McAllen ISD Special Board Meeting (July 30, 2025)

001[Music] Good afternoon everyone and thanks for being here. Those of you that are here uh today we have a special board meeting of the board of trustees of the Macau Independent School District that's being held Wednesday July 30th 2025 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Dr. Carlo Chapa boardroom administration building of the Macau Independent School District 2000 North 23rd Street, Macau, Texas 78501. At this meeting, there may be discussion by the board on the items and subjects listed as follows. Item number one, call the meeting to order. I've done so at 5:30 p.m. Item number two, public comments. I believe we have one public comment and we will call you Oops. As soon as we play this brief message, >> here are the public comment procedures. Number one, individuals who wish to participate during the

002portion of the meeting designated for public comment shall sign up at mckelenisd.org at least one hour prior to the start of the scheduled meeting. Number two, an individual's comments to the board shall not exceed two minutes per meeting. Number three, the board shall not tolerate disruption of the meeting by members of the audience. Thank you. I'm sorry. ISD. All right. So, we have Miss uh Fanny Johnson. Miss Johnson, you'll have two uninterrupted minutes. Thank you. >> Good evening, board members and audience members. Uh my my comment is um as a parent, I am supportive of whatever uh policy is established at the school for our children. But I would like clarification as to what um I need to do as a parent if I need to reach my child in any emergency situation and it

003is school hours. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> We have item number three report regarding House Bill 1481, >> personal communication devices. Dr. Lee. >> Yes, if I may. uh Mr. president and the board of trustees if we can combine three and four because I think it's the discussion that we're gonna have it kind of like involves both items based on our presentation and and the questions that we're going that uh that we have as well as the discussion that we're going to have >> for the sake of the viewing audience can we just read them just the sure >> the actual item >> so uh item number three is the report regarding house bill 1481 personal communication devices item number four is discussion of account policy FNCE local student

004conduct. >> Okay. So what um we are going to be presenting this evening is on house bill 1481 that was uh approved by the legislators. Um this has to do with personal communication devices. Uh this is a requirement now is by law we have to comply. we have to adopt the policy and some uh procedures and so we called for this special called meeting so that uh we can open up a discussion. This is more of a discussion uh first reading. Uh we will have to bring the final reading and the final approval to the board of trustees on August the 12th at a regular scheduled board meeting. However, for us to um be able to bring the final um policy for the board to adopt on August the 12th, um we wanted to have

005this meeting to u have a discussion and u and finalize u what that policy is going to be and what we are going to bring to the board on August the 12th. In the audience, I have committee members who have been involved in this uh with this new requirement, House Bill 1480 uh 1481, as well as principles are here uh in the event that uh there's questions and we can also hear our principal's input uh since they're going to be the ones in the front lines with the teachers and the staff u enforcing this new requirement on House Bill 1481. there are some u options there very few options but there are some options and we're going to talk about those options and and um and see what uh the board of trustees and committee

006members and principles who are here uh what we are going to be bringing on on August the 12th for the second reading and so this is an open discussion and our legal has also been very involved Mr. John Bal along with Dr. Gonales reviewing this u new bill 1481 that we're asked to comply with. So u I'm going to go ahead and uh at this time turn it over to Dr. Canales because we have a PowerPoint presentation and then uh then we'll have that open discussion on on some uh some things that the board of trustees want to know more about or talk about and and some items that you may want to include in the in the policy in the final policy for August the 12th. So go ahead Dr. Gonales if you can

007uh start the PowerPoint presentation and then we'll start the discussion after that. >> Yes sir. So we'll go ahead and begin. So this is on personal communication devices for house bill 1481. Uh we do have uh the members of committees here. I know that Jesse from student support services has been working alongside me uh to create this here. So I'm going to go over this presentation with you all. So what is House Bill 1481? Right. It's a hospital. It's a mandate that school districts and open enrollment charter schools adopt a written policy prohibiting students from using personal communication devices, for example, cell phones, uh, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, smart glasses, or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication uh, on school property during the school day. Uh, this policy must outline disciplinary measures

008for violations and may include provisions for device confiscation. exceptions are provided for students with medical needs or those requiring the device for IEPs or section 504 plans. So the instructional day, right, we look at that part of it there. For elementary, the instructional day is 7:45 to 3:10. For middle school, it is 8 uh to 40:05 and for high school it is 8:15 to 4:15. So what's a personal communication device here? So means a telephone, cell phone such as a smartphone or flip phone, tablets, laptops unless provided by the district. Uh smart watches, smart glasses, radio devices, paging devices, uh or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication. Uh the law became effective immediately upon Governor Gra Abbott's signature on June 20th, 2025. uh school district must adopt this policy uh and

009enforce it for the 2526 school year uh and beyond. So exceptions allowed uh it talks about what can we do. So it says students can use devices during school hours if they have one medical needs. So examples are students with documented medical conditions requiring device use. Examples for monitoring or communication uh may be exempt. uh section 504 or IEP accommodation such as students with disabilities uh for 504 plans that necessitates devices access or device access for learning or support are also exempt and that's usually in the 504 RTI or paperwork there and then school issued devices so devices are provided by school district for instructional activities are not covered by the ban right so we know that we do provide uh laptops we do provide Chromebooks for our students so that is allowable uh and

010then safety legal reasons. School administrators may grant exceptions for safety or legal reasons. So how it works here uh we only have two options that we can choose from. So one is to say a total ban, right? So this can choose to prohibit students from bringing communication devices onto school properties. We can just say you know what we're not allowing any students to bring any devices to any of our campuses. That's option number one. And option number two uh is provide a secure storage. Uh so districts can allow students to bring devices but require them to be stored in a designated secure area such as a backpack, pouch, purse or other out of sight location during the instructional day. Uh this was the option selected uh by our committee or this is the option they

011would like to go with but we'll discuss that a little bit. So here's a student code of conduct. This is the consequences that we we researched a lot of different districts uh from throughout the state. Uh we came up with this suit of conduct here. So first offense uh warning and documented on the dis discipline uh document form. Uh second offense we're looking at the device will be confiscated and documented on the form. Again the student must pick up the device at the end of the school day from the campus administrator. And then we have the third offense here. we have it'll be confiscated and another discipline refer this time it will be a discipline referral will be issued uh and the student will receive a discipline referral for lunch detention or the consequences and

012a parent or guardian must pick up the device from the campus administrator and the fourth offense of subsequent offenses we're looking at uh confiscation of the device another referral will be issued and then looking at three days of in school suspension or other consequences uh as deemed by the CBC uh parent or guardian may must pick up the device from the campus princip And then we did add a clause there about the district not being liable or responsible for any kind of lost, stolen, uh, broken devices on the on the previous slide there at the very bottom. So in the student handbook uh that we're going to go over in a little bit as well. So we add added here possession and use of personal communication devices including cell phones and other electronic devices. So,

