School districts within Hockley and Cochran Counties are announcing their plans for implementing the new House Bill 1481 (HB 1481), which prohibits the use of personal communication devices during the school day.
The bill bans the use of “any wireless electronic communication device, other than a device provided to students by a school for instructional purposes, capable of transmitting and/or receiving data, including cellular telephones, text messaging devices, laptop computers, and tablet computers” during instructional time. It also requires that “classrooms designate a secure, out-of-sight area for the storage of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time.”
Enforcement and policies regarding the bill vary based on individual school districts.
At Levelland High School (LHS), students will be assigned lockers, which will be optional for use. Students will need to being their own lock if one is desired. Other campuses will look different as some do not have lockers available.
Disciplinary action for inappropriate use of a device will be in accordance with the student code of conduct based on the campus.
At LHS, for the first offense, the device(s) will be confiscated to be stored in the office until picked up by a parent or guardian. The student will also be assigned three days of lunch detention.
For the second offense, the device will be taken to the office, the student will recieve two days of In School Suspension (ISS) and a parent or guardian will be required to pick up the device. On the third offense, devices will be confiscated to be picked up by a parent or guardian. The student will also receive five days of ISS.
Fourth offenses will result in the device being taken to the office for a parent or guardian to pick up, and students will receive 10 days of ISS. Fifth and subsequent violations will result in insubordination and will be dealt with as serious offenses according to the Levelland ISD (LISD) Student Code of Conduct. Consequences may include DAEP.
There will be no warnings issued for violations. LHS will communicate with students, teachers and parents to ensure everyone is aware of policies and consequences.
At Levelland Middle School, the first offense will result in a warning, a student conference in the office and parent communication. A second offense will result in confiscation in the office. Parents will also be required to pick up the device and receive a copy of the law. Upon a third offense, the student will be assigned three days of lunch detention.
For a fourth violation, three days of after school detention will be assigned. For a fifth offense, it will be three days of ISS, and for a sixth, the student will receive six day of ISS. All subsequent violations will result in 10 days of ISS for each offense.
Refusal to give up devices will result in automatic placement in ISS for the middle and high schools.
At Capitol, South and ABC, the first offense will result in a warning. Upon second, third and fourth offenses, devices will be confiscated to be picked up by parents or guardians. Third and fourth offenses will also result in one or two days of lunch and recess detention.
If devices are not retrieved, the distinct will provide a notice and then dispose of the device.
There are limited circumstances where students may be able to use personal communication devices including if they are necessary for a student’s Individualized Education Program, 504 plan or the like. They may also be able to use them if directed to by a qualified physician or if it is needed to comply with safety protocols.
When it comes to dual credit students who need technology for class, there will be headphones available to be checked out to students in the Library, and the school will ensure that students can get calculators and any other necessary technology to complete their class.
LHS will coordinate with South Plains College (SPC) and the LISD technology department to ensure that students can properly, effectively and lawfully complete courses. The school will resolve further challenges on a day-to-day basis.
In Morton ISD, the use of any device designed for entertainment or communication is banned on all school property, including all buildings and grounds owned by Morton ISD.
For the first offense, a student’s parent or guardian, as listed on Skyward, must pick up the device after two school days, and the student will be assigned detention. For the second offense, the device will not be able to be picked up until 3 school days later, and the student will be assigned Friday school. For the third offense, the device will not be available until five days, and three days of ISS will be assigned.
All subsequent offences will result in DAEP and the device remaining in office care for five days.
Refusal to comply will result in ISS and/or DAEP. Emergency contacts will not be able to pick up devices.
Whether or not to permit the use of personal devices during extracurricular activities will be the decision of the school sponsors in charge of the activity.
Students in Whiteface ISD will not be able to use personal technology during the school day, which is defined in their guidelines and expectations as “when you arrive at the school building until the end of day release.” Devices will be required to be stored in lockers or backpacks and stay on silent mode. Students may not store them anywhere on their person. Students will be able to get a lock for their locker from the office if they so desire.
Restrooms and locker rooms will be heavily monitored and backpacks will not be allowed in restrooms.
In Whiteface, for the first offence, the device will be taken up to the office to be held until collected by the student at the end of the day, and parents will be contacted. For the second offense, the device will be held in the office required to be picked up by a parent or guardian no earlier than the end of the school day.
