Victoria ISD adopts 2025–26 student code of conduct; "bell to bell" phone rule approved

Victoria ISD's Board of Trustees voted 6-0 Aug. 7 to approve the district's 2025'26 student code of conduct, which incorporates new legislative guidance and local policy decisions on personal communication devices.

Administration presented the document with highlighted changes and explained updates driven by recent state legislation and TASB guidance. The adopted code requires personal communication devices to be powered off and out of sight during instructional time, described in the district as "bell to bell." Parents are required to retrieve a confiscated device; administrators said staff may no longer assess a $15 fee to recover devices.

District officials clarified enforcement steps: if a student refuses to surrender a device, the refusal becomes a disciplinary matter handled under the code. The policy also addresses wearable devices (for example, any device that can send or receive messages) and peripheral audio devices such as AirPods; officials said those are prohibited during instructional time if they can send or receive messages.

Trustees and staff discussed operational details for families and staff, including how the rule applies to half-day students, bus travel between classes, and requests for an FAQ for parents. The policy will be included in digital communications to families; hard copies will be made available on request.

The motion to approve the student code of conduct was made by Mr. Jones and seconded by Mr. Castella and passed 6-0.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the Aug. 7 Victoria ISD Board meeting.