Van Alstyne ISD agenda takes up SB 12 hearing, 4-H rule

VAN ALSTYNE, Texas — Van Alstyne ISD trustees were scheduled to take up a public hearing on the district's Senate Bill 12 compliance certification and a slate of routine approvals during their regular meeting Monday night, according to the posted agenda. The SB 12 item called for the board to consider and approve certification of compliance with certain laws under Texas Education Code 39.008, as enacted by the 89th Legislature. The hearing preceded the district's state accountability review, which staff planned to present during the same meeting. Two resolutions rounded out the action items. One would allow students who are not yet in high school to be counted as present when they attend 4-H contests. The other stated that the board has reviewed its investment policies and strategies and named investment officers for the district. The 4-H resolution matters to families because students who compete in 4-H contests during school hours need the activity counted like any other school-sponsored event. The investment resolution is an annual housekeeping item that documents the board's review of how district funds are held and who is authorized to manage them. Trustees also were set to approve the 2026-2027 professional development calendar and the guardians for the school year, along with a consent agenda covering minutes from the Aug. 17 budget hearing, the Aug. 17 regular meeting and the Aug. 31 special meeting. The meeting opened with pledges and an invocation led by Williams Elementary. During the Premier Spotlight, the board planned to recognize Gavin Ritchie and the Van Alstyne Junior High Ambassador Club. Administrators were scheduled to deliver campus highlights, a monthly enrollment presentation and a review of public information requests filed between Aug. 13 and Sept. 8. A report on the district's alternative education programs, including a discipline overview and a summary of those programs, was also on the agenda. The board reserved a closed session under Texas Government Code 551.071 through 551.084, the range of the Texas Open Meetings Act that allows trustees to meet privately on legal, personnel, real property and safety matters. Public comment was scheduled before the closed session, with community members asked to sign in ahead of time to address items on the agenda. Van Alstyne ISD enrolls students from the city and surrounding Grayson County communities along the U.S. 75 corridor. Board agendas and meeting documents are posted through the district's BoardBook page, and meetings are open to residents.