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(FILE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A teacher at Pioneer Elementary School lets students out of the campus on the first day of school in 2019. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Former Graham Junior High School Principal Sam Perry and former Graham High School Principal Joe Gordy discuss the cellphone procedures at each campus during the Graham ISD Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 11, 2024.
Following guidance from House Bill 1481, Graham ISD will soon be considering a new policy for cellphones and other personal communication devices prior to the beginning of the school year.
In June, Superintendent Mary Johnston said the district is expected to provide policy updates for the GISD Board of Trustees to review Wednesday, Aug. 6 and vote on Tuesday, Aug. 12. No new district policy regarding personal communication devices has been presented or approved by the school board.
The district sent out a notice to parents and guardians Wednesday, July 30 on ParentSquare regarding the upcoming change and information regarding HB 1481. All school districts and charter schools must adopt a policy by Thursday, Sept. 18, or 90 days after the bill was signed.
The bill was signed Friday, June 20 by Gov. Greg Abbott and prohibits use of personal communication devices on school property during the school day.
The list of devices not allowed are cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, headphones, earbuds, gaming devices or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. This does not include an electronic device provided to a student by the district.
Within the district notice it said that campus administrators will communicate with students and reinforce expectations regarding the new restrictions under HB 1481.
“Graham ISD remains committed to minimizing disruptions to the learning environment caused by personal communication devices during the instructional day and per HB 1481,” the notice said.
Guidelines for personal communication device storage as required by HB 1481 includes students powering off all personal communication devices at the beginning of the school day. The devices must be stored in backpacks or pockets for the entire instructional day.
Students are allowed to resume use of their devices once they have exited the campus at the end of the school day.
When GISD releases its new policy, they will release a frequently asked questions section on the district website. The district will be communicating with parents and guardians via ParentSquare as they release information.
In August and September 2024, the district discussed cellphone use in the district, with students being allowed to possess personal cellphones for safety purposes under the district’s current policy.
The district spoke about the possibility of using a Yondr pouch to hold phones and smart devices.
Some of the issues raised regarding the idea were centered around students in possession of more than one phone, the ongoing cost for replacement and other future expenses and students using tools to overcome the locking mechanism.