013in accordance with the state law, uh, the district prohibits the use of personal communicating devices such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches while on school property during the school day. For more information about permitted use in certain circumstances, the disciplinary measure that apply to this prohibition, see the student code of conduct and policy, FNC local. All right. And we'll have links to this on our on the actual student code of conduct that'll go out to the students. Uh on this part here, it does talk about the use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or on school related or school sponsored events. If a student uses a personal device here, uh communication device without authorization during the school day, the student

014will be disciplined in accordance with the student code of conduct and the parent may pick up the confiscated communication device from the principal's office. uh confiscated communication devices that are not retrieved by the student or the student's parents will be stored accordingly to administrative regulation. And that one they kind of gave you leeway of of discarding the device after a certain amount of time. We just chose to store it and just give the parent an opportunity to come by and and pick it up. So we did have that leeway there, but we don't want to be throwing away devices. So here's some items that we have for discussion. uh one we know that the House Bill 1481 there's only two things we can do is one is either not allow them to bring them at

015all or allow them to bring them and they store them in a certain area right like we brought up the backpack purse bag. Uh the second one all students must keep their phones stored away. So what we want to talk about here is do we do everything for the same for elementary, middle school and high school and that's like for today's discussion. Do we separate it? do elementary we say maybe they don't bring it for elementary or they do bring it and they store it in their cubby for middle school that's items for discussion right now and then the exceptions of course we know that they have to be documented on a medical health and safety and IEP 504 plan uh and then we put under the treating physician cannot be the actual parent and

016then consequences for violation of the policy that we already that we already brought up to you uh that is up for discussion as well like are those good consequences we need to add different ones. Are there other variations? And then are teachers allowed to use our cell phone? This one's been coming up like can teachers use it? Uh I know the the ban doesn't say that teachers can't use it, but maybe just during the instructional time to set the example as well for for kids is what's come up to our to this area here. So then this time we can open up now we would like to open up a discussion because there's a there's some things we can do to uh kind of come to a a compromise where we all can u you

017know we all can live with this new policy that we need to adopt. Uh the committee going back is uh they they would like for the students to have their cell phone just to be put away either in their backpack or or their purse and and we can that's what our committee is recommending. Um but then now we need to look at there's different levels. There's the elementary kids, the middle school kids and the high school kids. Do we set the same in the part of the discussion do we set the same standards for all elementary elementary through high school and you know that they can bring the phone or is it only secondary kids but not elementary. So, those are the things that we need to talk about. Uh, also with what Miss Johnson

018who made some public comments about uh the use of the phone in event of an emergency because I think as I'm been talking to parents out in the community, that's one thing that that they bring up. They understand the the phones need to be completely off limits during the day at school, but they also like to see know that if there's an an emergency, can they use a phone? And if they can, how we can put that in policy as well and and talk about that because that's the number one thing that has come up from parents is u if there's an emergency, will they be allowed to use their phone? and it's and I think they should but those are the things that we need to talk about and how we can put that

019in policy as well. So so it's open for discussion and and uh but the the the the basic here is that the phone cannot be utilized during the day during the school day from bell to bell bell is at the beginning of the day till the end of the day that's for sure they can use it and now we can say do we allow all kids to ring it and put away as the committee is recommending or do we have different u treat the elementary different from secondary just that's those are things that we need to talk about so it's open for discussion >> and we did check with tasby just so you all do know because I know there were some questions that were brought up to me on what is it instructional time

020right like period by period instru uh TASBY and then our legal as well have interpreted as instructional day so it's not by instructional time it's not during lunch. It's the whole instructional day. >> So for storage would look like they arrived to school, excuse me, storing it would look like they arrived to school, put it away somewhere central or >> we're saying it's in their bag, it's in their backpack, it's in their athletic. >> We're not providing >> storage space. No. >> Uh part of the the requirements is that the phone cannot be it has to be out of sight. >> Correct. And so, and I don't think we want to put it on the teachers to be having to collect phones as they go into classroom and then collect the phones as they go

021out because then that's not out of sight anymore. They're going to the phones are going to be visible. They cannot be visible. So, what the committee had recommended was backpack, a purse, somewhere where it just is not going to be it's going to be in their possession, but not visible, out of sight, and turned off. And what would be deemed an emergency? Like I know us as parents when we get text messages of a lockdown or lock out like >> we get nervous too. So at that point would they have access to their phone or I mean that's >> and I think that's what we have to define as a as as a board. I think that's a good question like a fire drill or whatever might be going on >> and then does the

022teacher have discretion or is it have to be campuswide? I can tell you one thing that has worked right when we do have when we have had emergency at the school. You know, our our plan has always been to tell students, you know, if it's a lockdown that we're in lockdown, that we're quiet, we're not texting, we're not on the phones, we're not causing uh you know, any undue stuff because we got to be hidden. We got to be silent, right? Uh what we've done is is during that lockdown process, as we're getting more information, the principal usually come on the intercom and will say, you know what, everything is safe at this time. Please take out your phones, send them to your parent that you're okay, you know, let them know that that you

023cannot communicate back and forth, but we are letting you know that you're that that everything's fine at the school. And we give them step by step, but that's done by the principal at the campus on the intercom just to give kids a piece of mind knowing that nothing actually at the actual campus is is going on. Now, it is a true emergency. We definitely want it to be, you know, as quiet as possible in that classroom without phones going off. Uh that's one of the >> But don't we send we send a message. >> We also send a message out too. >> I think that correct >> you know coming on and saying get your phones and call your parents or text your parents kind of it's a gray area for them to maybe I'm

024not going to text my parents but I'm going to text my buddy and everybody else and it's an opportunity to uh I got a question that just came in on my cell phone. Um but Somebody wants to know if it's got to be out of sight and off. I think off, right? >> It would have to be off because uh you know phone ringing. Yes. >> Yeah. And if if you go to the slide before so we can also talk about the emergency because there's a fire drill, there's a lockdown. >> Go to the slide before >> on the exceptions on the >> on the off function. You know, I've heard from several parents that would be okay with, you know, having the cell phone band. Cell phones required to be in the backpacks, but

025they like to be able to track. >> So, if the phone's off, you're going to have good point. >> A lot of parents that aren't able to determine where their child is at. >> That's a good point. >> Maybe just on do not disturb >> because then you don't get ringing or beeping, but it's still on because airplane mode is basically off too, right? >> Right. You can't access. >> So, maybe just Can they track it with on airplane mode? >> No. No. >> I I would add one caveat to that and the lawyer in me says you use the common use of the language and the language says use and tracking that's use. I and and so it it I I I do have concerns with saying we're going to allow kids to leave

