PSJA trustees tighten student code on devices, adopt new calendar and name press box for longtime announcer

Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD trustees approved multiple campus‑level policy changes and recognitions at their Aug. 18 meeting, including revisions to the student code of conduct that restrict student personal communication devices, adoption of a revised 2025–26 calendar, and a motion to name the remodeled PSJ Stadium press box for longtime announcer Carlos Villegas.

Student code of conduct changes Dr. Daniel Noyola (presenting updates to the student code of conduct) briefed trustees on statutory changes from the recent legislative session that required the district to add definitions and procedures. Key changes the board adopted include: - A new general conduct item referencing behavior motivated by antisemitism (the presentation said the glossary defines antisemitism and that the definition will be provided in English and Spanish in the code materials). - A prohibition on using personal communication devices (PCDs) during the school day on campus; devices must be powered off and stored as directed by campus procedures (examples discussed included teacher classroom “pockets” or backpacks). Exceptions may be made for students with individualized education program (IEP) provisions, medical documentation, or other legally required accommodations. The code adds a tiered set of disciplinary responses and requires a signed student/parent agreement on the new rule. - Expanded guidance about teacher‑initiated formal removals from class, including that a teacher may remove a student based on a single incident if it meets statutory thresholds (for example, unruly, disruptive or abusive behavior) and a campus behavior coordinator or administrator must notify parents of the removal. The code explicitly adds bullying (as defined in the education code) as a basis for teacher removal. - Changes to in‑school suspension (ISS) that remove a previous time limit for placement, while requiring campus administrators to review a student’s status at least every 10 school days and to involve special‑education or counseling staff as appropriate. - Clarification on out‑of‑school suspension alternatives, allowing parents to provide documentation that may enable an alternative assignment rather than home suspension in certain circumstances.

Dr. Noyola said the district will distribute an informational flyer and a student‑parent agreement form if trustees adopted the changes; trustees voted to adopt the code changes by voice vote (roll call recorded as unanimous: 7–0).

Calendar changes The board also approved an amended school calendar that uses new state law (HB1209) allowing a minimum 175‑instructional‑day calendar while preserving teacher contractual workdays at 187 days. Under the approved amendment, the district will use five optional student non‑attendance days (staff development or workdays) in place of days that historically had low student attendance: Sept. 1 (staff development), Dec. 19 (staff development), Jan. 6 (staff development), and two workdays at the end of the school year (students’ last day moves from June 5 to June 3; the two June days will be staff workdays). The board voted to adopt the amended calendar by unanimous voice vote (7–0).

Press box naming Trustees discussed a superintendent nomination to name the remodeled PSJ Stadium press box in honor of Carlos Villegas, who has announced games for the district for more than 30 years. Villegas addressed trustees and described his start in 1989; several trustees spoke in support of the naming. The board moved and seconded a resolution to name the press box in his honor. The nomination was approved by the board; the mover and seconder were recorded on the floor and trustees spoke in support during discussion.

Other measures The board also approved several routine items during the same meeting, including a resolution authorizing district membership in a newly forming South Texas School Board Association. Trustees debated the membership fee and scope before approving the resolution; the district clerk recorded that six trustees participated in that recorded vote and the motion passed unanimously among those present.

What this means The student‑code changes align PSJA’s disciplinary framework with recent state requirements and district practice, and they place more responsibility on campuses to track ISS placements and to provide review every 10 days. The calendar change gives principals and teachers additional planning time at specific low‑attendance points and shifts two end‑of‑year days to staff workdays.