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Midway ISD committee considers tighter limits on student cell phones; surveys show support for change
Summary
District committees reviewed parent, teacher and student survey results showing broad interest in changing cell-phone expectations; committees plan to deliver a policy recommendation in May and administrators noted possible implementation costs including about $30 per Yondr-style pouch.
Midway ISD administrators told the board they are moving toward clearer and tighter rules on student cell-phone use after committee work and surveys of parents, teachers and secondary students.
Superintendent Chris Allen summarized work by two district committees (SHAC and a secondary committee) that reviewed other districts' approaches, national trends and pending Texas legislation concerning personal electronic devices. The district surveyed parents, teachers and students (grades 6-12). Results showed about 68% of parents favor some change from current practice (32% wanted no change; 16% favored a total ban; the remainder supported restrictions). Among teachers, 73% favored change; among surveyed students (grades 6-12), approximately 36% supported stricter limits or a total ban.
Administrators described a range of approaches used elsewhere: full-day sequester systems (devices locked for the full school day), instructional-time bans with limited exceptions, and hybrid models that vary by grade span. The committees plan to bring a recommendation to the board in May; that recommendation may be contingent on any legislative action that defines terms such as —instructional time.—
District staff discussed implementation details and potential costs. The meeting referenced Yondr-style locking pouches as a common solution; one trustee stated a per-device cost of about $30 and suggested the high school might need roughly 4,000 pouches, an estimated $150,000 one-time cost. Administrators noted that Yondr-style devices make phones inaccessible to students but do not legally block cellular signals or GPS location, and stressed attention to parent concerns about student location and communication during off-campus hours.
Administrators said SHAC will present a policy recommendation in May with sample language and clear, stepwise expectations for students, teachers and parents (examples include "yes/no" charts and graduated consequences). The board did not take action at this meeting; trustees and administrators emphasized the need for clarity, enforcement that does not unfairly penalize students outside school hours, and accommodations for documented instructional or health needs.