026them on. I I think we need to be fairly firm that use means turned off and that's what the guidance has been that we've received from TASBY. I think that's the guidance that I >> the bill does say student shall not use. Right. >> Correct. >> But having the phone on doesn't imply the students using it even if the parents tracking it or even if apps are functional. >> We won't know if it's on if it's in the bag and it's on complete silent, >> right? going to vibrate. It's not going to do anything. So, >> and then to your point, you'd set up a violation of the policy. If somebody has their cell phone on, not disturbing anybody, on complete silent, that student is now in violation of a policy, even though it's causing

027no disturbance and within the spirit of the law. >> Okay. >> I think um I think our district has really good systems in place in security measures and um communication measures as well. And I'm of the mindset that we securely store and we just go through our regular procedures for I mean it's a double-edged sword. I understand the desire to have that quick communication with your child or whoever. At the same time, sometimes that can amount to even more chaos in stressful situations or you know whatever. and and I know our district already sends messages to parents when things are going on. Um so I wonder if we can I would hate to be just driven by worst case scenario situations even though it's important to be thinking of those things. Um but it it

028does seem to defeat the whole purpose of why this bill was even you know uh passed. So I don't know what what do we think about just secure sec securely store storing it >> for the whole day and in emergency situations. >> Um I mean we get commun gets communication from the district. >> The standard protocol if there was an emergency and we just need to say the elephant in the room is we have a active shooter type situation. The guidance is nobody talks. Nobody gets on their cell phones. You can't you have to have >> people that are absolutely quiet. You have to have the airways free to >> to communicate. So I I I know that's not of any comfort to anybody that's listening, but it defeats the whole purpose of what the

029lockdown is to allow people to make those calls. Now certainly once it's done and the principles make a determination, you can send out a message to family members. That's >> I think I think that would be well within the spirit of the law to allow that to happen. But um there there would be no reason to have somebody communicating while there's an ongoing emergency. >> Just for the record, in a current lockdown situation, the decision to send a message to parents or the community does not rest at the principal level. It rests at the superintendent and administrative level. Correct. >> Correct. So starting on the first day of school in the 25 26 school year, we could potentially have a policy in place where if there were a lockdown type of situation and that message

030was communicated to the community and to parents via our already established policies and procedures, we could also establish a communication protocol whereby the central office and administration could similarly communicate that we have lifted temporarily ally the restriction on personal communication devices in order for you to communicate with your student. Correct. C >> certainly could there I can see some hurdles we'd have to jump to be able to figure that out because I think again it would open the the the floodgates to the phone calls and the text messages coming in afterwards while you're still trying to sort. >> Okay. But again, we're we're operating from the worst case scenario and and I >> would have a sense that if you're dealing with worst case scenario, um much of this stuff is going to go out

031the window anyways as to whether somebody's going to say, well, there's a policy in place that says absolutely I can't use my phone. I'm going to get lunchtime detention if I use my phone. Well, you know, >> in a matter of life and death. >> Yeah, I'll run that I'll run that risk, you know, and if it was my child. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> So, thank you for that clarification. I personally think that having that decision rest at the central office and administrative level is much preferable to having that decision rest at the campus level with the principles. Um just for clarity and consistency sake. >> Um to the other I would say important consideration. The language of the law is pretty clear. It prohibits use not possession. So, I think the recommendation, and thank

032you to the folks on the discipline committee who deliberated on this, >> that recommendation sits well with me. That's where I was thinking coming into the conversation that we would not prohibit possession, but that we would prohibit use during the school day. Um the third thing that is on my mind is the uh prohibition on use is inclusive of smart watches and lots of people use both their phone as a watch >> and their smartwatch as a watch. And as written, 1481 will require us to similarly implement secure possession of any telecommunication devices inclusive of smartwatches. >> And so starting on the first day of school, whichever way we ultimately go on this, I think it's important for members of our community, including our staff, to know that essentially a smartwatch cannot be worn on

033a student's wrist on a go forward basis. These have to be stored away in the same way that a phone or a personal tablet or other communication device would. Um the fourth thing that I've been thinking about may feel odd for me to say this. I think the policy is going to be the easy part. Changing habits and changing culture is much much harder than changing writing in paper. And so, both as a parent and as somebody who thinks a lot about how schools operate, I love the fact that I have been able to receive real-time communications from my students uh teachers over the course of a school day about changes in schedules, including things like, "We thought we were going to have tutoring at the end of school, but we're no longer going to

034have tutoring at the end of school." And sometimes I have received those messages 15 20 minutes before the end of the school day and I then have to communicate very quickly with my student about where to be so that they can get a safe ride home. And so I think habits around staff so we have this question are teachers allowed obviously there's lots of educational apps that are used on these tools in these systems. Some of the systems we use are schoolisssued systems like on a Chromebook or other device. Some of them I would imagine are on teachers personal systems. And so I think the cultural change of shifting plans during the middle of a day when a parent has already dropped off their child and is unable to then communicate with the child about

035the change and plan for school pickup is a largecale cultural change that is going to take some time for us to get used to. Um, and there was one other thing that was on my mind. Um, on the consequences, um, I really appreciate one that there is a escalating set of consequences here. I have seen other school districts, um, implement like a fine or a recovery fee. I do not think that I would be personally in support of a fine or a recovery fee. Um, but I think the escalating scale um, of consequences makes sense. Um, and there was one other thing which is that, you know, oftentimes we ask, well, how did we do this before our kids had cell phones? Um, well, I never had kids before. Kids had cell phones. Uh, but

036when I was a kid and there was a message, my parents would call the school. Um, and we are not in the habit of doing that generally by and large. I am not and I'm guilty of it as well. Um but in this shift I would say um we should be prepared for a lot more incoming phone calls to the campus receptionists. True >> and therefore a lot more messages to be relayed from the central or the campus receptionists to individual teachers in individual classrooms. And I don't want to go as far as trying to regulate or determine what are the types of messages that we communicate to students immediately versus not. But this is going to again represent a large scale cultural change that feels much more significant in a world of constant communication

037um than whatever the policy on the paper is. And as a school board we debate policy on paper uh but as a community we define the culture uh and that is going to take a collaborative effort between parents, our staff, our school board and ultimately our students as well. So, I know I've said a lot there, but that was a lot of what's been on my mind over the past couple weeks. >> And I do have uh Judith here. I like I'd like to ask if we could bring her up because we do have a an app that we do have that's called Apigy. Uh kids do have that on their Chromebook. It is pushed out to them. So, if they need to do something with parents and communication, that'll be how we communicate. We

038do have Chromebooks. So, that will help solve some of those problems. But Judith, you can talk about that. >> Yes. Um the good thing is is that we were able to leverage the product that we call Thrillshare. The way that we communicate with parents and uh we tell them if there was a hold or there's any emergency going on in the district or events. We were able to add another product called rooms. And rooms is actually a product that allows for us to have another layer of communication with our parents. And um the campus can send communication directly to our parents and that would be campus driven or the teacher can directly communicate with the parent and at the secondary level the teachers can communicate with students and all of it is district um you

