT HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PROVIDERS FOR SERVICES.
FOR INSTANCE, IF I'M IN A SMALL DISTRICT, AND I ALSO HAVE THE LOCAL AUTO REPAIR PLACE, I COULDN'T DO ANY BIDDING ON ANY REPAIRS FOR DISTRICT STUFF.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE.
YOU CAN'T ABSTAIN OUT OF, WHICH IS WHAT A LOT OF DISTRICTS WERE ABLE TO DO.
IT IS NOW A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR A VENDOR TO RECEIVE A CONTRACT FROM A DISTRICT IF A TRUSTEE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST IN THE VENDOR.
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST BEING 10% OF AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST.
THAT ALSO GOES, IF ANY OF THE TRUSTEES HAVE A CLOSE RELATIVE THAT IS GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST.
ALSO, THIS APPLIES WHEN TRUSTEES ARE RECEIVING GIFTS OR SERVICES, VALUED OVER $250 FROM VENDORS TO GIVE THEM.
THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THERE MAY BE SOME QUID PRO QUO THERE.
THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR THE VENDOR, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I JUST WANT ALL OF YOU GUYS TO BE INVOLVED WITH, TO BE AWARE OF.
IF ANYBODY OWNS 10% OF DELL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, GO AHEAD AND LET US KNOW NOW.
IF YOU OWN 10% OF DELL, I'M SURPRISED THAT YOU'RE AT A BOARD MEETING.
>> THAT LEAVES US TO ANOTHER ADMINISTRATOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST, WHICH IS HOUSE BILL 3372.
THE REASONING BEHIND THIS BILL WAS THAT THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT COLLABORATION BETWEEN VENDORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
[00:35:04]
THIS IS A BILL THAT ONLY APPLIES TO ADMINISTRATORS.IT DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
IT DOES NOT EITHER APPLY TO ANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS.
BUT IT PROHIBITS A DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR FROM PERFORMING PERSONAL SERVICES OR RECEIVING FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR PERSONAL SERVICES FOR ANY BUSINESS ENTITY THAT CONDUCTS OR DOES BUSINESS WITH THE DISTRICT.
THESE ARE VERY COMMON OUTSIDE WORK ASSIGNMENTS THAT OUR FOLKS DO.
IN THESE CASES, IF THEY ARE NOT SUPERINTENDENT OR AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH IS WHAT THE BILL SAYS.
THEN THEY CAN BRING THOSE NOTICES THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO US, AND THEN WE CAN BRING THOSE TO THE BOARD AND YOU CAN IMPROVE THAT.
HE'S DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PUTTING TOGETHER A PROCESS THAT WE ARE ROLLING OUT TO OUR ADMINISTRATORS THAT DO OUTSIDE SERVICES.
THIS COULD BE ANYTHING FROM JUDGING A UIL CONFERENCE.
THIS COULD BE SOMETHING LIKE, WE'VE GOT FOLKS WHO ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR EXPERTISE BECAUSE WE HIRE GREAT FOLKS HERE, AND THEY THEY MAY BE GETTING AN HONORARIUM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR DOING A PRESENTATION AT A CONFERENCE.
BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS THESE ARE UNDER OUR PLAN, WE WILL BE ASKING THEM TO SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THEIR OUTSIDE CONTACTS TO THEIR SUPERVISOR.
IT WILL GO THROUGH THE SUPERVISOR, I WILL THEN GO THROUGH HR.
THEN IT WILL GO THROUGH THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THEN WE WILL BRING YOU A LIST EACH MONTH FOR APPROVAL.
>> SWITCHING GEARS A BIT TO STUDENT DISCIPLINE.
THIS NEXT BILL IS HOUSE BILL 6. IT WAS VERY LENGTHY.
IT WAS OVER 40 PAGES LONG, AND WE'RE JUST HIGHLIGHTING A FEW OF THE CHANGES.
BUT WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT LATER, WHAT YOU'RE MOSTLY HEARING ABOUT IS CHANGES FROM HOUSE BILL 6.
SOME OF THOSE CHANGES TO HIGHLIGHT HERE, FOR STUDENTS THAT WERE CAUGHT WITH A VAPE USING OR POSSESSING A VAPING DEVICE, THE PRIOR LAW FROM THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION MANDATED THAT WE SEND THEM TO DAEP, AND THAT PRIOR LAW HAS BEEN AMENDED NOW SO THAT WE HAVE THAT CHOICE TO EITHER SEND THEM TO DAEP OR SUSPEND THAT STUDENT FOR TEN DAYS IN IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION, WE ARE STILL REQUIRED TO CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE PLACEMENTS IF A STUDENT IS CAUGHT FOR USE IN POSSESSION OF A VAPING DEVICE.
THE NEXT THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS IT ALLOWS A POLICY ON PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT TO SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF A DAEP PERIOD OR AN EXPULSION PERIOD WITH A BEHAVIOR AGREEMENT.
THIS IS NOT MANDATORY, BUT THE DISTRICT HAS DECIDED THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT.
WE'VE PUT THAT IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
IF YOU APPROVE THAT TONIGHT, YOU ARE APPROVING PERMISSION FOR THAT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT TO SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THAT EXCLUSION PERIOD.
AGAIN, ANOTHER THING IT DOES, IT SUBSTANTIALLY EXPANDS THE ABILITY FOR A TEACHER TO REMOVE A STUDENT FROM THE CLASS.
THAT'S AN EXISTING LAW, BUT NOW THEY HAVE MADE IT SO A TEACHER CAN REMOVE A STUDENT THAT IS DISRUPTIVE OR THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY INTERFERING WITH THE TEACHER IN JUST LESS OF A DOCUMENTED PROCESS THAN THE PRIOR LAW.
THEY'VE ALSO CHANGED SOME OF THE PROCESS FOR RETURNING THAT STUDENT TO THE CLASSROOM.
WE'RE WORKING IN LEGAL SERVICES, WORKING WITH OUR HR DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR PROCESS IF A TEACHER DOES CHOOSE TO DO THAT.
AGAIN, THAT IS THE TEACHER'S OPTION UNDER THIS LAW.
JUST THE PAST FEW YEARS, TEA HAS GIVEN GUIDANCE ON A LAW THAT SAID THAT WE HAD A THREE DAY LIMIT ON IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION, AND THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAD BEEN LONGSTANDING AND IT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT FOR DISTRICTS THAT HAD CHOSE IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION OVER OTHER EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE CHOICES.
THAT LAW HAS BEEN CLARIFIED THAT THE THREE DAY LIMIT IS ONLY FOR OUT OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION, AND F IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION, THERE IS NO LONGER A LIMIT ON HOW LONG THAT CAN BE.
HOWEVER, IF A STUDENT HAS BEEN IN SCHOOL SUSPENDED FOR TEN DAYS AT THAT TEN DAY MARK, THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO REVIEW IF IT'S STILL AN APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT, IF THAT STUDENT IS STILL GETTING EDUCATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT STUDENT.
THOSE CHANGES, AGAIN, I HOPE I DIDN'T STILL TOO MUCH THUNDER FROM LATER, BUT YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT SOME OF THOSE CHANGES IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
[00:40:03]
>> WE ARE GETTING TO WHAT I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS REALLY ARE JUST PSYCHED ABOUT.
THESE ARE CHANGES TO BOARD MEETINGS.
EFFECTIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A SMALL CHANGE, BUT IT IS AFFECTS A LOT OF DISTRICTS THAT FOR INSTANCE, HAVE MONDAY OR TUESDAY MEETINGS, NOT SO MUCH SINCE OR ON THURSDAYS, BUT INSTEAD OF 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE, YOU NEED TO GIVE THREE BUSINESS DAYS.
YOU CAN NO LONGER COUNT WEEKENDS WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT YOUR YOUR PRE BOARD AGENDA POSTINGS.
FOR MEETINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, WE MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF THE BUDGET AND A TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT UNLESS IT'S REASONABLY ALREADY ACCESSIBLE ON THE WEBSITE.
I THINK THAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON A WAY TO GET THAT FAIRLY ACCESSIBLE ON OUR WEBSITE WITH THE NEW WEBSITE.
I THINK THAT IS ALMOST COMPLETED.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE, BUT THE OTHER REQUIREMENT IS THAT OUR METES MUST REFLECT ALL EVERY BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDANCE OR ABSENCE AND THEIR VOTE ON ANY ITEM.
I KNOW THAT WHEN PATTY PREPARES THE MEETING, THEE SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN DOING THAT, BUT THAT IS A CHANGE FOR SOME DISTRICTS.
WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR MINUTES POSTED ONLINE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF A MEETING.
ALONG WITH ANY RESOLUTION THAT WE MAY HAVE ADOPTED.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MEETING THAT TIME FRAME.
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH ON TOP OF THAT.
HOWEVER, THIS IS NOW ACTUALLY SET FORTH IN THE LAW.
FINALLY, WITH REGARD TO BOARD, BOARD MEETINGS, WE ARE DOING MOST OF THESE THINGS ALREADY, BUT THE SENATE BILL 12 ADOPTED PROVISIONS THAT PROVIDES THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ONLINE PORTAL FOR PARENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BOARD.
THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE COVERED BY OUR LET'S TALK, AS WELL AS THE COMMENT SESSIONS AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE CAN COMMENT TO YOU DIRECTLY AS A BOARD.
WE ALSO ARE REQUIRED TO PUT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
THAT IS THE CLARIFICATION WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM TEA IS THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE HAS TO BE THE FIRST THING WE DO.
BEFORE WE DO RECOGNITIONS OR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OR ANYTHING.
BUT A LOT OF BOARDS IN THE PAST HAD MOVED THEIR PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE VERY END OF THE MEETING, AND SO THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THEM AT THE BEGINNING, SO AS TO ENCOURAGE OUR PARENTS AS THIS IS PART OF THE PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL, SO THAT WE ENCOURAGE NOT ONLY OUR PARENTS, BUT ALSO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME AND COMMENT.
