At Monday’s meeting, the board voted 5-1, to change the cell phones in classrooms to a more restrictive bell-to-bell policy.
SAN ANTONIO — The North East ISD Board of Trustees voted Monday night to beef up its cell phone policy after a back and forth with the Texas Education Administration.
At Monday’s meeting, the board voted 5-1, to change the cell phones in classrooms to a more restrictive bell-to-bell policy.
A state law that went into effect in June requires all Texas school districts to implement a policy banning the use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, by students on school property during the school day. However, lawmakers did not define “school property” or “school day,” allowing districts to interpret the terms individually.
NEISD was allowing students to use cell phones during passing periods and at lunch, by not classifying those times as being part of the “school day.” However, the TEA accused the district of violating the spirit of the law, which was to limit phones being used in the classroom.
In September, the TEA sent the district a letter alleging a notice of violation to the cell phone ban law. In an early October meeting, the board upheld its policy in defiance of the TEA, saying the district had the support of lawmakers for the looser interpretation.
But, the district says the TEA was threatening to assign a conservator to oversee the district, which prompted the board to reconsider the policy.
The new bell-to-bell policy take effect May 25, which is the last day of school for the district.
You can see the full NEISD Board of Trustees meeting here: