How New State School Laws Will Affect OISD
A wave of new Texas laws enacted during the 2025 legislative session and subsequent special sessions is dramatically reshaping public education, altering how schools are funded, how students are grouped, what can be displayed in classrooms, how achievement is measured, and how districts navigate issues of gender, religion and parental authority.
The changes, which began taking effect Sept. 1, 2025, continued through December and will be fully in place by Jan. 1, 2026, represent one of the most extensive rewrites of public school policy in decades. For Olney ISD the laws bring a mix of new mandates, new funding streams and new legal responsibilities.
Olney High School last year ranked No. 200 of more than 1,500 Texas high school, and claimed the title of top high school in Region 9 in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools list. Olney ISD earned a “B” accountability rating overall in 2024-2025, the Texas Education Agency’s most recent rankings.
At the center of the overhaul is Texas’ first statewide school voucher-style program, approved after years of failed attempts and funded through a multibillion- dollar education package. The measure was backed by billionaire donors to Gov. Greg Abbott, who threatened to unseat rural lawmakers who opposed it. Beginning in 2026, eligible families may use public dollars to pay for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses or other approved educational services.
Supporters say the program empowers parents and expands educational choice. Public school leaders and rural lawmakers have warned that it will divert funding from traditional public schools, particularly in areas with few or no private school alternatives, while still leaving districts responsible for transportation, special education and campus operations.
Local administrators are now reviewing enrollment projections and budget scenarios to assess whether the program could reduce state funding tied to attendance.
Olney Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Caffey said the district “has seen no immediate discernible impact of the voucher legislation.”
Another new law requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, with specific formatting and size guidelines outlined in statute. The requirement applies broadly across grade levels and instructional spaces.
Proponents argue the display reflects the historical influence of religious principles on American law and civic life. Critics contend it raises constitutional concerns and may expose school districts to legal challenges.
Districts must now determine how and where the displays will be placed and how to address questions from parents and students.
“Olney ISD has distributed donated posters to teachers and will continue to comply with state law unless and until a court says otherwise,” OISD Board of Trustees President Summer Branum, an attorney, said.
Beginning Sept. 1, 2025, Texas law prohibits public schools from sponsoring or permitting student organizations focused on gender identity or sexual orientation. The law also restricts school employees from facilitating or supporting what the state defines as “social transitioning” of students, including changes to names or pronouns without parental involvement.
The legislation has required districts to review student handbooks, extracurricular policies and staff training. Civil rights advocates say the law limits support for LGBTQ students, while supporters argue it reinforces parental authority and keeps schools focused on academics.
Administrators say they are working to ensure compliance while continuing to meet federal requirements related to student safety and nondiscrimination.
“This bill was an answer to a question that nobody in Olney ISD was asking,” Dr. Caffey said. “We have never had organizations or policies focused on these issues. We care for each student and do not sort them into categories. Our handbooks have been updated with the recommended legalese to comply with the bill. With that being said, Olney ISD continues to strive to provide a safe environment for all students.”
A separate law that took effect in December 2025 — often referred to as the “bathroom bill” or Texas Women’s Privacy Act — affects public schools by requiring students to use restrooms, locker rooms and other sex-segregated facilities based on sex assigned at birth.
“Again, this was a solution to a problem that does not exist,” Dr. Caffey said. “All students have always used the appropriate facilities in Olney ISD.”
The law applies to K-12 schools and includes civil penalties for violations. It also affects overnight accommodations and athletic facilities.
School officials are reviewing campus policies and facility usage guidelines to ensure compliance while addressing student privacy and safety concerns.
“As always, we put our students and families first and continue to focus on what we are here to do: educating our kids,” Mrs. Branum said.
Several laws effective in September 2025 strengthened parental notification and consent rules related to student counseling, health services and certain instructional activities. Schools must now obtain parental approval for a broader range of services and ensure parents are notified of specific issues involving their children.
Districts have updated forms, communication practices and staff protocols to comply with the new requirements.
Texas is also replacing key elements of its statewide testing system. New laws modify or phase out parts of the STAAR exam and introduce a revised assessment and accountability framework intended to measure student progress differently over time.
State leaders say the changes will reduce testing pressure and provide more meaningful data. Educators say the transition requires retraining staff, adjusting curriculum pacing and reworking accountability benchmarks — all while maintaining compliance during the changeover period.
Dr. Caffey said the new testing scheme “follows the usual pattern of standardized testing ‘reform’ in Texas.”
“Citizens and educators call for reduced testing and in response, legislators give us different testing,” he said. “Olney ISD is staffed by professionals who are familiar with this dance. We will learn about the new testing scheme and make sure students are prepared to perform well.”
Alongside policy changes, lawmakers approved major new education spending, including funds tied to vouchers, school safety initiatives and teacher compensation. However, districts note that increased funding often comes with new reporting and compliance obligations, adding administrative strain.
Local leaders are now balancing new requirements against staffing constraints and longterm planning needs as they prepare budgets for the 2026 school year.
Taken together, the new laws mark a decisive shift in Texas’ approach to public education, emphasizing parental control, religious expression and school choice while tightening limits on student expression and district discretion.
For smaller districts, the pace and scope of the changes present a significant challenge.
“The legislature has not thrown anything administrative at us that we can’t handle,” Dr. Caffey said. “As usual, we will do our best to keep these things from distracting teachers and students from teaching and learning. No matter what the new requirements are, we will make sure that students in Olney ISD get everything they need, either with the help of legislation or in spite of it.