Plano ISD trustees unanimously adopted a new personal-telecommunications policy Tuesday to implement House Bill 1481, the new state law that limits student use of phones and similar devices during the school day.
The adopted FNCE Local policy requires students to keep personal communication devices out of sight and stored during the school day but does not mandate district-funded storage pouches. Superintendent Theresa Williams and administrators emphasized the district will take a least-restrictive approach to consequences while complying with the statute.
"Before the school day, you need to put your device away ... keep it up and away during the school day and after the school day the final bell rings, you can take your phone back out," Deputy Superintendent Solinda Freeman said as staff described the educational rollout. The district plans to use the first days of school to teach students the new expectations and said teachers and staff will reteach the rules during an initial amnesty period.
Discipline framework: Staff described a progressive discipline approach. First offense: warning and reteaching; second offense: one day of in-school suspension; third offense: three days of in-school suspension; fourth offense: DAEP (disciplinary-alternative placement) considered. The district said it will not charge retrieval fees, will not automatically send students to DAEP on a first offense and will continue to accommodate students with documented medical needs via IEP or Section 504 plans.
Why it matters: HB 1481 requires districts to prohibit student use of personal communication devices during the school day. Plano ISD’s implementation sets the local operational guidance for thousands of students across dozens of campuses right before the new school year.
What parents should know: Parents who need to reach students in emergencies should contact the campus office; staff said standard front-office procedures will deliver urgent messages. Parents of students with medical-device needs should work with campus staff to document accommodations and update IEP or 504 plans.
Board action: The trustees approved FNCE Local on first and final reading by a unanimous 7-0 vote. Administration said it will provide communication materials to families before school begins and will train staff on recording accommodations for medical devices.
Ending: District officials asked families to prepare students for the new rule and said they expect to revisit enforcement if statewide guidance changes in future legislative sessions.