The Argyle ISD Board of Trustees adopted both the cell phone policy and student code of conduct update by a 5-0 vote at a special meeting Aug. 4. Trustees Leigh Ann Artho and Craig Hawkesworth were absent from the meeting and did not vote.
What you need to know
AISD’s new policy on cell phones and personal devices was adopted in accordance with House Bill 1481, which required districts to take action ahead of the school year. The new policy begins when the school year starts Aug. 12, according to a district news release.
“The districts do not have any flexibility on the restrictions from the beginning of the day to the end of the day and all things throughout the day,” Superintendent Courtney Carpenter said.
Under the new policy, students will be required to power down all devices under the policy and store them in a purse or backpack, per the news release. Devices included in the policy are:
- Cell phones
- Smartwatches
- Earbuds, including AirPods, and other wireless headphones
- Tablets
- Smart glasses
- Similar electronic devices capable of digital communication or telecommunication
Diving deeper
Under the policy, exceptions are allowed for any student who has a required need through an individualized education program, Section 504 plan or a medical need, which requires documentation from a registered physician, according to district documents. Parents who think their student might qualify for an exemption are encouraged to read AISD’s administrative guidelines and apply prior to the first day of school.
Violations of the policy will carry progressive consequences that include confiscation of a device, with the potential to escalate to a ban on a specific device or suspension, per district documents. Any confiscated devices will be stored in secure storage bins on campuses, which were purchased by AISD, Carpenter said.
All confiscated devices must be picked up by a parent, even if a student is 18 years old. Confiscated devices in elementary schools can be collected by parents the same day before 2:15 p.m. or the following school day starting after 7:30 a.m., according to district documents.
At the secondary level, parents can pick up confiscated devices the same day before 4 p.m. or after 8:30 a.m. the following school day.
Parents who pick up confiscated devices the same day are not allowed to return them to students and must take them home, district staff said.
What they’re saying
“Hopefully parents and students can abide by these regulations,” trustee Matt Slaton said. “I talked with a lot of educators who seemed to be on the side of complete removal.”
Carpenter said the district can modify its policy through updates to include other options allowed under House Bill 1841, such as a ban of devices on campus or requiring students to lock devices in secured pouches.
“We can adjust those [regulations] at any point,” she said. “We’re starting out with powered down and storing.”
Also of note
The cell phone policy update is included as part of the annual update to AISD’s student code of conduct. According to district documents, other changes include:
- Updates to the definition of antisemitism to match what is outlined in Senate Bill 326
- Amendments to teachers removing students from the classroom referenced in House Bill 6
- Changes to in- and out-of-school suspension rules and mandatory expulsion outlined in House Bill 6
- First-time offense guidelines for e-cigarettes and nicotine delivery devices to reflect the changes stated in House Bill 6
- New rules regarding clarity of filing a grievance from Senate Bill 12