WE ALSO GENERALLY DO THIS, BUT IT REQUIRES THAT ALL BOARD MEETINGS HAVE TO OCCUR OUTSIDE OF TYPICAL WORK HOURS.
I KNOW IN THE PAST, WE HAVE HAD JUST ONE OR TWO MEETINGS IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, WE'VE HAD SOME MEETINGS THAT WERE CALLED OVER, IN A MORNING MEETING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE NEW REQUIREMENT IS THAT THEY MUST BE OUTSIDE OF TYPICAL WORK HOURS.
>>NUMBER 9. NUMBER 9 IS ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS, AND THE FIRST PART OF HOUSE 4310 TALKS ABOUT HOW BOARD MEMBERS HAVE THE SPECIAL RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S OUT OF LINE WITH HOW ROUND ROCK HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDING INFORMATION REQUESTS TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT THE SECOND PART THAT ALLOWS A DISTRICT TO HAVE A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT IS NEW.
THAT IS IF THE DISTRICT IS PROVIDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, THEY MAY CHOOSE TO HAVE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SIGN A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT PRIOR TO PROVIDING THE INFORMATION.
NOW I GET TO DO RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
[00:45:01]
THESE ARE THE FIRST ONE THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE SITA BILL TEN REQUIREMENT OF THE POSTING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.THIS REQUIRES US TO POST THE COPY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN EVERY CLASSROOM IF THEY ARE DONATED.
THEY MUST BE DISPLAYED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN EACH CLASSROOM AND THEY MUST MEET ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
THEY CANNOT BE ANY SMALLER, FOR INSTANCE, THAN 16 " BY 20 ".
THEY MUST BE LEGIBLE TO ANY PERSON OF AVERAGE VISION FROM ANYWHERE IN THE ROOM, AND THE BILL SPECIFIES THE EXACT LANGUAGE THAT MUST BE INCLUDED ON THIS POSTER, AND THAT LANGUAGE IS FROM THE DL MOODY VERSION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
THIS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THESE MUST BE POSTED IF DONATED.
THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE THE DISTRICT TO SPEND ADDITIONAL FUNDS ON PURCHASING THESE.
HOWEVER, AS I THINK PROBABLY A LOT OF YOU ARE AWARE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF LITIGATION.
IN FACT, TOMORROW, THERE IS A HEARING ON THIS.
SEVERAL FOLKS HAVE ALREADY CHALLENGED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THIS.
TOMORROW MORNING, THERE WILL BE A HEARING IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT DOWN IN THE SAN ANTONIO DIVISION.
WE ANTICIPATE THIS WAS GOING TO BE A MULTI DAY, BUT I CHECKED BEFORE WE CAME HERE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT THE ENTIRE HEARING WILL BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
THE PARTIES WERE ABLE TO STIPULATE TO MUCH OF THE EVIDENCE.
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY WE COULD HAVE A DECISION AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.
I DON'T THINK THAT IS NECESSARILY LIKELY, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE FOLLOWING.
THIS IS EFFECTIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL HAVE AN ANSWER ONE WAY OR ANOTHER BY SEPTEMBER 1 WITH REGARD TO THIS BILL.
I WOULD NOTE THAT THIS WAS ALSO SOMETHING THAT RECENTLY WAS REVIEWED BY NOT ONLY COURTS IN OUR STATE, BUT ALSO IN ARKANSAS AND LOUISIANA AND WAS ALSO REVIEWED BY THE FIFTH CIRCUIT.
THE FIFTH CIRCUIT DECISION FOUND THAT A STATUTE THAT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE THAT IS CONTAINED IN SENATE BILL 10 WAS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.
HOWEVER, THAT IS PENDING AN ON BOND DECISION, WHICH MEANS A FULL COURT DECISION BY THE FIFTH CIRCUIT.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
WE ALSO HAVE SENATE BILL 11, WHICH REQUIRES A RECORD VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT TO DESIGNATE A PERIOD OF PRAYER AND READING OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS.
OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE STUDENTS, YOU MUST HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALLOWED, BUT IS NOT REQUIRED, BUT THE BOARD MUST HAVE A RECORD VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS OR YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DO THIS.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE RECORD VOTE IS MARCH 1 OF 2026.
WE SHOULD HAVE SOME GUIDANCE FROM OUR VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES ON THIS UPCOMING.
THE NEXT BILL THAT I WANT TO TOUCH BASE WITH YOU GUYS ON IS SENATE BILL 1049.
SENATE BILL 1049 REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO ADOPT A POLICY FOR ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
OUR DEADLINE TO DO THAT IS JANUARY 1 OF 2026.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE BILL SAYS THAT THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION CANNOT BE MORE THAN 5 HOURS PER WEEK.
FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ARE GOING OUT FOR A FIRST COMMUNION INSTRUCTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT CANNOT BE MORE THAN 5 HOURS A WEEK.
OR IF ANY OTHER OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE CONSENT FROM THE PARENT, HERE'S SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS ON THAT.
THIS IS A COURSE THAT THE COURSE ITSELF MUST MAINTAIN ATTENDANCE RECORDS.
[00:50:07]
>> THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CAN JUST SAY IT'S A RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
YOU WILL NEED TO BE GOING TO A COURSE THAT ACTUALLY MAINTAINS RECORDS ON ATTENDANCE OR NOT.
ALSO, STUDENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE UP ANY WORK THAT THEY MISS.
JUST AS AN ASIDE, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TRANSPORTATION COST TO ANY RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
THAT INCLUDES WITH ANY OF OUR KIDS THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE GETTING FREE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OF THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS.
THE DISTRICT DOES NOT HAVE ANY COST ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
AFTER WE HAVE NATALIE'S TEAM GO OVER THE STUDENT HANDBOOK, WE ARE GOING TO BE BRINGING TO YOU THREE POLICIES THAT WE WANT YOU TO CONSIDER.
TODAY, THOSE ARE JUST GOING TO BE THOSE THAT ARE TIME-SENSITIVE THAT WE NEED DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AS I TOLD YOU AT THE BEGINNING, WE'RE LOOKING FOR UPDATE 126.
THE TASB IS TELLING US THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE 126 TO US BY OCTOBER.
OUR GAME PLAN AT THIS POINT IS TO PUT THESE ON THE NOVEMBER MEETING FOR A FIRST READING, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE A FINAL ADOPTION FOR ANY OF THE LOCAL POLICIES IN OUR DECEMBER MEETING.
I KNOW THAT I GAVE YOU A LOT OF INFORMATION.
BOTH JASMINE AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF TRAINING ON THESE.
I KNOW THAT OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM HAS DONE A LOT OF TRAINING ON THESE, ALL OF OUR INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE SPECIALIZED TRAINING ON THESE, AND WE ARE HA TO PROVIDE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU GUYS NEED.
IF YOU HAVE SOME INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO THOSE.
OR IF YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR BILLS OR STATUTES THAT YOU WANT US TO DO A PRESENTATION.
AT OUR NEXT MEETING, WE WILL ALSO BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE READY FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST HAD TWO, THEY GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE BEGINNING.
I'M CURIOUS, AND THIS MAY BE DR. NICHOLS, DR. AZAIEZ'S QUESTION.
HOW IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHONES GOING SO FAR? WE'RE THREE DAYS IN.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ANECDOTES OR ANY INFORMATION?
>> I THINK FROM WHAT I GATHER, I'LL LET ANDY ALSO SHINE IN IF YOU WANT.
BUT I VISITED THINK ABOUT 20 CAMPUSES SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND I TALKED TO A LOT OF OUR PRINCIPALS AND THEIR TEAM AND SOME OF OUR TEACHERS.
ACTUALLY, LOT OF OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS, THEY WERE, HOW CAN I SAY, VERY THANKFUL, BUT ALSO APPRECIATIVE OF HOW OUR STUDENTS TOOK IT.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY FOLLOWING, I GUESS, THE PROCEDURES AND WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR, AGAIN, THE BEHAVIOR OF OUR STUDENTS AND REALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS OUTSIDE OF ROUND ROCK ISD.
I GUESS WE DON'T HAVE MUCH FLEXIBILITY, IF YOU WILL.
THE ONLY FLEXIBILITY LIKE CINDY WAS SAYING IS ALLOWING OUR STUDENTS TO BRING PHONES WITH THEM SO THAT OUR FAMILIES, OUR PARENTS CAN CHECK ON THEM AS THEY WALK TO SCHOOL AND THEN GO BACK HOME.
AS FAR AS DURING THE DAY, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH FLEXIBILITY.
BUT AGAIN, WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT OUR PARENTS, AS WELL AS STUDENTS ARE REALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEHAVING AS SUCH AND NOT HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH THE PHONES.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. I KNOW THAT THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE, SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING THAT CHANGE.
I HAD A SECOND, SO I LIED. I HAD THREE QUESTIONS.
I HAD A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ON THE PHONES.
THAT IS YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS AN EDUCATOR ROUND ROCK ISD.
WE DID A LEGAL SESSION AND A LEGAL UPDATE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN WE'RE HANDLING STUDENT PHONES.
IF WE TOOK A PHONE AWAY AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE PHONE, WE COULD BE INDIVIDUALLY LIABLE.
IS THERE COVERAGE IN THIS MANDATE FOR WHO WAS LIABLE?
[00:55:01]
I'M GUESSING THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU COULD FULL ON DISPOSE OF A PHONE, BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED IN THIS MANDATE?>> IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATURE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFICS ON THAT.
BUT AS YOU NOTED, INSOFAR AS WE CAN DISPOSE OF THE PHONES, I AM NOT LOOKING AT THIS BEING A MAJOR LIABILITY FOR THE DISTRICT.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. FOR THE DISTRICT AND/OR FOR INDIVIDUALS.?
