Policy FOA: Student Discipline: Removal by Teacher or Bus Driver

This policy governs the procedures and authority related to the removal of students from a classroom or school bus by a teacher or bus driver.

Local Changes (2)

2026-07-21adopted · Meeting notes

This update to the Student Discipline (FOA) Local Policy restructures the Return to Class Plan from a mandatory requirement to a discretionary one the District "may adopt procedures to require," while also adding new sections covering teacher removal for a single incident (including bullying and Board-designated conduct), requirements for academic support during suspension, a Return to Transportation Plan option, a Training mandate for campus staff, and an Implementation deadline of December 31, 2026.

Added

A Return to Class Plan means a written plan that must be in place before the student may be [returned to class after an employee's removal for any significant disciplinary reason]. The Return to Class Plan may be provided to the parent or guardian. The principal may only designate an employee of the school whose primary duties do not include classroom instruction to create a Return to Class Plan, such as the Campus Behavior Coordinator.
Required Content of Every Return to Class Plan — Each Return to Class Plan shall include: 1. Identifying information, including student name, campus, grade level, teacher, and date of removal; 2. Basis for removal, including the specific conduct that led to removal, with reference to the Student Code of Conduct provision the student is asserted to have violated; 3. Behavioral expectations, including specific, observable behavioral expectations the student must demonstrate before returning to the classroom — expectations must be concrete and measurable, not general or aspirational; 4. Support services, including any support services to be provided during the removal period, including counseling, behavioral intervention, tutoring, or other academic support; 5. Timeline, including the anticipated return date; 6. Signatures, including signature lines for: (1) the non-instructional administrator who created the plan; (2) the removing teacher indicating written consent to return, or documentation of the placement review committee determination if consent was not provided; and (3) the parent or guardian.
If the parent or guardian refuses to sign, the return to class plan shall be implemented. The return to class plan may be provided electronically.
Teacher Removal of a Student for a Single Incident — A teacher may remove a student from class who has a single incident of: 1. Repeatedly interfering with the teacher's ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the other students in the class to learn; 2. Demonstrating behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or abusive toward the teacher, another adult, or another student; or 3. Engagng in conduct that constitutes bullying. 4. Other incidents as designated by the Board Policy, District procedure, or the Student Code of Conduct.
Requirements for Support During Suspension — The District shall provide to a student during the period of the student's suspension, regardless of whether the student is placed in in-school or out-of-school suspension, an alternative means of receiving all coursework that the student misses as a result of the suspension. The District must provide at least one option for receiving the coursework that does not require the use of the Internet.
the District may adopt procedures to require that a student Return to Class Plan be in place for the student to return to any class. The District may use the TEA model Return to Class Plan or may develop a locally adopted plan.
Return to Transportation Plan — The driver of a school bus transporting students to or from the school or a school-sponsored or school-related activity may maintain effective discipline on the school bus. The District may adopt procedures to require a student Return to Transportation Plan.
Training — The Superintendent shall ensure that all campus principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, classroom teachers, and other staff with disciplinary responsibilities receive training on this Board Policy and the applicable District procedures prior to the start of each school year and upon any material amendment to this Board Policy or related law.
Implementation — The Board has not adopted a policy for disciplinary placement under Texas Education Code Section 37.0014. The District shall adopt procedures to implement this Board Policy by December 31, 2026.

