Carrollton‑Farmers Branch ISD trustees heard a TASB presentation on the structure and purpose of district policy manuals and the practical steps for adopting legislative updates. Brooke, the TASB presenter, told the board that the policy manual contains two distinct document types: legal framework items drawn from statutes and regulations, which the board must follow, and local policies that the board adopts to set district choices.

"It's the law. Unfortunately, you don't get a choice on whether or not you follow the law," Brooke said, describing why large portions of the manual are legal framework documents and not subject to board adoption. She noted that Update 01/26 was one of TASB's largest post‑legislative updates and that around 40% of the district's legal framework documents changed with that revision.

Brooke walked trustees through TASB's section codes (A–G), explained the difference between standard ("A") and locally customized ("X") policy codes, and recommended using administrative regulations for operational detail. She also introduced Policy Online, ResourceLink and a forthcoming Regulations Resource Manual (RRM) as resources trustees and administrators can use to publish explanatory notes, sample regulations and links to supporting documents.

Trustees raised questions about public clarity when local policy text uses phrases such as "as defined by law." One trustee said that phrasing can send the public on a "rabbit hole" to find the underlying authority. Brooke recommended consistent cross‑references to the legal policy or statute so the public and staff can locate the source of any legal requirement.

TASB also advised trustees on agenda and posting practices, urging districts to set feasible internal deadlines for agenda posting (e.g., 7–10 calendar days) even while recognizing statutory posting requirements. Brooke said there is no mandated schedule to adopt every update but recommended adopting changes "as soon as practicable" so local policy stays in compliance.

The board agreed to route TASB's recommendations through the district's policy subcommittee for detailed review before bringing clean drafts back to the full board for potential adoption.

What happens next: TASB will continue the Policy Review Service (PRS) work with the district's admin team and subcommittee; trustees will review suggested edits and explanatory notes before any policy adoptions are scheduled for a business meeting.