039know operated. We can do discoveries and we also have the capability for principles to do their own discovery in case they're you know have questionable interactions or maybe uh someone was didn't respond properly or maybe they didn't respond promptly. So this gives us a lot more visibility that we've had in the past and it is controlled through the district. It is a uh application that we are going to um start this year. We are going through a tweaking uh process this semester but the cuto off will be January 1 where this will be the only one of the only products we can use for communication. The other product that we will have at elementary is class dojo. Class dojo doesn't have as much enhancements as uh Apogee does but it will allow the teachers to

040communicate with the parents and the same thing with the campus uh principles as well. Um, so if you'd like for us to go into more details on how these applications work, I'd love to have a one-on-one. It is lengthy and it is uh different than what we've done in the past, but it will give us a lot more visibility for our district and um creates better uh communication within our community. So, for those apps, >> I would like to see a communication be sent out, which I'm sure you guys are planning already, but prior to just to inform them if you're already planning on using those apps, I'd say we start rolling it out so that parents, we don't come day one. And >> yes, >> because we're going to implement this policy, August 12th,

041a couple days before school starts. >> We we did uh provide communication uh through uh community info. Um it's basically the Mallen ISD app. I don't know if you have it on your on your phones now. That is the uh application that we can get feeds and communication back and forth from the district. That application will have the rooms enhancement built into that. >> Okay. >> Um we will have uh more detailed uh training available for possibly if parents have a hard time logging in or there's issues, but we will be also helping uh campuses to make sure they're how do you log into the the device right as a parent? um you either use the email address that you put in Skyward or the phone number that you put in Skyward and that's how

042you're able to log into the application. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to just if I may. >> Yeah. >> Um we do have parents that are not technology savvy and so through our parent um education program. Can we also make sure that those parents who maybe have a not you know not as fancy a technology or maybe don't you know have that um use of technology that they rely on a call or whatever. I know that they've been using the dojo system for a long time and uh that they've been successfully communicating that way, but this is a big change not just in the technology, but just the law itself is a big change for everybody. So, um I know I'm probably preaching to the choir, right? But let's make sure that parents in

043the next couple of weeks because that's all we've got left are hearing this and and able to ask questions every single day from here to there. I would hate to have a parent that h gets a a phone confiscated or something like that because um they just, you know, fall behind because they're not technology savvy or don't really rely on technology as much. They're going to need it. >> I just want to clarify that this initiative is not an initiative due to this mandate. It is just coincidence that it ended up at this at this realm, right? But it is something that the district has been looking for to create district communication standards so we don't have all these different applications for for the district so we can streamline communication. Um, and that's what we're

044trying to >> and I can appreciate that. But what prior to that without this law, it was going to take some time to get used to and all of that. Now we have a law starting in two weeks that they need to be able to get information. >> The products do allow for SMS meaning text messaging. So they would still get some information but I think uh definitely leveraging the application would be would be in a parents best uh interest. We will have uh parent involvement librarians and my technology staff in the mornings available for parents uh that need additional you know technical support. What about what about a I'm sorry. What about a mail out to the parents? Those >> those things are planned as much information as they can get. Okay. >> We

045have that planned. So, I know during the back to school bash, I know we did uh promote >> uh apty or this and parents were actually downloading the app and actually signing up already for that already. So, I know we'll work with our kids for sure. Uh and then I think during the registration process uh today I know that some of the principles are already doing that already to get their let the parents know that this is a way we're going to be communicating uh with with our parents. Now >> and just to be clear the app is called Mallen ISD. So that's what we would uh look for in um the Play Store or in our Apple store. >> And go ahead. >> I think Trusty could >> Yeah. Um, are we prepared to

046guide parents on how to download and set up an account at schedule pickup and meet the teacher night over the next 7 to 10 days? >> I'm not sure if we'd be ready at that time. Um, but we can carve out time. The reason is that that is a very fast-paced process. Yeah, >> we can allow for the campuses to say, "Hey, my technicians available from 7:30 to um 10:00 a.m. to help any parent that needs extra help for 2, 3 weeks, whatever you need." Um, but the staff will be available in the library to help with that. >> Great. >> Thank you, trustee. Oh, sorry. >> Even if they have like QR codes at uh parent at schedule pickup because a lot of times you go and you sign in and then you wait

047for a long time before you get >> That's a good point. Um, we do have the QR code available uh that people will be able to scan. Um, so we'll increase communication. We'll work with community community info to make sure that we we uh provide as much information as possible, not just uh here, but also at the campus level. Maybe get some parent involvement um groups. Uh I don't know whatever it'll take, but we'll we'll help to get this information out. >> Thanks, Trusty. Yeah, I think one I just have a comment uh on this discussion. I think some trustes have already brought it up for um when we adopt this policy on August 12th. It'd be good to see what the communication plan is to parent institution to students to teachers um on what

048the policy cell phone policies. I know you you won't have the actual policy till we approve it. Uh but I think this discussion will inform that. But how we communicate that to our ter to our whole community whether it's the parents, teachers, students is going to be extremely important and I think it can be rolled into the Macallen ISD app or discussion we're having here about how parents can communicate with the school. Um you know since they won't have access students won't have access to cell phone. Um and then I'm glad trusty dear just brought a QR code because that was one of my notes. Um, I've had a couple teachers um tell me that a lot of um our communications to students is currently on QR code. You know, we have posters to sign

049up for this, sign up for that. So, how are we going to address if students can't have their cell phones campus? We have to think about how the use of QR codes, how we're currently using them, and how we may not be able to use them as much or not at all. I don't know. the district has uh been able to provide a onetoone initiative and our c our devices our new Chromebooks have frontf facing and uh world facing um cameras so they're able to use those devices if they need to. Thank you for that. >> Um I'd also like to make a comment um just to also I know administrators already know this but just to encourage administrators that this will be a big learning curve for our students who are highly addicted to

050these phones and you might need explicit instruction and this is how we call home and go to the front office. You know this is how we use this tablet. This is how we communicate because they might not be using it and they're so used to their phones. So, I think it's um >> it's truly I mean I I have it too and an an addiction when you you're not getting these quick, you know, updates that you're feeling. So, um how can we teach and support our students through through this transition, too? Like, they're going to feel like they're back in the stone ages without their phone. >> We have to learn everybody's phone numbers. >> They They don't know how to They've never learned how to operate without them. It's not like going back in

051time. It's a totally new deal, right? Totally new deal. So, um, and I even had I don't know. I'm just thinking like maybe we could put some really cool phones around the campuses like in London, you know, those phone boxes where where just we if if the front office is getting too many calls like I don't know, make it cool. >> Now, each classroom does have each kind does have a cell Cisco phone in every class. >> Each classroom across the district >> across the district, they all have one. So, in case they do need to use that or got to get in touch with a parent, they can do it right there from the classroom. Uh, you know, so that that won't be an issue. And then we do have uh I do have

