In a nutshell
The district made the distinction that students can possess their cellphones, but the updated policy states that students must stow any personal communication device from the beginning of the instructional day until the end while on campus.
“What we're going to do with that is to say, ‘You can have your cellphone in your pocket. You can have it in your backpack, purse.’ ... We do not need to see it out. It is prohibited from being used during the school day,” King said at the meeting.
MISD stated that a student can be exempt from the policy if the use of their device is determined as necessary by the student’s medical provider or if the student is part of a 504 plan.
How we got here
The vote comes after the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1481, which mandates that school districts adopt policies banning the use of personal communication devices, such as cellphones and smart watches, during the school day.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB 1481 into law June 20, giving school districts 90 days to adopt new electronic device policies, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
One more thing
MISD officials said disciplinary measures for the unauthorized use of a telecommunications device will be outlined in the student code of conduct, which King said will be approved in August.
“We're going to try to communicate as consistently and clearly as we can so that no one is caught off guard or taken by surprise on this policy,” King said.