>> AND/OR FOR INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE THEM.
>> THEN FORGIVE ME IF THIS WAS NOTED.
BUT FOR THE SLACK, IF WE WERE TO HAVE TO FORM A SLACK BECAUSE OF THE PETITIONING OF PARENTS, I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS IN THE SLACK.
BUT IS THERE GUIDANCE FOR HOW THAT COMMITTEE WOULD BE FORMED AND HAS ADMINISTRATION, HAVE YOU ALL THOUGHT ABOUT HOW THAT COMMITTEE WOULD BE FORMED?
>> THERE IS GUIDANCE IN THE BILL ABOUT HOW IT WILL BE FORMED.
THE BOARD ACTUALLY DOES THE APPOINTING OF THE SLACK.
YOU WOULD TAKE A LARGE ROLE IN THAT.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE WORKED THROUGH WHAT EXACTLY WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK INTO.
>> I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED THAT JUST IN THE SHEER AMOUNT OF NOTES THAT WE HAVE.
BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, BUT THERE ARE FOUR POLICIES THAT ARE UNDER ACTION ITEMS. SHOULD I SAVE THAT? ARE WE GOING TO GO A LITTLE MORE IN-DEPTH? I'LL SAVE THOSE FOR ITEMS E AS WE GET TO THEM.
>> JUST SO OUR RECORD IS CLEAR AS THEY SAY.
YES, WE WILL GO INTO THOSE A LITTLE BIT MORE IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US WHICH ONE ARE YOU MOSTLY CONCERNED ABOUT.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I HAVE QUESTIONS DEFINITELY ON FNCE AND EFB, POSSIBLY FM.
BUT THOSE TWO FOR SURE, I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT.
>> WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE WHEN WE GET TO THAT.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON.
I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
ONE, ON SB12, I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY, PARENTS, AND STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CLARITY AROUND EACH OF THOSE, ESPECIALLY WITH SOME OF OUR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND HOW THOSE MAY BE AFFECTED.
I MEAN OUR LGBTQ YOUTH DEPEND ON THEIR PEER SUPPORT GROUPS.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN AMONG PARENTS AND STAFF ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS THERE.
THEY'RE JUST ASKING FOR A LOT OF CLARITY AROUND THAT POLICY WHENEVER IT COMES TIME TO ADOPT.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH NATALIE'S TEAM A LOT ON THAT AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN SOME TRAINING FOR OUR CAMPUS LEADERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE SHARED WITH US THE CONCERNS ALSO.
WE'VE PROVIDED SOME GUIDANCE ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
>> I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. WE DIDN'T COVER IT IN THIS, BUT I'VE BEEN RECEIVING SOME FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS ON THE USE OF NICKNAMES AND IS THAT IN A LAW THAT WAS PASSED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND EVEN SEEN CONSENT FORMS THAT OUR PARENTS ARE HAVING TO COMPLETE.
CAN YOU GO INTO THAT? I KNOW IT'S NOT ON OUR SLIDE DECK, BUT ARE WE GOING TO BE GETTING MORE INFORMATION ON THAT? WHEN DOES THAT GO EFFECT?
>> THAT IS A NUANCE THAT CAME UP WITH REGARD TO SENATE BILL 12 WITH REGARD TO THE PARENTAL RIGHTS.
ONE OF THE PROHIBITIONS IS YOU CANNOT HELP WITH SOCIAL TRANSITIONING.
WHAT THE DISTRICT IS LOOKING AT IS WAY THAT WE CAN NOT BE IN ANY VIOLATION OF THAT.
BUT THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IF ONE STUDENT HAS TO BE CALLED BY THEIR FULL LEGAL NAME, DO YOU HAVE TO CALL ME CYNTHIA EVERY TIME YOU ADDRESS ME? WE WANTED TO CLARIFY TO ALL OF OUR PARENTS THAT AS LONG AS WE HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT,
[01:00:07]
THAT NICKNAMES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF OUR STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE TO GO BY A NICKNAME?>> THAT IS PART OF SENATE BILL 12 OR AN INTERPRETATION OF WHAT WE THINK COULD BE CHALLENGED IN SENATE BILL 12?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS PART OF SOMETHING THAT WILL LEGALLY BE CHALLENGED.
THAT'S PART OF THE LEGAL CHALLENGES.
HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN INTERPRETATIONS THAT SENATE BILL 12 WOULD PROHIBIT ANY STUDENT FROM BEING CALLED ANYTHING BESIDES THEIR LEGAL NAME THAT THAT WOULD AMOUNT TO SOCIAL TRANSITIONING.
THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO TREAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE SAME WAY.
INSTEAD OF HAVING SPECIFIC NAMES FOR SOME STUDENTS, WE'RE GOING TO LET PARENTS TELL US WHAT NICKNAMES THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO GO BY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE THOUGHTFULNESS AND THE THOROUGHNESS IN GOING THROUGH ALL OF THESE BILLS.
IT WAS A LOT, AND WE HAVE VERY LITTLE LOCAL CONTROL, BUT WHERE WE DO, I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS DID EVERYTHING YOU COULD TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF WERE SUPPORTED. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> GOING ON TO D3, STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOK FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
>> THANK YOU. AS YOU HEARD, ALL THESE CHANGES IMPACT STAFF AND STUDENTS.
THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO TAKE ALSO THE STUDENT HANDBOOK AS WELL AS STUDENT OF CONTACT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND MAKING THAT ADJUSTMENT NECESSARY.
THE TEAM REALLY WORK HARD AND MAKING THAT HAPPEN AND TO SHARE THIS WITH OUR PARENTS AS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE'RE BRINGING THAT FORWARD TO CONTINUE TONIGHT.
I THINK NATALIE WOULD BE LEADING THE CONVERSATION WITH BARRY.
AS YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPACTING OUR HEALTH SERVICES.
IT'S IMPACTING OUR COUNSELING SERVICES.
IT'S IMPACTING ALL THE SUPPORT SERVICES, SO IT WAS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WORK WITH ALL OF THEM, COMPILE AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, MAKE SENSE OF ALL THESE BILLS.
WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT IT IN OUR STUDENT HANDBOOK.
I THINK THEY WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING MORE THAN ANYTHING THE CHANGES.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO LINE BY LINE BECAUSE IT'S A LONG DOCUMENT, BUT AT LEAST WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER THE MAJOR CHANGES THAT WE HAD TO ADOPT, AGAIN, BASED ON THESE NEW BILLS.
>> HELLO TO ALL OF OUR TRUSTEES.
PRESIDENT HARRISON, OF COURSE, DR. AZAIEZ, AND TRUSTEES AS WELL.
MY NAME IS DR. NATALIE NICHOLS.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS SENIOR CHIEF OF SCHOOLS IN INNOVATION, AND WITH ME, IS THE WONDERFUL DR. BYRON GERARD.
HE IS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES.
I WANT TO GIVE A GREAT SHOUT OUT TO BOTH HE AND TO OUR LEGAL SERVICES, ESPECIALLY MS. JASMINE.
THEY HAVE WORKED HAND IN HAND, MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND ALL THE BILLS THAT WERE COMING FORWARD, AND NOT JUST WHAT IT SAID IN BLACK AND WHITE, BUT THE LEGAL INTERPRETATION, AND AS FAR AS HOW IT IMPACTED THEM, THAT THINGS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY WITHIN OUR HANDBOOK.
AS WE KNOW, ALTHOUGH THE LEGISLATURE THEY DELIVERED THESE THINGS, THERE WAS NOT ANY GUIDANCE.
A LOT OF IT WAS THE BACK AND FORTH, AS FAR AS USING EXPERTISE WITHIN OUR LEGAL TEAM TO REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT OUR STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO PUT THINGS IN THERE THAT WOULD SERVE LEARNING WITHIN OUR CLASSROOMS AS WELL.
WE'RE GOING TO ATTEND TO SOME OF THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS THAT WE WENT THROUGH.
THEN, OF COURSE, WE'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AS FAR AS WHAT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE WITHIN OUR CAMPUS AND CLASSROOM SPACES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A THOROUGH AS POSSIBLE UNDERSTANDING AS FAR AS HOW THIS WILL LOOK AND HOW THIS WILL IMPACT OUR STUDENTS.
I'LL LEAVE THAT TO DR. GERARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. LIKE DR. NICHOLS MENTIONED, WHEN WE RECEIVED ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS, THE NEW LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FOR THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND AND THE HANDBOOK CHANGES, WORKED WITH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO JUST IDENTIFY THOSE STUDENT FAMILY FACING IMPACTS.
WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO OUR DEPARTMENT LEADERS, AND OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM, OUR NURSING TEAM, COUNSELING TEAM.
ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN OUR HANDBOOK AND JUST REALLY PAGE BY PAGE, WALK THROUGH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND AND OUR HANDBOOK.
WE ATTENDED NUMEROUS TASB WEBINARS AND GOT THEIR FEEDBACK,
[01:05:01]
AND I HAVE THIS WONDERFUL COLOR CHART.I WENT THROUGH THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE HANDBOOK AND JUST REALLY ASSIGNED A COLOR FOR EACH LEGISLATIVE ITEM.
THEN I WALKED THROUGH PAGE BY PAGE, AND I HAVE A WONDERFULLY COLORFUL TABBED GUIDE IN OUR HANDBOOK AND OUR CODE OF CONDUCT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, WE MET THE LAWS AND THE NEW REGULATIONS FOR OUR STUDENT HANDBOOK AND OUR CODE OF CONDUCT.
I CAN QUICKLY WALK THROUGH THAT LIST WITH YOU JUST TO GIVE YOU A HIGHLIGHT AND THEN WE CAN BACK UP IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT A PARTICULAR SECTION.
WE ADDRESS HOUSE BILL 1481, THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CELL PHONE POLICIES.
