Bryan ISD board adopts 2025–26 student code of conduct, implements Texas cell-phone ban and changes to discipline

The Bryan ISD board voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 student code of conduct, which incorporates state-required changes including the statewide ban on personal communication devices and updated discipline procedures, trustees said.

The approval covers streamlined code language, a new prohibition on unauthorized artificial-intelligence use, changes from the 88th Texas Legislature on parent involvement for DAEP placements, and statutory requirements tied to House Bill 1481. "This is a property tax rate, a property tax increase" was noted as required ballot language in the earlier bond discussion; on discipline, presenters emphasized that the recent legislative changes impose specific procedural requirements the district must implement.

Key changes affecting students: presenters said out-of-school suspension will continue to be limited to a maximum of three days for a single assignment, while in-school suspension (ISS) is no longer subject to a statutory cap and must be reviewed at least once every 10 school days to assess a student’s educational progress. The presenters also said the new law treats first-time possession or use of nicotine-delivery products (e-cigarettes/vapes) more strictly: a student may be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for a first offense; if the student is not placed in DAEP, statute requires a placement in ISS for at least 10 school days.

House Bill 1481: a district presenter summarized the new Texas law banning cell phones and other personal communication devices (including smart watches, earbuds, tablets and laptops) "during the school day, which is bell to bell." The presenters said the law takes effect the district’s first day of school (August 13) for Bryan ISD and requires the district to adopt a local policy with defined consequences within the statutory timeline.

Implementation: campus principals and administrators described a plan to use a short warning period while students adjust (presenters said campuses will typically issue warnings during the first three school days), followed by graduated consequences: first incidents recorded as referrals and warnings; subsequent incidents lead to device collection with afternoon pickup windows; repeated incidents can eventually require parent pickup after school hours and could result in after-school detention or ISS for persistent noncompliance. Presenters emphasized that campuses will choose secure storage methods appropriate to each site and that Bryan ISD will not assume liability for lost or damaged devices while in secure storage.

Board discussion and safeguards: trustees asked how the district will avoid inconsistent treatment across campuses and how principals will ensure equitable, timely review of long ISS placements. Presenters replied that associate principals, principal professional learning communities (PLCs) and a 10-day review cycle for ISS placements are tools to align discipline and guard against disparate outcomes.

Vote and next steps: Trustee Gonzales moved approval of the student code of conduct as presented; the motion carried unanimously among trustees present (two members absent). District staff said they will post frequently asked questions on the district website, finalize campus implementation checklists, and continue parent communications before school begins.

Provenance: The code changes, House Bill 1481 summary, implementation plan and trustee questions are recorded in the presented segments of the meeting.