MIDLAND, Texas — The Midland ISD Board of Trustees have approved a stricter cell phone policy that will begin in the 2024-25 school year.
The aim of the approval is to limit distractions in the educational setting.
After forming a committee of staff members and parents, the district believes that removing cell phone use will help improve outcomes and the students' experience.
Here are the new policies:
- Elementary and Junior High Cell Phone Usage:
- Students are permitted to have cell phones on school premises, but devices must be turned off and stored away at all times. Use of cell phones and other electronic devices is not permitted at any time during the school day.
- A fee of $20.00 will be collected if a personal cell phone is confiscated by the campus. The student or the student’s parent/guardian may retrieve the device after paying the fee.
- High School Cell Phone Usage:
- Students are permitted to have cell phones on school premises, but devices must be turned off and stored away in all educational settings other than before school, during passing periods, lunch, and after school.
- A fee of $20.00 will be collected if a personal cell phone is confiscated by the campus. The student or the student’s parent/guardian may retrieve the device after paying the fee.
The district says this policy will help the district achieve one of its goals of increasing classroom engagement.
