New Caney ISD trustees approve compensation, student code of conduct and election orders; multiple routine items pass by voice vote

The New Caney Independent School District Board of Trustees on July 21 approved revisions to the district's 2025'26 compensation plan, adopted the 2025'26 student code of conduct, confirmed recommended personnel hires and authorized election orders and agreements for the November trustee election.

The actions were taken largely by voice vote. Trustees approved a compensation plan revision that incorporates state teacher retention allotment funding and districtwide pay adjustments; the board also approved the district's updated student code of conduct, which incorporates several changes driven by recent state legislation.

The compensation revision, presented by Ms. Yates, applies the teacher retention allotment from House Bill 2 and includes the following changes as summarized at the meeting: a $2,500 increase for teachers with three to four years of service; $5,000 for teachers with five or more years; a 3% general pay increase for all employees; a change moving special education paraprofessionals to a PT 4 pay grade; and a $50 increase in the district health insurance contribution, bringing the district's monthly contribution to $375. Ms. Yates said the changes bring starting teacher pay to $67,000 and are intended to align pay scales across positions.

The board voted to adopt the student code of conduct presented by Mr. Powell and Ms. Solano. The revised code, described at the meeting, makes several substantive policy updates: it narrows the circumstances under which homeless students and students below grade 3 may be suspended to specified behaviors (weapons offenses, conduct that threatens others' safety, significant or repeated classroom disruption, and drug or alcohol offenses); updates nicotine/vaping discipline (first offense 10 days ISS placement; second offense discretionary placement at the district's TLC program; distribution remains mandatory TLC or DAP placement); renames the cell phone policy to a "personal communication device" policy requiring devices be off or silent and stored in backpacks during instructional hours except before or after school; adds smart-tag requirements in transportation including replacement processes and consequences for failure to replace tags; and adds language prohibiting misuse of artificial intelligence where such use would constitute cheating or plagiarism. Mr. Powell said campuses may bring further revisions if state guidance changes.

The board approved the consent calendar, which included minutes, finance and purchase reports, construction and operations items, student services items, policy updates, and the 2025'26 appraisal calendar and list. Ms. Gates presented the personnel report recommending a slate of new hires and reassignments; the board approved the personnel report and trustees introduced several newly hired assistant and associate principals at district campuses.

The board also approved an order calling the November 4 trustee election (positions 6 and 7), and approved joint-election agreements with Montgomery County and Harris County; administration noted the filing period opened immediately and runs through close of business August 18, with voter registration deadlines and early voting dates posted online. Mr. Cowart presented the election order and the related agreements.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in meeting minutes): - Consent calendar: Motion by Ms. Sharp; second Ms. Harrell; voice vote; motion carried. (Recorded as a voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded in transcript.) - Personnel report: Motion by Mr. Arnold; second by Mr. Trout; voice vote; motion carried. - 2025'26 compensation plan revisions: Motion (mover not specified in transcript); voice vote; motion carried. - 2025'26 student code of conduct: Motion by Ms. Sharp; second Ms. Pickle; voice vote; motion carried. - Local TASB policy revisions (including decision on homeschooler participation in UIL activities): Motion by Mr. Trout; second Ms. Harrell; board approved continuing the district's practice of not allowing homeschoolers to participate in UIL activities; voice vote; motion carried. - Order calling school trustee election and related election actions: Motion by Ms. Sharp; second Ms. Harrell; voice vote; motion carried. - Approval of election agreements (joint elections with Montgomery and Harris counties): Motion by Ms. Harrell; second Mr. Sharp; voice vote; motion carried.

Discussion and context: Trustees and administrators said the compensation revisions were driven in part by state legislation and available state funding. Ms. Yates described the teacher retention allotment and the district's choices to apply a 3% general pay increase to ensure compression and alignment across positions. District administrators emphasized that further code-of-conduct adjustments might return to the board if additional state guidance is published.

The meeting also included routine announcements from Superintendent Calvert about the November trustee election (positions 6 and 7), candidate filing dates (open immediately; close August 18), voter registration deadline (October 6) and early voting (October 6'31), and an August board meeting at the new Highlands Elementary campus with a ribbon cutting.

The board recessed into a closed session for personnel, attorney consultation and real estate matters and reconvened in open session before taking the votes reported above.