BELTON, Texas — The Belton Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted the district's legislative priorities and approved revisions to the district's cell phone guidelines at a meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, the district said.
BISD said the legislative priorities were "shaped by input from our community, gathered through listening sessions with parents, city leaders, spiritual leaders, non-profit leaders, campus administrators, teachers, staff and board members", which helped "develop priorities that focus on improving the student experience, supporting teacher and staff effectiveness and promoting accountability and transparency."
The Board of Trustees also reviewed revisions to the cell phone guidelines, the district said, which update the guidelines for cell phone use during the instructional day and include an implementation plan.
According to BISD, the district gathered input on the cell phone guidelines by surveying parents and teachers, holding listening sessions with students, teachers and principals and reviewing feedback from assistant principals.
The guidelines will vary by campus level, said BISD.
Elementary:
- Students are required to store their personal electronic devices, which must remain silenced or turned off throughout the entire school day.
Middle School:
- Students must put away their devices, ensuring they are silenced or turned off during each instructional class period. At the discretion of campus administration, students may earn the privilege to use their devices in the hallways and during lunch as part of a reward system connected to expectations of being safe, respectful and responsible.
High School:
- Students must put away their devices, with devices silenced or turned off during each instructional class period. However, students will be permitted to access their devices between classes and during lunch.
The new guidelines will go into effect Jan. 8, 2025, according to the district.
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