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Elgin Independent School District trustees are reviewing major changes to school funding, discipline and parental rights that will shape next year’s budget and operations — though officials await key guidance on how to implement new laws.
Superintendent Jana Rueter recently provided a brief but informative legislative recap, highlighting House Bill 2. She told board members that more information on HB 2 — an $8.5 billion overhaul of public school finances — will help guide budget discussions and allocations.
“We remain committed to implementing new requirements while ensuring any steps we take reflect thoughtful consideration and serve the best interests of our students and community,” the district wrote in a statement.
Rueter also flagged House Bill 6, which broadens districts’ authority to address disruptive behavior and requires annual security audits, additional safety funding and expanded emergency-readiness training.
District leaders said they are waiting on formal implementation guidance from affiliate groups such as the Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Business Officials. That guidance — particularly on teacher compensation — is expected later this summer, officials said.
“There was also significant debate which reflected ongoing demands for expanded parental choice,” Rueter said. “Multiple bills reaffirmed and clarified parental rights in curriculum transparency, student health discussions and instructional materials.”
Trustee Beth Walterscheidt, who attended the Texas Association of School Boards Summer Leadership Institute in San Antonio, said parental rights dominated discussions.
“Parental rights, there was quite a bit about that particularly,” she said. “As a school board, we’re going to have to require each teacher to provide an instructional plan or syllabus before each semester.”
She told the board that teachers must post these outlines online for parents to access. District officials later acknowledged Senate Bill 10, a new law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. In a statement, Elgin ISD said it is awaiting guidance from state leadership before taking next steps.
Trustees have not yet reported how the new classroom requirements or curriculum updates will be implemented, but they did take action elsewhere — voting to renew Capturing Kids’ Hearts, a behavioral education program used in Elgin ISD for the past two years.
District 7 trustee Barry Barker cast the lone vote against the renewal, questioning the program’s $163,000 price tag and its effectiveness. Program leaders said they expect strong results from its implementation in the coming school year.
Rueter added that the district is required by the state to have a behavioral program in place, and without Capturing Kids’ Hearts, a replacement would need to be identified before the start of classes.
