The Cypress‑Fairbanks Independent School District on Wednesday presented an updated student code of conduct that incorporates changes required by the 89th Texas Legislature, including House Bill 6 and House Bill 1481, and district choices for implementing new statewide options.

Why it matters: The statutory changes and CFISD's policy choices alter when and how students may be removed from class, how long in‑school assignments can run, consequences for e‑cigarette offenses, and the district's approach to personal communication devices; those changes affect classroom management, special‑education procedures and campus safety practices.

What changed under House Bill 6: Dr. Ogunmike, who walked trustees through the document, said the district updated its code in several areas required or modified by state law. Key changes described during the presentation included:
- In‑school suspension (DMC): the previous 3‑day cap was removed. Assignments longer than 10 days now require a progress review.
- Out‑of‑school suspension for students below grade 3 and students experiencing homelessness: the law expands allowable reasons for suspension beyond weapons or drugs to include conduct that threatens immediate health and safety or repeated behavior causing classroom disruption.
- Teacher removal: written documentation as a prerequisite was removed; a single incident of repeated, unruly or disruptive behavior — including bullying — can now justify formal removal from class.
- Special education discipline: campuses may impose consequences prior to scheduling an ARD meeting when the conduct involves bullying, harassment or a hit list.
- E‑cigarettes: first‑time possession or use is discretionary rather than an automatic Alternative Learning Center (ALC) placement; CFISD said it will generally use a minimum 10‑day DMC placement in lieu of ALC for first‑time e‑cigarette offenses. Selling or delivering an e‑cigarette remains a mandatory ALC placement.
- Level‑4 and level‑5 offenses: the district added items to the list of offenses carrying mandatory placements or expulsions; HB6 makes all level‑5 offenses subject to mandatory expulsion regardless of whether the conduct occurred on school property, and added crimes such as kidnapping, burglary, robbery and assault on a school employee or volunteer to the expellable list.

Personal communication devices (House Bill 1481): The district adopted a policy consistent with HB1481 that prohibits students from using personal devices “during the school day” unless an exception applies (for example, use required by an IEP or by a physician's directive). Based on principal feedback, CFISD defined the school day for this policy as once the student enters the building until dismissal. The district also outlined progressive consequences principals recommended: first offense — confiscation and student pick‑up at end of day; second offense — parent required to pick up; third and additional offenses — confiscation, parent pickup and discipline under the code. The district has branded the messaging “Away for the Day” and will supply campus posters and communications in English and Spanish; staff said campus principals will receive training to support consistent implementation.

Distribution and training: Dr. Ogunmike said the code will be available online in English and Spanish, provided in paper on request at campus offices and presented to students in fall and spring orientations. Staff emphasized the need for training so principals and teachers apply the new rules consistently.

Trustee and staff comments: Board members thanked staff for the rapid drafting required by new statutes and asked for additional guardrails for implementation. Trustees raised concerns about off‑campus conduct now carrying mandatory expulsion and asked for safeguards to maintain contact with suspended students, particularly young children and students experiencing homelessness. Trustee discussion also noted that consequences for online harassment of employees can apply when social‑media conduct meets the code’s harassment definition.

No formal vote was taken during the presentation; the code and related policy revisions proceeded through the board’s policy review agenda for action at subsequent readings.