Northeast ISD trustees vote 7-0 to uphold cellphone policy after TEA corrective-action notice
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Summary
After a lengthy debate over TEA irection and local control, the Northeast ISD board voted 7-0 to keep its FNCE(Local) personal communication device policy unchanged; TEA had directed the district to change policy with a Jan. 30 deadline, and administration outlined possible sanctions and litigation costs.
Board members of the Northeast Independent School District voted unanimously to uphold the district's FNCE(Local) policy on personal communication devices after hearing from administrators about a Texas Education Agency corrective-action directive.
Board member David Beyer moved to "uphold our FNCE local policy as written," a motion seconded by Miss Shelton and carried 7-0. The vote came after trustees and district staff reviewed communications from TEA and TASB and discussed enforcement, exemptions and next steps.
The debate centered on TEA's interpretation of House Bill 1481 and whether the term "school day" requires districts to prohibit phones from the first bell to the last bell. Mr. Lopez told the board that TEA nd some legislators take a "bell-to-bell" view; he also said the agency refused to grant additional time beyond its deadline. "The deadlines are the deadlines," a board member said while summarizing TEA's response.
Board members raised concerns about local control and practical enforcement. Administrators noted that elementary and middle campuses already largely prohibit in-class phone use and that the issue primarily affects high schools, where phones are commonly allowed during passing periods and lunch. Mr. Jarrett, the interim superintendent, said the law includes exceptions for students with IEPs or 504 plans and for school-safety protocols.
Trustees asked about consequences if the board declines to comply with TEA's corrective action. Mr. Lopez explained the agency could issue a preliminary report with findings and pursue sanctions, ranging from additional enforcement actions to, in extreme cases, appointing a conservator or board of managers. He estimated appellate-level litigation could cost the district roughly $50,000 to $100,000 and warned that even a successful court challenge would not prevent the legislature from amending the law in a later session.
Several trustees pushed for a measured approach: making a clear decision now so families and schools would know whether to adjust practices, or adopting a change with delayed implementation to the 2026-27 school year to allow high schools and families time to prepare. District staff said TEA denied requests to delay effectiveness. Trustees also requested that the superintendent return a concise set of monitoring indicators tied to district priorities.
The motion to retain FNCE(Local) as written passed on a recorded roll-call vote, with all seven trustees voting "aye." The board directed administration to continue communications with legislators and the agency and to keep the community informed of any next steps.
