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Principals report fewer cellphone incidents after Argyle ISD enforces HB1481 ban
Summary
Campus principals told the board that cellphone and wearable-device incidents dropped notably between semesters after the district implemented HB1481 personal-device rules; administrators reported most students were corrected with warnings and a very small number reached maximum disciplinary thresholds.
Argyle ISD principals reported to trustees that monitoring under the state’s HB1481 personal-device restrictions has reduced classroom and hallway device use and increased in-person student interaction.
The high school principal presented cumulative numbers showing 272 incidents in the first semester and 157 in the second semester, with 429 devices collected overall and 315 students affected (some students had multiple incidents). "By device, cell phones were by far the highest," the high school presenter said, adding that most students received a warning and only three students reached maximum disciplinary consequences (up to 10 days) but did not exceed those limits.
Middle and elementary campuses reported steeper declines: the middle school data showed a 39% reduction from first to second semester, with 92 students affected (about 8.75% of that campus population) and most infractions resolved after initial warnings. Elementary principals reported very low numbers overall (several campuses had zero infractions or a handful of watch incidents), and staff described increases in lunchtime social activity and library checkouts in lieu of screen time.
Principals and trustees discussed enforcement logistics and funding for materials: workbooks and carts for a revised instructional approach will be paid partly from the district’s instructional materials allotment and a $105,000 high-growth bump the district received. "The good news is we just got a little extra bump of $105,000 because we're a high growth district," a district finance staffer said, noting that some Chromebook carts will be funded from bond technology funds.
