A judge ruled the districts must avoid compliance with four previsions of SB 12, including a ban on clubs that focus on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The decision from the state’s highest court would allow the TEA to move forward with its plan to replace Houston ISD’s school board members over low academic scores.

Among other issues, the court will consider whether a law that updated the education code last year has any bearing on TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s attempt to replace HISD’s board members over low academic scores.

School districts say the state — not local districts — should pick up the estimated $5.45 million annual tab for the tests.