A new Texas law, House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th legislative session banning the use of personal communications devices for all students across the State of Texas starting this school year.

According to the State of Texas: Students are prohibited from the use of personal communication devices by students during the school day. Personal communications device means a telephone, cell phone such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablet, smartwatch, radio device, paging device, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication, not provided by the campus.

The state has allowed school districts to implement their own regulations and procedures on how to enforce the new law. The NBISD Board of Trustees adopted its policy for students during a regular meeting that was held on August 11th.

The adopted policy reads: A student shall not use a personal communication device on school property during the school day. While on school property, the student shall store any personal communication device in accordance with administrative regulations. A student who violates this policy or any regulations shall be subject to discipline in accordance with the Board-adopted Student Code of Conduct.

“While this is a state-mandated change, NBISD remains committed to implementing this law in a way that best supports our students, educators, and families,” said Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury, NBISD Superintendent. “Our district and campus leadership teams have worked thoughtfully to develop the plan below which reflects both the spirit of the law and the needs of our local community.”

The NBISD Personal Communication Device Practice that will be followed by all campuses is as follows:

Administrative Regulations

• Bell to Bell – No Cell! Devices are expected to be turned off or silenced and out of sight at the official start of the school day, but may remain in the student’s possession during the day. Students may turn their devices on at dismissal.

Classroom Consequences:

• 1st violation: Students will be given a verbal warning to turn off/put away the device.
• 2nd violation: The student will turn in the device to the teacher and the teacher will hold it for the duration of class. The teacher will notify the parent(s).
• 3rd violation: The device(s) will be turned over to the office for the duration of the school day. 

Office Consequences:

• 1st Office violation: The device(s) will be held in the office for the duration of the school day.

• A student may pick up their device(s) after school.

• 2nd (or more) violation: The device(s) will be held in the office for the duration of the school day.  

• A Parent/Guardian must pick up the device from school after dismissal.
• An additional campus consequence may also be assigned.

Any student that has a device out in common areas of the school (hallways, cafeteria, etc) during the school day will have the device taken to the front office by any NBISD staff member. Violations will count as an Office Consequence, described above.

Parents who may have any questions can reach out to their students’ campus administration team.

The state did adopt exceptions to the law regarding the ban of personal communication devices. A student shall be authorized to use a personal communication device on school property during the school day only under the following circumstances:

1. The student’s use is necessary for implementation of the student’s individualized education program, a 504 plan, or a similar program or plan;

2. The student’s use is required due to a documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician; or

3. The student’s use is necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the District or campus safety protocols.

If you believe your child meets the criteria for one of the exceptions listed above, please contact your campus administration team for next steps on how to have the exception approved. An exception must be approved by an administrator before a personal communication device can be used on campus during the school day.

“As with any change, we know this will be an adjustment period,” Arterbury said. “We are fully confident that our staff and students will work together to ensure that this is a smooth transition.”

Texas law now requires all school districts to adopt a policy that addresses the requirements of Senate Bill 13. This bill outlines how library materials are acquired, reviewed, and challenged in public schools. Districts must have this policy in place before the start of each school year to ensure compliance.

Changes required by Senate Bill 13 are outlined below:

• Districts may establish a school advisory council to make recommendations regarding policies and procedures for acquisition of library materials – Administration does not recommend creating a council at this time. However, the district must establish an advisory council if requested by the lesser of 10% of the district’s students, or 50 parents.
• Requires the Board to approve all library materials that are proposed for procurement by administration, or that are donated.
• Parents may provide a list of materials their child may not check out or access.
• Allows a district resident to challenge a library material.
• Requires the district to use the Texas Education Agency form to challenge library material available on the district web-site.
• If a library material challenge is submitted, a copy of the challenge must be provided to the school Challenge Committee within five days of receiving the challenge, and requires the committee to make a recommendation within 90 days after receipt.
• A meeting of the committee must be posted 72 hours prior to the meeting, and requires the district to publicly post on-line the minutes and audio or video recording of the meeting within 10 days of the meeting.
• If the decision of the Challenge Committee is appealed to the Board, it must be heard at the first open meeting of the Board held after the 90th day after the challenge was received.