Mr. Alpaslan, Senior Deputy Superintendent of HPS, presented a comprehensive review of required board actions and policy updates stemming from the 89th Texas Legislative Session. He highlighted several policies that must be implemented for the 2025–2026 school year. These include: Parental Notification of Employee Misconduct (SB 571), Parental Engagement Policy (SB 12), Concussion Response Policy (SB 2398), Prohibition Against DEI Practices (SB 12), Open Meetings Act requirements, Participation in UIL Activities by Non-Enrolled Students (SB 401), School Health Advisory Councils for Charters (SB 12), Online Instructional Materials Policy (HB 1605), Restrictions on Vendor Contracts (HB 210), Mental Health Services Policy (SB 1827), Excused Absence for Released Time Course (SB 1049), Good Cause Exceptional Renewal related to School Safety (HB 121), and Conditional Display of the Ten Commandments (SB 10).

Mr. Alpaslan also discussed additional ISD-specific requirements from the same legislative session that do not apply to charter schools. These include policies on Parental Grievance Procedures (SB 12), Parental Rights Notification (SB 12), Board Training on Parental Rights (SB 204), Acquisition of Library Materials (SB 13), Parental Involvement in Disciplinary Placements, and a Prohibition Against Social Transitioning Assistance (SB 12). A key requirement that applies to both ISDs and charter schools is SB 1049, which mandates the adoption of a written policy prohibiting student use of personal communication devices while on school property during the instructional day, as outlined in TEC 37.082.

In addition, Mr. Alpaslan presented significant changes related to student discipline under HB 6. These include increasing the allowable number of in-school suspension days to ten, eliminating mandatory DAEP placements for vape possession, and providing funding for virtual DAEP placements. HB 6 also allows for flexibility in the duration of out-of-school suspension, removing the previous three-day limitation.

Following the legislative review, Mr. Alpaslan discussed proposed updates to Harmony’s Student Code of Conduct in response to the new laws. One of the major updates involves the consequences for vape-related offenses. Under the proposed revision, a student’s first offense will result in mandatory removal to Harmony’s virtual Disciplinary Intervention Program (DIP) in the form of Out-of-School Suspension (OSS). This program will include a structured behavioral education component, and students will return to campus upon successful completion. Subsequent offenses may result in expulsion.

Mr. Alpaslan outlined the factors to be considered before proceeding with expulsion. These include, but are not limited to, the seriousness of the misconduct, the student’s age, disability status, grade level, history of prior misconduct, health and safety concerns, and the overall impact on the educational environment. He also proposed the addition of a clear Offense-to-Consequence chart within the handbook, identifying which disciplinary actions are mandatory and which are discretionary. Examples of such charts were shared with the committee for review.

Additionally, Mr. Alpaslan recommended including explicit language in the Student Handbook to clarify that expulsion proceedings may continue even if a student voluntarily withdraws from the school during the disciplinary process. He concluded the presentation by sharing a vaping offenses data summary for the 2024–2025 school year, detailing the number of incidents by grade level.

Dr. Celepcikay reviewed the proposed schedule for the Board of Directors’ Annual Retreat with the committee members. The committee finalized the retreat agenda, beginning with a regular board meeting on Day 1 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Immediately following the meeting, the board attorney, Mr. Hoffer, will present “Navigating New Frontiers: Legal and Legislative Landscape” from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. After a lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, the afternoon session will begin with “Vision 2030: Charting Our Path Forward” from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, followed by a short break. The next session, “Transforming Communication: Perla’s Marketing Cloud,” will run from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. The day will conclude with a “Round Table Discussion: Reflecting on the Past, Charting the Future” from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM, providing an opportunity for an annual review of board meetings, discussion of scheduling, and collection of feedback. Dinner for Day 1 will be held at Loqum Grill.

Day 2 of the retreat will begin with “Outcomes and Aspirations: Academic Review and Board Goals” from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by a short break. The final session, “Pathways to Success: College and Career Readiness and Board Goals,” will take place from 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM. A closing lunch will follow, concluding the retreat.