Removed

there must be a

Legal Compliance Summary

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Return to Class Plan Requirement: State law TEC §37.002(c), updated by HB 6 (89th Legislature, 2025), requires that a Return to Class Plan be in place before a student can go back to a teacher's class after that teacher removed them. The district's updated policy describes this as something the district 'may' choose to require, which is a softer framing than what the statute directs.
Single-Incident Teacher Removal: Under TEC §37.002(b) and TEC §37.0832, state law already allows a teacher to remove a student from class after just one incident in certain situations, such as bullying or seriously disruptive behavior. The district chose to write these permissions into its local policy and also added a fourth category covering conduct designated by the Board, District procedures, or the Student Code of Conduct, which goes beyond what the statutes specifically address.
Academic Support During Suspension: TEC §37.005(e) requires that students who are suspended must still have a way to receive coursework, including at least one option that does not require internet access. The district's policy applies this requirement to all coursework, while the statute specifically covers only foundation curriculum courses as defined under TEC §28.002(a)(1).
Return to Transportation Plan: The district's policy includes an option to create a Return to Transportation Plan for students who have been removed from a school bus. This provision is not required or specifically authorized by any state statute identified in the analysis — it is a choice the district made on its own.
Staff Training Requirement: The updated policy requires that campus principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, teachers, and other disciplinary staff complete training on these discipline procedures before each school year and whenever the policy is significantly changed. No state statute identified in the analysis requires this training — the district created this requirement independently.
Implementation Deadline: The policy sets a local deadline of December 31, 2026, for the district to fully put these procedures in place. This specific deadline is a local district decision; HB 6 (89th Legislature, 2025) sets its own effective date but does not include a December 31, 2026 deadline.

Legal Compliance Details Mixed

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Return to Class Plan — mandatory existence before student returns to removing teacher's class Required by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.002(c), (c-1) as amended by HB 6 (89th Leg., 2025)

Verified via: web search confirmed

Litigation: None identified as of July 2025

Local additions: Policy restructures this as discretionary ('the District may adopt procedures to require') — this framing understates the statutory mandate; district also adds that the plan 'may be provided to the parent or guardian' and 'may be provided electronically,' which are locally chosen additions

Definition of Return to Class Plan and designation of non-instructional administrator (e.g., Campus Behavior Coordinator) to create it Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: District defines the plan, specifies who may create it (non-instructional administrator), and identifies the Campus Behavior Coordinator as an example — none of these specifics appear in the statute analysis provided

Required Content of Every Return to Class Plan (six enumerated elements: identifying information, basis for removal, behavioral expectations, support services, timeline, signatures) Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: All six content requirements — including the requirement that behavioral expectations be 'concrete and measurable, not general or aspirational,' the specific signature requirements, and the parent/guardian signature line — are entirely locally designed; statute analysis contains no mandate as to plan contents

Parent/guardian signature requirement; plan implemented if parent refuses to sign; electronic delivery option Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: All three provisions are local policy choices; no statutory basis appears in the statute analysis

Teacher Removal for a Single Incident — grounds 1–3 (repeated interference, unruly/disruptive/abusive behavior, bullying) Permitted by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.002(b); TEC §37.0832

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: District applies these permissions; the decision to codify them in local policy is a district choice, but the underlying authority is expressly statutory

Teacher Removal for a Single Incident — ground 4 (Board-designated conduct beyond the three statutory categories) Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: District adds a catch-all for 'other incidents as designated by the Board Policy, District procedure, or the Student Code of Conduct' — no statutory permission or requirement for this fourth category appears in the statute analysis

Requirements for Academic Support During Suspension — alternative means of receiving coursework; at least one non-Internet option Required by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.005(e)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: District policy states 'all coursework' without limiting to foundation curriculum classes — this is broader than the statute, which applies only to foundation curriculum under §28.002(a)(1); the broader scope is a local addition

Return to Transportation Plan option Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Entire provision is a local district creation; no statutory requirement or permission for a Return to Transportation Plan appears in the statute analysis

Training mandate for campus principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, teachers, and other disciplinary staff before each school year and upon material amendment Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: The scope, timing, and subject of the training are entirely locally determined; no training mandate for these staff on this subject appears in the statute analysis

Implementation deadline of December 31, 2026; acknowledgment that no §37.0014 policy has been adopted Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: The specific implementation deadline and the declaratory statement regarding §37.0014 are entirely local choices; HB 6 (89th Leg.) has its own effective date but the statute analysis contains no December 31, 2026 deadline

2026-06-16first_reading · Meeting notes

This update to the Student Discipline (FOA) Local Policy adds a comprehensive set of provisions covering the definition and required content of a Return to Class Plan, teacher removal authority for single incidents, requirements for academic support during suspension, mandatory training for campus staff, and an implementation deadline of December 31, 2026. The redline shows the entire policy text as newly added (red underlined), indicating this is a wholesale adoption or significant rewrite of the FOA local policy.

