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Board adopts 2026–27 handbooks, formally adds district cell-phone rule
Summary
Hobbs Municipal Schools approved elementary and secondary handbook updates for 2026–27, the principal substantive change being formal inclusion of a personal device/cell-phone policy adopted mid-year to comply with state legislation. The board also approved an updated employee handbook aligning staff-conduct wording with board policy.
The Hobbs Municipal Schools Board approved the district's 2026–27 elementary and secondary handbooks at its July 21 meeting, formally incorporating the personal device (cell-phone) policy the district began enforcing mid-year to comply with state legislation.
District staff told the board the handbook changes are largely editorial but include the personal device rule as the primary substantive addition. Board members discussed practical classroom considerations for young children and supported the policy as a classroom-management and safety measure.
Separately, the board approved updates to the employee handbook. Human Resources (introduced in the meeting as "Mister Beyer") outlined three changes: replacement of an absence-management system with a new vendor (Red Rover), clarified staff-conduct language to match board policy (G-0850) so the district could receive a premium credit, and a clarification that personal leave taken immediately before or after a holiday will be charged as an H day (a combination personal/sick leave charge). The board approved the employee handbook on a motion and voice vote.
Board members did not provide specific implementation dates for all changes; staff said more policy work could be returned to the board for additional readings if needed.
