Cell Phone Policy
On June 20, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a ban on the use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, by students during school hours in Texas. This means that Lockhart ISD is mandated to adopt a policy banning the use of personal communication devices during school hours.
Personal Communication Devices are any electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Cell phones such as a smartphone or flip phone
- Telephone
- Tablet
- Smartwatch
- Radio device
- Paging device
Exceptions include:
- Devices provided by schools to students for instructions.
- Devices necessary to implement an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504.
- Devices for a student with document need based on the directive from a qualified physician.
- Devices necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as a part of the district's or school's safety protocols.
FAQs
On June 20, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a ban on the use of personal communication devices (PCD), including cell phones, by students during school hours in Texas. Lockhart ISD is mandated to adopt a policy banning the use of personal communication devices during school hours.
More so, Lockhart ISD wants to cultivate a learning environment in which teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices.
Here are the guidelines for the Cell Phone Policy:
- Students must have cell phones and other personal electronic devices put away and out of sight while at school.
- Students may not use their cell phones on campus during school hours.
- Cell phones must be silenced and turned off during school hours.
We want our students to be engaged in their learning; therefore, we ask that you refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency. Should you need to contact your student, please call the school’s front office.
In case of an emergency, we will follow all campus and district safety procedures to ensure the safety of our students.
Students who use their smartphone to monitor a health condition will be issued a non-locking cell phone pouch and will be able to continue to monitor their condition as part of their 504 accommodations or individual health plan. All other expectations will be enforced. Parents should reach out to the campus for approval.
Student violating the cell phone policy will face consequences based on the frequency of their violations.