Humble ISD trustees agree to open application process for library council under SB 13

Humble Independent School District trustees directed district administration to create a uniform application process and bring policy revisions to the board’s Oct. 21 meeting to form a 14‑member library council established under Senate Bill 13.

Administration presented a primer on the new council structure and the legal requirement that a majority of voting members be non‑employee parents. Staff said the council will only make recommendations on library materials; final decisions remain with the board of trustees.

Staff member Mister Binkley explained that under the statute the “majority of the council under the law must be non employee parents,” and that with a 14‑member council at least eight members must be non‑employee parents. He outlined two options for forming the council: have trustees submit appointees to administration for tallying and correction if the statutory majority is not met, or delay formation until trustees present and the board approves all appointees in a meeting.

Trustees debated whether to permit community members who do not have children in the district to serve. Trustee Scarfo and others said they support allowing district residents to serve so long as they live within Humble ISD and the majority requirement for non‑employee parents is maintained. Trustee Parker and others advocated for a uniform application and transparent selection criteria so applicants understand qualifications.

Trustees voiced support for using a simple online application (suggested formats included a Google Form) and having administration collect applications and share them with trustees. Trustee Silva and staff said administration can begin advertising and accepting applications immediately and return policy language in October for formal approval; trustees would still formally name their own appointees at a later meeting.

Administrators noted a pending challenge under SB 13 that cannot be processed until a council exists; the district has removed the challenged title from circulation while awaiting council formation. Staff said libraries currently have existing collections and that temporary delays in new purchases were intended to avoid circumventing the board’s eventual process.

Trustees discussed forming a small ad hoc group to vet initial applicants and possibly naming a liaison to streamline communications between administration and trustees. No formal board vote was taken; the record shows consensus to proceed with an application process and return with policy options on Oct. 21.