Superintendent outlines enrollment, transportation, staffing risks and new state rules on devices and parental consent

Superintendent Dr. Berger delivered an operational update on Aug. 12 covering enrollment, transportation, special education staffing pressures, safety measures and implementation of new state laws governing student devices and parental consent.

Enrollment and transportation: Dr. Berger said the district's budgeted enrollment was 20,668; as of the morning of Aug. 12 enrollment stood at 20,579 with 271 students in verification. "If you put all that together and all of them show up to school, we will have 20,850 students in Pearland ISD," Dr. Berger said, adding that district HR adjusted elementary staffing and would bring any further personnel requests to the board in September. He said 9,700 students were scheduled for bus transportation on the first day and that the district could see over 11,000 students riding buses after late verifications are complete.

Special education and dyslexia: Dr. Berger said recent rule changes on dyslexia and group sizes may require additional dyslexia personnel; staff are monitoring and may return in September if new hires are needed. "If we can't provide the services as required, we may have to come in September and talk to the board about a need for additional dyslexia personnel," he said.

State laws and district policy: Dr. Berger reviewed House Bill 1481 and Senate Bill 12 and outlined district implementation plans. On HB1481 (device restrictions), he said the state law requires that a student's personal electronic device "must be off and stored during the school day." The district will use the first three days of school for instruction on the rule; strict enforcement begins the second week. He described the progressive consequences the district will use: first offense ' phone confiscated and parent/guardian must pick it up; second offense ' phone confiscated and student receives detention; third offense ' in-school suspension. He said there is no longer a $15 charge for reclaiming devices.

On SB12, Dr. Berger said the district is providing written parental consent language in the student handbook and online while awaiting final TEA/TASB policy guidance. He said the parental-consent requirements apply to health services (nursing care, medication administration, health screenings, counseling, crisis response and similar services) and to club participation; parents must give consent for a student to join school clubs. He also described restrictions on unmonitored direct communications between employees and students, saying the district will require inclusive or monitored communication channels so parents and district monitoring tools are involved.

Safety, facilities and academic results: Dr. Berger said the contracted armed-guard service Jet Security is onboarding and will be present at elementary and middle schools; he also noted roof replacements at Jamieson and East funded by the bond, and that contracted grounds crews are mowing some campuses. Dr. Berger said preliminary STAR/STAAR ratings and AP results are positive: he said the district expects to retain an overall A rating and that AP participation and the number of tests taken increased, with improved pass rates on many exams. He also noted a 9.1% turnover rate for the year and credited district retention efforts.

Board members asked clarifying questions about parental pickup hours for confiscated devices; Dr. Berger said phones may be picked up Monday'Friday, 30 minutes before the first bell through 30 minutes after dismissal. Trustees also asked about staff texting and monitoring; district staff noted email remains monitored and that direct unmonitored texts from employees to students will be disallowed.