San Antonio, TX, August 19, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) has approved a new policy prohibiting cellphone use during school hours, effective immediately. Students must keep devices out of sight and silent from the start of the day until the last bell. Exceptions apply for students with disabilities and medical needs. This action aligns with a recent Texas law granting districts authority to create their own cellphone policies. SAISD’s approach is among the strictest in the region, setting it apart from neighboring districts with more lenient rules.
San Antonio
The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) board unanimously approved a strict new cellphone ban policy on Monday that prohibits the use of all communication devices during the entire school day. The policy requires students to keep devices out of sight and in silent mode from the first bell until the last bell and is effective immediately.
Key action and immediate effect
The board vote was unanimous, and the new rule took effect upon passage. The policy bars use of personal and communication devices throughout the school day, including in common areas such as hallways and during lunch periods. Exceptions to the ban are limited to students who have specific accommodations resulting from a disability, students with medical needs, and cases where a device is needed to report safety concerns.
Reasons cited and reporting access
SAISD leadership framed the policy within a legal and safety context, emphasizing adherence to state law while indicating intent to continue restorative disciplinary practices. During the 2024–2025 school year, SAISD’s anonymous reporting system, known as P3, received more than 880 tips; those reports resulted in 28 arrests and citations. District officials signaled a desire to preserve student access to reporting tools from both personal and district devices despite the broader prohibition on device use.
State law and district flexibility
A new Texas law gives each school district flexibility to set its own cellphone rules. Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill earlier this month that mandates a cellphone ban in schools, prompting districts across the state to adopt or revise policies. SAISD’s approach is among the stricter responses permitted under the law.
How this compares to other large San Antonio-area districts
Nearby districts have taken different approaches under the same state law. The North East Independent School District (NEISD) approved its cellphone ban policy before the school year began, but it allows students to use devices during non-classroom times such as lunch periods or passing times. The Northside Independent School District permits students to bring cellphones to school but requires them to be powered off and stored in backpacks during school hours. The Northside proposal was framed as an effort to reduce distractions while addressing the needs of both students and teachers.
Operational impacts and enforcement
Under SAISD’s policy, teachers and staff are expected to enforce the prohibition from bell to bell. The district’s exceptions for disability accommodations and medical needs will require administrative procedures to verify eligibility. The district also intends to maintain channels for safety reporting and to balance enforcement with restorative practices that focus on behavioral improvement rather than solely punitive measures.
Next steps for students and families
Families and students will need to adapt immediately to the new restrictions. Students who rely on devices for documented medical or disability-related reasons should coordinate with school administrators to ensure accommodations remain in place. The district indicated continued support for anonymous safety reporting systems and appears to be working to ensure reporting remains accessible despite tighter personal device restrictions.
Background context
State-level legislation signed earlier this month requires school districts to adopt prohibitive cellphone policies but allows each district to determine the details of its own rules. SAISD’s unanimous board vote and immediate implementation place it among districts choosing a comprehensive daily ban. Other districts in the region have opted for more permissive or conditional policies under the same law.
Key Features Table
| Feature | SAISD Policy | NEISD Policy | Northside ISD Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device use during class day | Prohibited from first to last bell (including lunch and hallways) | Allowed during non-classroom times | Allowed to be on person but must be powered off and stored in backpack |
| Exceptions | Disability accommodations, medical needs, reporting safety concerns | Not specified here | Not specified here |
| Effective date | Immediate upon board passage | Approved before school year | Policy proposal adopted to reduce distractions |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier this month | Governor signed bill mandating cellphone ban in schools | State legislation |
| Before the school year | NEISD approved cellphone policy allowing non-classroom use | District policy |
| 2024–2025 school year | SAISD P3 system received over 880 tips; 28 arrests/citations resulted | District reporting data |
| Monday (current week) | SAISD board unanimously approved cellphone ban effective immediately | Board action |
Visual Statistics
Comparison of P3 reports and resulting arrests/citations during 2024–2025 school year
Policy approaches in regional districts (visual)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SAISD cellphone policy ban?
The policy bans the use of all communication devices during the entire school day, including lunch periods and in hallways. Students must keep devices out of sight and in silent mode from the first bell until the last bell.
Who is exempt from the ban?
Exceptions are provided for students with accommodations due to a disability, students with medical needs, and students who need devices to report safety concerns.
When did the policy take effect?
The policy became effective immediately upon unanimous approval by the SAISD board on Monday.
How will students report safety concerns?
The district intends to maintain student access to anonymous reporting systems, including P3, and indicated efforts to preserve reporting access from personal and district devices despite the device restrictions.
How does SAISD’s policy compare to other districts?
SAISD enacted a full-day ban. NEISD allows device use during non-classroom times, while Northside ISD requires devices to be powered off and stored in backpacks during school hours. All approaches reflect discretion afforded to districts under the new Texas law.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Schools Implement Comprehensive Cellphone Ban
San Antonio School District Enforces New Cellphone Policy
Texas Implements Statewide Cellphone Ban in Schools
Texas Passes Law to Ban Cell Phones in Schools
San Antonio Schools Experience Declines in Latest Ratings
Additional Resources
- KSAT News: Cellphone Ban Discussion
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Independent School District
- News 4 San Antonio: Northside ISD Proposal
- Google Search: San Antonio ISD Cell Phone Ban
- KENS 5: New Cell Phone School Law
- Google Scholar: Texas School Cell Phone Policy
- News 4 San Antonio: NEISD Finalizes Ban
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Education Policy
- KSAT News: Enforcement Plans
- Google News: Texas School Cell Phone Ban
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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