Added

Definitions section: 'A Return to Class Plan means a written plan that must be in place before the student may be returned to class after an employee's removal for any significant disciplinary reason. The Return to Class Plan may be provided to the parent or guardian. The principal may only designate an employee of the school whose primary duties do not include classroom instruction to create a Return to Class Plan, such as the Campus Behavior Coordinator.'
Required Content of Every Return to Class Plan section: 'Each Return to Class Plan shall include: 1. Identifying information, including student name, campus, grade level, teacher, and date of removal; 2. Basis for removal, including the specific conduct that led to removal, with reference to the Student Code of Conduct provision the student is asserted to have violated; 3. Behavioral expectations, including specific, observable behavioral expectations the student must demonstrate before returning to the classroom — expectations must be concrete and measurable, not general or aspirational; 4. Support services, including any support services to be provided during the removal period, including counseling, behavioral intervention, tutoring, or other academic support; 5. Timeline, including the anticipated return date; 6. Signatures, including signature lines for: (1) the non-instructional administrator who created the plan; (2) the removing teacher indicating written consent to return, or documentation of the placement review committee determination if consent was not provided; and (3) the parent or guardian.'
'If the parent or guardian refuses to sign, the return to class plan shall be implemented. The return to class plan may be provided electronically.'
Teacher Removal of a Student for a Single Incident section: 'A teacher may remove a student from class who has a single incident of: 1. Repeatedly interfering with the teacher's ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the other students in the class to learn; 2. Demonstrating behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or abusive toward the teacher, another adult, or another student; or 3. Engaging in conduct that constitutes bullying. 4. Other incidents as designated by the Board Policy, District procedure, or the Student Code of Conduct.'
Requirements for Support During Suspension section: 'The District shall provide to a student during the period of the student's suspension, regardless of whether the student is placed in in-school or out-of-school suspension, an alternative means of receiving all coursework that the student misses as a result of the suspension. The District must provide at least one option for receiving the coursework that does not require the use of the Internet.'
Return to Class Plan Required section: 'If an employee removes a student from class for any significant disciplinary reason, there must be a Return to Class Plan in place for the student to return to any class.'
Training section: 'The Superintendent shall ensure that all campus principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, classroom teachers, and other staff with disciplinary responsibilities receive training on this Board Policy and the applicable District procedures prior to the start of each school year and upon any material amendment to this Board Policy or related law.'
Implementation section: 'The Board has not adopted a policy for disciplinary placement under Texas Education Code Section 37.0014. The District shall adopt procedures to implement this Board Policy by December 31, 2026.'

Legal Compliance Summary

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Return to Class Plan: The policy creates a new written document called a 'Return to Class Plan' that must be completed before a student can return to class after a significant disciplinary action. State law (TEC §37.002) does not require this specific document, so this is a local district choice.
Teacher Removal Grounds: State law H.B. 6 (89th Legislature) gives teachers the right to remove a student from class for three specific reasons, and this policy reflects those same three grounds. The policy also adds a fourth removal ground tied to board policy, district procedures, or the Student Code of Conduct, which goes beyond what state law specifies.
Return-to-Class Requirement: Under TEC §37.002(c), state law requires a process before a student returns to a teacher's class when that teacher has objected to the return. This policy applies a similar written-plan requirement more broadly, covering returns to any class for any significant disciplinary reason.
Academic Support During Suspension: TEC §37.005(e) requires districts to provide students with coursework in core foundation subjects while they are suspended. This policy goes further by requiring all coursework — not just foundation courses — to be provided during a suspension.
Staff Training Requirement: The policy requires annual training for principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, teachers, and other staff involved in student discipline. State law does not include a corresponding training mandate, making this a local district decision.
Implementation Deadline: The policy states that the district has not yet adopted a disciplinary placement policy under TEC §37.0014 and sets a deadline of December 31, 2026 to do so. State law does not require districts to adopt such a policy or meet any specific deadline.

