Trustees review 80th Legislature education changes — phones, library materials, UIL eligibility and GPA weighting

Pearland ISD trustees received an information briefing on June 24 about multiple education‑related bills passed by the 80th Texas Legislature and how the district is preparing to respond; no policy votes were taken.

House Bill 1481 District staff summarized HB1481 — the law that prohibits student visible use of personal cellphones during the school day — and said the bill gives school districts options for implementation. The district reported the author’s office told staff that "storage" can include devices turned off and kept in students' backpacks or purses. The board discussed practical questions (whether the ban begins at bus pick‑up or campus arrival, how to treat headphones and school‑issued instructional devices, and accommodations for students with medical or IEP/504 needs). Staff said TEA guidance and legal interpretation are pending, and administrators will draft logistics and communications once state policy clarifies details.

Senate Bill 13 (library materials) Staff briefed trustees on SB13, which requires board oversight and a public-review period for some library materials and purchases. Administrators said the new requirements apply not only to newly purchased library items but also to material already in the district's catalogue. Staff noted technical issues with external or vendor-supplied online catalogs (for example, some off‑premise catalog access may not be as trackable or easily curated) and said they are working with librarians to determine whether vendor systems must be adjusted or access restricted to comply with the law.

Senate Bill 401 (UIL participation by non‑enrolled students) SB401 requires a district decision on whether non‑enrolled students (for example, homeschool students) may participate in UIL activities. Staff said prior to the bill some districts allowed such participation in various ways; staff recommended Pearland ISD maintain the current approach and require affirmative board action if the district were to allow non‑enrolled students to participate. Trustees discussed fairness, eligibility, the limited $1,500 stipend tied to such participation, and the higher per‑student state funding the district would receive if a student actually enrolled in the district instead of participating as a non‑enrolled student.

Senate Bill 1191 (GPA weighting for AP and dual credit) Trustees were told SB1191 directs the commissioner to standardize GPA calculations so that Advanced Placement and dual‑credit courses must be weighted equally. The district currently assigns different weights (the district uses a weighted‑GPA system that gives AP coursework a higher weight than dual credit). Administration said the board and families should watch for TEA guidance on whether the change will affect current students or be phased in for incoming ninth graders; staff cautioned that equalizing weights could shift course‑selection patterns and the district must assess dual‑credit capacity if demand rises.

Administrators told trustees they will continue reviewing each bill, watch for TEA rules or commissioner guidance, and return policy proposals to the board if required. Several trustees emphasized that TEA guidance and any legal challenges to new statutes could change implementation timelines or requirements.