Following the June passage of Senate Bill 12 by the 89th Texas Legislature, Katy ISD trustees unanimously approved a resolution at the Aug. 25 board meeting affirming new legal requirements that aim to expand parental authority on students' moral, religious, educational and medical decisions.
Most notably, the bill bans school-sponsored clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, which would be prohibited on KISD campuses, per the resolution.
The bill, dubbed the “parental bill of rights,” affirms that “parents are the chief decision-makers for their children,” bill author Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said during a February committee session.
What’s in a bill?
Superintendent Ken Gregorki said at the Aug. 19 board meeting that while SB 12 introduces some new procedures, many of the expectations outlined in the resolution are practices already “embedded in [KISD’s] culture.”
The bill requires that districts comply with several policies including:
- Banning school staff involvement and programs focused solely on diversity, equity and inclusion, with the disciplinary potential for termination
- Prohibiting school-sponsored clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, with parental permission required for other clubs
- Limiting student health care to legally authorized providers such as registered nurses, who must obtain written parental consent before providing “medical, psychiatric or psychological treatments”
- Switching sexual education to opt-in instruction, rather than opt-out
- Requiring school boards to meet outside work hours and post resolutions within seven days
What they’re saying
Trustee James Cross said while he believes “parental rights” pit community members against each other, he said it was important to communicate the expectation given the licensing of teachers is at stake.
“There’s no political desire to make a statement,” he said. “We need to make sure that it is clear to our employees, to our vendors, that this is what the state law is ... not to parade it or wave it around, but to be able to say this is what's expected.”
The resolution states staff should not assist with “social transitioning,” which trustee Dawn Champagne said includes using different pronouns and names from the student’s birth-assigned sex. She said she fears the repercussions that threaten termination to employees, but encourages the community to do legislative outreach.
“It is scary to see how this policy could affect people, but if we want things to change, we have to speak up,” she said. “People really need to reach out to their legislators—because they’re the ones making these decisions."
However, during public comment, parent Julie Johnson said despite her family complying with all district requirements—including speaking with teachers, completing documentation and following procedures outlined since the policy was first implemented in Aug. 2023 and reaffirmed in a recent resolution—teachers still refused to address her child by their chosen name.
“SB 12 does not restrict you from respecting parental rights,” she said. “The simple fact that the district has not honored my request means you are in violation of the paramount idea of SB 12.”
What’s changing?
In response to the required changes, Tompkins High School student Arlen McGehee said the campus’ Sexuality and Gender Alliance has rebranded as a “creative arts” club and will avoid mention of sexuality in future programming. He said the club is now awaiting approval.
"We’re still going to be here, and we’re still going to be doing our best to promote inclusivity and that it’s OK to be who you are,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jesus Nieto, board member for LGBTQ+ nonprofit Katy Pride, said safe spaces, such as the nonprofit, will still exist for students seeking community regardless of the policy.
“LGBTQ+ students need to know that there's always going to be a safe space in our community—whether people in power like it or not," he said.
Next steps
The bill went into effect Sept. 1, and General Counsel Justin Graham said the district is working to clarify policies on club approvals, staff duties and parental consent for medication.
Meanwhile, Gregorski said while the resolution “sets the stage,” formal policy changes will come in October when the district will align its local regulations with the new state mandates.
