Read all about it
During the board’s July 21 regular meeting, trustees unanimously approved the district’s new student code of conduct, which includes a new cellphone policy that aligns with House Bill 1481 passed by state lawmakers in June.
Students will be required to keep “personal communication devices”—including cellphones, text messaging devices, laptops and tablets—silent and stored in backpacks throughout the school day, according to a news release from NCISD.
Students will be able to use communication devices before and after school, according to the release.
HB 1481 “is meant to create phone-free learning environments in classrooms and protect the safety and online privacy of Texas children,” according to an Aug. 1 news release from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.
For more information about NCISD’s cell phone policy, click here.
Also of note
At the meeting, trustees also unanimously voted to opt out of homeschool student participation in University Interscholastic League extracurricular activities for the 2025-26 school year.
Previously, school districts automatically opted out of allowing homeschooled students to participate in UIL activities. However, with the 89th Texas Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 401, districts are now opted in by default unless they explicitly opt out.
The UIL oversees athletic, music, drama and academic contests within the Texas public school system, according to its website.
What else?
On July 21, NCISD Director of Student Services Jonathan Powell said other updates under the 2025-26 student code of conduct include:
- Additional language for the district’s cheating/plagiarism policy to prohibit AI use
- A policy in line with HB 6—which passed in June—to allow students experiencing homelessness or in third grade or younger to be suspended for discipline problems, including repeated class disruption or use of a nicotine vape
- Lowered prices for SMART tag ID trackers, which will cost $2 to replace and will be required for students to carry to ride buses beginning Sept. 2
Audrey Baker and Kevin Vu contributed to this report.
