Texas Senate Bill SB2822

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25

Caption

Relating to the election of the board of trustees of certain school districts and the powers and duties of the board of trustees of school districts.

Impact

The implications of SB2822 on state education law are significant as it modifies existing regulations surrounding school district governance. By requiring a mixed system of elections – some trustees elected at-large while others represent specific districts – the bill aims to balance representation and address the needs of diverse communities within large school districts. This change has the potential to influence how board members are held accountable to various constituents, specifically in larger urban areas where educational needs may vary widely.

Summary

SB2822 is a legislative proposal that seeks to modify the governance structure of certain school districts in Texas. Specifically, it mandates changes to the election processes for school board trustees in districts with large student enrollments. The bill stipulates that in counties with populations exceeding 3.3 million, a school district's board of trustees is to consist of both at-large and single-member district representatives, which aims to enhance accountability and representation in educational governance. The proposed structure includes four trustees elected at large and five from individual trustee districts.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SB2822. Advocates for the bill argue that it promotes better representation of students and parents in school board decisions, which is particularly important in populous areas where community needs might differ. However, opponents may view this shift as an unnecessary complication to the electoral process, fearing that it may lead to confusion among voters regarding the structure and roles of school trustees. Additionally, there may be concerns about the feasibility of implementing these dual election systems and the impact on current board members' terms if required to resign to seek other offices under new regulations.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 11. School Districts
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 162

• Chapter 28. Courses Of Study; Advancement
  • Section: 0214
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 29. Educational Programs
  • Section: 089
  • Section: 183