Uvalde CISD task force lays out plan to implement House Bill 1481 cellphone ban on campuses

Uvalde Consolidated ISD officials told trustees Monday they have formed a task force, collected community feedback and drafted guidance to implement Texas House Bill 1481, which prohibits students from possessing or using smart devices on school property during the school day. The district said a task force that included administrators, parents, community members and staff met to evaluate how the law would apply locally and to develop communications and campus procedures. Staff presented an early plan that would allow students to bring devices to campus but require them to be stored out of sight ‘‘away for the day’’ — for example, in backpacks — and to prohibit phone use during the school day, including passing periods and lunch. District staff said they created a flyer and FAQ materials to publish during registration starting the next day and intend to share the policies on social media and local outlets. Campuses will develop tiered consequence matrices for violations; those matrices will be finalized with campus administrators at a July 28 planning session. The task force emphasized training for staff and substitutes, coordination with special‑education and Section 504 staff for legitimate medical exceptions, and alternatives for elementary campuses where students typically do not change classrooms (suggestions included centralized storage racks). Board members asked that staff model the behavior (staff keep devices away while supervising) and that the district clarify enforcement during drop‑off and pick‑up periods. Staff said the district will provide materials and conduct staff and student training before the law takes effect; parents may apply for exemptions for documented medical or individualized‑education‑program reasons.