[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6062105,"mediaKeyId","3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801","parentId",3280764,"title","NEISD government affairs director briefs trustees on education bills, timelines as session nears sine die","audioSeconds",470,"startMs",6956000,"endMs",7426000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801&start=6956&end=7426","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801/thumbnail_6956000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062105/Texas/NEISD-government-affairs-director-briefs-trustees-on-education-bills-timelines-as-session-nears-sine-die","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062105-ccf451c1c399dfdd38e3ffc2c5494e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137649&Signature=LzsfntuZXMsLwjo~dCRmFDKibrgACuG~fg1eIJFYobOqIo3L75xDqGmk7cB3DmdG1PNlgiM9wHfehTtbcszCa59ep3jsh3FZMNgYbtqKuE5tNqJIOqPkuVs7QQkfeMLH3fVUf5W3uL7RpwQxPwTla8OVVqAkz9mNEBayMvBgeDMEwLMk~E0kEu2Mww4s19GVr7lQrcurr9jWYPEJDnWwnh6HNJe0TDggq44nNayFHdHHYUkndEebY7ns-uaYJK-56rN2skNSX8faAyYb7jfEYf2o83bZLCO64~GCKJveQqXDXbtp1NyxAZw2dH05RNBg~grAGUkJurQ5pLeCaPADtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North East ISD","date","2025-05-13T13:14:26Z","article","The district’s director of government relations updated the Northeast ISD board on the status of major education and related bills in the Texas Legislature and highlighted upcoming procedural deadlines ahead of sine die.

Jacob Bywaters briefed trustees on a compressed timeline: “We have 21 days left until June 2, which is sine die, the last day we can constitutionally pass legislation in Texas without a special session,” he said, and explained that House and Senate deadlines mean many bills may die if not reported out of committee and scheduled for floor action.

Bywaters summarized priority items affecting schools. He said Senate Bill 2 was signed into law and will establish an Educational Savings Account (ESA) program to begin in the 2026–27 school year; House Bill 2, the major school-finance bill, was still pending and negotiations were ongoing. He also described House Bill 4 as a sweeping accountability and assessment overhaul that passed the House and differed from the Senate approach; HB 4’s House version would replace STAAR with three interim assessments to measure growth.

Bywaters called attention to House Bill 19, which would limit political subdivisions’ ability to issue debt under certain conditions, and to other headline bills under watch such as SB 12 (rights-related measures), HB 6 (chapter 37 revisions), SB 13 (library/parent councils), SB 260 (school safety allotment), and SB 19 (limits on taxpayer-funded lobbying and dues). He emphasized these are in flux, that some bills have diverging House and Senate versions, and that language can be amended or attached to other measures through the remainder of session.

Trustees asked for copies of a letter referenced by business leaders about accountability; Bywaters said the district would share the letter and continue weekly updates through the end of session. Board members did not act on the report; the briefing was informational.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Campus Consolidation and Legislative Updates | NEISD Board Meeting - 05.12.25 (Live Stream)","oneSentenceSummary","NEISD’s director of government relations reviewed key Texas legislation affecting schools — including SB2/HB2 (school finance), HB4 (assessment/accountability changes), HB19 (debt limits), and several public-education bills — and reminded trustees of procedural deadlines as the legislature approached sine die.","taxTitle","NORTH EAST ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14332,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062109,"Paraprofessionals and teachers urge NEISD to ease costs, maintain benefits amid budget pressure",329,4981000,5310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801&start=4981&end=5310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801/thumbnail_4981000.jpg","/articles/6062109/Texas/Paraprofessionals-and-teachers-urge-NEISD-to-ease-costs-maintain-benefits-amid-budget-pressure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062109-464d506ca03a7f08e871c4657c942a09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137649&Signature=dDARdmF1QLsutWGe~LnoP3WwqE-rHVCwg5Cq~fpq3yr1TzDzb3fpTNLqQUuSLAM7sU2EHWit6uOTBY~nrbpZdVDAotk21vr2T6~uboLZAFe5a815S3KvhH6i4qxI3tWymM7bq6XEB3Om5m0zOJJIrVL98FbJIfDBoptGVnO8zzTS7BughJbdI6FdXLAHKHwdTRokSj33a2FSBfsZpd6dHcneQPMzOd~KU~aAWL8btOW0YeqmcCVvBHgnCluycdyofXq-SisLERjo888NIRffOec0i3fidsFmnF1QiC4OfKHKpOEPnQ0VQ2DVLN31lfGgFI-QMuoaadW0irT1vtWo3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Employees and union representatives told the Northeast ISD board the district should pursue non‑salary actions to support retention and affordability for school-year staff amid financial pressure.

