Trustees discuss cell-phone law implementation and cost of pouch systems; district favors current classroom collection strategies while monitoring results

Trustees discussed recent state legislation (expected gubernatorial signature) that will restrict student cell-phone use during instructional time and explored district options for compliance, including pouch systems promoted at the state level and in-person collection strategies already used at Del Rio High School.

Del Rio High School Assistant Principal Miss Salas described the campus practice: students leave phones in a box or pouch as they enter the classroom and retrieve them prior to the next class period. Superintendent Rios and other trustees noted the pouch systems demonstrated at conferences are costly — administration cited a vendor example that could cost “upwards of $500,000” to outfit all secondary classrooms. The pouch system described locks the phone in a pouch that is only opened by striking the pouch against a wall-mounted device when students leave the room.

Trustees asked whether metal detectors planned for secondary campuses would allow discontinuing clear-backpack requirements; administration said that conversation would continue with campus leaders and safety staff. Trustees also discussed potential grant funding for metal detectors and noted that the district had submitted a grant application that day.

Administration recommended implementing current collection strategies used at the high school and monitoring the policy’s effectiveness for approximately six weeks before making a major capital investment in pouch systems. Trustees asked staff to provide estimated costs for pouch solutions and to monitor pilot outcomes closely.