[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6590287,"mediaKeyId","5597490-dbcc0223a0daa2c950fbfefb3d29d0e8","parentId",5597490,"title","PSJA trustees tighten student code on devices, adopt new calendar and name press box for longtime announcer","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3687000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5597490-dbcc0223a0daa2c950fbfefb3d29d0e8&start=3687&end=3687","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5597490-dbcc0223a0daa2c950fbfefb3d29d0e8/thumbnail_3687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6590287/Texas/PSJA-trustees-tighten-student-code-on-devices-adopt-new-calendar-and-name-press-box-for-longtime-announcer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590287-1e3040877f53a88944ca8bbfc1d507ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114949&Signature=VyoUV3e~TRFmk0cjuXapHAsEBUUwdaUWzFBy~6hlAa6QxGNNPavrZy1nWWnUGarrynGBWgVzanX2-kevxBKxCNfKpUDelnfUXaILDWR4H68rN3~ZKZ6tYGRWxl0qfYJnCWrxoCxIhI7eDVKP1Tc6SYogrA6JMebHPELHk678xPAmdJtu7ZhSvE22GNmaoY7YjgsvT700jtSdZkLcnXz0srDfrgPIoRKQKunB1jbVzrjJj-j~O93Fbd6NQ5OQU4LKO4ZesyOaNOe9p5Pdu0FrXWeiRmnPpQkIYf1iy~YpcKz4p8H5T-259y69YtD6Oh3XPTLw~n-a5OaY~Hi6fT4Nug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PSJAISD","date","2025-08-19T03:23:17Z","article","Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD trustees approved multiple campus‑level policy changes and recognitions at their Aug. 18 meeting, including revisions to the student code of conduct that restrict student personal communication devices, adoption of a revised 2025–26 calendar, and a motion to name the remodeled PSJ Stadium press box for longtime announcer Carlos Villegas.

Student code of conduct changes
Dr. Daniel Noyola (presenting updates to the student code of conduct) briefed trustees on statutory changes from the recent legislative session that required the district to add definitions and procedures. Key changes the board adopted include:
- A new general conduct item referencing behavior motivated by antisemitism (the presentation said the glossary defines antisemitism and that the definition will be provided in English and Spanish in the code materials).
- A prohibition on using personal communication devices (PCDs) during the school day on campus; devices must be powered off and stored as directed by campus procedures (examples discussed included teacher classroom “pockets” or backpacks). Exceptions may be made for students with individualized education program (IEP) provisions, medical documentation, or other legally required accommodations. The code adds a tiered set of disciplinary responses and requires a signed student/parent agreement on the new rule.
- Expanded guidance about teacher‑initiated formal removals from class, including that a teacher may remove a student based on a single incident if it meets statutory thresholds (for example, unruly, disruptive or abusive behavior) and a campus behavior coordinator or administrator must notify parents of the removal. The code explicitly adds bullying (as defined in the education code) as a basis for teacher removal.
- Changes to in‑school suspension (ISS) that remove a previous time limit for placement, while requiring campus administrators to review a student’s status at least every 10 school days and to involve special‑education or counseling staff as appropriate.
- Clarification on out‑of‑school suspension alternatives, allowing parents to provide documentation that may enable an alternative assignment rather than home suspension in certain circumstances.

Dr. Noyola said the district will distribute an informational flyer and a student‑parent agreement form if trustees adopted the changes; trustees voted to adopt the code changes by voice vote (roll call recorded as unanimous: 7–0).

Calendar changes
The board also approved an amended school calendar that uses new state law (HB1209) allowing a minimum 175‑instructional‑day calendar while preserving teacher contractual workdays at 187 days. Under the approved amendment, the district will use five optional student non‑attendance days (staff development or workdays) in place of days that historically had low student attendance: Sept. 1 (staff development), Dec. 19 (staff development), Jan. 6 (staff development), and two workdays at the end of the school year (students’ last day moves from June 5 to June 3; the two June days will be staff workdays). The board voted to adopt the amended calendar by unanimous voice vote (7–0).

Press box naming
Trustees discussed a superintendent nomination to name the remodeled PSJ Stadium press box in honor of Carlos Villegas, who has announced games for the district for more than 30 years. Villegas addressed trustees and described his start in 1989; several trustees spoke in support of the naming. The board moved and seconded a resolution to name the press box in his honor. The nomination was approved by the board; the mover and seconder were recorded on the floor and trustees spoke in support during discussion.

Other measures
The board also approved several routine items during the same meeting, including a resolution authorizing district membership in a newly forming South Texas School Board Association. Trustees debated the membership fee and scope before approving the resolution; the district clerk recorded that six trustees participated in that recorded vote and the motion passed unanimously among those present.

