MONTGOMERY, Texas – Montgomery ISD announced changes to the district’s cell phone policy following a board workshop.
The district said students in Montgomery ISD will be allowed to have cell phones on campus. However, they are expected to be “away for the day” in backpacks, lockers, or vehicles and turned off. The policy applies to all classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, and any other school property during the school day.
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“There is ample research available providing valuable insight into the challenges that cell phone use presents to students, teachers, and administrators. After spending the spring listening to teachers, parents, and students, it is clear that we are facing many of those same challenges in Montgomery ISD. Cell phones create a distraction that hinders student learning and academic performance, negatively impacts student discipline, leads to instances of academic dishonesty, and unfortunately provides opportunities for cyber bullying,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that our learning environments provide students and teachers with the best possible opportunity to succeed. Our classroom teachers need help competing with the distractions posed by cell phones, and we believe this policy is a step in the right direction toward reclaiming the learning environment.”
Teachers and school staff will monitor and enforce the policy. Students found in violation of the policy will face disciplinary consequences including phone confiscation, detention, and parental notification.
“As a board, we are confident the new guidelines will limit distractions and disruptions to the learning process, which are often caused by cell phone usage,” Montgomery ISD Board President Dr. Matt Fuller said. “This new expectation empowers our staff to focus on providing engaging instruction and provides academic and social benefits to our students.”
In case of emergencies or urgent matters, parents are encouraged to contact the school office which will relay the messages to students.
Parents will receive information about the policy change via email and are encouraged to talk with their children about the new guidelines before the start of school.
More information can be found here.