Grapevine-Colleyville ISD updated their cellphone policy July 28 to align with the passing of House Bill 1481, which requires school districts to prohibit student use of personal communication devices in classrooms during the school day.
The gist
The new policy states that students must keep their phones silenced and in their bags, purses or lockers during the entirety of the school day, including passing periods and lunch.
If a student violates this rule, then the student will be punished based on the GCISD student code of conduct. A district employee can confiscate the cellphone if a student violates the code. If the phone is not retrieved, then it can be confiscated after a notice required by state law is given.
Furthermore, a smart watch must only be worn to tell time. If a student uses the smart watch for any other purpose, it can be confiscated and treated the same as a communication device.
Zooming in
The new policy states that students can use their phone if it is necessary for their individualized education plan, if they have documentation from a qualified physician or if their cellphone is necessary to comply with safety regulations imposed by state law or district or campus safety protocol.
Devices that can capture images are strictly prohibited in restrooms and locker rooms, according to district documents.
The superintendent is in charge of implementing the policy and will report to the board annually on the implementation and compliance of this policy.
The background
HB 1481 passed in the Texas senate May 25.
The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board of trustees unanimously approved an update to the district’s cellphone policy July 28 during their regular meeting.The updated policy aligns with the passing of House Bill 1481 May 25, which requires school districts to prohibit student use of personal communication devices in classrooms during the school day.
The gist
The new district policy states students must keep their phones silenced and in their bags, purses or lockers during the entirety of the school day, including passing periods and lunch.
The district policy will take effect on the first day of school Aug. 13, but the state law takes effect Sept. 18, according to district documents.
GCISD’s cell phone policy states that students can use their phone if it is necessary for their individualized education plan, if they have documentation from a qualified physician or if their cellphone is necessary to comply with safety regulations imposed by state law or district or campus safety protocol.
A smart watch must only be worn to tell time. If a student uses the smart watch for any other purpose, it can be confiscated and treated the same as a communication device.
Devices that can capture images are strictly prohibited in restrooms and locker rooms, according to district documents.
Zooming in
If a student violates these rules, then the student will be punished based on the GCISD student code of conduct:
- First offense: the phone will be confiscated until the end of the school day, then the student can pick up the device.
- Second offense: the phone will be confiscated and a parent must pick up the phone from the front office.
- Third offense: the phone will be confiscated, a parent must pick it up and the student will be subject to one day in-school suspension.
- Fourth and subsequent offenses: a parent conference will be held to discuss what measures need to be taken to ensure the rule is not broken.
“The whole intent of the law is to preserve instructional time and to limit distractions,” McMullen said.
For emergencies, parents can reach their students by calling the school’s office or opt into the district’s communication system, which includes text messages, emails and social media posts, according to the district’s Frequently Asked Questions page about the new policy.
Superintendent Brad Schnautz is in charge of implementing the policy and will report to the board annually on the implementation and compliance of this policy, according to district documents.
The background
The GCISD board of trustees approved cellphone regulations at their July 29, 2024 meeting, which are slightly different from the new policy the board adopted. The regulations outlined when students in elementary, middle and high school could use their cellphones.
High school students could use cell phones during lunch and passing periods, middle school students could use phones during lunch and elementary school students had to keep their phones in their lockers or backpacks the entire school day.
“We [had] a cellphone policy in place [and] I was a strong advocate for that,” Trustee Mary Humphrey said. “We thought very carefully about what was best for our community and that is the cellphone policy that we have used this past year. We’re in an ISD. The 'I' stands for independent, but it really doesn’t feel like it.”
