The Vidor Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted a set of policy changes on Aug. 19 to implement provisions enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature.

What the board approved
- Meetings and public comment: The board amended local policy to require that regular meetings be held outside normal work hours (as defined in the policy) and that public comment occur at the beginning of the meeting before the order of business. The board also changed posting procedures to business-day calculations rather than a 72-hour clock, aligning board practice with state changes.
- Parental-grievance policy: Trustees adopted a grievance procedure that expands parentsability to file complaints concerning statutory rights and lengthens the filing window to 60 calendar days (previously 15 business days). The new policy includes employee recusal provisions when employees are named in grievances and allows parents to report allegations to a trustee under certain circumstances.
- Prohibiting assistance with social transitioning: The board approved a policy implementing Texas Education Code 11.401/11.402 (as cited in the boards resolution language) that prohibits employees from assisting a student with social transitioning; the policy took effect immediately upon passage.
- DEI duties and controversial topics: Trustees adopted policies prohibiting assignment of diversity, equity and inclusion duties to employees or contractors and adopted procedures related to "controversial topics" that require teachers not to be compelled to cover widely debated topics and to approach such topics objectively and without political bias. The district will certify compliance with the Texas Education Agency where required.
- Library selection and classroom materials: The board approved the second and final reading of EFB (library materials) local policy; librarians and district staff will publish a handbook and maintain a "library services" portal on the district website with catalog access, 30-day previews for proposed additions and forms for parents who wish to challenge or restrict their child's access.
- Student device policy: Trustees approved the second and final reading of revised student-device policy (updates to FNC E local and the student code of conduct). Staff reported positive feedback from assistant principals and classroom staff after early implementation.

Board process and legal background
District staff repeatedly stated that many of these policy changes respond directly to recently passed state laws (referred to during the meeting as Senate Bill 12 and other bills passed by the 89th Legislature) and that the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and district attorneys are updating policy templates and guidance. Several trustees and staff noted TASB was still finalizing comprehensive policy-update materials and that district procedures will be refined in consultation with counsel.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Trustees asked procedural questions about posting, minutes, grievance timelines, whether parents may report to any trustee, and how staff will implement the grievance and complaint intake process. Trustees also asked for guidance from legal counsel and staff on procedures before making operational commitments.
- Direction/Assignment: Staff was directed to publish revised policies to the TASB policy repository, produce the library-services handbook and post materials on the district website, and to consult with attorneys to create procedures for handling the new grievance routes.
- Formal action: Trustees approved each policy or policy package by roll-call votes (recorded as 70 for the relevant resolutions). The board read several resolutions into the record as required and directed the superintendent or designee to file required certifications with state agencies where statutes required.

Why this matters
The adopted changes affect how and when public comment may occur, expand parental rights and complaint avenues, limit certain employee duties (DEI, assisting social transitioning), and require changes to classroom and library-materials processes. Several of the adopted provisions are new processes for the district and will require administrative procedures and training to ensure proper implementation and legal compliance.

Ending note
Staff told trustees they would return with procedural guidance and that TASB and district counsel are still advising on many implementation details; trustees asked staff to notify them promptly if parents or employees raise statutory complaints under the new rules.