Superintendent Doctor Cooper briefed the board Monday on recent state actions affecting schools, including House Bill 8 and a new statutory restriction on cell-phone use during instructional time.

Cooper said House Bill 8 requires that when there are changes to services that directly affect a student’s physical or mental well-being, the district must work with families and ensure parents are informed. “If there are change of services for a student, directly involving their physical or mental well-being, then we are working with the family to educate them on what those changes are,” Cooper said. He added that the district’s existing practices already emphasized family communication, and that opt-out options remain available where the law permits.

On cell phones, Cooper said the law prohibits use during instructional time for preK–12 students and the district is applying a common-sense approach. He said the district already limited phones during instruction in its younger grades and will restrict devices in most high-school classrooms, with carve-outs for experiential learning programs where students may use phones for school-related work.

Board members asked about larger fiscal and policy issues; administrators reported their continued advocacy to state legislators and said some budget veto overrides remain pending in the Senate. Cooper said the district’s fiscal position is stable and that some additional funds came to the district in recognition of prior work.

Why it matters: The statute clarifies notification requirements for families and tightens in-class phone use; districts must adjust policies and communicate procedures to families.

For now: Cooper and staff offered to meet with parents with questions and said the district will continue monitoring possible veto-override activity in the state legislature.