Recent events surrounding the enforcement of the Alamo Heights Independent School District Academic Integrity Policy (the “Policy”) and the 24 Hour Code of Leadership  (the “Code”) have highlighted the following:

• The administration has not planned for or thought through the application of the Policy to the 24 Hour Code of Leadership. The administration has admitted the same to parents.
• Standards for the enforcing the Academic Integrity Policy are either not well established or arbitrarily applied.
• Standards for enforcing the 24 Hour Code of Leadership are either underdeveloped or arbitrarily applied.

Considering that the 24 Hour Code of Leadership has been in existence at AHISD since 2002, we are concerned about the number of infractions occurring this school year. The application of the Code has become arbitrary and/or capricious. This has resulted in inequitable treatment and created an environment of fear, confusion and frustration among the student body and parents. Application of the Code seems to have become a “gotcha game” trap. Students and parents are on edge wondering if and when they may be ensnared in it.

To be clear, we are not against the existence of the Policy or the Code.  Rather, we are concerned about the administration’s enforcement of both. Additionally, both the Policy and Code should be revised with input from the community after feedback on recent enforcement experiences.

We understand that the AHISD Board President, or two or more Board members, may call a special meeting at any time. We request this meeting be held before the end of January 2017, so that the Board may hear feedback on recent enforcement experiences.  We want the community to unite and ensure revisions to, and enforcement of, the Policy and the Code reflect our values and priorities.