United Independent School District trustees on Wednesday moved to table final approval of the district's 2025–26 student code of conduct, preserving the administration's ability to revise the document before a special-called meeting next week.

The board's delay followed more than two hours of discussion about proposed changes that would expand language on searches, discretionary placement for students who refuse to cooperate, and whether the student handbook should allow outside meals to be delivered or dropped off at campuses.

Board members and administrators said the agenda item was written to allow ongoing edits based on legal changes from the recent legislative session and board feedback. "The way this agenda item is worded is that it's allowing us to continue to modify the student code of conduct based on your all's feedback," legal counsel told the board, adding the document would be updated to reflect new statute-based requirements.

Administrators argued safety concerns justify prompt authority to investigate suspected contraband or imminent threats. One administrator described situations in which students ran to bathrooms or flushed items, saying such responses can escalate suspicion and create safety risks. "If we have a child and we suspect they have contraband, that one minute just to scolding them over the office' a lot of things can happen," an administrator said, urging that administrators must be able to act quickly.

Trustees and some speakers pushed back on language they said could punish students who know their rights or who refuse searches for noncriminal reasons. One trustee warned that placing refusal-to-cooperate language into a punitive disciplinary path could send some students into the disciplinary alternative program for noncriminal acts: "If a student refuses to cooperate ... that's it. You're going to step," the trustee said, urging caution before approving sanctions that could escalate into long-term consequences.

Board members also debated the difference between the annually adopted student code of conduct (required by chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code) and the student handbook, which administrators said can be revised administratively. Several trustees said handbook language should be clarified so parents and staff understand campus discretion and consistent enforcement.

On outside meals, administrators noted the district provides free meals to all students and that their intent is to prevent large volumes of outside food deliveries that could overwhelm front offices and security. One board member suggested clarifying the policy to distinguish vendor deliveries from family-delivered lunchboxes, and to add examples rather than use the broad phrase "outside food." Administrators said campuses will exercise flexibility for occasional family-delivered lunches but warned that campus-by-campus discretion could produce inconsistent enforcement across the district.

After debate, Trustee Shanae (motion-maker on the motion to table) moved to table the item until a special-called meeting next week so legal counsel could incorporate legislature-driven changes and the board could consider additional language. The motion passed by voice vote. The board president said the item remains fluid and administrators would continue to update the document for board review before publication.

The board and administration agreed to provide additional materials and clarifying language in advance of the special meeting so parents and staff can review the proposed code and handbook language. Trustees noted the district must publish or distribute code/handbook materials on a schedule that allows families time to review before school begins.