Birdville ISD trustees spent the longest portion of their July meeting on how to implement a state law that restricts student use of personal communication devices during the school day and requires districts to adopt local policy.

The law, commonly cited in the discussion as House Bill 1481, "states that a student shall not use a personal communication device on school property during the school day," district staff said, and it directs districts to adopt implementing policy. Staff and trustees discussed choices the board must make: prohibit students from bringing personal devices on campus during the school day; allow students to bring devices but require a specific storage method; or permit students to keep devices in backpacks but turned off.

Why it matters: The law changes everyday practice for students, families and staff, affects how coaches and activity sponsors communicate with participants, and raises questions about monitoring and enforcement at large campuses.

Key points from the discussion

Dr. Showell (staff member) summarized the statute and said the district has already enforced strict cell phone policies at the elementary and middle school levels; extending consistent rules to high school will require choices about storage and enforcement. "...the law states what it states," Dr. Showell said, describing the statutory language and the need for local policy.

Trustees and staff debated three broad approaches discussed by districts elsewhere: allow devices in backpacks turned off (the approach many nearby districts reported using), require storage pouches or locked bins, or prohibit bringing devices at all. Dave Lampson (staff) told the board many districts allow students to keep devices in backpacks, turned off, so students have the device in case of emergency but do not use it during class, passing periods or lunch.

Trustees raised practical concerns: enforcement at a high school of nearly 3,000 students would be labor intensive; coaches and activity sponsors commonly use GroupMe or similar tools to send time‑sensitive messages; students rely on school‑provided Chromebooks for classroom internet access and testing; and TEA had not yet released a model policy staff said they expected in mid‑ to late‑August.

Board members repeatedly emphasized the need for districtwide consistency. "Once this policy is adopted ... consistency has got to be across the board," said Mr. Davis (board member). Trustees also asked that administrative regulations require devices to be turned off, and staff said they are likely to prefer language requiring that devices be stored in a backpack or purse rather than a pocket to avoid vibration distractions.

Exceptions and implementation

Staff described three narrow exceptions that the recommended local policy would include: documented 504 plan accommodations, documented medical need (for example, diabetes monitoring), and instances where a qualified physician documents a need. Trustees cautioned staff to use care in granting 504 accommodations to avoid overbroad exemptions.

On communication tools, staff said Chromebooks remain the district’s standard instructional device for secondary students and can be used for classroom research and district messaging. Staff also said they are exploring districtwide communication tools (Canvas, FOCUS, or a single platform) to reduce reliance on personal apps and phones for coach/teacher coordination.

Next steps and reporting

Staff will draft administrative regulations specifying storage language, consequences and implementation details and will bring the policy to the board for a vote at the next regular meeting. Communications staff will prepare a frequently asked questions list and parent/student outreach once the board acts. The recommended policy includes an annual superintendent report to the board on implementation and compliance.

Ending

Board members did not vote at the July meeting. Staff will return with draft administrative regulations and recommended policy language for formal action at the board’s next meeting; communications and training plans will follow any board vote.