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NEISD Stands By Instructional-Time Phone Policy as TEA Review Continues

The board says its definition of the school day complies with HB 1481, reflecting local control.

Overview

  • TEA notified North East ISD on Sept. 24 that a compliance review was opened after a complaint alleging the district’s policy violates the new cellphone law.
  • NEISD defines the school day as instructional time, banning device use in class but allowing phones during lunch and passing periods.
  • At Monday’s meeting, trustees declined to revise the policy and characterized the dispute as a question of district authority rather than legislative intent.
  • Superintendent Sean Maika said the district submitted a formal defense, invited TEA to the meeting, and is awaiting the agency’s findings.
  • District counsel said TEA could order corrective action if it finds a violation and gave no timeline for a decision; NEISD remains the only Bexar County district without a bell-to-bell ban, as Alamo Heights ISD previously reversed a similar policy.