052Felicia here. So as part of the media team, she's been a part of the process also just to hear what's going on, keeping up to date. So she does have a media kit that they are looking at rolling out. So I do wanted to go over that uh the proposed plan. >> So we have two media kits, one of them being exclusive to the API app. That QR code was shared out last week um I believe Tuesday or Wednesday during our our uh summer leadership academy that was sent out via to all of our 40,000 followers on Facebook and we have been promoting it every 30 days there will be a phase that comes out uh promoting it. I've I've met with Judith over at DOT and we will be rolling that out to have

053a 100% of those parents be on our app um or grandparents as yesterday during our back- tochool bash we had grandparents or guardians there and they were downloading the app as well. So any opportunity that we have to promote the application that is our goal with every 30 days changing or shifting that message on our marketing roll out for HB1481 after today's discussion we do plan to have a teaser out on social media sent out just letting parents and family know we are thinking about this and it will go to vote when it once it is voted on we will have something um out on social media and via that communications out to all parents and anybody that is signed up on our Thrillshare app to get that communication out >> and maybe even a

054very easy to read three bullet this is how your student will still be able to contact you like like it's not like there's no contact anymore there is and it's going to be just as easy it's just a different um it's just a different way >> and we will have a web page dedicated um to this particular bill um and it will fall within we've identified it to to house um within our student services page and we will lead any questions there as well. So that will that will land um under student services. >> I think your department does a great job of like snippet and educational videos. I know when y'all did, for example, the commercial, I call it a commercial for the superintendent's golf tournament, but if y'all did a like a quick

055little video commercial like that that can be played on the scoreboard because football season's coming up and that is a captive audience that you have for two two and a half hours um just to remind parents and families that are there. >> Yes, we have fun with those clever messages. So, thank you. Uh I feel I think I have a question about teachers allowed to use their cell phone. What do we decide? Yes. >> Is that that's not part of this policy? >> It's not but it's a question that's come up. >> It's just come up. >> Well, I think uh Dr. Canadus addressed it when he said, you know, we want the teachers to be an example as well, right? Not use it. >> Well, I'd like to make a comment because I I

056agree with that. At the same time, they're teachers are professionals. They've been to college, they're well educated, they're, you know, they're these professionals and there's a difference. The reason why we're banning it for children is because they're children and their brains are not fully formed yet. Um, so I would hate to treat our competent adults like you can't use this. Obviously, they're I don't believe our teachers are using it during the instructional period anyway. Um, but they are adults and They I I don't feel that this ban applies to them. >> It doesn't. >> I mean I mean I know it >> I'm in line with what Trusty KDman's saying >> and I think that's I think it's a good discussion, but maybe I'm not sure what our policy is for teachers on cell phones,

057but that might be a policy for consideration in the future, >> right? No, we we just put that question because it's been asked uh since this House Bill 1481 was approved, but it doesn't apply to teachers at all. That's correct. >> Oh, okay. >> I I do want to circle back. So I I guess on the discussion that the recommendation that the administration would bring in on one of them is that cell phones will be allowed to be brought by the students at all levels elementary through high school as long as it's put away in a purse or a backpack. So that's a that's I think we've already I think from what I understand in the discussion that's a recommendation and we would bring that it would be allowed for students elementary through high school

058that to bring a a phone but it would have to be out of sight in in a >> in their backpack or in a purse >> some trust. >> Yeah. So I know our Thank you. Um I know our discussion has been really robust and I agree with a lot of what's been said. Um, so I won't repeat any of that, but I think as it relates to teachers, I definitely think that while yes, I agree that there's multiple reasons why we're implementing this, but this didn't come from us. It came from the legislature. And so I I definitely do not support um ex broadening that reach to include our professional teachers. So um I will say that and then I do agree also, Dr. Guett, um and I was hoping that you would address

059that with regard to um one uniform policy across all grade levels. I think it's hard enough for us to try to implement something like this, much less to have it different at every grade or every um middle, elementary, and high school. Um, one concern that I had about enforcement of this policy is I worry about how like confiscating phones and all of that is going to burden further our professionals. So, I don't know if there's something I don't know what we could possibly do about that, but I just think that we are adding a whole other level of work that is beyond education. So, >> I think it also has the potential to create an issue where students could get in real trouble if they say, "Hey, you're not taking my phone." And it ends

060up escalating into something different, right? >> Um, so that's also a concern. >> Um, I I totally see that. I spoke I'm sure there's plenty of principles here. I'm sure um I spoke to Mr. Mlenny who told me when he was the principal at Morris that he they they were already doing this and there were no problems. So I don't know if anyone wants to speak to the way that it works. >> Can any of our principles since you're in the front lines uh with the staff and the kids uh >> tell us about some of the >> some of the things that we talked about >> uh and give us your feedback as well. >> And I think the feedback for middle school with at the middle school level. It is very similar to

061what we're already doing at Morris. We are one of the few middle schools that allow kids to use them at lunchtime. So, that's going to be the biggest change for our kids. Uh I did send a message out to parents early uh a voicemail that went out as soon as we found out about 1481 uh to talk to your kids already because we weren't sure what the direction was going to be, but we knew coming in that they wouldn't be able to use them. Uh and I think that's really the the key to it, right? that we let parents know early, we let kids know early, and we just bombard them as much as we can that that hey, kids have to keep them put away. It's going to be a very different picture at

062the high school. But, but the middle school, most of us are already doing it. Uh, it's it's easy for us to communicate messages to kids. We have intercoms. We have phones in the classrooms. It's a matter of letting our parents know. I I love that bullet idea of, hey, this is how you can still reach your kids. Uh, parents need that reassurance. And I think it's important that we let parents know, too. pay our two options were none at all, which we're not for. We want to make sure that you still feel safe, that you can get to your kid if we truly have an emergency. I was at Memorial when when we had a true emergency and we got on the intercom and we let kids know, hey, at this point, pull your phones

063out and you can let you can let your parents know what's going on. But the reality is in that emergency when somebody is running through the hallways, you don't want phones out. You don't want kids saying anything. you want them quiet in the back corner doing what they need to do and so it helps us in all fronts in that way. >> Thank you. >> I did want to add one more thing. >> I think we're going to have a high volume of calls first couple of weeks, not just because of this. You get all kinds of calls first couple of weeks already, but this is going to compound that. Um are the campuses prepared? Do you have one person that's going to be dedicated to answering phones? Because I is this is frustrating as

064it is um to be calling and nobody's answering the phone and nobody's answering the phone. We're going to get a lot of angry community members because nobody's answering the phone. Not because they don't want to, but because of the volume. Yeah. So, I think that just something to think about and let's make sure that we have the phones answered as >> promptly and as much as possible without delay because parents will get frustrated. >> And on on that note, I know it's hard when >> when people call and they've already been trying and they're just anxious about whatever situation. I know one of my biggest things with our schools is sometimes our receptionists and people who are answering the phones are the front line or the representative of our district. And so in that sense,