>> THOSE ARE ADDRESSED IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN PAGE 15 IN OUR HANDBOOK ON PAGE 70.
SENATE BILL 571 INVOLVES OUR CPS REPORTING, THE NEW 24-HOUR REQUIREMENT THAT IS ILLUSTRATED IN OUR HANDBOOK ON PAGE 51.
SENATE BILL 12 HAS SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE HAVE CAPTURED IN THE HANDBOOK, OUR SECTION ABOUT APPROVED STUDENT CLUBS.
SOME OF OUR RULES AROUND DEI AND GENDER IDENTITY ARE ON PAGE 74.
THAT'S PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO OUR ALLOWABLE CLUBS.
WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT IN THE PRESENTATION ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE RECEIVING CONSENT FOR VARIOUS HEALTH SCREENINGS AND HEALTH SERVICES, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
WE HAVE THOSE ILLUSTRATED IN PAGE 87 OF OUR HANDBOOK.
WE DID ADDRESS STUDENT NAMES, SO THAT WAS BROUGHT UP A FEW MINUTES AGO.
THE NICKNAME, WE GAVE SOME GUIDANCE IN OUR HANDBOOK ABOUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR USE OF LEGAL NAME IN THINGS LIKE E-SCHOOL AND OFFICIAL SCHOOL DOCUMENTS, BUT THEN THE ALLOWABILITY OF A NICKNAME TO BE USED WITH PARENT PERMISSION ON UNOFFICIAL THINGS IN THE CLASSROOM.
THAT IS ON PAGE 128 OF OUR HANDBOOK.
SENATE BILL 11 TALKED ABOUT STUDENT PRAYER AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
ACTUALLY, SENATE BILL 11 TALKED MORE ABOUT STUDENT PRAYER.
WE WERE AHEAD OF THE GAME ON THIS POLICY LAST YEAR.
WE ADOPT SOME PROCEDURE ABOUT ALLOWING OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO STEP OUT OF CLASS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR.
A STUDENT CAN BE ALLOWED TO STEP OUT OF CLASS FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES TO OBSERVE PRAYER, AND ALL OF OUR CAMPUSES WORKED ON PROVIDING A SPACE AND A PLACE, AND WORKED WITH PARENTS WITH PARENT PERMISSION ON ALLOWING THAT WITHOUT PENALTY OF ATTENDANCE.
LET'S SEE GOING TO SB 1049 ABOUT RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
WE ALSO ADDED SOME SECTIONS IN OUR STUDENT HANDBOOK ON PAGE 34 AND 38, AND THEN JUST TALKS ABOUT IN OUR ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES AND JUST OUR ALLOWED PROCEDURES ABOUT STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO BE EXCUSED FROM SCHOOL FOR AN ALLOWABLE EXCUSED ABSENCE TO ATTEND UP TO FIVE HOURS, AS CINDY HAD MENTIONED, FOR A RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION PURPOSE.
HB6 TALKS ABOUT E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING.
WE HAVE THAT ILLUSTRATED IN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT.
WE UPDATED THOSE POLICIES AROUND WHAT'S ALLOWABLE IN OUR REACTION TO E-CIGARETTES.
IN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, THOSE THINGS ARE MENTIONED ON PAGE 18, 29, AND 49, AND THEN OUR HANDBOOK, WE TALK ABOUT IT ON PAGE 95.
HB6 ALSO GIVES SOME CLARIFICATION AROUND IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION THAT RELATES TO THOSE THREE DAYS AND 10 DAYS.
WE MADE THOSE UPDATES IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT ON PAGE 13, 25, 26, AND IN OUR HANDBOOK, WE TALK ABOUT IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION ON PAGE 100.
SENATE BILL 25 ADDRESSES SOME GUIDELINES AROUND PE AND RECESS AND DISCIPLINE, AND HOW, IF WE RECALL, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER, IN THE YEAR ABOUT RECESS, NOT BEING TAKEN AWAY FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS.
THAT HAS BEEN OUTLINED IN SENATE BILL 25, AND WE IMPLEMENTED THAT IN OUR STUDENT HANDBOOK ON PAGE 93.
SENATE BILL 13 TALKS ABOUT LIBRARY MATERIALS AND PARENTS' ABILITY TO REVIEW, AND SO ON PAGE 124, WE SPEAK TO THAT IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOK.
LASTLY, SOME OF OUR DISCIPLINE POLICIES AROUND CHAPTER 37 POLICIES ABOUT STUDENTS REMOVAL FROM CLASS, IN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, THOSE UPDATES FOR TEACHER REMOVAL OF STUDENTS IS ON PAGE 23 AND 24 OF OUR CODE OF CONDUCT.
THAT'S THE QUICK LIST. ANY QUESTIONS.
>> NOT A PROBLEM. THANK YOU. WELL DONE.
[01:10:01]
JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS AS WELL.IT'S ONE THING TO CHANGE WHAT IT IS WRITING, BUT ALSO THE EXPERTISE OF THE STAFF IS VERY IMPORTANT AS FAR AS KNOWING THEN WHAT THESE THINGS MEAN TO THEIR EVERYDAY.
WE HAVE REALLY BUILT OUT A PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COMMUNICATING THIS IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR CRACK JACK LEGISLATIVE TEAM, AND THEN ALSO WE HAVE, AS FAR AS WITH HR AS WELL.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE IS MAKING SURE THAT AS FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE STANDPOINT, MAKING SURE WE HAVE A JULY LEADERSHIP RETREAT, WHERE WE HAVE ALL PRINCIPALS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, LEAD COUNSELORS, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS, ALL OF OUR STAFF AT DISTRICT OFFICE UNDER THE SCHOOLS AND INNOVATION UMBRELLA, WHERE THEN WE WENT THROUGH AND GAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THE DIFFERENT BILLS THAT WOULD TOUCH THEM AT THAT TIME.
WE KNEW IT WAS A LOT TO PROCESS.
THEN AFTER THAT, WE HAD DR. OLDHAM, DR. GERARD, YOU HAD CINDY AND JASMINE ALSO DID DIFFERENT SESSIONS WHERE THEN THE LEADERSHIP CAN COME AGAIN.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO MY EVERY DAY? HOW DO I PUT THIS IN PLACE? HOW DOES IT LOOK? THEN ALSO, THEY WERE FREE TO CALL THEIR AREA SUPERINTENDENTS, DR. GERARD, JASMINE, CINDY AS FAR AS TO ASK VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS TO ME.
WE'VE KEPT A RUNNING LIST OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
TWICE A MONTH, WE MEET WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS, OUR CAMPUS LEADERSHIP, ONCE A MONTH WITH OUR APS.
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STAFF, JASMINE AND CINDY, AND HR, WE WILL HAVE A MONTHLY UPDATE NOW WHERE WE GET TO GO MORE IN-DEPTH AND REALLY LOOK AT THE NUANCE OF SOME OF THESE AS THINGS HAVE BEEN COMING UP ON CAMPUSES.
THEN WE WILL HAVE A SHORTLIST OF THINGS THAT WE FRONTLOAD AND WHERE WE GET TO TALK THROUGH IT AS A TEAM AND SEE WHERE WE'RE HAVING SOME ISSUES AND WHERE WE'RE HAVING SOME CONCERNS.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE'RE ALSO MAKING SURE THE LEADERSHIP, THE CHIEFS, THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS, AREA SUPERINTENDENTS WE'RE ALSO FRONTLOADING AS FAR AS WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THEM.
THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN REGARDS TO CHANGES IN ISS, 10 DAYS.
THAT'S QUITE A DEPARTURE FROM HOW WE'VE DONE BUSINESS AND WHAT WE SEE AS THE IMPORTANCE, AS FAR AS MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE IN THE CLASSROOM.
WE REALLY HAD TO TALK THROUGH NOT JUST THE BLACK AND WHITE OF THE LAW, BUT ALSO AS FAR AS WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US, AND THEN HOW DO WE SEE CONSEQUENCE IN KIDS AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS YOU MAY, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO THAT IS CONSISTENTLY AS A DISTRICT, IT IS NOT WHAT WE SEE AS ONE OF OUR VALUES.
EVEN TALKING THROUGH THOSE THINGS THEN, HOW DO WE PUT THINGS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS DO NOT START TO APPEAR IN OUR CATALOG, OUR MENU OF THINGS TO DO, BECAUSE WE FEEL IT'S ANTITHETICAL TO OUR BELIEF STATEMENT AS FAR AS GIVING KIDS A CHANCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CLASSROOM.
JUST A VERY BRIEF OUTLINE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, NOT JUST THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, BUT WHAT WILL BE THE IMPLEMENTATION AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF IT, TO MAKE SURE THE VALUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US AS A DISTRICT, WE STILL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE IN PLACE AS WELL.
>> I ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION ABOUT COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS BECAUSE THESE ARE SOME REALLY HUGE CHANGES.
I KNOW I FILLED OUT ALL THE REGISTRATION STUFF EARLY IN THE SUMMER.
WHILE I DID CHECK THAT I WAS GOING TO GO DOWNLOAD THIS AND READ IT, I HAVEN'T DONE IT.
IS THERE A PLAN TO MAYBE SEND THIS OUT A LITTLE MORE FORCEFULLY TO PARENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CELL PHONES WITH PAGE NUMBERS? THESE ARE THE CHANGES WE'VE JUST MADE TO OUR STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU'VE REALLY READ THESE SECTIONS SO THAT PARENTS ARE REALLY NOT GOING TO BE TAKEN BY SURPRISE IF THEY'RE NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND DOING SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
>> WELL, IF I CAN PIGGYBACK ON THAT, I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO ASK IF IN A BOARD UPDATE, WE COULD GET YOUR CHEAT SHEET OF WHAT CHANGES IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ALIGNED WITH LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, BECAUSE THAT WAS A LOT AND IT WAS FAST.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A REFERENCE TO GO BACK TO THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE ASKING FOR A PARENT VERSION OF THAT.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR PARENTS BECAUSE YOU DO FILL THAT OUT OVER THE SUMMER, AND YOU SAY, YES, I'LL GO LOOK IT UP.
>> THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BUT IF I MAY, I KNOW OUR PARENTS READ IF IT COMES FROM THE DISTRICT,
[01:15:02]
BUT I THINK THEY READ MORE IF IT COMES FROM THE PRINCIPALS.I THINK MAYBE, BLESS YOU, WE CAN WORK IT THROUGH OUR PRINCIPALS, MAYBE MESSENGERS, AND WE CAN SHARE THAT WITH OUR PARENTS.
I THINK THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO READ THEIR EMAIL, I GUESS IT'S COMING FROM OUR PRINCIPALS, I THINK.
>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN DETAIL.
ANNIE AND THE COMMUNICATION TEAM IS GOING TO BE DOING A GREAT JOB AS FAR AS SUPPLYING INFORMATION, JUST LIKE WE HAVE DONE WITH BONDS AND OTHER BIG THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, A PAGE THAT PEOPLE CAN GO THROUGH AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES WITHIN THEIR OWN TIMELINE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WANTING TO DO ALSO IS WE REALIZE THAT THIS IS A LOT.
WHILE WE COULD JUST SEND EVERYTHING OUT, WE DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING IF WE WERE TO INUNDATE.
JUST THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAVE, WHERE WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS AS FAR AS WHAT SPECIFIC THINGS WE TALK TO PRINCIPALS ABOUT.
THEN, IN WORKING WITH ANNIE AND TEAM, WE WANT TO THEN TURN AROUND.
AS WE HAVE CAPACITY WITHIN OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, THEN THOSE VERY SAME THINGS WILL THEN WHAT WE WILL BE COMMUNICATING.
WHAT CINDY AND JASMINE HAS DONE GREAT AS FAR HELPING US UNDERSTAND.
IT'S ALSO WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO FRONTLOAD BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE MOST IMPORTANT TO PARENTS' UNDERSTANDING AND THEY MAY NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
THAT IT WAS OUR THOUGHT PROCESS AS FAR AS HOW THEN WE WOULD EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND NOT HAVE EVERYTHING BE AS OVERWHELMING.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD REAL QUICK THAT TASB RELEASED ALL OF THESE TO US ON JULY 15TH.
WE'VE BEEN REACTING AND CREATING ALL OF OUR UPDATES FROM JULY 15, AND NOW AND THEN IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT GET TOO FAR AHEAD OF YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE THE BODY THAT IT NEEDS TO ACTUALLY APPROVE THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR OUT THERE AS FAR AS HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS OR INFORMING OUR PARENTS UNTIL WE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE GOOD WITH WHAT WE'VE UPDATED, AND THEN WE PUSH FORWARD.
I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON A TIGHT TIMELINE WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION, SO WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR ACTION ITEMS,
[E. ACTION ITEMS ]
STARTING WITH E1, AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO OTHER TRUSTEES.>> THANK YOU. I KNOW AGAIN, WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT ALL THESE POLICIES AND BILLS AND NEW CHANGES.
I'M GOING TO TURN BACK AGAIN TO JASMINE AND CINDY FOR THESE BILLS. THANK YOU.
WITH ALL OF THE CHANGES, WE ARE ONLY GOING TO BRING THREE LOCAL POLICIES.
>> THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM, SO WE SHOULD TECHNICALLY START WITH THE MOTION.
>> WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL DO THE MOTION.
>> WE WILL DO A QUICK PRESENTATION, AND THEN WE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
BASICALLY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO BRING THREE POLICIES TONIGHT.
I'M GOING TO JASMINE DO THE FIRST ONE, AND THAT IS OUR LIBRARY RESOURCES POLICY.
>> SURE. I'M JUST GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE RED LINE CHANGES.
AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE CHANGES TO EFB, AND THAT DEADLINE IS NOW.
STARTING WITH PAGE 1 OF 8, WE SEE LIBRARY MATERIALS IS NOW DEFINED IN THE LAW.
THEY'VE ALSO BROADENED WHAT IS INCLUDED AS LIBRARY MATERIALS TO INCLUDE LIBRARY MOBILE APPLICATIONS.
I ALREADY INCLUDED AN ONLINE CATALOG, BUT NOW IT'S JUST ANY LIBRARY CATALOG THAT A STUDENT MAY ACCESS.
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE CHANGES OF SOME OF THE STANDARDS. IS THAT TOO? THE JUST CHANGING OF THE WORDING, THOSE COME FROM THE LAW.
THEN, UNDER RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROCUREMENT OF MATERIAL, THESE CHANGES REFLECT THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE DOING THE SELECTING.
THAT WAS THE PRIOR PROCESS UNDER THE PRIOR LAW.
BUT NOW, AS THE BOARD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FINAL APPROVAL, WHAT THE DISTRICT IS DOING IS MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS.
YOU'LL SEE THERE THAT THE WORDS LIKE SELECTION HAVE BEEN CROSSED OUT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DISTRICT.
THOSE STANDARDS ARE THE SAME, A LOT OF THEM COME FROM THE LAW, SOME OF THEM COME FROM TSLAC, THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY ARCHIVES COMMISSION CREATES LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICIES.
[01:20:03]
IF WE GO TO PAGE 3 OF 8.THIS IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE BOARD IS GOING TO CONSIDER THE LIBRARY BOOKS, AND ALSO IN THE LAWS THAT THE BOARD CAN ACTUALLY PROPOSE CHANGES TO THE LIST OF THE LIBRARY ACQUISITION THAT COMES BEFORE THE BOARD.
IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEED TO HAVE THAT LIST OUT AVAILABLE TO OUR PUBLIC AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THAT BOARD VOTES.
OF COURSE, THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO COME WITH PUBLIC COMMENT AND GIVE THEIR FEEDBACK ON THAT LIBRARY ACQUISITION LIST.
THE BOARD IS REQUIRED TO EITHER APPROVE OR REJECT THE MATERIALS ON THAT LIST 30 DAYS AFTER THAT LIST.
ESSENTIALLY, THIS IS FOR NEW ACQUISITIONS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO APPROVE ALL THE BOOKS THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE LIBRARY.
WRITTEN INTO THE LAW IS IF WE'RE REPLACING A DAMAGED COPY WITH ANOTHER COPY AND THEY HAVE THE SAME INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER, THEY HAVE THE SAME NUMBER, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME BOOK, BUT WE'RE REPLACING SOMETHING.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT IN YOUR APPROVAL PROCESS.
>> ON PAGE 4, THIS IS THE PART OF THE POLICY THAT TALKS ABOUT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
AS I MENTIONED, PARENTS CAN SUBMIT A LIST OF ITEMS TO THE PRINCIPAL OR STAFF MEMBER OR THE LIBRARIAN OF THE BOOKS THAT THEY DO NOT WANT THEIR CHILD TO ACCESS.
ALREADY UNDER THE CURRENT LAW, THERE'S A RIGHT TO EXEMPT FROM ANY SCHOOL ACTIVITY, BUT THIS JUST MAKES IT REALLY CLEAR THAT PARENT HAS THAT RIGHT TO MAKE THAT LIST AND THAT DISTRICT WILL FOLLOW THE LIST, AND WE'LL HAVE PROCEDURES FOR THAT AS WELL.
THE STATE LAW REQUIRES TSLAC TO ADOPT LIBRARY COLLECTION STANDARDS, AND THERE ARE SOME CHANGES TO THOSE STANDARDS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS LAW, INCLUDING THAT ANY LIBRARY MATERIAL SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY INDECENT OR PROFANE CONTENT, AND THAT LIBRARY MATERIAL SHOULD NOT HAVE A LINK IN IT OR A QR CODE IN IT THAT LEADS TO ANY PROHIBITED CONTENT.
JUST REALLY ADDING SOME MORE STANDARDS THAT THE TSLAC WILL AMEND.
WE WILL PROBABLY SEE THIS POLICY AGAIN BECAUSE THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COMMISSION WILL TWEAK THEIR POLICY TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE TO GO BACK AND PROBABLY AMEND OURS AS WELL.
THEN THERE ARE CHANGES TO WHAT WAS FORMERLY CALLED THE RECONSIDERATION OF A LIBRARY BOOK IS NOW UNDER THE LAW, THEY USE THE WORD CHALLENGES.
THROUGHOUT THE POLICY INSTEAD OF SAYING RECONSIDERATION OF A LIBRARY BOOK, IT'S NOW SAYING LIBRARY BOOK CHALLENGES.
THE PRIOR LAW ONLY REQUIRED THAT A EMPLOYEE PARENT OR STUDENT BE ALLOWED TO BRING FORTH CHALLENGES, BUT THIS LAW HAS ADDED DISTRICT RESIDENT, A DISTRICT RESIDENT CAN BRING FORTH A CHALLENGE TO A LIBRARY BOOK.
THERE IS A FEW CHANGES TO THE PROCESS.
IT'S MOSTLY THE SAME WHERE WE HAVE A RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE, BUT NOW IT'S THE CHALLENGE COMMITTEE.
IF YOU GO TO PAGE 6, WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE CHANGES THERE.
ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES IS THAT TA IS GOING TO CREATE A FORM.
IT IS NOT AVAILABLE YET, BUT TA WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A FORM THAT WE WILL USE THAT THE PARENT CAN FILL OUT TO MAKE THAT CHALLENGE.
AGAIN, THE BOOK WILL GO TO THE CHALLENGED COMMITTEE.
THE SLACK IS STILL AN OPTION, LIKE WE MENTIONED, IF WE GET 50 PARENTS THAT DECIDE TO DO THAT OR IF THE BOARD DECIDES TO DO THAT, I THINK WE WILL BE SEEING THIS POLICY AGAIN BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CHANGES TO IT ANYWAY.
WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THE BOOK CHALLENGE COMMITTEE IS THEY NOW HAVE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR MEETING.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WERE REQUIREMENT CHANGES TO THE SHAC MEETINGS WHERE SHAC MEETINGS HAD TO BE POSTED 72 HOURS.
THEY HAD TO BE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND THAT WAS A CHANGE IN THE LAW.
THEY APPLY THAT LAW TO THIS CHALLENGE COMMITTEE AS WELL.
THE 72 HOUR POSTING, THE PUBLIC MEETING, THE RECORDING ARE NOW ALL GOING TO APPLY TO THOSE LIBRARY BOOK CHALLENGE COMMITTEES.
THERE IS STILL, OF COURSE, THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE BOARD AND THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.
THERE ARE TIMELINES THAT WILL BE SET OUT IN LAW AND FURTHER CLARIFIED, BUT THAT IS AFTER IT'S GONE THROUGH THE CHALLENGE PROCESS.
THERE IS A PROHIBITION ON CHALLENGING A LIBRARY BOOK AGAIN, IF THE BOARD MAKES A DECISION, THAT DECISION STANDS UNTIL THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THAT DECISION, THAT BOOK CAN'T BE BROUGHT FORTH AGAIN FOR ANOTHER CHALLENGE UNTIL THOSE TWO YEARS PASS.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT TRICKY WITH CLASSROOM LIBRARIES AND HOW THIS LAW APPLIES,
[01:25:04]
BUT WE DO KNOW ABSOLUTELY THE CONTENT STANDARDS STILL APPLY.WHAT THIS NEW LAW SAYS, SENATE BILL 13 SAYS, IF YOU HAVE A LIBRARY MATERIAL THAT GOES TO THE CHALLENGE PROCESS AND IS REMOVED FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY, IT SHOULD ALSO BE REMOVED FROM CLASSROOM LIBRARIES.
IT'S A LONG POLICY, AND WE KEEP HAVING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW, BUT I AM AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEES, DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAIVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT POLICY EFB LOCAL AS PRESENTED WITH THE ADOPTION DATE OF AUGUST 14TH, 2025.
>> I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY ON PAGE 3 OF THIS.
COULD YOU DETAIL A LITTLE MORE HOW THIS PROCESS WILL WORK? ASSUMING THAT WE HAVE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MATERIALS, IS THE BOARD GOING TO GET A PACKET OF HERE'S 28,000 BOOKS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING? THAT YOU APPROVE?
>> TECHNICALLY, IF WE WANT TO ACQUIRE THEM FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEN THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN EVERY BOOK THAT'S BEING FOR THE SCHOOL LIBRARY DOES HAVE TO BE APPROVED, AND I KNOW IT'S A BIG TASK FOR OUR LIBRARY SERVICES.
THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON A PROCESS THAT WE WILL GET TO YOU, DEFINITELY, AND WE WILL POST FOR OUR PUBLIC AS WELL.
THE DETAILS OF THAT AREN'T REALLY IN THE BILL, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL WORK OUT.
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE LOGISTICALLY? I DO THINK IT WILL BE A LOT OF TITLES.
>> NOT ONLY LOGISTICALLY FOR LIBRARY SERVICES, BUT LOGISTICALLY FOR US AS A BOARD.
IF YOU'RE ASKING US TO APPROVE SOMETHING, I'M GOING TO RUBBER STAMP SOMETHING WITHOUT READING THE 28,000 BOOKS AND PROBABLY NOT EVEN READING THE TITLES OF 28,000 BOOKS.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE FOR US AS VOLUNTEER TRUSTEES TO MEANINGFULLY ADOPT A LIST THAT HAS 20,000 BOOKS OR EVEN 100 BOOKS.
I CAN'T READ 100 BOOKS IN 30 DAYS.
>> I AGREE IT'S VERY LOGISTICALLY DIFFICULT.
I DO THINK THE DISTRICT WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE'LL TRY AND GIVE SOME GUIDANCE, BUT I THINK IT'S WRITTEN INTO THE LAW.
TA HAD A MODEL POLICY A COUPLE YEARS AGO THAT DID THIS AND SPECIFICALLY, A LOT OF DISTRICTS DID NOT WANT TO TAKE TA'S MODEL BECAUSE IT WOULD REQUIRE THE BOARD TO ALREADY DO THIS.
I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY'VE MANAGED TO DO THAT, BUT I AGREE IT'S A BIG ASK.
>> BECAUSE IT'S WRITTEN INTO LAW, HOW COME THIS IS A LOCAL POLICY AND NOT A LEGAL POLICY, AND ACTUALLY, I HAVE THAT QUESTION FOR ALL THREE OF THESE.
>> THE LEGAL IS JUST LITERALLY THE COPY AND PASTE OF THE STATUTE.
IT'S THE EXACT WORDS OF THE STATUTE.
WHAT THE STATUTE SAYS IS THE DISTRICT MUST ADOPT A POLICY.
THAT'S WHERE YOUR LOCAL COMES IN.
YOUR LEGAL IS NOT YOUR ADOPTED POLICY.
YOUR LOCAL IS THE PROCESS OF YOU ADOPTING A POLICY. THERE ARE CHOICES.
THE TSLAC IS A CHOICE AND SOME OF THE CONTENT STANDARDS THAT YOU CAN ADD IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED ONES ARE CHOICES THAT THE DISTRICT DOES WEIGH IN ON WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR LOCAL POLICY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
I'M ALWAYS WORRIED THE BUTTONS AREN'T WORKING.
GOOD. TRUSTEE HARRISON, DID YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> NO. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE TRUSTEE LANDRUM QUESTION ABOUT ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
I'M WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US.
I TRUST THE LIBRARIANS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND MAYBE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADOPT A LARGE AMOUNT OF TITLES AT ONE TIME, JUST UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THEIR PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
BECAUSE THAT WOULD HELP ME AND JUST TRUSTING THAT THIS LIST HAS GONE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS GIVING IT TO US.
I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO RUBBER STAMP ANYTHING EITHER.
NOW THAT WE'RE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO DO THIS, IT'S ALSO NOT MY PROFESSION.
IF I'M JUST UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL.
OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN HAVE MAYBE A PRESENTATION SOME WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO EXPLAIN ALL THIS.
FOR NOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE NOT ASKING OUR BOARD TO READ ALL THESE BOOKS OR TAKE LOOK.
BUT I KNOW IT BECOMES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST, ESPECIALLY IF WE END UP WITH THE COMMITTEE, THAT'S WHEN THIS WHOLE WORK STARTS.
BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE A COMMITTEE, THEN OUR LIBRARIAN WILL CONTINUE THE WAY DOING IT THE WAY THEY ALWAYS DONE IT, PRETTY MUCH.
>> THEN I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION AND I SEE YOUR LIGHT.
[01:30:01]
ANOTHER QUESTION ON PAGE 5 ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE I GUESS THE STANDARDS, I THINK IS WHAT YOU SAID, THAT TSLAC WILL BE UPDATING BECAUSE WE CAN NO LONGER HAVE LIBRARY MATERIAL THAT CONTAINS INDECENT OR PROFANE CONTENT.I THINK PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF WHAT THAT IS.
WHO DETERMINES THE DEFINITION OF INDECENT AND PROFANE? IS IT ONE DEFINITION ACROSS THE BOARD? IS IT GOING TO BE TIERED BY AGE GROUPS? HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT SOMEBODY MIGHT ASK THAT.
I BROUGHT MY BOOK WITH THE ACTUAL DEFINITIONS THAT ARE WRITTEN INTO THE STATUTE.
INDECENT CONTENT MEANS CONTENT THAT PORTRAYS SEXUAL OR EXCRETORY ORGANS OR ACTIVITIES IN A WAY THAT IS PATENTLY OFFENSIVE.
PROFANE CONTENT MEANS CONTENT THAT INCLUDES GROSSLY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE THAT IS CONSIDERED A PUBLIC NUISANCE? IS THERE SOME SUBJECTIVITY TO THAT? I THINK THERE CAN BE AND IT CAN BE DIFFICULT.
I THINK THAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR BOOKS THAT ARE MAYBE HARDER TO TELL MORE ON THE FENCE, THE PURPOSE OF HAVING OUR PROCESSES FOR RECONSIDERATION OR CHALLENGES.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
>> I JUST WANTED TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE BEFORE, WE ACTUALLY TAKE THE VOTE THAT I'M EITHER VOTING NO OR I'M ABSTAINING FROM THIS POLICY AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK THAT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT DID IN PUTTING THIS IN, BUT I FEEL THAT IT IS GROSSLY INAPPROPRIATE TO PUT THIS RESPONSIBILITY BACK ON THE BOARD AND TO TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY FROM OUR HIGHLY TRAINED LIBRARIANS WHO HAVE MASTER'S DEGREES IN THIS AREA, AND TO PUT IT ON LAY PEOPLE WHO ARE ON A BOARD THAT DON'T HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE AND DON'T HAVE THIS TRAINING.
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT FOR PUTTING THAT IN POLICY OBVIOUSLY, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE AND EVEN SUSTAINABLE TO ASK A TRUSTEE TO REVIEW 28,000 BOOKS OR EVEN 100 BOOKS.
I'M EITHER GOING TO BE VOTING NO OR I'M GOING TO BE ABSTAINING ON THIS POLICY.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR.
I WILL TABLE THAT. TRUSTEE HARRISON.
>> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE VOTED THIS DOWN? WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPLICATION?
>> WELL, TECHNICALLY, YOU WON'T HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE BY SEPTEMBER 1ST, WHICH IS YOUR POLICY DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE LAW.
>> WE HAVE NO CHOICE IS WHAT I'M HEARING. THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO JUST WANT TO EXPLAIN ONE LAST THING.
