Belton ISD trustees review Level 3 student grievance, consult attorney in closed sessions and are urged to take matter under advisement

The Belton Independent School District Board of Trustees met in a special session July 13 to review a Level 3 grievance filed under district policy FNG (local), and held closed-session consultations with its attorney before reconvening and being urged to take the matter under advisement.

Chair explained the agenda item was a Level 3 grievance for parent and student complaints and said the parties had agreed to proceed on written submissions rather than live presentations. "This appeal is being conducted in accordance with district board policy FNG," the Chair said, explaining the board's role is limited to determining whether the appealed decision "was made in violation of applicable law or governing policy" and that the board would not reweigh evidence or assess witness credibility.

The Chair told trustees the board may remand the grievance to a lower level if the written submissions introduced new issues and asked the board attorney to provide copies of the grievance record and administration's written submissions for review. The Chair also cited Texas Government Code §551.071 as the basis to consult counsel in closed session and §551.0821 to address personally identifiable student information.

The board entered closed session at 5:57 p.m. and reconvened at 7:29 p.m.; the Chair stated that no action had been taken during the closed meeting. After reconvening, a Committee member said, "I would recommend that the board of trustees take the matter under advisement." No formal vote or other motion was recorded in the transcript.

The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.