The GISD board of trustees approved allocating bond funds to finance the projects at an Oct. 20 board meeting. The cellular enhancements are meant to address concerns about the reliability of cellular communication in the district during emergencies, according to GISD information.
What you need to know
GISD will install equipment to provide enhanced in-building cellular coverage at Frost Elementary, the Future Ready Complex, San Gabriel Elementary and Benold Middle School.
The board voted to allocate some of the remaining construction funds from those campuses to cover the cost of the projects.
The district is planning to begin working on the cellular signal upgrades at the end of October for a projected completion date of Jan. 1, according to GISD documents.
The cost
GISD will incur the following costs at each campus for equipment, implementation and services totaling $967,558:
- Frost Elementary: $187,205
- Future Ready Complex: $337,835
- San Gabriel Elementary: $189,671
- Benold Middle School: $236,847
- Roofing and electrical allowance: $16,000
The cellular enhancements are intended to improve communication between staff and first responders. Additionally, consistent cellular coverage is important for the well-being of students who use health-related devices and applications, GISD documents state.
The projects approved Oct. 20 are the first phase of GISD’s efforts to improve cellular connectivity across the district.
Did you know
Last school year, GISD adopted a device policy prohibiting elementary and middle school students from using their phones. High school students could only use their phones during passing periods and lunch, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
In the 2025 legislative session, state lawmakers passed House Bill 1481 to ban students from using cellphones on campus during the school day beginning this school year. The law provides exceptions for students with medical needs or special education accommodations.
Looking ahead
The new cellular equipment will be installed at future GISD facilities, including Elementary School No. 12, Middle School No. 5 and High School No. 4.
GISD officials anticipate needing a future bond to retrofit current campuses “that require this essential upgrade,” district documents state.