I UNDERSTAND THE DILEMMA HERE, BUT JASMINE, CAN YOU EXPLAIN AGAIN, IF WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMITTEE, AGAIN, OUR SYSTEM OR OUR POLICIES WILL CONTINUE AS IT IS, IS THAT WHAT AM [INAUDIBLE]
>> IN THE FIRST PAGE, YOU'D SEE THAT INSTEAD OF SELECTION, THE DISTRICT SELECTS THE BOOKS, THE DISTRICT ACTUALLY MAKES THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOOKS.
THE BOARD STILL HAS TO APPROVE THE FULL LIST UNDER THE LAW UNDER SENATE B13.
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK, AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE MY PEERS ARE COMING FROM.
BUT THERE'S A LOT WRITTEN INTO THE LAW RIGHT NOW, NOT NECESSARILY IN WHICH I'LL PRESENTED TONIGHT, BUT THAT REALLY JEOPARDIZES OUR LIBRARIANS PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.
I GUESS MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WOULD NOT ADOPTING THIS FURTHER PUT THEM PERSONALLY IN JEOPARDY BASED ON THE OTHER LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT LIBRARIANS AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IF YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS LIKE THIS THAT WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
IF WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE WITH REGARDS TO ANY OF THESE THINGS.
>> DO YOU ALL FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO GO INTO CLOSED?
>> I KNOW IT'S SHOCKING. I KNEW YOUR ANSWER.
>> I DON'T NEED TO GO TO COURT.
I DON'T LIKE IT, BUT I UNDERSTAND.
NO OTHER QUESTIONS. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MICHAEL, YOU HAVE TO VOTE.
>> I'M SORRY, TRUSTEE HARRISON.
>> FOR IN FAVOR TO ABSTAIN? MOTION PASSES. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ACTION ITEM E2, AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO ADMINISTRATION AGAIN.
[01:35:05]
>> GO AHEAD. [INAUDIBLE] SORRY.
WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE POLICY ONE BY ONE.
>> SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY WORK.
WE'RE LOOKING AT POLICY FM LOCAL AND THE REASON THAT THIS WAS AMENDED.
AGAIN, WHEN WE TALKED IN THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ABOUT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND WHETHER OR NOT OUR HOME SCHOOLED AND UNENROLLED STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE, WE SAID THE DISTRICT HAD ALREADY MADE A DECISION.
THIS POLICY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A LOT MORE CHANGE THAN WHAT DID CHANGE BECAUSE THAT GREEN IS JUST MOVING THE PARAGRAPH.
THAT'S NOT A SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
THAT'S JUST A PLACEMENT FOR THAT PARAGRAPH.
WHAT DID CHANGE SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIVELY IS THAT THIS POLICY NOW REFERENCES WHERE OUR DECISION IS.
OUR DECISION ON EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IS IN OUR FD LOCAL, WHICH IS OUR POLICY JUST ABOUT ADMISSION THAT TALKS MORE GENERALLY ABOUT HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THIS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY POLICY HAS THIS REFERENCE.
IF SOMEBODY WAS LOOKING FOR OUR DECISION, THEY COULD SAY, HERE IT IS AN FD.
THAT'S REALLY ALL THAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS POLICY.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A MOTION? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAIVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT POLICY FM LOCAL AS PRESENTED WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF AUGUST 14TH, 2025.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? I STILL HAVE YOUR LIGHT ON. TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
>> THE BOTTOM OF THIS POLICY DOESN'T HAVE THE LAST TIME THAT WE ADOPTED OR APPROVED THIS POLICY.
I'M SURE THAT WE'VE PROBABLY REVIEWED THIS IN MY SIX YEARS ON THE BOARD, BUT I DON'T RECALL THIS SPECIFIC EXACT POLICY, BUT CAN YOU JUST HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THE GREEN PART THAT JUST MOVED, HOW THAT COMPLIES WITH THE NO PASS NO PLAY LAW FROM ROS PERO, I THINK IT WAS 1984, 1985, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND HOW THIS LAW COMPLIES WITH NO PASS NO PLAY.
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION THAT I ACTUALLY DID NOT PREPARE FOR TONIGHT BECAUSE I WAS LIKELY THEY'RE JUST MOVING A PARAGRAPH.
IF I CAN GET BACK TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> I WILL VOTE FOR THIS POLICY, BUT BEING ABLE TO REQUEST THIS WAIVER REALLY CAN MAKE SOMEBODY ELIGIBLE FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL YEAR, EVEN IF THEY ARE FAILING A CLASS.
I GUESS TECHNICALLY IT'S A D, BUT THE STATE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE DS, SO JUST WONDERED HOW THAT FELL IN LINE WITH THAT NO PASS NO PLAY ROLE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SORRY. I DIDN'T GET THAT TO YOU AHEAD OF TIME.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A MOTION.
>> SORRY, I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.
IN THE POLICY IN THAT SAME GREEN SECTION, AND YOU MAY HAVE TO GET BACK TO ME ON THIS ONE, AS WELL, IT SAYS, IN A CLASS IDENTIFIED AS EXEMPT BY THIS POLICY, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY CLASSES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THIS POLICY.
IN THAT GREEN SECTION ON THE THIRD LINE, IT SAYS, A STUDENT WHO RECEIVES A GRADE LOWER THAN, THEN IT SAYS IN A CLASS IDENTIFIED AS EXEMPT BY THIS POLICY, BUT THERE'S NO CLASSES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED BY THIS POLICY.
CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHAT THOSE CLASSES ARE AND HOW SOMEONE IF THEY WERE READING THIS POLICY WOULD KNOW WHICH CLASSES ARE EXEMPT ACCORDING TO THIS?
>> YEAH, I AGREE. THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK INTO.
I DO KNOW THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TA HAS PUT FORTH A RULE THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT CAN AND CAN'T BE EXEMPT.
I THINK THAT COULD BE IN FM LEGAL.
I'M NOT TOTALLY SURE, BUT THAT MIGHT BE ONE PLACE TO LOOK FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST FELT LIKE IT NEEDED TO BE CLARIFIED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I DON'T SEE ANY CLASSES EXEMPT. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR.
MOTION PASSES. HOW MANY OF US ARE THERE?
>> MOVING ON TO E3FN CE LOCAL.
>> THIS IS OUR POLICY FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES.
I THINK WE'VE GONE OVER THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AS WELL AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS OUTLINED IN OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, BUT BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE ADDING HERE IS THE PROHIBITION OF USE OF ANY PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
WE ALSO TALK ABOUT IN THIS POLICY, WHAT HAPPENS WITH REGARD TO A VIOLATION, BASICALLY, THAT MEANS THAT THE STUDENT IS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE AS OUTLINED IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
[01:40:02]
IT PROVIDES FOR THE CONFISCATION OF THE PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES BY DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AND IT COINCIDES WITH THE PROVISION IN THE NEW LAW THAT IF THE COMMUNICATION DEVICE IS NOT RETRIEVED, THAT THE DISTRICT SHALL DISPOSE OF IT.WE ALSO TALK ABOUT IN HERE THE EXCEPTIONS THAT ARE SET FORTH IN THE BILL.
AS WE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT DURING THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE UP DATE, THE EXCEPTIONS WOULD INCLUDE THINGS SUCH AS THE STUDENTS USE OF IS NECESSARY FOR STUDENTS IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR IEP OR THEIR 504 PLAN, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR PLANS.
WE'VE GOT A DOCUMENT EXCEPTION BY QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN OR THE USE IS NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH THE HEALTH OR SAFETY REQUIREMENT IMPOSED BY LAW OR AS PART OF THE DISTRICT OR CAMPUS SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW OF DEVELOPING REGULATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
MOST OF THE COMMUNICATION OF THIS IS SET FORTH IN OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
YOU CAN SEE THE FINAL PART OF THIS POLICY IS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT IS GOING TO REPORT TO YOU GUYS ABOUT OUR COMPLIANCE ON THIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
>> TRUSTEES, DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THAT THE BOARD WAIVE FIRST READING AND ADOPT POLICY FNCE LOCAL AS PRESENTED WITH AN ADOPTION DATE OF AUGUST 14TH, 2025.
>> I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTION TRUSTEE LANDRUM.
>> I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR THIS.
THE FIRST ONE IS, DO WE NEED FURTHER DEFINITION OF WHAT PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE MEANS? I KNOW STATE LAW GOES INTO A LITTLE MORE DEPTH ABOUT WATCHES AND PAGERS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED IT AS A POLICY.
>> IT'S IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT ON PAGE 15.
IT LISTS THEM ALL EVEN PAGERS, SO IT'S VERY SPECIFIC.
>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHEN I THINK THAT THE SPECIFICITY IS BETTER SET FORTH IN OUR STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AS OPPOSED TO THE POLICY.
THIS IS RIGHT NOW, YOU GUYS KNOW MY SPEECH ON X POLICIES.
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED POLICY SO THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT WE GO FORTH AS WE'VE GOT IT.
MY OTHER QUESTION IS REALLY FOR MY COLLEAGUES.
SINCE THIS POLICY REQUIRES THE SUPERINTENDENT TO REPORT TO THE BOARD, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO ADD TO OUR BOARD MONITORING CALENDAR TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DIDN'T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS AND WE KNEW WHAT MONTH WE WERE GOING TO EXPECT TO HEAR A REPORT ON THIS, OR IS THAT SOMETHING WE WANT TO LEAVE FLEXIBLE?
>> WEREN'T WE JUST TALKING ABOUT PULLING SOME OF THAT STUFF OFF THAT'S NOT LSG MANDATED.
THIS WOULDN'T BE LSG MANDATED.
THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER STATE LAW SO MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER A SECOND LIST MAYBE THAT'S NOT OUR REGULAR MONITORING CALENDAR SO THAT WE DON'T GET OUR LSG STUFF DINGED.
