CFISD board adopts 2025-26 student code of conduct as debate continues over phone rules and accommodations

The Cypress‑Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 11 approved the district'wide 2025-26 student code of conduct and voted to adopt multiple policy revisions enacted in response to new state legislation.

School officials and public speakers said the policy changes are intended to give classroom teachers more tools to manage student behavior and to align district language with recent Texas laws. At the same time, parents and advocates at the meeting urged the board to preserve transparency in policymaking and to exempt students with disabilities from rules that would require them to disclose medical needs.

Supporters said the changes respond to legislative action this year. "The legislature took steps to address this huge problem," Trustee Christine said, describing a recently passed state law aimed at limiting students' use of cell phones during school. The district's student code of conduct includes a campus implementation approach the board summarized with the slogan "away for the day" to describe restricted personal device use.

But public commenters raised concerns about implementation and federal compliance. Educational advocate Jill Center told trustees the district's current interpretation of phone restrictions "creates serious federal compliance risks while eliminating valuable educational practices," and warned that some procedures could force students to disclose medical information to get device exemptions.

Trustees also addressed governance and transparency. Citizen Jill Sinter urged the board to post proposed policy language before work sessions so the public can review and meaningfully participate in subcommittee discussions.

The board moved and approved the 2025-26 student code of conduct by voice vote during the meeting (motion presented at the meeting). The item passed after discussion and no recorded roll-call objections were made at the time of the vote.

What happened next: trustees said they will monitor implementation and solicit feedback through campus leadership and district advisory committees. Superintendent Dr. Killian and district staff noted that some policy language was required by state law and that implementation details will be addressed at the campus level via principal and teacher training.

The board's action comes as the district prepares for the first day of school and the start of enforcement on rules that will affect classroom management, student devices and teachers' discretion. Parents and disability advocates asked the district to ensure exemptions and accommodations are handled without stigmatizing students or violating federal anti-discrimination requirements.

Trustees invited continued public input as campuses implement the code and related local policy changes.