School Health Advisory Committee recommends smart device policy changes for students

The Temple Independent School District (TISD) held its regular school board meeting on April 14, 2025, addressing several key topics that will impact students and the community. The meeting highlighted the district's ongoing efforts to enhance student safety and learning environments, particularly concerning the use of smart devices in schools.

One of the primary discussions revolved around recommendations from the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) regarding the impact of smart devices on student health and learning. The committee's research indicated that smart devices can distract students and negatively affect their mental health. In response, they proposed a series of guidelines for device usage across different school levels. For elementary schools, the recommendation is to prohibit smart devices during the school day. Middle schools would allow devices but require them to be turned off, with specific restrictions on earbuds and smartwatches. High schools may implement cell phone lockers to limit device access during instructional time while allowing usage during breaks.

The board emphasized the importance of consistent enforcement of these policies, which will follow a progressive discipline approach for violations. This includes warnings for first offenses and escalating consequences for repeated infractions. The SHAC committee also plans to communicate these changes to families in May, ensuring that parents are informed about the new policies and their implications for student safety and learning.

In addition to the discussions on smart devices, the board reviewed updates on ongoing construction projects within the district. Currently, 14 projects are being managed, with plans for future elementary school designs informed by recent tours of schools in Houston. This reflects TISD's commitment to improving educational facilities and adapting to the needs of its students.

Overall, the meeting underscored TISD's proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by technology in education while also focusing on infrastructure improvements. As the district moves forward, the implementation of these policies and projects will be closely monitored to ensure they meet the needs of students and the community effectively.