San Angelo ISD board approves interlocal agreement with Christoval ISD under Senate Bill 204 after debate on ADA and parental choice

SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo ISD Board of Trustees voted 5–1 on Dec. 15 to approve an interlocal agreement with Christoval ISD addressing student transfer parameters under Senate Bill 204.

Legal counsel and administration explained that SB 204 creates different obligations depending on whether a receiving district posts an open transfer policy or implements criteria for accepting transfers. If a district establishes parameters (for example, checks on grades, attendance, or discipline), it must enter interlocal agreements with neighboring districts to permit transportation and transfers as specified under the law.

Board members debated the policy’s intent and enforceability. Taylor Kingman, board president, asked whether the board should be in the position of preventing parental choice: “Is it really our board’s job to prevent a parent from being able to put their kid in school where they want to put their kid?” Kingman said he was wrestling with the tension between respecting parental choice and protecting district Average Daily Attendance funding.

Board members concerned about lost ADA funding stressed the local fiscal consequences if students transfer out. One trustee said the per‑student state funding figure was roughly $6,255 (noted in the discussion as $6,255), and warned of cumulative budget impact. Others said the new statute lacks strong enforcement measures and asked how violations would be policed.

The motion to approve the interlocal agreement between San Angelo ISD and Christoval ISD passed 5–1; trustees recorded concerns about the law’s practical enforcement but said the interlocal agreement was a prudent administrative step.

What’s next: Administration will execute the interlocal agreement and update district materials as needed to comply with SB 204.