>> DO WE GET DINGED FOR HAVING NON LSG STUFF ON OUR MONITORING CALENDAR?
>> I BELIEVE SO, BUT WE CAN TALK TO OUR LSG COACH ABOUT THAT, BUT I BELIEVE SO, BUT WE CAN CONSIDER IT.
I DON'T THINK I'M READY TODAY TO SAY I THINK I'D LIKE SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH IT? BUT I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.
THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE WE LOOKED AT EARLIER AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH POLICY, BUT IT ALSO REQUIRED REGULAR REPORTING FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF THEM LIKE THAT.
>> NO. IF I MAY, I THINK WE ALSO WANT TO REMEMBER, WE HAVE A CALENDAR TOO BESIDES THE LSG, WE HAVE A EVENT WHAT WE CALL AGENDA CALENDAR, WE CAN ACTUALLY ADD IT IN THERE AND YOU ALL HAVE ACCESS TO IT TOO.
YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHEN I'M SUPPOSED TO REPORT THAT TO YOU.
>> THAT'S GREAT. AS LONG AS IT'S IN SOME FORMAT THAT WE, I DON'T WANT TO BE NOT COMPLIANT WITH A LAW, AND SO MAKING SURE SINCE THE STATE HAS DETERMINED THAT THEY KNOW EXACTLY HOW OFTEN WE NEED REPORTING ON THIS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LET THE STATE DOWN.
>> WELL, IN THE DEI, I THINK IT WAS THE DEI ONE THAT YOU HAVE TO REPORT COMPLIANCE ON ALSO.
[01:45:02]
>> YEAH. THAT COMPLIANCE HAS TO GO TO THE STATE.
WE GET TO REPORT TO TEA ON HOW WE'RE COMPLYING WITH THAT.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES.
CAN YOU GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE I LOOKED IN THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, AND I KNOW IT SAYS THAT YOU'D BE GIVEN A WARNING, BUT I KNOW THAT THAT WAS ANOTHER THING THAT'S COME UP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND STAFF IS THE SPECIFICITY OF THE CONSEQUENCES.
I'VE SEEN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ROLL OUT WE'RE GOING TO FIND THEM TO GET THEIR PHONE BACK OR WHATEVER.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, BUT ARE WE LEAVING THAT UP TO OUR CAMPUSES LIKE WE DID BEFORE? CAN YOU JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T KNOW BYRON, IF YOU CAN EXPAND ON WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIND OUR STUDENTS AND WE CAN'T FIND STUDENTS.
I KNOW THAT USED TO BE AN OPTION BEFORE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IT, AND I'M GOING TO DEFER TO OUR LAWYERS HERE.
WE HAVE TWO OF THEM, AND WE ARE VERY CLEAR ON WE CANNOT FIND AND WE WON'T BE FINDING OUR STUDENTS AND OUR PARENTS, BUT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT I THINK WAS SHARED WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS, RIGHT, BYRON?
>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT. WE MET WITH ALL OF OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM THE MOST OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH STUDENTS AND BE REASONABLE.
IN OUR HANDBOOK, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A STUDENT A WARNING AND THEN MAKE NECESSARY PROGRESSIVE STEPS TO ANY CONFISCATION, COULD BE CONFISCATION FOR THE CLASS PERIOD, THE DAY, CONNECTING WITH THE PARENT, WHAT HAVE YOU.
THEN IT IS ACTUALLY AGAINST THE LAW NOW TO CHARGE FOR THOSE CONFISCATED ITEMS. AS FAR AS RETURNING THE ITEMS, LIKE UNCLAIMED ITEMS, IN OUR PROCEDURES, WE'VE ACTUALLY ILLUSTRATED LANGUAGE THAT SAYS, WE'LL WAIT TILL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE'LL HOLD ITEMS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, GIVE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS POSSIBLE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO RECLAIM THEIR PROPERTY.
THEN THERE'S A LETTER THAT GOES OUT AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THEN WE WAIT ANOTHER 90 DAYS BEFORE WE DO ANY DISCARD.
>> CAN I ASK A QUICK FOLLOW UP ON THAT? IF YOU'RE HOLDING, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY PHONES.
SOME OF THE NEW IPHONES ARE AT $1,200, SO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE ITEMS ARE NOT GOING TO BE A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU'RE HOLDING.
ARE THERE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIKE SAFES OR LIKE A SAFE PLACE TO KEEP THEM ON THE CAMPUSES IF YOU'RE HOLDING THEM FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME? THERE ISN'T A REQUIREMENT THAT I'VE READ ANYWHERE IN THE LAW OR PROCEDURE.
I KNOW AS A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, WE HAD A RECORDS VAULT AND THINGS LIKE THAT PROPERTY LIKE THAT OF VALUE WOULD ALWAYS GO INTO OUR OFFICE RECORDS VAULT.
>> TYPICALLY THEY'RE TAGGED AND EVERYTHING, SO YOU KNOW WHO'S THE STUDENT, OR EVERYTHING LIKE THAT SO IT'S NOT JUST DUMP THEM ALL IN ONE BASKET AND WHATEVER.
YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHICH PHONE IS WHICH, RIGHT?
>> I'M GOING TO CLARIFY FOR MYSELF.
THERE IS GUIDANCE FOR THAT ESCALATION OF WHAT WHEN WE START WITH THE WARNING AND THEN CONFISCATION, THERE IS A GUIDANCE FOR ESCALATION, BUT IT'S STILL SOMEWHAT UP TO THE CLASSROOM TEACHER AS FAR AS HOW THEY FOLLOW THAT GUIDANCE, HOW TIGHTLY THEY FOLLOW THAT GUIDANCE.
I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT PART BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S SO MUCH DIVISION, NOT JUST IN OUR DISTRICT, BUT ACROSS THE STATE, IT'S CREATING DIVISION BETWEEN PARENTS AND SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THESE ARE PERSONAL DEVICES THAT ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE GIVEN THEM THIS FOR A SPECIFIC REASON.
THEY WANT TO FOLLOW THE LAW, BUT THEN IT'S UP TO THE TEACHER TO TAKE IT AWAY, AND THEN THAT CREATES A CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP.
I'M JUST TRYING TO CLARIFY FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I KNOW THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THE LAST WE WANT AND WE WANT OUR TEACHERS REALLY TO ENGAGE IN LIKE BACK AND FORTH WITH OUR STUDENTS.
THAT'S WHY WE TYPICALLY WE JUST ASK OUR TEACHERS IF THE STUDENTS HAS BEEN DEFINED OR WHATEVER IT IS, IS TO JUST ALERT LIKE AN ADMINISTRATOR.
WE DON'T WANT A TEACHER REALLY TO FOCUS ON TEACHING AND NOT REALLY TO ENGAGE IN BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION OR SOMETIMES EVEN ESCALATION OF THE SITUATION SO THAT'S WHY OUR ADMINISTRATORS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONE ACTUALLY HANDLING THIS.
NOW, OUR TEACHERS ARE AMAZING AND MOST LIKELY THEY WILL HANDLE IT WITHOUT ANY ESCALATION WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, BUT IN CASE THERE IS A SITUATION, THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO ALERT AN ADMINISTRATOR AND THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE.
>> THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT'S GETTING INTO THE MANAGEMENT SIDE OF THINGS AND I DON'T MEAN TO GO THERE, BUT IT'S JUST IT'S SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT OUR FAMILIES ARE USED TO, AND THOSE QUESTIONS KEEP POPPING UP, AND SO I JUST WANTED AS MUCH CLARIFICATION ON THAT AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. I WOULD SAY THE KIDS ARE BEING REALLY GREAT ABOUT IT.
[01:50:02]
SO FAR, I MADE IT OUT TO ALL FIVE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND THERE WERE SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE A STUDENT HAD THEIR PHONE AND THE STAFF PERSON JUST GAVE THEM THAT WARNING, THE REMINDERS, HEY, YOU GOT TO PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY OR YOU GOT TO HAVE YOUR WATCH PUT AWAY, AND EVERY SINGLE TIME THE STUDENT WAS, OH, THAT'S RIGHT, AND IT JUST WENT AWAY.I THINK INTENTIONALLY HAVING THAT FLEXIBILITY IN OUR LANGUAGE OF MAY CONFISCATE OR MAY PROVIDE A WARNING, I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR TEACHERS AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS.
>> THAT SAME GUIDANCE IS GOING TO BE GIVEN TO OUR GUEST EDUCATORS TO HELP SUPPORT THEM AS THEY STEP INTO EACH CLASSROOM AS WELL ON HOW TO HANDLE SEE, MR. CURRENT SHAKING HIS HEAD, THAT THEY'LL BE GIVEN THAT SAME GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT ON HOW TO HANDLE THAT CONFLICT AND INTERACTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE HOW PROACTIVE THE DISTRICT WAS IN GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT THERE TO OUR FAMILIES BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED SO THAT WHEN THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS DO HAPPEN, IT'S, YEAH, BECAUSE THIS IS SECOND NATURE TO THEM.
THEY ALL GREW UP WITH THESE DEVICES.
MANY OF THEM ARE USING THEM NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING. I APPRECIATE THAT.
WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.
ALL OPPOSED, MOTION PASSES 6-0.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO ACTION ITEM E4, APPROVAL OF THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.
>> I THINK YES. THAT'S THE LAST, WE TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE EARLIER TOO.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTION, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOUR APPROVAL.
WE ACTUALLY LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, STARTED LIKE COMMUNICATING WITH OUR FAMILIES AND PARENTS EVEN MORE ABOUT ALL THESE CHANGES, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I MOVED THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE 2025, 2026 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT AS PRESENTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT? I DON'T SEE ANY LIGHTS.
WELL, WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF OUR AGENDA.
SORRY, I'M SEEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, IT IS 7:22, AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.