Teresa Heard, a NEISD paraprofessional and vice president of the Educational Support Professionals of Northeast Education Association, asked the board to consider freezing employee health-care insurance costs and extending classroom-supply reimbursements to paraprofessionals. “One of the biggest ways you could help is by freezing health care insurance costs. For many of us working in support roles, any increase in premiums can be the difference between financial stability and financial stress. Me, especially, I had to give up health care so that way I could pay more bills,” Heard said.

Classroom teachers and union representatives emphasized similar steps. David Anderson, a classroom teacher and NEA member, and Tom Cummins, representing AFT, urged district leaders to freeze healthcare premiums, fairly compensate teachers asked to cover additional classes, extend and increase classroom reimbursement amounts, and reimburse certification-exam fees. Cummins highlighted state-level funding concerns in the legislature and said the basic allotment increase in the house bill is insufficient to meet inflationary needs. “The basic allotment increase in HB 2 is only 395 dollars while an increase of about $1,300 per student is needed just to keep up with inflation,” Cummins said.

Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the district’s fiscal constraints and said they appreciated the suggestions. The board did not take immediate action but heard the requests during the Matters from the Floor portion; trustees and administration said they will consider options as budget development continues.","Paraprofessionals and teachers addressed the board asking for steps to support retention amid constrained budgets: requests included freezing insurance premiums, expanding classroom reimbursements to paraprofessionals, compensation for extra classes, and reimbursement for certification costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062114,"NEISD outlines campus consolidation logistics: majority of staff placed; buses and facility work planned",301,5489000,5790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801&start=5489&end=5790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801/thumbnail_5489000.jpg","/articles/6062114/Texas/NEISD-outlines-campus-consolidation-logistics-majority-of-staff-placed-buses-and-facility-work-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062114-530f62a90799346a87852235569b5863/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137649&Signature=aUS54w6D60Yh~jTw8bbBsagg6yaF5SAF9~Hb9mHFKd~ESYfasao6oTODQR6VmAfTu76iL1JmaTVsG0fuc7~ZeVZZYbb-hAoe4p3sxFKPwWei6VU3GizAJSEg2g-pzI3bm-A6R3OwCKdzwoNqkom-8yB3DTL~fEfVe7b-SzOuLVEDz3ZLVz-tJlj09-DJOzC5c7hvB7rwqMf4GuR0TK4tXlhm3iHggVu8OJ1iIJP1RZ-wvGR0rD~aXNitHXWT9mDjU8L11nPfnk-ghfZXiAFs7xS7uQxd0JUqL93waBB1MPHePb4P7~9vx-aqk3VYQZZK9hyjuKKyTe30IVx2TV46cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Northeast Independent School District officials told the board they are continuing work on student and staff placements, bus registration and campus improvements tied to the district's consolidation plan, and that they will report concrete fiscal results in the fall.

Chiefs of staff and consolidation leads provided a multi-week account of steps taken: human resources placement meetings across impacted campuses, site walk-throughs to identify maintenance and access needs, targeted communication to magnet families about a new shuttle registration process, and records-management actions for inactive files. “As of 06:30 this evening, of 198 employees, 147 have been placed,” said Miss Chancellor, the administration lead, noting the figure equals roughly 74% placed. “And specifically, when it comes to teachers, 95 of the 96 teachers that need to be placed have been placed.”

District staff said they created a targeted magnet bus registration for families affected by the consolidation and that program directors will follow up by phone with families who do not respond. “On May 1, an email was sent to current MAC magnet program families within the Driscoll Middle School boundaries to announce a new bus program that we’re implementing… we are tracking which students we have not heard from,” Chancellor said; staff added they will call families who have not completed the registration.

On facility work, administrators summarized walk-through punch lists and said some work (painting, minor repairs) is already scheduled for summer while other tasks will occur outside the school year so as not to disrupt students. “Some work’s already been done. Clear Spring has already had some work done, in preparation for welcoming NEAK. Some painting has been done,” said facilities staff; most identified repairs are being handled internally and district leaders said contracting out has not yet been necessary.

Board members pressed for outreach to families of special-education and Section 504 students; district staff said program coordinators have been contacting families directly, offering individual meetings and ensuring ARD and 504 processes continue. “We have campus program coordinators that work individually with each of these campuses. They’re following up with the parents,” one administrator said.

