SAN ANTONIO – The North East Independent School District (NEISD) unanimously approved a new cellphone ban policy during a Thursday evening board meeting.
The board of trustees discussed the new state law that requires school systems to implement a policy that limits all personal wireless communication devices during the entire school day.
Under NEISD’s new policy, “students are prohibited from using a personal communication device while on school property during the school day, except under the circumstances described in this policy.”
The district’s new policy will require students to turn off and store all electronic devices including cellphones, tablets, and smartwatches during instructional time. Students will be allowed to use those devices during non-classroom time such as lunch periods and passing periods.
The district also said that each individual campus does have the ability to further restrict electronic devices if the administration believes it will benefit the students on campus.
The new state law does allow the district to grant exemptions for students with specific documented or special education needs.
You can watch Thursday evening’s meeting in the video player below:
An electronic device provided by the school district is not included in the prohibition.
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According to the new state law, the bill was designed to offer flexibility for each district to establish its policy that meets the district’s unique needs.
School systems across Texas must have a written policy in place no later than Sept. 18, according to the law.
Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD are expected to discuss their cellphone ban policy in a board meeting over the next two weeks.
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