The Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees on July 28 approved the district's 2025-26 Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, including a newly added definition of antisemitism drawn from a national working definition, after more than an hour of public comment and trustee debate.

Trustee Dawn Champagne moved approval of item 9.6 and Trustee Rebecca Fox seconded; the motion passed 4-3. The plan will take effect for the coming school year as the district implements the new discipline language required by state and federal developments.

Supporters of adoption and district staff said the update does not create a new category of punishable conduct so much as clarify terminology the district must address. "This definition, passed by the Senate unanimously and then passed by the House by a wide majority, became immediately effective," Justin Graham, the district's general counsel, told trustees during the discussion. He and Student Affairs Director Sherry Ashbourne said the behavior described by the new wording was already prohibited under existing harassment and discrimination provisions.

Opponents said the new antisemitism language risks labeling students for speech that may be youthful or context-dependent, and they asked for more cross-references to existing harassment and discrimination provisions. Trustee Mary Ellen Kizella proposed an amendment to the discipline language and other trustees and members of the public raised questions about the practical effect on campus investigations and records.

Public commenters urged attention to how officials handle in-school assaults. A parent, Jackie Tai, described video evidence she said showed her 14-year-old friend's daughter did not start a fight but was disciplined and issued a police citation. "School should be safe spaces, not places where victims are revictimized by the very system meant to protect them," Tai said, and asked the board to correct the student's record and work to remove the police citation.

Trustees and administrators spent significant time discussing the plan's self-defense language and a separate provision addressing students who use personal devices to record fights. Ashbourne told the board that taking photos or video on campus and posting them can be a level-3 offense under the code and may trigger cyberbullying or telecommunications-device violations; administrators can investigate and discipline under multiple applicable sections.

Board members asked for added clarity for parents and staff. Ashbourne agreed to add a cross-reference to the plan's harassment/discrimination section so readers of the antisemitism language can see the existing reporting procedures and definitions used by campus investigators.

The vote to adopt the plan was 4-3. Trustees who spoke in favor emphasized that administrators already have discretion and established investigative processes to weigh intent, age and other context when determining discipline. Opponents warned the new label could be applied unevenly and urged caution in policing speech among younger students.

No change was made to the plan's definition of self-defense; administrators told the board they use a standard that looks for whether a student was without fault, not acting as the aggressor and used minimal force to remove themselves from danger. Officials reiterated that campus investigations typically begin with short suspensions or other measures to allow administrators time to gather statements, review video and consult law enforcement when appropriate.

The board approved the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct after the public hearing and debate. District officials said they will publish the final, cross-referenced plan and provide campus administrators updated guidance before the start of the school year.

A recording and the documents the board considered are posted on Katy ISD's public board portal.