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Legislature expands discipline options and permits limited device possession; Boerne staff warned on changes
Summary
TASB briefed Boerne ISD trustees on House Bill 6 discipline changes — removal, ISS expansion, virtual expulsion and parental-agreement options for vape cases — and on a statewide student-device restriction that allows possession but limits use; districts should align local policy and expect rulemaking.
Boerne ISD trustees heard Aug. 27 that recent legislation changes student-discipline options, out-of-school suspension rules and school-device policies.
Kelly Rosti of the Texas Association of School Boards summarized House Bill 6 as creating new options for discipline and expanding in-school suspension (ISS). "ISS is now unlimited with check ins required every 10 days," she said, describing the statute's new requirements. The bill also permits out-of-school suspension for students below grade 3 for certain conduct and creates a new virtual-expulsion option.
On vape-pen cases, Rosti said the law removed an automatic DAEP (disciplinary alternative education program) requirement for a first possession incident, providing districts the option of imposing 10 days of ISS instead; parental-involvement agreements can shorten DAEP or expulsion periods if both parties approve.
Separately, Rosti reviewed a statewide device rule that was substantially amended in session: the statute allows students to possess a device on campus but generally prohibits use during the school day unless an IEP or limited emergency circumstance applies. Rosti said the bill author "intended no use at all during the school day unless there's an IEP requirement for it or some really limited emergency circumstances."
Why it matters: districts must update code-of-conduct and device policies to align with state law; decisions about enforcement and potential grievances could escalate to TEA. Rosti advised districts to monitor TEA enforcement plans and to consult legal counsel on local policy language.
The board asked a handful of implementation questions; Rosti recommended TASB materials and legal resources to guide local policy updates.
No formal board action occurred on discipline or device policies during the workshop.