For the third offence, the device will be taken to the office, where a parent or guardian must pick it up no earlier than the end of the school day. In addition, the device will be checked in to the office at the beginning of the school day or left at home for five school days. Additional offenses will result in disciplinary actions in addition to what is outlined for the third offense.
To contact their students, parents should contact the office. Students will not miss class for violations.
Smyer ISD will require students to leave personal communication devices at home or store them in an out of sight place from the time they come into school until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day. This includes during tutorial periods, instructional time, lunch and passing periods and encompasses all school grounds, including restrooms.
For the first violation, the device will be confiscated and taken to the office to be picked up by the student at the end of the school day. For a second offense, the device will be taken to the office, and a parent or guardian will be notified to pick it up at the end of the day. If a device is used a third time, it will be taken to the office, the student will be assigned lunch detention and a parent or guardian may pick it up at the end of the day.
On the fourth violation, the device will be taken to the office to be picked up by a parent or guardian at the end of the day. Additionally, the student will be assigned two days of lunch detention. A parent or guardian meeting will also be scheduled during which the parent or guardian will be asked to sign a letter of understanding of future consequences if violations continue.
If there is fifth violation, devices will be taken to the office to be picked up at the end of the day by a parent or guardian. The student will be assigned one day of ISS, and the device must be left at home.
All subsequent violations will result in campus administration considering the student’s disciplinary history to decide on consequences which may include extended ISS, Out of School Suspension and/or DAEP. Refusal to surrender a device will be considered a violation of the Smyer ISD Code of Conduct. Consequences may include Out of School Suspension, ISS, Swats or DAEP depending ont he student’s history.
Exceptions to this rule can be made in specific circumstances such as a student needing it for a personalized education plan, 504 plan, or a similar plan or program. Exceptions can also be made if a student needs it as directed by a physician or its use is needed to comply with safety protocols.
To reach students during the school day, parents or guardians should contact the school office to deliver the message. Urgent information will be delivered as quickly as possible. In case of an emergency at the school, students may be able to use devices to contact families if needed, and parents will also receive alerts through the school’s emergency notification system.
Students will be able to use their devices on school busses and during extracurricular activities. Seniors with early release will also be able to use devices after leaving school grounds for the day. Devices may be turned on after the school day is over for transportation needs.
Students will not be allowed to wear smartwatches or use personal laptops for school work. The school will issue earch student a Chromebook, which will be monitored by Smyer ISD.
Students will not be allowed to use personal messaging apps on the Chromebooks. Recording videos or taking photos on phones for school projects will also not be allowed during the school day. If the student goes to the nurse, they will not be permitted to use devices to update parents, but the nurse will contact parents with any health concerns or if the student needs to go home.
Students will not be allowed to use devices as coping mechanisms for anxiety, and instead, parents and/or students should reach out to campus counselors for support. Devices will not be allowed for any communication needs including for appointments, forgetting things at home, the Smyer ISD ParentSquare app or academic tools.
Devices must be stored in backpacks or lockers. Any disruption to class, even unintentional ones, will be treated as a violation. Devices will be stored in a secure location in the office until returned to the student or their guardian.
In a genuine emergency where staff are not available, the student should use their best judgement to stay safe. Staff will handle such circumstances with understanding to determine the best course of action.
In Ropes ISD, the school day will be considered as the time from the first bell to the final bell of the school day. Personal devices, including telephones, cell phones, tablets, earbuds or earphones, smartwatches, gaming devices, radios, texting devices, pagers, smart glasses and any other device capable of telecommunication or digital communication, may not be used on school property during that time.
Students will be allowed to bring their devices to school, but they must be stored away. The district will provide storage areas such as lockers and campus offices; however, students must bring their own locks for lockers.
Limited exceptions include documented needs based on accommodations in a 504 plan, directions from a qualified physician or a students Individualized Education Program. Families should contact the school nurse or the Special Services Department to discuss exceptions.
If visible during the school day, devices will be confiscated and held in the office for a parent or guardian to pick up after the school day ends. Refusal to surrender devices will result in two days of Out of School Suspension.
Policies from the remaining school districts within Hockley County will be covered when available.