[{"_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",6163133,"mediaKeyId","5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35","parentId",5436520,"title","Tyler ISD reviews first reading of new student code of conduct and cell-phone limits under state law","audioSeconds",72,"startMs",5769205,"endMs",5841900,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35&start=5769&end=5841","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35/thumbnail_5769205.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6163133/Texas/Tyler-ISD-reviews-first-reading-of-new-student-code-of-conduct-and-cell-phone-limits-under-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163133-87397ac8280b7e5a3455ccca9645c2e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775078010&Signature=JHCOxx0D-zss3TZB4zvfC8j7Rq8qW4TEnUPSh1lY23qOxAE133zYlgotCvvrmZPrnmQ9YQZF9Bix6xeFIrV8wpV~MxyjxCOFqpfVaxmNsYU7~T~gkykVIX11JGh6RmiW104u-07UjPoszYr~r4yUuKhgim6QCcqLi9d8PdhzJF6cg4S9~ygwov70RUeUuxZ9fFiAJ7XyaAYttnJUFw02JEvJYRzJ9k25I7o3Ml~ATwykBIB4E6wgiqvWqLVJL-VaMM7J3dxEl0xwAu~b08D9z2GZaN8M1-TMhHqwqtnajlZMwmmAJEpmbvx1HRh3l1xDqNe4C0Hu3fJEIq6cxB3Kmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tyler ISD","date","2025-07-22T03:41:55.783Z","article","Trustees for Tyler Independent School District heard a first reading Tuesday of a revised student code of conduct and a local cell-phone policy intended to comply with House Bill 1481.

The district's director of constituent services introduced changes to multiple discipline rules and then outlined the district's proposed local approach to personal communication devices, saying the draft policy language is included in the packet and noting the cell-phone rule is on page 92.

Why it matters: House Bill 1481 directs school districts to adopt local rules for students' personal communication devices. The board-level discussion focused on how to limit classroom disruptions while accommodating exceptions for special education, district needs and after-school communications.

What the draft would do: The administration described a tiered sequence for students caught with devices during the school day. Under the draft:
- A first offense would be treated as a technology violation; the device would be confiscated and held for parent pickup, with a $5 assessment noted in the draft.
- A second offense would be recorded as insubordination with a $10 assessment when the device is released to a parent.
- A third offense would carry a $15 assessment. The administration said the draft caps the assessment portion at $15 and that repeated violations could lead to additional disciplinary measures, including device bans or other placement options.

The policy would also include exceptions for students covered by Section 504 plans or students whose individualized education programs (IEPs) require device usage for instructional or accessibility purposes. The administration told trustees the district's middle schools currently have practices that charge $15 for confiscated phones and that implementation fidelity varies by campus.

Administrators raised implementation concerns: Deputy Superintendent Ron Jones and Director John Johnson told trustees the new rules create practical challenges for campus administrators and teachers. They flagged specific issues to be resolved before adoption, including:
- Dual-factor authentication and district systems that require a phone to complete sign-on for district-managed services,
- Communication needs for extracurriculars and transportation (coaches and activity sponsors often use apps to change game times or bus assignments),
- Wearable devices and how a watch that can text or call will be handled,
- How to process devices when an adult listed as an approved pickup is not the student's legal guardian.

Several trustees urged a culture-change approach and parental involvement rather than immediate heavy-handed penalties. One trustee suggested a graduated approach that prioritizes in-class learning and parental notification over immediate suspension. Another trustee urged administrators to model the expected behavior and noted the employee handbook already includes a short section on staff phone use.

Legal context and other code changes: Staff also walked trustees through other statutory changes the district must adopt, including House Bill 6 (changes to suspension and alternative placements) and Senate Bill 326 (a requirement to adopt the government-code definition of antisemitism under section 448.001). The administration said some statutory text required technical changes to mandatory-expulsion language and e-cigarette-related placements.

Process and next steps: The draft policy was presented as a first reading; staff said they will refine the language and return for a second reading and adoption. Administrators asked trustees for guidance on fines and enforcement mechanics and said they would bring back options on the assessment amounts, pickup rules and operational procedures for district-managed authentication and extracurricular communications.

