Board approves phone restrictions, student code changes, laptop purchase and other items; amendment adds ‘personal computers’ to device ban

College Station ISD trustees approved a set of items Aug. 7 related to student-device rules, disciplinary code changes required by recent state legislation, technology procurement, personnel reclassification and construction work. Key votes were unanimous (7–0).

The board approved updates to the district’s communication-device policy (FNCE local) implementing the state prohibition on students having communication devices “out” during the school day while preserving several statutory exceptions for students with documented medical or individualized education program needs. The board then adopted the student code of conduct, which incorporates multiple changes required by the most recent legislative session and state guidance: expanded grounds for removing a student after a single incident of severe disruption, new limits and reporting timelines for child-abuse allegations, revisions to suspension rules for kindergarten–second grade and clarified procedures for teacher-requested removal and return-to-class plans. The code also updates prohibited-device language to explicitly include non‑CSISD tablets, iPads and “personal computers/personal laptops.” Trustees voted 7–0 to amend the student code’s device list to add personal computers/laptops and then approved the full code 7–0.

Votes at a glance

- Communication-device policy (FNCE local): Motion to approve presented by Dr. Payne, second by Ms. Simmons. Outcome: approved, 7–0. The policy clarifies that students may bring devices to campus but must keep them put away (e.g., in backpacks), authorizes staff to confiscate devices for violations, and enumerates statutory exceptions for IEP/504/medical needs and district-issued devices.

- Student code of conduct: Motion to approve presented by Dr. Payne, second by Ms. Wilson. Amendment to add “personal computers/personal laptops” to the prohibited-device bullet was moved and seconded and passed 7–0. Final approval of the student code of conduct as amended: approved 7–0. Notable statutory-driven changes incorporated in the code include: no limit on in-school suspension days (ISS) but a 3-day limit for out-of-school suspension (OSS) in some cases; single-incident removal for serious disruptive conduct; new club permission/parent-consent rules; 24-hour child-abuse reporting requirement; specific limits for religious accommodation time; and updated vaping discipline language.

- Laptop purchase (bond funds): Motion to approve purchase of 1,300 HP laptops (2023 bond funds) from Avanix/HP at a negotiated $100 discount per device (estimated savings $130,000). Motion presented by Dr. Payne, second by Mr. Benn. Outcome: approved, 7–0. Staff said the purchase replenishes classroom carts and fills remaining device “holes” for the school year.

- Technology position reclassification: Motion to change a vacant Programmer I position to a Systems Administrator title (to reflect current district IT needs). Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Roof change order (A&M Consolidated High School): Motion to approve a change order of $345,400 to address a rooftop area needing mechanical and electrical work; staff noted a separate credit of $145,576 will apply later in the project. Outcome: approved, 7–0.

- Donation acceptance: Board accepted a donor’s offer of Mylar dance flooring for the district dance team, estimated value about $15,000. Outcome: approved, unanimous.

What trustees and staff said

Board members acknowledged implementation will be resource-intensive in the first weeks: administrators said principals and counselors are preparing to manage gray areas flagged by the new law (for example, how to evaluate IEP/504 device exceptions and how to handle students who refuse to surrender a device). One administrator noted the district has been deploying laptops to maintain classroom access and that more purchases are planned if needed during the school year.

Ending — Implementation and reporting

Administrators said the superintendent will report annually to the board on implementation and compliance with the communication-device policy. Campus principals and central staff will develop campus-level discipline matrices and operational procedures aligned to the amended student code; staff will provide further guidance to families and print handbooks on request.