Kids can carry phones, but uses are restricted

School districts open new year dealing with distraction, bullying linked to phones

Students in the Boerne and Comfort school districts will be allowed to carry cellphones to school this year. But use in the classroom and other parts of a building are being regulated or prohibited.

As schools around the state and nation deal with distraction and bullying, some districts have adopted bans or strict limits on their presence in a school, or a classroom.

The Lake Travis School District is banning the use of cellphones and other smart devices on its elementary and middle school campuses during the school day, as part of a districtwide effort to improve focus and decrease bullying.

Educators say not allowing students to use their smartphones during school will improve the learning experience. Students hate it.

Boerne ISD will allow students to have cellphones when they report to class Monday, Aug. 12, but with restrictions to abide by.

Bryan Benway, BISD communications director, said all students are permitted to bring cellular or personal telecommunications devices to school for safety purposes.

At middle schools and high schools, the devices must remain off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes.

BISD’s elementary students are not permitted to use these devices during the school day, and the devices must remain off during the school day.

“(Elementary) students may use the classroom phone with the permission of the teacher, or request to use the office phone if they need to contact their parents or guardians,” Benway said. “Parents or guardians looking to reach their student during the school day may contact the classroom teacher or the front office.”

Parents or guardians seeking to reach their students at high school or middle school during the school day may contact the front office, he said.

In middle school, student devices must remain off during the lunch period and passing periods.

BISD solicited feedback from multiple groups regarding this policy update, including parents, campus administrators, the BISD Safety Committee and the District Educational Improvement Committee (DEIC), Benway added.

Comfort ISD begins its school year Wednesday, Aug. 14, with essentially the same cellphone-electronic device policy as last year.

The district also allows students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, the devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes.

A student must have approval to possess other personal telecommunications devices on campus such as laptops, tablets, or other portable computers, according to the Comfort ISD student handbook for 2023-24.

However, the use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school, or at a school-related or school-sponsored event.

Additionally, students must obtain prior approval to use personal telecommunications or other personal electronic devices for instructional purposes while on campus.

If a student uses any form of electronic device without appropriate authorization, the device will be confiscated. Only parents can retrieve the items from the principal’s office, with a $15 fee to be paid for retrieval.