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NEISD trustees defend local cell-phone policy after TEA inquiry over House Bill 1481
Summary
Trustees and the superintendent told a packed Northeast ISD meeting they developed a locally tailored cell-phone rule that bars use during instructional time but allows phones at passing periods and lunch; the district has responded to a Texas Education Agency inquiry and is awaiting a finding.
Northeast Independent School District trustees on Wednesday defended a locally developed cell-phone policy that restricts student use during instructional time but allows phone access during passing periods and lunch, saying the rule was shaped by parents, students and staff and is currently the subject of an inquiry by the Texas Education Agency.
The trustees heard more than a dozen parents and community members during a lengthy discussion of House Bill 1481, which governs student use of personal communication devices. Several speakers told trustees the district’s approach strikes the right balance between minimizing classroom distraction and preserving family communication. “My children aren't allowed to use cell phones during instructional time, which supports their learning. But they can text during lunch and passing periods and that flexibility matters to my family,” parent Shakita Gresham said during public comment.
The board placed the item on the agenda after receiving a letter from TEA dated Sept. 24 notifying the district of a review; the district responded to…
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