The new policy was approved by the board of trustees at its July 22 meeting.
What you need to know
The cellphone policy, also known as Policy FNCE (LOCAL), aligns with House Bill 1481—a new state bill approved at the 89th Texas Legislature that bans the use of personal communication devices by students during the school day while on school campus, according to district documents.
Along with cellphones, students will be restricted from using anything with Bluetooth connectivity. According to district documents, this includes personal:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Smartwatches
- Smart glasses
- Paging devices
- Headphones or earbuds
- Devices provided by schools to students for instruction
- Devices necessary to implement an individualized educational program or Section 504 plan
- Devices for students with a documented need based on the directive from a qualified physician
- Devices necessary to comply with health or safety requirements imposed by the law or as a part of the district’s or school’s safety protocols
This restriction will be effective from the first bell to the last bell of the school day, Superintendent Larry Berger said at the meeting.
Offenses for a violation of the policy include phone confiscation and detention on the first offense to possible suspension with four or more offenses, according to district documents.
If a student refuses to turn over their personal communication device, they will also have to adhere to consequences, including one day of in-school suspension for a first refusal, to an out-of-school suspension or placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program on the third refusal, according to district documents.
Learn more
The district released a page for frequently asked questions of its new policy on its social media site on July 23. PISD families can view it here.