065we have to treat it like a business and customer service is key. being positive and upbeat and happy and polite. And I know I know that is so hard because our staff is so great, but I know that it can get overwhelming and it's a lot easier to be snippy when it's over the phone and your person's not right in front of you. So, I encourage um all of our principles to have those conversations with um whoever is answering the phones because it it is going to take a little bit of time. >> And there may be like maybe respit for whoever's answering the phones, switch people out so that you got a fresh, >> you know, phone. Yeah. Phone duty. Just something to make it a little better on the community and of course

066the campuses. This can be a little bit >> Mr. Mr. is a principal at Nikiro High School. >> So, uh I had come from the middle school. I had been 10 years as as a principal at a middle school. So, at the middle school, our policy was often in the backpack. And so, I get to the high school a couple of years ago, and it was a complete shock to me, so many cell phones out at all times. And and the staff recognizes that, recognize that at the high school that it was an issue. there was an issue with the the big-time distraction that cell phones can be to to students. So, we had already gone started down that road at at Nikki Row with the blessing of Dr. Lutieres and communication with our staff

067and communication with our community and our parents. So, we had already started to implement some procedures to kind of curtail uh the usage of phones. Uh so I I think the students will adapt if there's if there's an open line of communication and everybody's in agreement that this is in the best interest of the students for these to be put away and so that way they can concentrate better. I think it starts with that clear communication with the parents and we're all on the same page and on the same team. They help with the communication with the students before they even arrive on the first day of school. And I anticipate that the problem will be minimal and the students will adjust. We will have some some cases of some students that that won't adjust

068just by by us telling, but then just following the procedures and and and implementing some of the consequences. I I don't I don't think it'll be as a big issue as we might foresee that it it will be. I think the students will adjust and uh I think we can implement that at the high school if it's off and in the backpack or out of sight and in the backpack. I think students will adjust. Is there do should we have a a short grace period like first couple days of school or maybe the first week where >> there is warning there like >> there there is a warning part there >> but I think the communication like everybody already knows like I think when the student steps into the building on the first day they

069will already know what the expectation is and and we just have to hold them to the expectation if we really want it to work and then we all just have to be consistent as the adults at the campus. because it's not just the principal or the admin team, but it's all staff working together and I think we can implement it successfully. But I think we have to start right off the bat and and there is a grace period there. There is a warning the first violation. But I think we if we all implement it with fidelity, I think it'll it'll work. I was thinking of the grace period just on the consequences like right just to give him like maybe like two weeks like you know we're not going to implement the the consequences the

070the four steps yet but you know two weeks to put it away put it away put it away after the second week then start with a with the levels of consequence >> I don't agree with that I think you have to it's state law it's like >> no they would still be tucked away they would be but I'm saying to implement the consequence one two three and before. No, there will still be put away, but you know, they're going to challenge us that it's going to be there. >> And that's going to be the point. >> That's going to be the moment that's going to break it or make it. >> We're going to have a consequences on day one, but we can just think on day one you're going to have >> 800 violations.

071I'm making up a number, but >> you know, why not give a short grace period to say this is the policy. You now know the policy. Yeah, >> but starting on day three consequences will >> but it is going to be it is going to be implemented on day one that cell phones will be put away in the backpack cannot be seen and off and completely now they will some of them are going to try to take it out. I'm saying I'm talking about that grace period to not implement the consequences but just to tell them you know the rules it cannot be on display put it away after two weeks or a week whatever we we decide then after that we start with the implementing the the consequences but day one they will not

072be part of the they will have to be put away we will comply with the law we're just talking about when do we implement those consequences because I do believe that on day one we will have hundreds of consequences already at the level I would think Mr. Castill from Memorial High School. >> Good evening. U Memorial High School and assistant principles. I know we've been talking about this since last year. So second semester we kind of started talking about how are we going to start addressing our teachers and our students with it. So of course there's a bunch of the buyin from our parents and also from our staff members kind of make sure a board with this uh Senate House Bill 1481. Um today during registration we had open communication with our parents discussing

073it. They're on board. board I think is just like you said communicate with our parents and talk about the expectations what does this include and I think moving forward I think it's going to work but of course it's making the buying everyone understands the reason behind it and of course giving like you said Miss Beto and I think Mr. as mentioned just these are the other procedures we have. We have phones in the classroom. You have to make a phone call. Please go to the front office and being acceptable and being providing that time for them to do so. But I think the communication is going to be a big aspect about it and making sure they're having those talks. I think making those public forums uh voicing the concerns that they want to hear

074out still but are saying this is how it's going to work and of course like I said Dr. Dennis being also like the first two weeks. Okay, this is the expectation. Put away your phones and of course keeping the backpack. high school, we have kids on campus till 8:00, 9:00 at night. So, we know they have to have some kind of communication with their parents in case emergencies after school. And of course, just making sure that we do have a phone available at any time for those students like you said, like I think GarcA mentioned, like being available to make those calls. So, I think moving forward, we're able to do it, but it's going to take work. I think uh communication across all the campuses like through the high schools, the middle schools, and

075elementaryaries, of course, being consistent. I think we're able to make it work. It's going to take some time, but we're able to do it in the long run. I think >> Thank you. >> I think no grace period. I'm sorry. I disagree. >> Sorry. I agree. No grace period. It's It's a lot. >> But um >> you know that some kids can have all four in in one week >> by second period. Sir, >> myself included. >> And that's Gonzalez from uh >> also for our students who are taking dual courses. I know for collegiate I'm not sure what they use for STC. Um they used to use Blackboard at Utrgv they are changing the program which we're going to have an orientation on but that required the two-factor authentication where the students had to

076take out their phone they would get a code and then they'd be able to log in. So um they have told me that they are quickly trying to find a resolution but they don't know how quickly they'll be able to circumvent that. So, just a heads up that first day of school, they might not have that ready and our students will need to log into their it's it's not Blackboard anymore. Um I can't remember the name of the program, but they they will need it. So, I don't know how we would do that. >> Okay. Just so I'm understanding, there are a certain group of students who are dual credit or dual enrollment who because they take courses that are offered by an institution of higher education currently have to have access to a personal

077communication device in order to access the learning management system that is a required component of the course that they are are taking? >> Yes. >> And you do not think that we will have a solution to the two-factor identification by the first day of school? Utrgv is trying to find a resolution for that and like I said I'm not sure what the our SEC students are using and if they require that as well but just a heads up on that as well. >> Um I know on our part as soon as they come with come up with a resolution then we'll share that. Just a quick comment because on the proposed policies that were sent over, it said regarding confiscation of the telephones, it says that the district employees shall, if you were to change

