Southwest ISD adopts updated student code of conduct to reflect new state laws

The Southwest Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the district's 2025'1 code of conduct on a motion and second, with the motion passing at the meeting. The revisions incorporate recent changes required by Texas law and change several local discipline practices. District staff told trustees the update includes required changes stemming from House Bill 1481 on students' use of personal communication devices and House Bill 6 on teacher removal of students and campus behavior coordinators. "First of all, we need to highlight, of course, changes regarding house bill 14 81," Mary Lou said while summarizing the policy. She said the district will require a designated area in the classroom for students to store personal devices and noted exceptions for students with documented medical or education accommodations. The revision also removes a prior three-day cap on in-school suspension (ISS); placements must now be reviewed every 10 days. Mary Lou said the district intends to keep three days as the standard maximum for ISS "in the best interest of children," but that longer placements will be individually reviewed when needed. The code now explicitly prohibits the use of techniques that meet the definition of "aversive techniques," and first-time vaping offenses no longer require mandatory placement in a disciplinary alternative program (DAP), staff said. Board members asked how discretionary discipline would be made consistent across campuses; Dr. Ball and staff said principals will receive guidelines and training and that some discretionary decisions will be reviewed by a hearing officer to ensure equity. Dr. Ball said training for principals is scheduled for Aug. 27 and that the hearing office will help "ensure there's equity across the district." The code also reflects changes affecting younger students and those experiencing homelessness: students below grade 3 and students identified as homeless cannot be suspended except in cases that involve serious safety concerns, such as weapons or drugs, or ongoing threats to health and safety. Parents can request ISS instead of out-of-school suspension (OSS) if they cannot supervise a child at home; principals must consider extenuating circumstances and document decisions. The board voted to adopt the code as presented. Staff said they will proceed with implementation steps including training for administrators and communication to families. The board did not adopt the student/parent handbook as final at this meeting; staff presented a summary of handbook changes separately and indicated further legislative changes could require additional updates. Ending: Trustees approved the code of conduct at the meeting and directed staff to proceed with administrator training and family notifications; staff said they will continue to update handbooks and practices to reflect evolving state law.