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Board adopts new student cell‑phone policy aligned with state law HB 1481
Summary
Trustees adopted a revised local policy restricting student use of phones and similar devices on campus, effective day one of the next school year; the measure includes confiscation on each offense, exemptions for medical reasons and translated communications for families.
The Conroe ISD Board adopted a revised local policy limiting student possession and use of cell phones and similar telecommunications devices in K‑12 schools, consistent with state legislation referenced by trustees as House Bill 1481.
Trustee Dawson, who led the discussion, noted the board’s proposed wording would require confiscation and storage of devices on each offense and hold them in the school office until the end of the school day. "The telecommunications device will be confiscated with each offense, held in the school office and returned to the student at the end of the school day," he said while discussing disciplinary language. Trustees clarified the policy allows medical exemptions and that the legislative language permits—rather than mandates—confiscation; the board retained a syntax that directs confiscation but affirmed campus discretion on exact handling and storage.
Trustees also discussed including listening devices in the definition of telecommunications devices and agreed to keep the policy language broad ("including but not limited to") to address changing device types such as wireless earphones. Board members asked district staff to conduct outreach so families understand implementation; Trustee Nelson proposed a summer town hall to explain procedures and expectations to parents and students.
After discussion the board voted 6–0 to adopt the local policy revision. Implementation is set to begin on day one of the coming school year per the statute; campuses will manage on‑site procedures for collecting and storing confiscated devices and for medical exemptions.
