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South San Antonio ISD approves state-mandated student cell-phone ban; trustees discuss enforcement and exemptions
Summary
Trustees adopted a revision to board policy FNCE Local to comply with state law banning student use of personal communication devices during the instructional day; the board and staff discussed enforcement, exemptions for IEP/504/medical needs and parent communications.
The South San Antonio ISD Board of Managers voted to adopt a revision to board policy FNCE Local to implement a state law prohibiting students from using personal communication devices during the instructional day.
"This is a state law now where no student or student is allowed to have a cell phone from the time the bell rings to the time that the last bell rings," Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa said during the presentation. Staff said the policy aligns district rules with the state requirement and clarifies enforcement steps.
Under the adopted policy, students may not use cell phones or smartwatches during the instructional day (from first bell to dismissal). The policy provides a documented exemption when a student's use is necessary for implementation of an individualized education program (IEP), 504 plan or a similar program, or when a physician documents that use is necessary to comply with health or safety requirements. Ureste said such exemptions must be documented and may require review by the student's 504 or ARD committee.
The policy allows campus staff to confiscate devices, which will be held in the campus principal's office; parents will be contacted and there may be a $15 fee to retrieve a confiscated device, consistent with existing district procedures. Staff said the district will communicate the changes via social media, a parent letter, and at upcoming meet-the-teacher events.
Trustees raised questions about enforcement logistics in large settings such as cafeterias, the administrative burden on teachers, and safety concerns if students cannot immediately access a device during emergencies. Board members and staff discussed options for parent communication and campus-level procedures; staff said administrators will be expected to implement the policy consistently and that emergency exceptions could be handled case-by-case.
The board voted to approve the policy revision with a roll-call vote in which all trustees voted yes. Trustees noted the policy implements a state law and that the district will need to prepare staff, parents and students for the change.
