Richardson ISD trustees adopt 2025–26 student code of conduct, update cellphone, library and admissions policies

The Richardson ISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 7 approved the district'wide 2025'1026 student code of conduct and adopted several policy updates required by recent state laws, voting 6'0'to''0 in each measure.

The measures include implementation details tied to House Bill 6 (discipline and safety), House Bill 1481 (personal communication devices), a new school library advisory process required by Senate Bill 13 and an explicit policy on participation by nonenrolled students in UIL activities required by Senate Bill 401. The board also accepted $168,317.84 in campus gifts.

Why it matters: The code and policy changes are designed to align district discipline and student-access rules with state law changes passed in the recent legislative session. Among the items the board approved are new mandatory discipline steps (for example, increased in-school suspension days for certain offenses), changes in how the district handles personal communication devices, and a formal advisory role for parents on library material acquisitions.

The board heard a presentation from district staff before taking votes. Superintendent Tabitha Branham (presented as "superintendent Branham" in the meeting) said the district had worked with principals, legal counsel and the student services team to revise the code and that the changes respond to more than 100 new education-related bills passed this session. Jason Park, director of student services, and Tony Parker, student services administrator, explained specific provisions drawn from House Bill 6 and House Bill 1481.

Key changes discussed by staff and approved by trustees included: - Discipline and behavior coordination: House Bill 6 requires each high school to designate a behavior coordinator (dean-of-students role). The district will monitor discipline referrals and report certain incidents to threat-assessment teams, the presenters said. - E-cigarette penalties: Tony Parker told the board the law now requires 10 days of in-school suspension (ISS) for students found with or under the influence of e-cigarettes; the district will provide restorative supports during ISS. - Expanded discretionary OSS categories: House Bill 6 expands circumstances under which K'2 and McKinney-Vento students may receive out-of-school suspension for repeated or significant classroom disruption or threats to immediate health and safety; the district said principals must review any ISS placements that exceed 10 days. - Cell phone and personal communication devices: Revisions to board policy FNCE local adopt the broader statutory term "personal communication devices," list examples (cell phones, smartwatches, paging devices) and specify statutory exceptions for students with 504 plans or IEPs. The board also approved a disciplinary escalation that can include loss of exam exemptions after repeated violations. - High-school fighting consequences: The district will strengthen alternative placement and event-ban consequences for repeat fighting, and provide restorative supports for students placed in alternative programs. - Library materials: The board approved EFB local revisions to establish a school library advisory council (majority parent voting membership) that will review new titles before they're added to campus collections and will participate in challenges under the new law. - Admissions and student activities: The board adopted updates to FD/FM local to confirm the district will not allow nonenrolled (home-schooled or private-schooled) students to participate in RISD-sponsored UIL activities, following the new statutory requirement to adopt a policy.

Board action and votes at a glance - Adopt 2025'1026 student code of conduct as presented; motion moved by Trustee Harris, seconded by Trustee Pacheco; outcome: approved 6'0'to''0 (motion carried). - Revise FNCE local (personal communications/electronic devices) to add statutory language and exceptions; outcome: approved 6'0'to''0. - Revise FD local and FM local (admissions and student activities) to confirm nonenrolled students will not participate in UIL; outcome: approved 6'0'to''0. - Revise EFB local (instructional resources/library materials) to create a school library advisory council and related procedures; outcome: approved 6'0'to''0. - Accept gifts totaling $168,317.84 (five gifts over $5,000 plus additional smaller gifts); outcome: approved 6'0'to''0.

Trustees and staff emphasized implementation supports: the student services team and principals will provide on-site coaching, translated family communications and campus signage, staff said. Tony Parker told the board the district has already trained administrators on the new rules and will provide ongoing, "knee-to-knee" support for principals and staff during the school year.

Trustee concerns and safeguards: Several trustees pressed for monitoring and oversight to guard against disproportionate disciplinary impacts. Trustee McGowan asked how the district will ensure fairness; staff said decisions beyond certain discipline thresholds will be reviewed by area superintendents and district staff and that parents retain appeal opportunities under district procedures.

What's next: District staff said they will post the updated code and policies online, provide translated notices to families and distribute campus-level lesson plans and signage in advance of the Aug. 12 school opening.

Ending: Trustees adopted the set of policy changes unanimously, and staff said they would begin implementing the new rules with principals and families immediately.