Pflugerville ISD takes first reading of 2025–26 student code of conduct; HB 6 and cell-phone rule among major changes

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Trustees at the Pflugerville ISD Aug. 7 workshop took a first reading of the district’s proposed 2025–26 student code of conduct, receiving a lengthy presentation from district staff on changes required or prompted by recent state legislation, and then questioned administrators about implementation and communication plans.

A district presenter outlined multiple changes derived from legislative updates, including requirements in HB 6 and other bills. The presenter said district-of-innovation provisions that previously allowed administrators to serve broadly as campus behavior coordinators must revert to chapter 37’s requirement to identify one campus behavior coordinator per campus.

On student discipline, the presenter said certain prior mandatory placements have shifted. "For DAEP placements, e-cigarettes used to be mandatory placements to the DAEP under the previous law for the past 2 school years. And now with this recent adjustment... it is now a discretionary DAEP placement," the presenter said, adding that state law requires a 10-day in-school suspension if a campus elects not to send a student to DAEP for a first offense.

The presentation also described new rules for teacher removal (eliminating some prior documentation obligations while requiring parent notification and a prompt placement-review committee), removal of the three-consecutive-day limit for in-school suspension (with required review if ISS exceeds 10 days), and OSS limitations that generally bar suspensions for students below third grade or students identified as homeless except for serious offenses such as weapons or imminent safety threats.

Trustees pressed administrators on how the district will communicate the changes to families and staff. Trustee Mayer said she was "really heavily concerned about that and the disconnect" between systems like Skyward and the updated code, and asked how staff will be trained and how information will reach parents. Administration responded that campus leaders have access to the presentation to use in assemblies, and that the district will employ amendment announcements to parents as it has after prior code changes.

Trustees also discussed equity and data-tracking: the board president proposed committing to either the policy committee or administration the task of producing regular reports that track removals (ISS, OSS, DAEP, expulsion) by demographic groups, so the district can monitor disproportionate discipline even if the state no longer enforces thresholds. Administration said it would find avenues to provide this data, including through regular administrative reports.

On the cell-phone rule, the presenter summarized the proposed district approach: personal communication devices would not be visible during the school day on school property, with three exceptions (specified IEP accommodations, physician authorization, or a law-required health/safety protocol), the district may not charge a fee for devices, and the district may dispose of devices retained for 90 days after providing parent notice when the 90-day period begins.

The board did not vote on the code of conduct during the workshop; trustees were asked to submit additional questions by email to support timely finalization before the school year.

Key quote: Trustee Mayer said trustees must ensure the district maintains behavioral supports like PBIS and MTSS while complying with new statutory requirements. The presenter said administrators will work with campuses to communicate the changes and bring forward implementation details.

Next steps: administration will follow up with trustees on specific reporting options and, if requested, route a proposal to the policy committee for more detailed review.