By Edmond Ortiz
Facing a potential takeover by the state, North East Independent School District will prohibit students from using their cell phones throughout the school day in order to adhere to a new state law.
What is happening
Trustees voted 5-1 April 27 to align NEISD policy more closely with regulations contained in Texas House Bill 1481, which took effect last June. The state legislation requires public schools to adopt rules banning students from using cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and other personal telecommunication devices during the school day, from “bell to bell.”
About one month ago, NEISD officials learned that the Texas Education Agency began exploring the possibility of appointing a conservator to NEISD to ensure the district follows HB 1481.
Until now, NEISD has had a policy that prohibited students from using their mobile devices except for lunch time and passing periods.
Many NEISD parents said they understood the state’s effort to have students better concentrate on their school day classroom work. But they also voiced worry about students who may need quick access to a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
Other community members, as well as some NEISD school board members, said backing a more flexible cell phone use policy reflected their support for maintaining local control of school district decisions.
What they are saying
NEISD leaders said they sought to support families concerned about providing some flexibility to students regarding accessing digital communications devices.
However, growing worries about financial implications and how a TEA conservator would impact the NEISD moved district leaders to shift their mindset.
Before voting to amend NEISD policy, board members offered apologies to families who wanted them to stand firm in the face of a takeover threat from TEA, but that changing cell phone rules was the better move for the district’s long-term welfare.
“This is very difficult, but we also have heard from our parents and from the people in our district that they do not want us to be in a position where we have a conservator that comes in and takes over,” trustee Diane Sciba Villarreal said.
“I have to respect that because we need to maintain our autonomy, and while it’s extremely difficult for me to back down, I do not want to put this district in any sort of peril just for being stubborn.”
Interim Superintendent Anthony Jarrett said district administrators will write an operational version of the revamped cell phone use policy for distribution to campuses.
Trustee Marsha Landry said she hopes students, teachers and campus-level staff can find details on exactly how, when and where a student can use their phone in a personal emergency or other circumstance.
District officials will also have a May 1 conference with TEA Commissioner Mike Morath on whether he still ends up appointing a conservator.