Ending: Trustees signaled support for addressing in-class distraction and parental involvement; they also asked administration for more detail on operational exceptions and alternatives before a second reading.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-07-21 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees for Tyler Independent School District heard a first reading Tuesday of a revised student code of conduct and a local cell-phone policy intended to comply with House Bill 1481.","taxTitle","TYLER ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14340,"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},6163138,"Tyler ISD presents preliminary 2025-26 budget showing payroll-driven increases and a $191 million plan",778,1546865,2325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35&start=1546&end=2325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35/thumbnail_1546865.jpg","/articles/6163138/Texas/Tyler-ISD-presents-preliminary-2025-26-budget-showing-payroll-driven-increases-and-a-191-million-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163138-869d11eeb16f7e7c2e8ef5931bf6dd15/orig.mp4?Expires=1775078010&Signature=oWj8VDsUZ3zr4J~C6WfNJsQDzsSc3AaTy8CXuXTHAubrmPKQW0oI2MkH7vB8VnfUSVjy-d0E0dyeoKiGJBCA4J9iqI7~mvMhi-kKCR6tKTlXYPPxfe-lEXPF1wVS0V5uUIM2CMJMKMyOasEAt8dqu3T7juM6LrZjTVuZVisaOruTW58DhO-WR1sN5HCTXRpC7xDm3BVHlcMfzoI8LvQafgYGrYyoc~dMN3Dgotvz8izlqPQ92eLZ9Mc-6jeh9uK1zquJAo9ChzBBMYUBl8ih~INYvrJXNBZQUawdUrftgoX0SwVTnI0pGdtKhMDxXyaPuPj7oyMEgPA~IdwNBqbYWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tyler Independent School District officials on Tuesday presented a preliminary 2025-26 budget that projects $191,000,000 in revenues and expenditures and allocates almost all of an $11.34 million net revenue increase to payroll and benefits.

The presentation, led by a district staff member, laid out revenue and expenditure assumptions and stressed that some figures are estimates that depend on finalized property values and pending legislative action. As the presenter summarized: \"So there's 4 revenue sources for the budget.\"

Why it matters: most of the funding increase is already spoken for and is tied to pay and benefits, limiting flexibility for other district priorities. The district also flagged a policy choice headed to voters this fall that would affect local tax collections and state funding calculations.

State funding and local revenue: The district projects total state revenue rising by about $16.1 million, driven by increases such as a new allotment for fixed costs from House Bill 2 and growth in average daily attendance. Local property-tax revenue is projected to decline by about $3.6 million, the presenters said, because voters will consider enlarging homestead exemptions on the November ballot ($40,000 for general homestead and $50,000 for 65-and-disabled homesteads). The administration cautioned that property-value estimates are preliminary and \"not perfect,\" and that final values expected later in the week could change the numbers.

Payroll and benefits consume the gains: Finance staff told trustees that 99.9% of the budget's increased revenue will be spent on payroll and benefits. The budget includes an allocation to meet state-required teacher raises under the teacher retention allotment and additional local increases: 3% midpoint adjustments for professionals, 5% increases for paraprofessionals and manual trades, and step-like increases tied to experience for teachers. The staff member said, \"So overall, state revenue is going up $16,100,000.\" The projected net increase in payroll and benefits is about $11.3 million.

Federal and other revenue: The district plans to exit the SHARS Medicaid billing program after a cost/benefit review, estimating a $1,000,000 reduction in federal revenue from that source because billing requirements and administrative burdens have increased and reimbursement has declined. ESSER-related residuals also reduced federal revenue. Other income sources (tuition for pre-K, athletics, interest) were described as modest and subject to change.

Expenditure highlights and constraints: The packet lists a roughly $158,000,000 salary-and-payroll total (about 83% of expenditures). Debt-service payments are projected at about $30,000,000 and drive portions of the tax rate. Staff noted that many increases are ‘‘flow-through’’ items—state allotments that must be spent on matching expense increases (for example, teacher incentive allotment matching teacher payments and TRS on-behalf costs rising with salaries).

Process and timing: Presenters repeatedly emphasized the preliminary nature of some numbers and said they will update estimates after the county appraisal roll is finalized. Trustees asked for additional detail on specific line items (stipends, athletics operating budgets, and how state compensatory funds are treated). The presenter pointed trustees to pages in the budget packet for further detail and said campus allotments will be adjusted in October when official enrollment snapshots are available.

Board action and next steps: The presentation was informational; trustees did not adopt the budget at the meeting. The packet will be revised with final property values and staff said they will return with updated numbers and additional reports, including staffing-certification data requested by trustees. One separate motion later in the meeting (not a full budget adoption) approved compensation items labeled \"a and b\" in the consent agenda; those particular items were moved and approved, recorded in the meeting minutes as approved by voice vote.

What remains uncertain: The district repeatedly noted that property-value estimates, state legislative developments (including items under special session), and federal program reviews could change final revenue projections. Staff described the SHARS estimate as a \"$1,000,000 decrease to the budget\" but said actual annual revenue from SHARS in recent years has been much smaller and subject to federal review.

Ending note: District staff framed the 2025-26 proposal as balanced under current assumptions but stressed limited flexibility because nearly all new revenue would fund mandated or contractual payroll increases. Trustees asked administration to return with more granular staffing and stipend data before final budget decisions.
","District finance staff presented a preliminary 2025-26 budget showing an estimated $11.34 million revenue increase that will largely be spent on raises and benefits; state funding rises while local property tax revenue is projected to fall as homestead exemption proposals move to the November ballot.",{"_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},6163123,"Trustees debate stipends and recruitment as district moves to meet teacher-retention allotment",542,4384494,4927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35&start=4384&end=4927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35/thumbnail_4384494.jpg","/articles/6163123/Texas/Trustees-debate-stipends-and-recruitment-as-district-moves-to-meet-teacher-retention-allotment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163123-84debefd72bca2d4ebd71836459142a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775078010&Signature=Azdf~rrYxN7eudIvSahTYxh0uZDYdZs9vRwoCOLK5GW7rmn9MyN36BN2OF1ebiaYRLd16v5yLGMLhnNd6Z189kAov7ejF5daOapWjiuy7MNvCjkyD-azxgKyjCfzC733Nn9u-nppNP-yLBIHBgQ3tnMjyMJ87hQMUU0Ls9uZGDjjVcA7VdmoetL0-r~iTRrke~kUEuLTJ2iCAVGM4BdZx4vLXvEcSxZLw0h4lW09a0kTvGKioitnc-R8VWC33skR4wygOl8aO-YPRO8UL9nicGZXbgt86bjT~xps8ak-fuuVkrD5hwhEK7Wm6mH~Nqb8jVjNkDWqUJNROBuwWZvIWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees spent significant time Tuesday discussing how the district compensates teachers and extracurricular sponsors, how stipend schedules affect recruitment and whether the district should target stipends to hard-to-staff subjects.

Trustees and staff connected the discussion to the state-funded teacher retention allotment and local budgeting choices. Finance staff had described the district's plan to spend most of the projected revenue increase on payroll increases including mandated retention raises; trustees then focused on how stipends and other incentives interact with recruitment and retention.

Why it matters: Trustees said they want compensation policy to align with district priorities — for example, recruiting bilingual or certified math and science teachers — while preserving extracurricular programs that many community members value.

Key points from the discussion: Trustees and administrators raised several recurring themes:
- Stipend levels vary widely. The packet lists specific stipends (examples cited in the meeting include a $4,500 annual stipend for a varsity cheer sponsor and a $250 semiannual campus-translator payment). Trustees asked whether stipends are prorated when a teacher's instructional load changes and whether surrounding districts prorate stipends.
- Recruiting and \"grow your own\": Trustees urged the district to increase incentives for bilingual, math and science teachers, arguing those positions are hard to fill. One trustee said, \"we've complained, year after year after year ... that we can't recruit bilingual employees.\" Trustees asked administration to propose targeted stipend adjustments rather than cutting existing extracurricular support.
- Uncertified teachers and timelines: Trustees asked for data showing how many uncertified teachers are employed and how quickly they attain certification. Staff said the district typically expects certification within two to three years for new hires and that a more detailed report would be provided at the November monitoring report. A trustee requested a baseline: how many uncertified teachers start and how many become certified after year two.
- Operational budgeting choices: Trustees pressed staff on whether stipends are budgeted as if all eligible staff will receive them and whether unused stipend funds remain at year-end. Staff said stipends are budgeted at a high level and that actual payouts reflect assignments and activity.

Actions and next steps: Trustees asked administration to convene a comprehensive workshop on compensation, stipends, and incentives that would include data on uncertified teachers, stipend usage and comparative market information for surrounding districts. Staff agreed to return with details and numbers requested by trustees.

