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Parents tell Denton ISD board they support a 'wait-until-after-8th' smartphone pledge and warn of Medicaid cuts
Summary
During public comment, a parent urged the district to include a 'Wait Until After 8th' smartphone pledge in communications about the state smartphone ban, while another commenter warned that federal Medicaid cuts could further strain district services for students with disabilities.
During the board’s second open forum, two community members urged trustees to consider steps that would affect students’ well-being.
Megan Boyden introduced a parent-led "Wait Until After 8th" pledge her PTA piloted at Blanton Elementary and asked the district to consider incorporating the pledge into the district’s "Unplugged to Connect" messaging now that smartphones are banned on campus under state rules. "It's really about the Internet access of the smartphones," Boyden said, adding that basic phones are allowed and that her PTA saw roughly 20% participation per grade (and as high as 40% in second grade) when the group rolled out the initiative.
Rebecca Bertone raised concerns about an August 10 news analysis explaining how proposed federal Medicaid cuts could affect school districts’ ability to provide medically related services to eligible students. Citing the article, Bertone said cuts could force districts to provide mandated services without full reimbursement, worsening local budget pressures already affecting Denton ISD.
Board members acknowledged both comments and reiterated the district’s obligations on federal mandates and communications plans for state policy changes.