078it to May, that gives them discretion based on totality of the circumstances, everything that's going on. Does that change anything legal? As far as the policy goes, you can make whatever >> to give the teacher the discretion to >> this is well >> so what we've done what we had to do with one student because of all our our students that were in in the program um only one didn't have a phone and so we had to put our counselor's phone number and so every time >> I guess >> so every student >> it's for them to log into their their blackboard >> Miss Gonzalez maybe uh because It it does allow the individual education plan as an exception. >> That could be, just thinking aloud here, that could be considered an individual education plan

079for that group, that cohort of students >> until they find a solution because part of the exception is an IEP, which is an individual education plan. We can set individual education plans that they need to be uh using their devices for their uh for their >> well that would be for ours but I don't know for SEC any students taking courses what are your thoughts on that Judith as is there another way to go around that or can you communicate with UTRGB maybe >> it's >> yeah we can try to work with them on that the reason it's a multifactor authentication that they're getting to be able to lo into the account. So, that's the struggle that we would have if we were to have these limitations for our staff because right now there's no

080way that we could have them log in if they don't have their device available. >> What about the third exception allows for quote campus safety protocols? Couldn't we consider this a safety protocol? I mean it's >> well I think the exceptions as far as like what we're providing as far as academics has the leeway to if the child needs these uh resources I think it clearly allows us to make accommodations while we try to get a resolution from the from the institution or if there's a resolution for me right now I wouldn't even know how to handle that um if we were go that route now for students we were already looking for multi factor authentication and uh I mean right now we we're hitting a roadblock right now. So yes, >> um one question

081to Dr. Guutieres's idea um would having something like use of personal communication device in an IEP necessitate calling an AR in order to have an IEP? If so, that feels like a pretty heavy lift to try to pull off in the next >> 14 days. I think the exceptions allow for us to make just a policy exception for advancing their educational needs. >> I would I would add I cannot fathom that if some kids were using their phones for because we weren't able to move the technology fast enough >> so to speak to allow them to you to be in compliance with the policy that we would get in any trouble. Number one, I don't there there is nothing stated in this law that makes me think that there's some mechanism where they can punish

082us. Number two, it's not the intent or the spirit of the law. If you've read and I'm I'm a nerd, so I do read the background of the reasons behind the legislation. And so this doesn't violate the intent of the legislation at all if we need to do that. I would like to address the issue of shall versus may um with respectfully I would caution against saying may I think shall because once you start having the discretion then it becomes um each campus can enforce it a little different than other campuses can. And I can tell you from having sat through more um grievances than I can count that those issues come up very quickly amongst parents where they will say, "Well, so and so was given this opportunity versus somebody else was given this

083opportunity or this campus only punishes kids with this many days versus this many days." So having whatever it might be, having that uniformity is helpful and I think that it is probably helpful frankly not only for us um here but also on the on the campus level to to give them the tools they need to enforce a little bit. >> Valid. Thanks for the clarification. >> The policy outlines like the broad exceptions. Um is the administration thinking about further defining these in and regulation about you know for example this situation here would that be a similar circumstance um under number two or a safety protocol number three those kind of >> I think I'll go with what trusted regal suggested to put it in in the policy for those students that are in higher education

084that there may be some exceptions to that for their for the use of their device. Uh I think it would be something that we could put language in the in the policy >> I guess for uniformity I guess defining these exceptions further >> so that we don't keep running into the issue of like well you're letting this student but not that student. >> Yeah. and and uh and that takes me to uh the IEPs because where we have right now current uh individual education plans is with our special education students that uh there's an art meeting but can you tell us on this type of a timeline that we have to implement this house bill 1481 is this going to >> put a crunch in your timelines with the arts to to be able to

085>> so so for students to have an IEP they need to be identified under special education or have a 504 for plan, right? So, those are the students who qualify for an IEP plan. Not all students qualify for one. That's the first thing. And then the second thing is uh you would need a medical prescription from a doctor stating why they would need to have a communication device on them. And so, some of the examples would be uh a medical reason, right? Would be blood sugar. And because they're tracking their blood sugar levels, they have an alert system on their phone that they have to have with them. That would be one. Or a communication app. So in order to communicate with the teachers or the students in the classroom, they have to have the

086device on them in order to communicate. We have students who have communication boards. So we can easily move the app from a phone to a device. So I I would recommend that. Um but yes, we would have to have it in an art and uh >> but is it going to is there quite a few arts that need to be taken place like very quickly or >> Yes. So yes, if if if we would have to look at how many students have the examples I'm giving you like a communication app uh a medical already active ARD um and go back to ARD and put an IEP in place and have it documented in the ARD the reason why and the AR can decide. And so every student would have to be individualized on the why

087and the conversation involve the parents involve students on why we have to have it documented that they need to carry a device. >> But you're saying for the the R wouldn't apply for a student that just needs it for to track their blood sugar, right? As long as >> So that could be that's actually an example. That's be one example that they could have a doctor's note that says that they have a uh blood sugar uh and they would have the app that tracks it and it's an alert that their blood sugar is low. They have to go to the nurse and get a insulin injection or something like that. >> That doesn't mean they don't they have to have their phone out all day. They get an alert, they look at it, they go

088to the nurse. >> Yeah. >> Put their device away most of the day or all day if not necessary. >> Miss Kia, would I know that's a special education? >> That's a special education. >> Would that also include the 504 kids? that applies to accommodation. So in the research that I've done as well is I already wrote out a a checklist of what we need to give guidance to the committee because we do need the medical documentation to substantiate and support that. Um but one of the things that we have to have in place is guidance to the teacher and the student as that person or taken. So it's not always um going to be out certainly for example um we've had situations with type two diabetes for example um during lunch they must have

089it that for sure yes because they're eating and making sure that the diet doesn't spike. So we need to consider if somebody a student has it you know during lunch >> that it's a violation of policy for other students to be using that phone >> correct and not necessarily that particular student that >> right and are they both violating the policy one by allowing the other by using >> but you can't take that phone away so what do you do in that situation >> if they have doctors >> they just >> right accept >> right but I'm I'm saying the scenario I'm a student I have a document medical need but I'm allowing uh trusty regala to use my phone during lunch. >> Oh >> yeah. >> We have to consider those guidance that we

090have to provide. >> Right. My clarification would be in the um 504 plan or the IEP is it spelled out the use of assistive technology let's call it which would include a personal communication device. Is that already written and documented in every case that we would need it to restrict the types of functions that those assisted devices could provide? >> So in terms of uh section 504, we have been uh general, we've used general language, >> but because of this just came into place, we have already some samples of specific language >> and the >> but it's not currently in there. So we would have to go through a revision process in those cases for the learning plans. >> Correct. Well, just be a little more specific, but it does stipulate um for example, they

091used to monitor glucose during lunch. It does stipulate that, but now we need to be more specific as to when when to pull it out, pull out the personal device and when to stow it away. >> Yeah. So certainly are >> those uh specifics uh John uh like 504 special education because there are exceptions do they need to be itemized in the local policy or can it be an administrative procedure that uh we can create for those exceptions? >> Administrative is fine. So those are the big ticket items as long as we list those in the policy. These are the four that as it trickles comes down the folks that are doing it and implementing it they can do it as they >> they can do it on an administrative uh procedures >> at this

