Board pauses logo policy rewrite but approves coach'led spirit apparel for nonuniform items

The HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT board debated whether to restrict nonuniform spirit apparel designs after a new coach proposed alternate logos and designs for team and promotional shirts. Board members agreed to review past guidance and any trademark or copyright history before adopting formal restrictions, but they voted to permit the coach to proceed with nonuniform spirit apparel (not game uniforms).

Board discussion centered on two points: maintaining a consistent official school logo and complying with Minnesota State High School League uniform rules for official athletic uniforms. One board member noted a past written guideline likely exists in archival minutes and recommended staff check for a formal branding packet or minutes that set logo rules. Several board members said they favor protecting the official hurricane logo used on uniforms while allowing creativity for nonuniform spirit items, such as coach polos or event t-shirts.

After discussion, a board member moved to allow the coach to proceed with spirit apparel that would not be used as official team uniforms; another board member seconded the motion and the board recorded the motion as carried.

Board members also flagged potential next steps: confirming any existing trademark or copyright filings, checking past minutes for logo-guideline language, and asking the administration to clarify any Minnesota State High School League constraints on warmups or other apparel that could be considered part of a uniform. The board left uniform-color and number rules governed by the state high-school league intact and asked administrators to return with any archival guidance or formal branding guidance found.