Use of Personal Communication Devices During the School Day

Under HB 1481, students are not allowed to use personal devices that are capable of two-way communication during the instructional day. These devices include:

• Cell phones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• Pagers
• Bluetooth headphones or earbuds
• Gaming devices
• Meta glasses or similar wearable technology
• Personal laptops

The policy applies from the first instructional bell to the last bell of the day, including:

• Class time
• Lunch
• Passing periods

During this time, students must power off their personal devices and store them out of sight, such as in a backpack or tote bag. Devices may not be carried on their person, worn (e.g., on wrists), or accessed in any way. If a device is visible, makes noise, or is being used, it will be considered a violation and may be confiscated.

Use of personal devices is also prohibited in locker rooms, restrooms, and other common areas.

Students may use their devices before and after school, including on the bus and at extracurricular events. Once dismissed and off campus, students may turn their devices back on.

We understand how important it is to stay in touch with your child during the school day. If you need to reach your student, please call the campus front office, and a staff member will deliver your message or assist your child in returning your call.

In most cases, non-emergency messages will be delivered once per day—at the end of the school day. This process is in place to protect instructional time by minimizing classroom disruptions during lessons and independent work time. In the event of a true emergency, campus staff will ensure communication happens as quickly as possible.

We ask that you avoid calling or texting your child directly during school hours, as students will not have access to their devices. In the event of a school emergency, students may be allowed to access their devices after safety has been established. Families will receive communication through the district’s emergency notification system. In case of a family emergency, our staff will ensure communication happens as quickly as possible.

Yes. The law allows for limited exceptions, including:

• When use of a device is required by a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan
• When a documented medical need exists, as directed by a physician
• When needed for health or safety purposes, especially if a staff member is not immediately available

Each situation will be reviewed individually by campus or district administration.

HB 1481 prohibits students from using personal laptops, tablets, or other personal devices during the school day. However, KISD will continue to provide students with district-issued devices for instructional use. Students can access school email on these devices, which may be used to communicate with teachers or parents when appropriate.

• 1^st & 2^nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, and device shall be held in school office until the end of the day.

• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, and lunch detention assigned- 1 day.

• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, lunch detention assigned- 2 or more days, and the student shall be required to turn in their phone to front office each day for the remainder of the school year.

• Additional offenses- Administrator discretion following Student Code of Conduct for persistent misconduct.

• 1st offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, and device shall be held in school office until the end of the day.

• 2nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day and detention assigned- 1 day.

• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, ISS assigned- 1 day (the student shall no longer be eligible for exemption from semester finals), the parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the school office, and the phone/device must be turned into the front office daily for the next thirty (30) school days.

• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, phone/device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, ISS assigned- 3 days, the parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the school office, and the phone/device must be turned into the front office daily for the remainder of the school year.

• Additional offenses- Administrator discretion following Student Code of Conduct for persistent misconduct.

• 1st offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day.

• 2nd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, lunch detention- 1 day.

• 3rd offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, after school detention- 1 day, and the parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the school office.

• 4th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, Saturday school- 1 day, parent/guardian must pick up phone/device from the school office, and the phone/device must be turned into the front office daily for the next thirty (30) school days.

• 5th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, ISS assigned- 3 days (student will no longer be exempt from semester finals), parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the front office, and the phone/device must be turned into the front office daily for the next thirty (30) school days.

• 6th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, ISS assigned- 5 days, parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the front office, and the phone/device must be turned into the front office daily for the remainder of the school year.

• 7^th offense: Confiscation of device, administrator shall contact parent, device shall be held in school office until the end of the day, parent/guardian must pick up the phone/device from the front office, and 30 days of placement in the district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)- all DAEP rules and expectations enforced.