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Legal staff briefs trustees on sweeping policy Update 126 driven by 89th Legislature
Summary
Spring ISD legal team and outside counsel gave first reading of TASB Update 126, describing numerous statute‑driven changes affecting DEI instruction limits, single‑sex private spaces, AI use in instruction, child‑abuse reporting timelines and other statutory alignments; trustees discussed local language to retain and next steps.
Outside counsel and district legal staff presented a first reading of TASB Update 126 to Spring ISD trustees on March 3, describing numerous policy changes that stem from the 89th Texas Legislature.
Ellen Spalding, outside counsel, told the board this edition of Update 126 "is the biggest update that they have ever put together," and walked trustees through statute‑driven changes that require local policy revisions. The updates include: new limits on instruction and duties related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); a requirement that private bathrooms and locker rooms be designated single‑sex (along with related operational regulations); a newly required board policy addressing the district’s use and training for artificial intelligence; and a change shortening the reporting window for suspected child abuse from 48 to 24 hours.
Legal staff explained that TASB recommended removing some local language when it simply restated state law, but the governance committee retained several local provisions where the district prefers explicit procedural clarity (for example, appeals procedures tied to employee nonrenewal hearings). Trustees asked specific questions about where classroom syllabi and instructional materials will be posted, how AI integrity rules will interact with any applicable federal guidance, and whether local language around reciting pledges or video monitoring should remain in policy. Counsel and administration committed to provide a redlined second‑reading packet reflecting the governance committee’s local choices.
No final policy votes were taken at the work session; the items will return for second reading and final action in a subsequent meeting.
