El Campo ISD board approves 2025-26 student code of conduct after discussion over clarity and consistency

The El Campo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to approve the district'025-26 student code of conduct following a lengthy discussion about readability, consistency and whether a summarized, "layman's" version should be added to the official policy.

Board members and administrators said they supported clearer language for parents and students but expressed concern that a detailed, bulleted summary could conflict with the official TASB-model code and limit principals' discretion in complex cases. "I was wanting to hear bout it. I was making it simple form so you can read it easily as a parent or as a student," said Mr. Ryan, who brought the document to the board for discussion. "That was my intent." (Mr. Ryan is a member of the Board of Trustees.)

Board members and campus leaders told trustees they value consistency across campuses but also need latitude to apply discipline based on age, special education status and circumstances. A campus principal described the district's current approach: "For less severe behaviors...we go with the least consequential determination," a principal said, noting steps from conferences to detention and discretionary placements. Several principals asked the board to allow time to compare the new summary against the official handbook to avoid contradictory language.

Superintendent and staff-level participants said the proposed summary was intended as an addition, not a replacement, and confirmed the draft is based on the TASB model and legal review by Walsh Gallegos. "This is an addition summarization of infractions and punishments for each infraction," a district staff member said. Board members asked that the district spend the coming year reconciling any discrepancies before embedding a lay summary into the formal code.

Administrators also highlighted specific substantive updates already included in the new 2025-26 code: personal communication device rules, an explicit reference to academic dishonesty committed using artificial intelligence, clearer language about discretionary use of disciplinary alternative placements (DAP) for first-time nicotine-delivery-product violations and a requirement to review placements longer than 10 consecutive days. "When we presented this to the principals, they had the same fears that you have," a district official said, urging a careful roll-out given recent legislative changes affecting the code.

The board discussion closed with an acknowledgement that the updated code reflects state changes from the most recent legislative session and with direction that staff coordinate further with principals and the district's legal advisor to ensure the summary does not conflict with the official handbook.

The motion to approve the 2025-26 student code of conduct passed by voice vote. The board did not provide a roll-call tally in the public record for that motion.