What you need to know
The new policy requires all cell phones be off and out of sight during school hours. Other personal telecommunication devices including wireless headphones, smart watches, tablets, non-issued school laptops and smart glasses are also banned, according to a presentation from district staff.
Students must keep phones out of sight in classrooms, passing periods, restrooms and at lunch. They are permitted access to devices after the school day in the school parking lot.
Consequences range from a warning for the first offense to an in-school suspension for the second offense. On a student’s third offense, they will receive a three-day in-school suspension and will be required to check their device in at a designated location each morning, according to district documents.
On the fourth or subsequent offenses, students may be placed at the District Alternative Education Program.
As a result of the new policy, the district’s Bring Your Own Device policy has been discontinued, and all instructional technology resources will be provided by the campuses, according to the presentation.
The background
The new policy was adopted by PISD’s board of trustees Aug. 5 in response to Texas House Bill 1481, which was passed in June.
Superintendent Theresa Williams said the district anticipates “around 140 policies to be updated as a result of the 89th legislative session.”
