School board approves personal electronic device policy requiring Faraday bags

The Lee Seward Independent School District No. 8 board approved a policy requiring students to store personal electronic devices in Faraday bags, the board decided during a meeting where the superintendent reviewed options after a recent state law required boards to adopt a cell-phone policy.

Board approval matters because the state law requires districts to adopt a “bell-to-bell” personal electronic devices policy and the board chose a version that uses Faraday bags to block device signals. The board voted to adopt the draft “LPS personal electronic device” policy that specifies devices be kept in a signal-blocking bag while at school.

The superintendent summarized the choice and implementation concerns, saying, “The Faraday bag is just a bag when it goes in it. You can't use your watch or your earphones either.” The superintendent added the district’s advisory groups — including the superintendent’s teacher advisory committee — will continue to work on enforcement and the required consequences for violations: “you will have to have something for the violation of it.”

During the discussion the superintendent said the district’s leadership leans toward Faraday bags for grades 6–12 and that elementary grades (pre-K through 5) presently have fewer problems: “we really don't feel like we have a problem” in pre-K through 5. The superintendent also noted the state law itself does not limit the policy to certain grades: “it does not say 6 to 12 in the law. It says all grades. All grades.”

A board member made a motion to approve the draft policy with Faraday bags; the clerk called the roll. Recorded votes in favor were Miss Neiwirth, Miss Fabrega, Miss McBride and Mister Rice. The motion passed.

The board did not finalize specific enforcement steps at the meeting; staff and advisory committees were instructed to propose enforcement procedures and violation processes for future action.