During the Katy ISD board of trustees’ work study meeting on July 20, trustees Nathan Shipley and Rebecca Fox asked for additions to the district’s Discipline Management Plan which would address the issues posed by e-vehicles, including unregistered e-motorcycles and others which are not street-legal. The duo cited public response to the issue – raised by Fort Bend Precinct 1 Constable Chad Norvell in recent media reports -- as the reason for the requested update.

KISD Director of Student Affairs Sherri Ashorn came back to the board during their regular meeting on July 27 with the requested revisions, which will appear under the “Safety Guidelines and Expectations” section of the Discipline Management Plan (DMP).

The new section, which will be placed on approximately page 22, reads:

“Failure to abide by the campus safety requirements may result in disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct.

Safe Transportation – Motorized Vehicles

The safe travel to and from school is an important part of maintaining an orderly and secure school environment. Students who transport themselves to or from school must use authorized methods of transportation. E-bikes, if operated appropriately, are authorized. In Texas, e-bikes have pedals to function and cannot exceed 20 to 28 mph. Vehicles that are prohibited for students to operate on campus include, but are not limited to, atvs, ohvs, electric motorcycles, electric mini-bikes, pocket bikes, or similar high powered motorized devices. Additionally, students are required to comply with all traffic laws on school grounds, including laws related to acceptable modes of transportation, helmets, licensing, permits, registration, and insurance. Students are not permitted to park or use vehicles on school grounds that are not permitted under state law.”

Trustees approved the new language in a 7-0 vote.

Board Vice President Rebecca Fox asked whether the district would provide additional information to help parents identify which electric-powered vehicles are covered by the policy. Fox said it can be "very difficult to understand which ones we're talking about and which ones we're not.”

District staff said the information will be shared before school starts through campus newsletters, the district's Friday parent newsletter and special graphics prepared by the Katy ISD Police Department.