Texas House Bill HB3322

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to requiring a school district to post on the district's Internet website the contact information of the school administrator primarily responsible for student discipline at a district campus.

Impact

The implementation of HB3322 is expected to enhance communication between school officials and the families of students, making it easier for parents to address behavioral concerns. Legislators believe that by consolidating this information in a public forum, it will encourage accountability among school administrators and improve overall school discipline. The bill applies starting from the 2019-2020 school year, aiming to have this practice in place as school districts prepare to welcome students back.

Summary

House Bill 3322 mandates that school districts in Texas post on their Internet websites the contact information of the administrator responsible for student discipline at each district campus. Specifically, this includes the email address and dedicated phone number of the campus behavior coordinator or another designated administrator in cases where districts are exempt from appointing a behavior coordinator under their innovation plans. This bill aims to foster transparency and accessibility for parents and guardians regarding whom to contact for disciplinary issues within schools.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB3322 appears to be largely supportive among education advocates and parents who value increased accountability and communication from school officials. Supporters argue that the clarity of contact information will help parents feel more empowered to engage with educators about their children's behavior. However, there are differing opinions among some educators regarding how mandatory posting may add to the administrative burden on schools, particularly for districts already facing budget constraints.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential challenges for schools in maintaining such postings and ensuring that they are kept current, especially in districts with high turnover rates among staff. Opponents might express concerns that while the intentions of the bill are good, it doesn't take into account the variances in how district and campus administrations operate. This could lead to inconsistency in how effectively the information is shared and used by parents.