TX
Texas Senate Bill SB143

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB143

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to requiring public schools to designate certain uniform election dates as staff development days.

Impact

The bill is set to take effect beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and will require public school districts to adhere to these guidelines regarding polling places. By designating these election days as staff development days, the bill aims to provide educators the opportunity to improve their skills and instructions without compromising student learning time. Furthermore, it introduces a waiver that allows for a reduction in required instructional time while ensuring that this will not result in an overall lack of adequate instructional minutes for students.

Summary

SB143, introduced by Senator Menéndez, seeks to amend the Education Code by requiring public schools to designate certain uniform election dates as staff development days. The bill stipulates that if a public school campus is selected as a polling place during a presidential general election, the school district or charter school must set that day aside for staff development. This is aimed at ensuring that school staff have the necessary time to prepare and develop professionally on days when schools are used for elections, minimizing disruption to students' educational experiences during critical voting periods.

Contention

While the bill presents a practical approach to managing school operations during election days, it may also spark discussions regarding the balance between staff development and instructional time. Some educators and legislators may argue that making numerous days unavailable for student instruction could hinder educational progress. Others may see this as a necessary policy adjustment to facilitate better teaching practices. The approach taken by the bill aims to align the needs of teaching professionals with the democratic process, but how districts implement this policy may vary, leading to different interpretations and adaptations across the state.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 25. Admission, Transfer, And Attendance
    • Section: New Section

Election Code

  • Chapter 43. Polling Places
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX SB2534

Relating to requiring public schools to designate certain uniform election dates as staff development days.

TX SB961

Relating to the authority of the board of trustees of a school district to exclude the use of district buildings as polling places and to the designation of days a school district campus is used as a polling place as staff development days.

TX SB9

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX SB2368

Relating to the minimum number of instructional days provided by public schools.

TX SB58

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators and assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators and to certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB11

Relating to the rights and certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance and waivers provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators, methods of instruction provided in public schools, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX HB198

Relating to the minimum number of instructional days provided by public schools.

TX HB108

Relating to the minimum number of instructional days provided by public schools.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.