Texas High Court Justice Details Why Fort Bend ISD Must Release “Personal Device” Logs

A Texas Supreme Court (TSC) justice on Friday (Sept. 19, 2025) detailed the reasons why Fort Bend ISD (FBISD) must release the phone logs of communications pertaining to the district’s business that were sent to and from cell phones (and other devices) that were personally owned by 10 district employees and board members six years ago.

Previously, the TSC, without comment, rejected FBISD’s petition to appeal lower court decisions ordering FBISD to release the information requested (article).

In its latest ruling, the TSC denied FBISD’s motion for rehearing, and included this concurring opinion ($) by Justice Evan A. Young explaining why. (It is very rare that the TSC includes an opinion by a justice explaining reasons for supporting or denying a petition for rehearing.)

Background

On March 4, 2019, Houston TV investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino asked Fort Bend ISD for detailed phone record logs — including logs of text messages, photos and calls — from any device used for district business. Dolcefino’s request specified that personal or confidential information should be redacted.