Education
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Comal ISD prohibits personal communication devices during school
What they're saying
Trustee David Krawczynski thanked district sta for their work on the updated phone policy. “I think overall this is a big step in the right direction for our education system,” Krawczynski said.
Comal ISD has prohibited students from using personal communication devices while on campus property during school hours for the 2025-26 school year. The change comes after the passage of House Bill 1481 from the 89th Legislative Session. The board of trustees approved the change to its policy and updated the district’s Student Code of Conduct during an Aug. 28 school board meeting. The Texas Senate unanimously passed HB 1481 on May 25. The legislation was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for nal approval on June 20. The proposals mandate that districts adopt policies banning the use of personal communication devices during the school day, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
All personal communication devices must be powered o or silenced and stowed away during school hours, which include instructional time, lunch and hallway passing periods, according to an email the district sent to parents. The Texas Education Code states that “personal communication devices” include cell phones, personal tablets, laptops, radios and paging devices. Wearable technology also falls under a “personal communication device” and can include: • Artiicial Intelligence, smart glasses • Smart watches • Earbuds • Wireless headphones • Fitness trackers
“It was a pretty impactful state law that came out, and there [were] a lot of districts around the state that rushed to buy stu or do stu, and in [Comal ISD] we took the
summer, we listened to what was going on around the state.” RUSS GARNER, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
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