Legal Compliance Details Mixed

AI-generated assessment. Verify citations independently before relying on this analysis.

Return to Class Plan — Definition and Creation Authority Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: The policy creates a new defined written instrument ('Return to Class Plan') and restricts creation authority to non-instructional administrators such as the Campus Behavior Coordinator. TEC §37.002 requires the campus behavior coordinator to employ discipline management techniques before returning a student, but the statute analysis contains no requirement or permission for a written Return to Class Plan document.

Required Content of Return to Class Plan (six specified components) Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: The policy prescribes six detailed components: identifying information, basis for removal, behavioral expectations, support services, timeline, and signatures. The statute analysis contains no requirement or permission grounding any of these specific content mandates.

Parent/Guardian Signature — Plan Implemented Even if Refused; Electronic Delivery Option Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: The rule that the plan proceeds despite parental refusal and the electronic delivery option are local procedural choices with no statutory basis in the analysis.

Teacher Removal Authority for Single Incidents — Grounds (1), (2), (3) mirroring statute Permitted by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.002(b) as amended by H.B. 6 (89th Leg., R.S.)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy mirrors the three statutory permission grounds; no expansion for items (1)–(3) themselves.

Teacher Removal Authority — 'Other Incidents' Category (item 4) Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy adds a fourth removal ground — 'Other incidents as designated by the Board Policy, District procedure, or the Student Code of Conduct' — that has no corresponding statutory requirement or permission in the analysis. TEC §37.002(b) limits express statutory permission to three enumerated grounds.

Placement Review Committee Determination Referenced in Return to Class Plan Signature Line Required by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.002(c) and TEC §37.003

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy's signature-line requirement for documentation of placement review committee determination when teacher consent was not provided tracks this statutory prohibition/requirement. No material local expansion identified for this specific sub-element.

Return to Class Plan Required Before Return to Any Class (for 'any significant disciplinary reason') Mixed

Statutory basis: TEC §37.002(c) (partial basis only)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Statute limits the procedural requirement to situations where the removing teacher refuses consent to return. Policy extends the written-plan requirement to return to 'any class' for 'any significant disciplinary reason,' which is a locally discretionary expansion beyond the statutory scope.

Academic Support During Suspension — Foundation Curriculum Coursework Mandate Required by Law

Statutory basis: TEC §37.005(e)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy states 'all coursework' rather than limiting to 'foundation curriculum' as the statute specifies, which is a locally discretionary expansion (see next element).

Academic Support During Suspension — Expansion to 'All Coursework' Beyond Foundation Curriculum Locally Discretionary

Statutory basis: TEC §37.005(e) (statute is narrower)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Statute limits the mandate to foundation curriculum courses; policy's requirement to provide 'all coursework' exceeds the statutory mandate and is a local discretionary choice.

Training Requirement for Campus Staff Locally Discretionary

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy requires annual training for principals, Campus Behavior Coordinators, classroom teachers, and other staff with disciplinary responsibilities, and upon material amendment. The statute analysis contains no corresponding training mandate.

Implementation Deadline of December 31, 2026 and Statement on TEC §37.0014 Locally Discretionary

Statutory basis: TEC §37.0014 (permissive — no requirements identified in analysis)

Verified via: verbatim statute text

Local additions: Policy declares the board has not yet adopted a §37.0014 disciplinary placement policy and sets a December 31, 2026 implementation deadline. TEC §37.0014 as analyzed imposes no requirement to adopt such a policy; the timeline is entirely a local discretionary choice.