Dallas ISD Approves Cell Phone Ban for Students Ahead of State Law

New Dallas ISD Cell Phone Policy

• 📱 Students returning to Dallas ISD schools after summer break will face a new district-wide cell phone ban.
• 🏫 This policy aligns with a new statewide ban signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
• 🚫 Teachers and campuses will determine appropriate phone storage, with confiscation for violations.

Consequences for Violations

• ⚠️ First-time offenders will have their phones confiscated, with no fee for parents to retrieve them.
• 💰 Subsequent violations incur escalating fees: $5 for the second, $10 for the third, and $15 for the fourth.

Policy Implementation and Exceptions

• ✅ The Dallas ISD policy was approved 8-0 by the school board on the consent agenda.
• 🩺 Exceptions for health reasons are permitted, with prior approval required, mirroring allowances in the statewide ban.
• ⌚ The ban includes other digital communication devices like tablets and smartwatches.
• 🗓️ While the statewide ban takes effect September 1st, the Dallas ISD policy will be in place for students returning on August 12th.

Comparison with Other Districts

• 📊 Several Texas school districts have implemented their own cell phone policies prior to the statewide ban.
• 🏫 Examples include Northwest ISD and Grapevine Collieville ISD opting for classroom bans, Keller ISD requiring phones to be off and put away, Richardson ISD using pouches, and Mansfield ISD with similar rules.