Trustees also asked about the number of staff still unplaced. Administration said roughly 31 remaining staff include custodial and food-service roles and some itinerant special-education staff whose assignments depend on student needs. Nine percent of the unplaced staff had indicated resignations or retirements. The board asked for a financial reconciliation of projected savings; district leaders said they expect to have “concrete numbers” in the fall and will notify trustees if any unexpected costs arise.

The board did not take further action on consolidation at the meeting; the update was informational and staff said they will continue coordination through the summer and return with specific cost realization figures in the fall.","District staff reported that 147 of 198 employees (about 74%) have placements in the campus consolidation process, 95 of 96 teachers placed; transportation registration and facility punch lists were described and administration said a fall report will quantify realized savings.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6062119,"Community group and SAPD present 'Juvenile Justice Jeopardy' to NEISD board; staff to follow up",1291,1689000,2980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801&start=1689&end=2980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280764-eca5f82d52203b21592797aca1f95801/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","/articles/6062119/Texas/Community-group-and-SAPD-present-Juvenile-Justice-Jeopardy-to-NEISD-board-staff-to-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062119-a23f0bf74e6e85efef7e096fc277efba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137649&Signature=eKh7QqAnlMB-lbPbSUKhmKcHTU67-J1UyrmHpR33xjPvvYxNJijlh-xvJm-wkRl1fqBcZBgMAFu8X~m~84~BEleacC7n2j9UKPpKR4TtMtB0DLfUgZGovYeKqtERE6yaC4LEle9zbD97YIBKzybc3TsbYom68KpTROCLCYE3w6duGjLLkQzurWoJ4Yu14uqehfD1F6hsZzMjGdGzbproziOZ2BvroQ1ycotIFCfqvAOh6rJTcB424tKv1Y7YZgPcxafbjCbdhUYxIJHI5Ps3Ws-7ClVialgIBP4LksiuaKVdtD6yKdzs7GXU-fyp1~xRSyd-q4e5O5-epDpkvLKprQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A group including community volunteers and San Antonio Police Department representatives presented the Juvenile Justice Jeopardy program to the Northeast Independent School District Board of Trustees during public comment, and NEISD staff said they will meet with the presenters and return with a recommendation.

The program, described by Dr. Debbie Hamilton as an interactive, Jeopardy-style curriculum, is intended to engage students ages 12–18 on legal rights, consequences of behavior and common misconceptions about law enforcement. “Modeled after the popular game Jeopardy, JJJ is designed to, engage youth 12 to 18 in interactive sessions that educate them about the juvenile justice system, their legal rights, and the consequences of certain behaviors,” Hamilton said.

San Antonio Police Department presenter Sergeant Joel Pope said the program gives officers non‑enforcement opportunities to build relationships and reduce fear, and that the curriculum is customizable for local laws and partner agencies. “The three things that I wanted to mention, as it relates to the San Antonio Police Department … is the relationship that we get to develop with the kiddos,” Pope said, adding that the program also includes pre‑ and post‑data collection to measure changes in students’ legal knowledge.

Reagan High School counselor Michelle Tanner described using the program in AVID and JROTC classes and said parents were given permission slips and an option for alternate assignments. “Permission slips were given home or sent home with the explanation of the content and parents were invited to review all materials within a 5 day window,” Tanner said. Two Reagan students who participated said the game corrected misunderstandings and made learning about laws engaging.

Board members asked staff to review legal considerations and placement of the program in district curriculum or extracurricular offerings. Superintendent staff said Jacob Jarrett (director referenced by the board) will meet with the presenters after the school year concludes and return with details about whether the program requires curriculum review, board policy action, or other approvals. Trustee Adriana Villareal asked the administration to “circle back” with a follow up; the district confirmed staff will meet with the presenters and then report back to the board.

Presenters said the program is provided free of charge. “I want to emphasize to you all that this is free. No charge,” Hamilton said. The board did not take formal action at the meeting; the item was presented during matters from the floor and will be handled administratively as staff evaluates next steps.

If NEISD staff recommend inclusion, the board will consider whether the program should be presented under instruction, counseling, or as an extracurricular/community education offering and whether additional approvals or parent-notification procedures are required.","A community-led education program modeled on the game Jeopardy was presented to the Northeast ISD board as a free, customizable workshop to teach middle and high school students about the juvenile justice system; district staff will review and report back.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NEISD government affairs director briefs trustees on education bills, timelines as session nears sine die

Paraprofessionals and teachers urge NEISD to ease costs, maintain benefits amid budget pressure

NEISD outlines campus consolidation logistics: majority of staff placed; buses and facility work planned

Community group and SAPD present 'Juvenile Justice Jeopardy' to NEISD board; staff to follow up