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Board approves student code of conduct updates, library-materials and device-use policy changes
Summary
Trustees approved revisions to the student code of conduct and reviewed handbook updates that implement new state laws on personal communication devices and library-material review; board also approved local policy updates tied to safety and attendance.
The Temple ISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 11 approved multiple policy and student-conduct changes reflecting recent state law updates and administrative clarifications.
Mister Schongenberg presented Policy Update 125 and two additional local policies. The updates include citation changes on legal references and provisions required by the Texas Education Agency and recent legislation. Key local-policy changes the board approved require that the superintendent direct staff assignments (BDAA), clarify board-committee versus advisory-committee composition (BDB), describe how combined grades are averaged for partial credit (EI), add bullying as a reason for potential safety transfers (FDE), and clarify attendance-committee flexibility in creating alternate plans (FEC).
The board additionally considered a new local procedure for approving library materials that gives the board authority to approve donated or procured library materials and requires the district to publish candidate lists at least 30 days before board approval. Schongenberg said the district will publish candidate lists as a board meeting agenda item and expects to present the first list in September for approval in November. Trustees discussed potential administrative bottlenecks from the new requirement and noted the district’s plan to consolidate procurements to several review periods per year.
The board also approved FNCE Local, implementing House Bill 1481’s limits on personal communication devices, which the presentation explained would prohibit devices such as smartwatches and earbuds on campus during the school day except for IEP, Section 504, health or safety exceptions.
Trustees approved the updated student code of conduct. Major changes highlighted included the device rule change tied to HB1481, new disciplinary guidance for tobacco/vape offenses (first offense no longer a mandatory DAEP placement; instead a minimum 10 days ISS for an initial violation), expanded options for handling classroom disruption (per House Bill 6), and a virtual expulsion program pathway for students who need immediate educational services while expelled. The changes were presented with redline language in the board packet; the board approved the code by voice vote.
