Superintendent briefs trustees on 89th Legislature changes; parental‑rights bill and special‑education funding to reshape district processes

Superintendent Pace Mullaney told the board Tuesday she will track legislative changes from the 89th Texas Legislature and brief trustees monthly as guidance and rules arrive from the Texas Education Agency. Mullaney highlighted what staff described as the most consequential items: a multi‑topic parental‑rights bill referred to in staff materials as Senate Bill 12, several special‑education funding changes, and a revised attendance reporting schedule that will require more frequent PEIMS submissions. She said TEA issued exemplar consent forms Aug. 28, the law went into effect Sept. 1, and additional guidance and clarifications have been arriving since then. Mullaney summarized staff concerns: the parental‑rights legislation includes multiple provisions that generated daily guidance, the TEA rule text is expected to be finalized Jan. 1, and districts must update local policies to align with new statutory requirements. On special education, she said recent guidance addresses increased reimbursement for evaluations (a per‑evaluation reimbursement), per‑mile special‑education transportation rates, and modifications to CCMR bonus calculations for special‑education cohorts. Mullaney also said the commissioner has directed a new special‑education framework that will classify needs into tiers and service groups; she noted the district stands to gain additional revenue in the second year of the biennium because of the district’s student population. Mullaney explained a substantive change in attendance reporting: instead of settling attendance once a year, the state will require six‑week attendance reporting throughout the year, with funding adjusted to reflect attendance changes during the year. She told the board the district’s payment schedule is not expected to change but the amounts could fluctuate with the new reporting. Mullaney said staff will rely on demographers and district offices to prepare updated submissions and that TASB will provide a significant policy update in October. Discussion vs. decision: the item was informational; no board policy changes were adopted at the meeting. Mullaney advised trustees that staff will return with policy updates and TASB guidance in the fall and that the board’s BF local “harmony with law” clause provides interim compliance coverage until the policy manual is updated. Speakers and officials referenced by staff included the Texas Education Agency and TASB (Texas Association of School Boards).