Alief TSTA president urges district to adopt due-process and adjust pay as HB 12 limits DEI programs

At the Sept. 16 Alief Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting, Ron Cox, president of the Alief Texas State Teachers Association, spoke during public comment on agenda item 10.9 and raised concerns about House Bill 12. "HB 12 strips you of implementing specific programs and or practices concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion," Cox said.

Cox urged the board to adopt formal due-process procedures for employees so staff "are treated fairly and not subjected to adverse, unfair, uncontrolled human emotions." He also urged the district to correct compensation for teachers who have multiple preparations and to address teachers who work beyond contract hours. "Stop saying how much you appreciate the commitment and the dedication of your staff and make the correction," Cox said.

Cox's remarks were delivered during the public-comment period; no formal board action was taken in response at the meeting. The speaker framed his concerns as both a reaction to state-level changes in law (HB 12) and as an appeal for local policy and pay changes to protect staff fairness and workload.

The district did not announce any immediate changes or directives in response to the comment during the meeting.