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Beaumont ISD urges caution as HB 6 expands suspension and expulsion rules; staff outline implementation steps
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen and staff summarized HB 6 changes to discipline—removing limits on in-school suspension, expanding mandatory expulsion for certain offenses occurring off campus and permitting virtual JJAEP placements—while noting detailed TEA implementation guidance is still pending.
Beaumont — At a June 24 meeting, Beaumont ISD leaders outlined significant changes from the recent HB 6 legislative session that affect student discipline and campus safety.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen summarized key statutory changes: in-school suspension (ISS) no longer has a statutory day limit and must be reviewed every 10 days; districts may suspend students at any grade for repeated disruption or threats to safety; mandatory expulsion for enumerated serious offenses now applies whether the misconduct occurred on campus or off campus; and where juvenile-justice alternative educational placements (JJAEP) are unavailable, a virtual assignment may be used but must meet DAEP/JJAEP standards and be reviewed periodically.
Why it matters: The changes broaden local authority to remove students for off-campus misconduct and expand the tools available to districts and principals, but Dr. Allen emphasized that TEA guidelines governing implementation have not yet been released and that local procedures will need coordination with law enforcement and juvenile probation.
Safety spending and staffing: Trustees asked about the district's use of the new safety and security allotment. Staff said Beaumont ISD increased compensation to compete for campus safety personnel, repurposed public-safety officers into armed security positions so every elementary campus will have an armed security guard, and has applied for safety grants to fund equipment and personnel.
Notification process: Staff explained the local notification process for off-campus criminal incidents (a 15-27 letter from law enforcement naming the student and alleged offense) and said receipt of that notice triggers district action consistent with the statute; principals, police and juvenile-probation partners collaborate on placement and services.
Implementation caveats: Dr. Allen and staff urged trustees that local policy work and cross-agency coordination are necessary before full implementation, and they asked trustees for patience while TEA releases formal procedures. Trustees pressed staff on communication protocols and expedited timelines for hearings and placement procedures.
