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Resident urges Alamo Heights ISD to trust teachers, resist 'snitch economy' amid confusion over SB 12
Summary
At the Sept. 17 board meeting, resident Anne Daley criticized SB 12 as poorly written, warned it is being used to remove books and narrow curriculum, and urged the district to support teachers and avoid a culture of reporting that targets educators.
Anne Daley, a resident who spoke during the public‑comment period at the Alamo Heights Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 17, urged the district to support teachers and resist what she called a growing "snitch economy" tied to implementation of SB 12.
"SB 12 is such a poorly written law that even lawyers are having trouble figuring out what it means," Daley said, adding that Texas Education Agency guidance has been rereleased because of lack of clarity. She told trustees she has heard from teachers in other districts that the law is being used to remove books, narrow curriculum and restrict classroom conversations because educators and administrators are uncertain about terms such as "instructional material" and references to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Daley also warned that policies and public pressure encouraging people to record or publicly report teachers' classroom materials or instruction can chill classroom discussion. "SB 12 encourages investigating what's happening, posting screens on social media, going after teachers directly," she said, and asked the board and community to "resist that in everything we do." Daley referenced recent letters from state officials; the transcript cites letters from Gov. Greg Abbott and from Mike Morath, the Texas Education Agency commissioner.
Board policy for public comment states that trustees will not respond during the meeting and that staff will follow up with commenters as needed. The board did not take any formal action on the subject during the meeting; Daley’s remarks were recorded as part of the citizens‑to‑be‑heard agenda item.
Daley framed her appeal around the district’s own "profile of a learner," saying curriculum restrictions would undercut the district's stated goals for student learning and preparation. She asked trustees to "trust" the district's teachers and to protect opportunities for students to explore diverse perspectives as part of their education.