Ending: The board did not change stipend policy at the meeting but directed staff to provide a deeper analysis and policy options for trustee consideration.","Board members debated stipend structure and recruitment strategies for bilingual, math and science teachers while staff outlined the teacher-retention and incentive allotments that fund raises; trustees asked for a comprehensive workshop on compensation and data on uncertified teachers' progression.",{"_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},6163129,"Parents and community groups ask Tyler ISD for clear immigration stance and raise concerns about STAAR outcomes",717,404240,1121495,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35&start=404&end=1121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436520-d771b7c73349d15d72370349857b1c35/thumbnail_404240.jpg","/articles/6163129/Texas/Parents-and-community-groups-ask-Tyler-ISD-for-clear-immigration-stance-and-raise-concerns-about-STAAR-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163129-673cc99f60623df4c09afbbe79095322/orig.mp4?Expires=1775078010&Signature=E9nAffuI9KupMQjdv4B8RvMtnhiYEBp3Uuj7ywXVH7vcsHheucDxBKV2DVIDkonJmEsl4h19mhNNnAlcQcoeCxw8SBsqxsYkzXzQS3A673EiN9CAInycsMwinDdvAOyODtlNZDWdCo0jaWd0dNAK2xTqy6gF2cYNcif~thmqBfPBxb9t6FPYDMb1TEYqnhGIT5u44mmDoAQoE468lz8LuO4SzLAaR64r5ONSK3BwMibIdztjh1CTfX5p0FtBjQ9i2y6gjOoaDLBv1p9OUkKHvYPwWwaP3vfvHZusoPxBPlX4YXBUhE745d7aaUaS~Sdm~fuv8ZJPJ6RderHrn1id2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment period at Tuesday’s Tyler Independent School District board meeting to press trustees for clearer district communication about immigration enforcement and to criticize local third-grade STAAR goals and uncertified-teacher hires.

Who spoke: Carolyn Davis opened public comment with three topics, asking why Tyler ISD had not released a statement about its position on immigration enforcement at campuses despite multiple community requests. Davis asked, \"Why keep students and parents wandering in fear? Do what's best for the students and families you serve. Please release a statement before the new school year starts.\"

Davis also criticized the district's third-grade STAAR targets and results, saying the district had set lower passing-goal rates for African American students and that the passing rates for African American students mirrored those of special education students. She argued the pattern \"speaks volumes\" and urged the district to prioritize students.

Another commenter speaking for East Texas Monarchs, an advocacy group, reiterated demands for a district statement about how it will protect undocumented students on campus, raise specific operational questions about what happens when parents are detained, and ask whether confidential student files would be shared with federal immigration officials. The speaker said families need clarity on authorized contacts: \"Who will pick up that child at the end of the workday? Who will be trusted and who will be a trusted and authorized contact?\"

A third public commenter, identified as a parent, criticized the district's communications practices and asked that the administration proactively inform families about state and federal actions that affect schools. The parent pointed to Longview ISD as an example, saying that district issued a public statement clarifying which funding had already been frozen and how it was working with its community.

Requests and outcomes: The public speakers asked the board to release a clear statement about campus cooperation with immigration enforcement, to identify where relevant policies appear in the district handbook (or to highlight the relevant sections), and to outline supports such as counseling for students who experience immigration-related stress or trauma. Board minutes record no formal response or action at the meeting beyond staff acknowledgement; one district staff member (Cody Leverett) sent a text acknowledgment to a commenter, which the commenter noted.

Why it matters: Commenters framed the requests as matters of student safety, access to services, and public transparency. They also tied concerns about teacher certification and standardized-test outcomes to broader conversations about student supports and district communication.

Ending: Trustees did not vote on or immediately adopt any of the public requests. Public-comment requests will remain on the record and trustees asked staff for follow-up on other agenda items during the meeting.
","During public comment, speakers pressed the district to release a statement on immigration enforcement on campuses and to improve communication to immigrant families; one speaker also criticized low STAAR performance goals for African American and special education students and urged ‘grow your own’ teacher strategies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tyler ISD reviews first reading of new student code of conduct and cell-phone limits under state law

Tyler ISD presents preliminary 2025-26 budget showing payroll-driven increases and a $191 million plan

Trustees debate stipends and recruitment as district moves to meet teacher-retention allotment

Parents and community groups ask Tyler ISD for clear immigration stance and raise concerns about STAAR outcomes