Northeast ISD board adopts procedures to form district library advisory committee, narrows SB 13 references

The Northeast Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7‑0 to adopt draft operating procedures for a District Library Advisory Committee, or DLAC, with several amendments. Trustees amended the draft to: replace specific references to Senate Bill 13 with wording referring to “state law as it exists or may hereafter be amended,” require mandatory DLAC training, prevent individuals from serving simultaneously on campus and district library advisory committees, and confirm the committee’s composition as a minimum of seven and up to 14 parent voting members who are not district employees. Dr. Mica described the procedures as a staff draft prepared with Christina Reyna, the district’s director of library services, to implement the new review process under recently adopted state rules. Reyna said the committee’s role is advisory: DLAC will review proposed library materials and make recommendations to the board consistent with statutory requirements; the board retains final authority. Trustees discussed timeline and logistics. Staff said the district will publish proposed lists for 30 days for public comment, collect DLAC applications via an online sign‑up, and that DLAC appointments should be completed before an October/November submission cycle (staff referred to an internal November 1 deadline). Trustees asked staff to add clear language that parents who are district employees may not serve, and requested that items labeled SB 13 be updated to the broader “state law” phrasing to avoid frequent housekeeping changes if laws are renumbered. Christina Reyna told trustees DLAC will provide the board with the recommended list and a rationale if DLAC disapproves a title; board members will receive book resumes, community feedback, and specific cited passages or page references for titles under dispute so trustees can make informed decisions. The board approved the amended procedures and staff said it will email trustees the revised draft and a list of volunteers who expressed interest.