Midland ISD board adopts 2025–26 student code of conduct with updated cellphone and discipline rules

Trustees unanimously approved the Midland ISD 2025–26 student code of conduct on July 29 after staff outlined changes required by the 89th Texas Legislature and subsequent bills. The code defines misconduct and disciplinary options and incorporates new statutory requirements including limits on mandatory Disciplinary Alternative Placement (DAP) for vape possession and new rules on personal telecommunication devices.

Miss Warner presented the code and explained major changes. She cited House Bill 6 addressing discipline management, noting campuses must name a campus behavior coordinator (typically the principal) and that educators’ authority to remove students for repeated or significant classroom disruptions has been expanded. The district will also adjust DAP placement rules for vape possession to match state limits; MISD staff said they had already made that change in the 2023–24 school year. The code also references a virtual-expulsion option established by state law.

On personal communication devices, the 89th Legislature’s changes (cited by staff) limit student use of personal telecommunication devices during school hours. Administration described the district’s approach as consistent with the recent local policy limiting student phones: devices must be powered off and stored away during the instructional day, with case-by-case exceptions for documented medical needs, 504 plans, IEPs or other safety reasons. Trustees asked how headphones/earbuds and school-issued devices would be handled; staff said school-issued devices and school-provided headphones may be used for curriculum needs while personal devices that send or receive messages must remain stored and powered off.

The board voted to approve the code by motion, second and unanimous hand vote. Administration said a communications plan is ready and that the student code and related FAQs will be shared with families after board approval.