The Mesquite Independent School District Board of Trustees on July 31 approved an update to local policy FNC(e) to comply with state law that prohibits student use of personal communication devices during the school day.

Why it matters: House Bill 1481 (the recent legislative change) requires districts to adopt policies that ban non‑instructional use of personal communication devices during the entire school day. District staff said the updated regulation will require students to keep personal devices stored in backpacks or lockers while at school; district-provided devices such as Chromebooks remain excluded.

Details and exceptions: The policy presenter explained the law’s language and the district’s recommended implementation. The presenter said some devices required in students’ individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plans — for example, devices used to monitor health conditions — are excluded from the ban when explicitly covered in a student’s plan. The district is not requiring families to leave devices at home; rather, the proposed regulation requires storage out of sight during school hours.

Enforcement and consequences: The presenter said staff will confiscate devices used for non‑instructional purposes during the school day. District staff are awaiting additional guidance from the Texas Education Agency on recommended consequences; the presenter described neighboring districts’ approaches (escalating in‑school suspension for repeat offenses) but said Mesquite ISD has not finalized specific penalties. The presenter also said TEA guidance is expected on August 7 and the district will finalize enforcement procedures after that guidance.

Operational concerns: Trustees raised practical questions about policing devices in lockers, whether staff will model device use, and how parents can contact students during the day. Staff said principals will be given procedures for parent communications, offices will continue to facilitate messages to students, and classrooms may use office phones to allow necessary calls.

Action: Trustee Everett moved to approve the FNC(e) local update; Trustee Bingham seconded and the board approved the policy by voice vote. The presenter said the district will finalize disciplinary guidance after receiving TEA recommendations and will provide local communications and training to staff and families.

Discussion vs. decision: Board discussion covered implementation, enforcement, and reasonable accommodations (discussion). The board’s vote to update the policy was a formal decision to comply with state law and to implement a storage‑during‑school‑day approach (decision).