The gist
The district previously approved cellphone and smartwatch guidelines for junior high and high school campuses in November 2023, as reported by Community Impact.
Under the guidelines, students in seventh through 12th grade are allowed to have their cellphones during lunch, while students in kindergarten through sixth grade are not allowed to have phones during the day while in school.
The Student Health Advisory Council, which ensures that local community values and health issues are reflected in district instruction, recommended the district prohibit cellphones and other communication devices for K-12 students unless they are provided by the district, as House Bill 1481 in the current legislative session will institute such a ban if it is signed into law.
Digging deeper
Under the proposed policy, K-12 students would be prohibited from using cellphones during school hours except for before and after school, starting Aug. 13.
According to the packet agenda, under the proposed policy, district employees “may confiscate devices used in violation of this policy" and additional consequences could be assessed. Employees would not be allowed to permit the use of devices as a reward for students.
Students would be allowed to use their device under "extenuating circumstances approved by the employee” under the proposed policy. Students may be exempt if the device is deemed “medically necessary" by a medical provider or if the student is part of a 504 plan, according to meeting materials.
“We do want to give campuses the right to implement other consequences based on their unique situation,” trustee Nicole Dawson said.
At the Capitol
If signed into law, HB 1481 would prohibit students from using phones or other electronic devices throughout the school day and require districts to establish disciplinary measures for students who violate the policy.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath has also pushed for cellphones to be removed from public schools, citing concerns about mental health and student learning.
“If it were in my power, I would’ve already banned them in schools in the state,” Morath told state senators during a Sept. 18 hearing. “So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”
Put in perspective
In the Greater Houston area, Friendswood ISD prohibited using cellphones at any time on campus by agreeing to purchase YONDR pouches, which are magnetic lockable phone pouches, at its May 12 meeting, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Montgomery ISD adopted a cellphone policy stating ”students can bring their cellphone to campus, but they will need to be turned off and remain away for the day in backpacks, lockers or vehicles while students are on school property.”
Meanwhile, in other parts of Texas, Keller ISD implemented a new policy to keep students from using cellphones during school hours due to “frustrations that teachers and administrators have had trying to address challenges with students that are on their phones rather than learning,” as reported by Community Impact in July.
What they’re saying
- “While these are a great start, these are guidelines, not a policy,” Dawson said. “As a consequence, these guidelines are not being enforced consistently across the district.”
- “If it was a slow rollout, if it was K-8 this first year and the high school campuses really lock in on their instructional time. ... Our school district is giant,” trustee Nicole May said.
- “I think a slow roll or controlled implementation might not be a ripping the Band-Aid off ... I do know currently that ... students are coming to the classes and putting their phones in a little pocket and can’t access their phones until they're done with an assignment,” trustee Tiffany Baumann Nelson said.
- “If you’re going to do something like this I think it’s easier to start it that way [banning phones all day] instead of allowing it and then take it back [since] it’s harder to take back,” trustee Marianne Horton said.
- “The one thing that I want to be consistent, if a child transfers to another of our district schools, is a first warning to be consistent in each school,” board President Misty Odenweller said.
The board will be voting on the policy at the June 17 meeting at the Deane L. Sadler Administration/Technology Center at 3205 W. Davis St. in Conroe.
