NEISD trustees vote to comply with TEA, waive student cell phone policy after investigation

SAN ANTONIO – Update: The North East Independent School District says it can meet with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Friday following a current vote to replace its student cell phone policy to align with Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements.

During a board assembly on Monday, trustees voted 5-1 to approve the revised policy. The vote comes after a particular investigation report launched earlier this month by the TEA advisable that Morath appoint a conservator to oversee the district’s implementation of its cell phone policy.

In a press release launched Tuesday, the district states Morath will make a last determination on a conservator.

District officers additionally mentioned there was confusion about when the revised policy would take impact.

In Monday night time’s assembly, trustees mentioned the brand new policy will take impact on May 25. The board will deal with the date at its subsequent assembly with an anticipated correction to May 29, which is the final day of the 2025-26 college 12 months.

Original: The North East Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Monday night time to comply with the Texas Education Agency’s steering on student cell phone use, approving modifications to its present policy following a state investigation.

Trustees voted 5-1 to approve the revised policy, which switches to a bell-to-bell ban beginning May 25. The movement handed with modifications after board members agreed to waive parts of the district’s native policy to align with TEA necessities.

Board President David Beyer forged the lone dissenting vote.

The vote comes after a particular investigation report launched earlier this month by the Texas Education Agency advisable that TEA Commissioner Mike Morath appoint a conservator to oversee the district’s implementation of its cell phone policy.

Background

The TEA opened an investigation into the district’s implementation of a brand new state regulation that mandated districts in Texas implement a policy banning private communication units by college students on campuses throughout the college day.

In Augustthe NEISD Board of Trustees reviewed its policy concerning communication units. The policy required college students to flip off and retailer their units out of sight throughout class. However, college students might use their units throughout non-classroom intervals, passing intervals, lunch, in addition to earlier than or after college.

In November, the TEA sent a corrective action plan to the district, requiring them to undertake a policy that it mentioned can be legally compliant with the regulation.

In January, the board voted to keep its current policy in place.

Read extra: TEA recommends conservator to oversee NEISD’s cellphone policy