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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for HOUSTON ISD and found 8 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 9) |
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Proposed Deletion of Policies on Student Tobacco, Drug, and Weapon Possession
The board is considering the deletion of its local policies governing student conduct related to tobacco, alcohol and drugs, and weapons. Removing these foundational safety policies could significantly undermine campus discipline and order unless they are being consolidated into a comprehensive student code of conduct.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Items 19, 20, and 21 propose deleting key student safety policies FNCD(LOCAL), FNCF(LOCAL), and FNCG(LOCAL). Immediately retrieve the attachments to determine if these rules are being eliminated or consolidated elsewhere, and brief the state team.
Policy Lever: School Safety and Order
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 8) |
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Proposed Deletion of Policies on Required and Elective Instruction
The board will vote on the deletion of two key academic policies: EHAC(LOCAL) on required instruction for secondary students, and EHAD(LOCAL) on elective instruction. The rationale for deleting these foundational curriculum policies is not stated in the agenda.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Items 10 and 11 propose deleting policies on required and elective instruction. Retrieve the referenced attachments for EHAC(LOCAL) and EHAD(LOCAL) to determine the rationale and impact on curriculum standards before the vote.
Policy Lever: Curriculum Control
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Create New Student Discipline Policies
The board is scheduled for a second reading and final vote to create two new policies on student discipline: FOC(LOCAL) for placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) and FOD(LOCAL) for expulsion. The creation of new policies governing the most significant disciplinary consequences is a major action.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Items 14 and 15 create new policies for DAEP placement and expulsion. Retrieve the text for FOC(LOCAL) and FOD(LOCAL) to determine if they codify restorative practices or weaken consequences for misconduct.
Policy Lever: Student Discipline Standards
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| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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Vote on Vendor Contracts Exceeding $1 Million
The board will vote to approve an unspecified list of vendor awards for purchases of $1,000,000 or more. The agenda does not name the vendors or describe the services being procured, which could include significant spending on consultants, curriculum, or training programs.
Policy Use
PULL THE DOCUMENT: Item 22 approves vendor awards over $1M. Retrieve the ‘Purchasing Requests’ attachment to identify vendors and services, screening for spending on DEI/SEL consultants, curriculum, or training.
Policy Lever: $1,000,000+ Contracts
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| WATCH (LEVEL 6) |
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Revisions to Interdistrict Transfer Policy
The board will vote on revisions to its interdistrict transfer policy. The changes require students who move out of the district mid-year to apply for a formal transfer to remain, a more restrictive approach than the previous policy which allowed them to finish the school year automatically.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 13 revises interdistrict transfer policy FDA(LOCAL). The adopted text should be reviewed by the state team to assess the net impact on open enrollment and school choice in the Houston area.
Policy Lever: School Choice
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 9) |
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Board to Vote on Lowering Property Tax Rate
The board will vote on a resolution to adopt the tax rate for 2026, which includes a proposed decrease from $0.87830 to $0.84210 per $100 of valuation. This reduction is attributed to state-mandated tax compression and provides direct tax relief to property owners in the district.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 5 proposes a property tax rate reduction. Use the attached Taxpayer Impact Statement and presentation slides in testimony and briefs as a model for fiscal conservatism and taxpayer relief.
✅ Why It Matters: Property Tax Reduction
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 8) |
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District Approves Library Books After Public Posting
The board is approving new library materials after a 30-day public posting period for parental and community review, as documented in the attachment. This action implements a key curriculum transparency and parental rights safeguard by providing a clear window for public input before materials are acquired.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 16 demonstrates a functional 30-day public review process for new library books. Document this process from the ‘October Library Materials Titles For Approval’ attachment as a model for other Texas districts to ensure parental review of materials.
✅ Why It Matters: Parental Notification
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| Model Policy (LEVEL 7) |
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Board Adopts Governance Self-Evaluation Framework
The board is reviewing its quarterly self-evaluation based on the ‘Lone Star Governance’ framework, which prioritizes board time on student outcomes. The attached report shows 85% of meeting time was dedicated to student outcomes and governance, demonstrating a disciplined focus on core responsibilities.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 8 provides an example of a board using the Lone Star Governance framework for accountability. Share the ‘Self-Evaluation And Time Use Trackers’ attachment with the state team as a model for promoting effective, student-focused board governance.
✅ Why It Matters: Board Governance Model
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