san antonio tx, August 19, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio Independent School District has enacted a comprehensive cellphone ban requiring students to keep devices out of sight from the first bell to the last. The ban covers classroom time, lunch, and hallway transitions, with exceptions for students with documented disabilities for medical or safety reasons. District leaders emphasize safety concerns as a motivation for the policy, aligning with recent state legislation. Details on implementation will be presented at a future board meeting.
San Antonio — The San Antonio Independent School District has approved a comprehensive cellphone ban that requires students to keep cellphones and other personal communication devices out of sight and silent for the entire school day. The school board passed the measure unanimously during a Monday evening meeting, and the restriction covers classroom time, lunch periods, and hallway movement between classes.
Key decision and immediate effect
The board vote established that students must not use or display cellphones from the first bell until the last bell each school day. The policy explicitly includes non-classroom periods such as lunch and passing times. The district will present the policy for further action at its board meeting on August 18, moving the measure toward implementation and formal adoption procedures.
Exceptions and accommodations
The approved policy includes specific exceptions for students with documented disability accommodations. These students may use cellphones on campus, but only when the device is required for medical reasons or to report a safety concern. No broad exceptions for social or instructional use were included in the approved language.
State law alignment and district approach
The new SAISD policy aligns with a recently signed state bill by Governor Greg Abbott that requires all public school systems in the state to implement policies prohibiting personal communication devices during school hours. The state legislation also gives school districts flexibility to design policies that reflect local needs and circumstances. District leadership indicated intent to follow the law while incorporating restorative practices into implementation and enforcement strategies.
Context and motivations
District officials pointed to safety and behavior concerns when explaining the policy direction. In the previous school year, the district’s anonymous reporting system, known as P3, received more than 880 tips from students and community members, a flow of information that resulted in 28 arrests and citations. Those figures were cited as part of the rationale for stricter controls on when and where personal devices can be used during the school day.
How this compares with nearby districts
Other area school systems have taken different approaches. North East Independent School District implemented cellphone restrictions earlier and allows students to use phones during non-classroom times. Northside Independent School District permits students to bring devices to campus but requires them to be powered off and stored in backpacks for the duration of the school day. The state law permits such variations, and SAISD’s decision places its rules among the stricter end of local practices.
Enforcement and next steps
Following the unanimous vote, the district will place the policy on the agenda for further board action on August 18. Staff will develop implementation details, disciplinary procedures, and communication plans for students, families, and school personnel. The district stated that enforcement will be combined with restorative practices intended to educate students and reduce reliance on punitive measures alone.
What to expect from implementation
Families and students can expect more detailed guidance from SAISD in the weeks after the August 18 board meeting. Implementation materials will likely include lists of permitted medical exceptions, steps for reporting safety issues when a device is needed, and explanations of any disciplinary or restorative steps for violations. Schools typically provide training for staff and outreach to families when new districtwide behavior policies take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new SAISD policy require?
The policy bans cellphones and all personal communication devices for students from the first bell until the last bell of the school day, requiring devices to be out of sight and silent including during lunch and between classes.
When did the school board approve the policy?
The San Antonio ISD school board approved the policy unanimously during a Monday evening meeting.
Are there any exceptions to the ban?
Students with disability accommodations may use cellphones on campus only for medical reasons or to report a safety concern.
How does this policy relate to state law?
The policy aligns with a recently signed bill by Governor Greg Abbott that requires school systems to implement policies prohibiting personal communication devices during school hours and gives districts flexibility to design policies that meet local needs.
What enforcement or restorative measures will the district use?
The district plans to comply with the law while implementing restorative practices as part of enforcement and education efforts.
When will the policy be presented next?
SAISD plans to present the cellphone policy for further action at their board meeting on August 18.
What data influenced the decision?
In the previous school year, the district’s anonymous reporting system P3 received over 880 tips from students and community members, which led to 28 arrests and citations.
How do nearby districts handle cellphone use?
Nearby districts vary: North East ISD allows phones during non-classroom times, while Northside ISD permits devices on campus but requires them to be powered off and stored in backpacks during the school day.
Key Features of the SAISD Cellphone Policy
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scope | All students, districtwide, during the entire school day |
| Device requirement | Out of sight and silent from first bell to last bell |
| Included times | Class time, lunch periods, hallways between classes |
| Exceptions | Students with disability accommodations for medical reasons or to report safety concerns |
| State alignment | Policy follows state bill requiring districts to prohibit personal communication devices during school hours |
| Next step | Policy to be presented for further action on August 18 |
Timeline of Recent Events
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monday evening (recent) | School board unanimously approved the cellphone ban for the school day | SAISD board meeting |
| August 18 | Cellphone policy scheduled for further action at board meeting | SAISD agenda |
| Previous school year | P3 anonymous reporting system received over 880 tips resulting in 28 arrests and citations | District incident reports / P3 logs |
| Recent (state) | Governor signed bill requiring districts to adopt policies prohibiting personal communication devices during school hours | State legislation |
Statistics and Visuals
P3 Reporting: Tips and Outcomes (Previous School Year)
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- KTSA
- Wikipedia: Cell phone policy
- KSAT
- Google Search: San Antonio cellphone ban
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Texas school cell phone policy
- KENS5
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School policies on cellphones
- Community Impact
- Google News: School cellphone ban
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
