What you need to know
District administrators shared that the board would be presented with a potential change to BISD policy at an upcoming meeting after receiving feedback from campus administrators about a legislatively required policy update regarding cellphones.
The details
Current district policy requires BISD students who have cellphones to keep them turned off during the school day, unless they are being used for an "approved instructional purpose."
Interim Superintendent Kristi Lee told trustees that the update coming to them next month could include allowing elementary school students to bring phones to school with them, but keep them out of sight in backpacks during the school day, or in another form of secure storage.
Lee said campus administrators provided feedback that some parents want their students to be able to have phones for before and after-school communication. An initial version of the device policy barred elementary school students from having them altogether, she said.
How we got here
Texas lawmakers enacted a ban on cell phones in public and charter schools set to go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Districts could provide students pouches to store their devices or ask students to keep devices in their lockers or backpacks, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said at a May 20 Senate Education Committee hearing. Each district’s device policy must outline disciplinary measures for violations, according to the bill.
What's next?
The BISD board of trustees is set to meet next on Aug. 19.
