Katy ISD administrators have recommended an updated cell phone policy that will impact all students from elementary to high school beginning this fall.

The bigger picture

The revision is in response to new requirements under House Bill 148, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in June, which mandates tighter restrictions on student use of personal communication devices during school hours, said Director of Student Affairs Sherri Ashorn at the July 21 board meeting.

Ashorn said the policy update is the first of many to come with a wave of new legislative mandates passed in the most recent session, including:

• House Bill 6, which includes changes to suspensions, teacher removal, alternative education programs and expanded expulsion to younger students
• Senate Bill 326, which requires schools to use a definition of antisemitism that includes acts targeting individuals, property or Jewish institutions

“This is the first of many legislative updates you're gonna hear from me, probably over the next two years,” she said. “Just because you're not seeing it in policy, the law is still the law for a lot of these pieces.”

What’s changing

For the 2024-25 school year, the board approved limited access to personal devices based on grade level, while prohibiting device use for all students in restrooms, locker areas, district transportation and extracurricular settings for younger grades, Community Impact reported.

Under the new policy, students will be prohibited from having cell phones on their person or using devices anywhere on school property during the instructional day, Ashorn said. She said this includes classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, restrooms and school grounds.

Ashorn said the policy also extends to other personal communication devices such as smartwatches, which are now included in the legal definition and subject to the same restrictions.

Important to note

Ashorn said students with medical conditions or documented needs under Section 504 plans or Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, may still be allowed to carry and use devices if warranted by their condition, with exceptions determined on a case-by-case basis through campus-level administrative review.

What parents need to know

Ashorn said violations of the new cell phone policy will be handled under the district’s existing Discipline Management Plan, which allows for campus-specific disciplinary frameworks based on the student's age and the severity of the infraction.

In accordance with state law, she said confiscated devices may be disposed of after 90 days if a parent or guardian is notified in writing and does not reclaim the device.

Ashorn said principals and assistant principals were briefed during recent administrative conferences and are working with their teams to prepare messaging for “Meet the Teacher” nights, campus newsletters and direct emails.

Moving forward

With a Sept. 1 deadline for full compliance, Ashorn said district leadership is coordinating with the Texas Association of School Boards to align local policy with legal mandates and ensure school administrators are fully equipped to enforce the changes.

The board will vote on the cell phone policy and policy changes that align with SB 326 and HB6 at the July 30 meeting, according to district documents.