Round Rock ISD trustees review grievance rules, communications limits and Open Meetings Act in team-of-8 training

Michelle Alcala, the session’s trainer, opened the Round Rock Independent School District team-of-8 training by asking trustees to consider a scenario in which a parent filed an F and G grievance alleging race-based bullying while also speaking with a trustee. "My name is Michelle Alcala and I'm delighted to be with you tonight to conduct the team of 8 training," she told the board before reviewing the district’s operating procedures and the Texas Education Code.

Alcala used the bullying scenario to illustrate several governance rules trustees should follow: route constituent complaints through the superintendent rather than contact campus staff directly; avoid statements to the media that could be construed as speaking for the district; and recognize that hearing facts outside the official grievance process can require recusal if a matter later reaches the board. She noted that F and G refers to parent/student grievance policy and that the district’s employee grievance policy is DGBA.

Trustees pressed on…