Northeast ISD board certifies compliance with parts of Senate Bill 12; trustees add legal‑policy clarification

The Northeast Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7‑0 to approve a superintendent certification of compliance with portions of Senate Bill 12 that require annual board approval. Trustees approved a certification limited to two Education Code provisions cited in the draft: Section 11.005, which restricts assigning diversity, equity and inclusion duties to employees or contractors, and Section 28.0022 concerning the teaching of controversial topics. The board asked staff to clarify that the board policy cited (local policy EMB) is referenced from the district’s legal policy and that the legal policy’s last substantive update was in 2022. Superintendent Dr. Mica, who explained the certification, said the form “is not certifying this bill” in its entirety and instead covers the specific statutory certification requirement. He told trustees the certification language on the draft came from district counsel and staff, not the Texas Education Agency or the legislature, and that the certification must be approved by a majority vote and uploaded to the agency by Sept. 30. Trustee Filarell raised concerns that concepts related to DEI could appear under other labels such as social and emotional learning and asked what liability the certification would create for the superintendent if contested by parents. Dr. Mica responded the statutory restrictions prohibit assigning DEI duties that treat people differently on the basis of race, color or national origin and said alleged violations would be investigated and handled through administrative processes. He noted state textbook adoption and the TEKS are the primary filters for curriculum materials. The board moved to approve the certification “as presented with the change to adding legal behind board policy EMB,” then voted 7‑0. Trustee Villareal moved the motion and Trustee Landry seconded it. The board did not adopt broader findings about other provisions of SB 12 and Dr. Mica stressed the certification addresses only the two statutory sections named in the draft. Trustees also asked staff to ensure references in the draft to SB 13 and other bills instead refer to “state law as it exists or may hereafter be amended” where appropriate, to avoid needing repeated future edits. No public comments were recorded in the transcript on this item. The board’s action reflects the administrative step required by the statute to have the superintendent certify compliance and have that certification approved by the board and submitted to the state.