What this means
The student‑code changes align PSJA’s disciplinary framework with recent state requirements and district practice, and they place more responsibility on campuses to track ISS placements and to provide review every 10 days. The calendar change gives principals and teachers additional planning time at specific low‑attendance points and shifts two end‑of‑year days to staff workdays.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting: August 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The PSJA ISD board on Aug. 18 approved changes to the student code of conduct that restrict personal communication device use, adopted a revised calendar under new state law, and approved naming the PSJ Stadium press box for Carlos Villegas.","taxTitle","PHARR-SAN JUAN-ALAMO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",14323,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6590292,"PSJA ISD adopts 2025–26 budget, lowers tax rate and approves state-mandated teacher pay increases",2219,5658000,7877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5597490-dbcc0223a0daa2c950fbfefb3d29d0e8&start=5658&end=7877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5597490-dbcc0223a0daa2c950fbfefb3d29d0e8/thumbnail_5658000.jpg","/articles/6590292/Texas/PSJA-ISD-adopts-202526-budget-lowers-tax-rate-and-approves-state-mandated-teacher-pay-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590292-6796f3e524b7536c2b2365a6655051d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114949&Signature=Asrc9Km~Ng5GTvOffuMwd4mr3yXAWWE7-J~VXS41H4~dBqFEG160mTggfISAsijMW6G2swgROyyuCxgmoq3cp7aln8LlKMZMEXWooJcSV8r7Ys8LTNCuWIUr-9ZA7OWG08TU08KIh-hFNKTv1ULKpPKxr~~rDKVvo100xr93XoMKHnmyBYEDDK2FLd8SerrzOTJ7Z0tiBo0Q7~Lzm7MSuzTT0ojwEepAF04ARTJ5XQOkKWV1ZftKfmW6uoyCjru4P9omLkuFpkRANMlQbSuIAFQ5IuabF3nVPyjcYymL-OiHV3gGxwQijScL2dpXIQITqyTOrfzVJIJKPQNJk2gNwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo Independent School District trustees adopted the district’s recommended 2025–26 budget and set a total property tax rate of $1.011 per $100 of assessed value at the board meeting Aug. 18 at PSJ North Early College High School.

The budget vote followed a public hearing and passed unanimously. The board also approved the statutory “no-new-revenue” procedural language required for tax‑rate adoption; trustees later voted 7–0 to adopt the proposed 1.011 rate, a half‑cent reduction from the previous year’s total rate while reflecting increased property values.

The budget presentation by Becky Gonzales, assistant superintendent for finance, said the district planned the balanced budget on a projected enrollment of 29,613 and an average daily attendance (ADA) assumption of 28,001.24. Certified taxable value provided to the district by county appraisal was stated in the presentation as $6,000,000,007.96 — an approximate 3% increase from 2024 — and the district used that current value in state funding calculations.

Gonzales told the board the recommended 2025–26 package reflects new state rules enacted in the 2025 legislative session. Under the presentation, the state funding formula requires tiered raises for classroom teachers: $2,500 for teachers with three to fewer than five years of experience and $5,000 for teachers with five or more years of experience. The district included those state amounts and added district-level adjustments: a new starting teacher salary of $59,312.50; a 3% midpoint increase for other professional campus positions not covered by the state raises; a 3% midpoint increase for exempt employees; a 4% midpoint increase for nonexempt employees; and continuation of a $350 winter discretionary pay stipend.

Gonzales also said the district budgeted a per‑employee monthly health‑insurance employer cost increase described in the presentation as rising from $7.50 to $8.25 per employee per month (presenter: “the employer cost is $8.25 per employee per month”); the presentation estimated that health‑insurance changes would cost roughly $4 million to the district for 2025–26.

Speakers during the public comment portion emphasized support for pay raises and praised district leadership. Joseph Martinez, speaking on behalf of local teacher organization representatives, thanked the board and the superintendent for what he called “generous and thoughtful” past decisions that supported staff. Adnan (Hernan/Adnan in the record) Cortez, also speaking for local teacher groups, cited district stability — “we continue to serve approximately 30,000 students year after year” — and called the district a model for compensation and retention. Retired educator Michael Sweet urged trustees to be proud of district stewardship and the decision to preserve a balanced budget while supporting employees.

Gonzales’s presentation itemized district revenue drivers and risks: roughly 84% of spending is salaries and benefits; the district expects state revenues to remain tied to ADA; local property tax revenue remains the principal local source; and federal and grant sources were shown as preliminary. The budget package includes the district’s plan for accelerated‑instruction funding (summer programs) and allocations for building maintenance, child nutrition and instructional programs.

Trustees approved the budget package in the meeting’s regular order. The board also conducted the statutorily required public hearing on the budget before the approval vote.

What happens next: The board’s adoption sets the tax rate and the budget that guides spending for 2025–26. The presentation noted the district will continue to monitor enrollment, attendance and state funding changes and bring any required amendments back to the board.

(Reporting note: figures and legislative references — HB3, HB1209 and HB2 as cited during the meeting presentation — are reported here as they were described to the board in the Aug. 18 presentation and public discussion.)

","Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD trustees on Aug. 18 approved a balanced 2025–26 budget, adopted a 1.011 tax rate and implemented pay increases that follow new state legislation, while speakers at public comment urged continued support for staff.","actionData","errors"]

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PSJA trustees tighten student code on devices, adopt new calendar and name press box for longtime announcer

PSJA ISD adopts 2025–26 budget, lowers tax rate and approves state-mandated teacher pay increases