Travis Unified board tightens student-device rules; TK–5 full‑day limits start this year, broader ban for secondary set for Jan. 1

The Travis Unified School District board voted to tighten rules on students’ personal devices after hours of public comment and a staff presentation on research and implementation options.

The board’s motion, read back by the clerk, requires bell‑to‑bell (full‑day) device limits for TK–5 to begin in the current school year; grades 6–8 will be phased in with full implementation and enforcement by 2026‑01‑01; the district also directed staff to prepare for an instructional‑period restriction at the high‑school level with a target start of 2026‑01‑01. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

Why it matters: staff and several speakers said unrestricted devices can harm focus and achievement, but implementing tighter rules raises equity and logistics questions for families and teachers. Assistant Superintendent Nick Germonte reminded the board that “AB 3 32 16, which was signed in 2024, . . . requires schools and districts to . . . limit or prohibit the use of smartphones by 2026,” and said the district’s conduct policy is currently intended to comply but that local enforcement has been inconsistent.

Public commenters urged caution and attention to exceptions. Allison Johnson, a teacher and co‑chair at Vandon, told the board that implementation must preserve access for students with medical needs: “My diabetic kids . . . use their cell phones to monitor their glucose,” she said, urging the board to plan protocols for IEP and 504 students. PTA district leader Caitlin Crumman asked the board not to enact a full ban without community input and requested PTA representation on any advisory council.

Staff outlined three common policy paths: maintain staff discretion; restrict devices during instructional time (bell‑to‑bell within class periods); or adopt a full‑day restriction. Nick Germonte said each option has tradeoffs—clarity and consistency favor a full‑day rule, while instructional‑time restrictions are easier for families to accept—and stressed that “consistency is critical” and that successful changes require deliberate engagement with families, students and staff.

Superintendent Tiffany Benson recommended a staged approach that starts with clearer instructional‑period limits and “restrictive training wheels” to build a shared culture before moving toward any broader ban. Benson said the district can prioritize limited purchases (for example, classroom carts, tuners or small device sets) rather than an immediate districtwide 1:1 replacement, and pledged to return recommended budget items for 2026–27 planning.

The board directed staff to: (1) begin TK–5 enforcement this year, (2) develop processes and training for 6–8 and reach full enforcement by 2026‑01‑01, and (3) prepare an implementation plan and budget proposal for the high‑school instructional‑period policy to begin on or about 2026‑01‑01. Staff also was asked to identify classes that demonstrably need device access and to propose a transparent approval process for limited instructional exceptions.

What’s next: staff will return with an implementation timeline, prioritized budget recommendations and clearer definitions for emergency and medical exceptions. The board set Jan. 1, 2026 as a milestone for districtwide instructional‑period enforcement and asked for regular progress reports.