092level. It doesn't need to be detailed >> with that degree of specificity so long as it's >> detailed down >> they will put it in policy the what is generally speaking and then specifically then it will be administratively procedures >> correct and that's where they get to exercise the discretion that they need and the flexibility they need. >> All right. That's what we need to do it team. So for special education, it it is um the our decision and it is an assisted technology plan and it is specific to an assisted technology plan. Whether it's a communication board, whether it's the phone for an alert system, for a medical alert, it it is an assisted technology plan. That's what it is. >> As it relates though to section 504 or IEP, like we're not saying

093that there's a rush that we need to go back and redo their ARS, right? Because we have the safety and legal exceptions. So, I think that covers us until their next review. Like, I don't think we need to make them go back and do all this work again. >> Okay. >> I mean, I would think, right? >> I think it's um I I agree with that, especially because it's training purposes. It's already stipulated. We have the medical documentation supporting that the device needs to be utilized. It's more so training. We do this annually. Uh meaning I meet with the 504 coordinators. I I make sure that they have their individualized accommodation plans um compiled for their teachers. they sit with their teachers, review it, and they stipulate, they go over the stipulations. So, now it's

094being more specific in terms of making sure that we train the teachers and the in uh the staff that interact with the students how to manage those personal devices. >> But it's already the language is already stated. >> If it's already in the plan, then then we're safe. There's no issues. >> We're good to go. So for special education, we could run a report that just tells us all students who have an AT plan already and that's how we would start with a comprehensive list by campus and then as annual ARS occur those discussions happen at those points. Uh if parents request an art because a parent can request an art at any point and they want they come in with a doctor's prescription and then those discussions will happen at that time. Yeah, we

095just need to uh see how we can not communicate that to the principles and the teachers of those exceptions for those kids. It's going to be the the >> You're right. Because I think about a student at lunch and the people who are informed of the IEP may not be in the general vicinity. There may be another professional on lunch duty that sees a device on a table. >> And that's a question I had because type 1 diabetics have Dexcoms that they use that connects directly with their phone. And I think under the letter of the law, the way that it's written, the phone at that point is considered a medical device and not a communication device. But >> to trust Karion's point, how are we going to educate everybody? Let's talk about a high

096school. So many people in that high school if they see a type 1 diabetic that's there that has their phone that's monitoring their glucose levels and they go up and take the phone away, don't listen to the child or the student. Well, I'm thinking of I'm just thinking right now Loud. We probably have to give them a sticker or something that identifies their phone as a as >> it's confidentiality, too. I I do want to >> It is confident. But I do want to mention we don't know what it is. We just know that they have permission >> or reiterate what I mentioned earlier is by by law, we have to comply and train the teachers as well as the staff who interact with our students. Yes. So if it's the staff on lunch duty,

097our 504 coordinators and I'm sure our sped coordinators are trained that they must bring in our pair professional staff as well as the professional staff who interact with our students with IE IPS or behavior intervention plans or medical plans for my for my department. They have to be trained and and notified and so they also know who our chronic illnesses are so that in case of a medical emergency they they're quick to respond. >> Thanks. And a lot of these questions that are being asked tonight or that are being posed by the board are questions that we have gotten asked by community members throughout the entire summer. So, I'm glad that everybody's being able to voice them because they are going to come up and there's a lot of parents out there that are going

098to have more questions. So, I'm glad we're having this discussion. >> Yeah, we'll bring the policy adopted and then work all those details administratively. We're going to have to work those details ourselves >> because since we issue Do we issue IDs to elementary school students? No. Right. >> ID card. >> Yeah. Oh, we do. >> I mean, could you put something on the ID that just like a check mark or something that says like I can use my phone type? >> Is that allowed? >> On on an ID? >> Yeah. >> No. Yeah. Um it's we we have to take care of of confidence, you know, all of that. Well, what if like um you know if you're TSA precheck and you go through the airport and you don't have to take off your shoes

099and and then you get that little card and we just have a general laminated card that like if a student has to use their phone they fall whatever umbrella they fall under. So it's still confidential but they >> like an adult can see okay phone card you're good or something like that. And I just want to have an extensive list of students. Um, however, >> I I can see the challenge at the secondary level. Elementary, I was a former elementary teacher. It's a communication. You're working with top 800 students. Um, but I do see the challenge. But we do have very strong title board coordinators and they know that when we you know, we make sure that our students are well taken care of and that we don't hit our >> I and I have

100talked to several parents who do say that uh and they have children in different categories, right? So, you have elementary, secondary, so they they have said that they treat uh the staff there is informed and they've uh been adaptive to the needs of the student. So, >> um, it's very responsive and and so the staff's already doing that here at Macallen. >> They're being responsive to the children with those needs. >> What percentage of students would you say that, you know, may need it for a medical device but are not on the 504 plan? >> Uh, in a special education setting, >> well, they're they're not >> that are not on the 504, >> right? >> I I couldn't give you a percentage at the top of my head, but >> what would we do?

101They would just have to bring a a prescription >> have an art >> to the nurse's office. >> No, it it would have for special education, it would have to go through the art committee. And then >> I'm not talking about special education. >> Oh, you're talking about 504 student. >> So, in general general education students, we would need a medical a medical form and then uh there's a a medical condition. So, it would have to we would have to evaluate, meaning we make sure that it's the medical doctor. We have the the proper documentation. when we go to a 504 meeting and then uh we make we evaluate and we make a plan. We write out a plan but generally if it's a general ed student and uh the parent has not brought in

102the documentation there's no way we can we can monitor those numbers or pretty much support that. >> So we might have a large number of those >> coming in possibly. >> Yeah. >> That'd be one we'd have to communicate really with the with the campus or the campus nurse say you know what uh I do have type 1 diabetes. I'm not on a 504 plan. Right. you might not be on one, but here's my excuse. I need to use my phone for that purpose. And then the the nurse communicates to the to the team and the principal and the teachers. >> And it's just it's going to be getting to know all those different students, right? Because you're looking at lunches of 600, 700 uh at a time and knowing who those kids are. I

103mean, for the most part, I know that the principles try to put the same teachers on duty during, you know, the AB lunch, B lunch, and C lunches. That way just knowing who the kids are and then just telling the student, hey, you're not using your phone for your you can't be on, you know, just because you have that, you can't be on TikTok or you can't be on, you need you need to put your phone away and that's the warning for the student already and letting the parent know, hey, if he if he has it for a medical plan, he can't be using it for any other thing than that medical plan, right? So making sure that they're monitoring, not seeing him online doing other things. So the kids aren't looking like, well, he's

104on the >> So forformational purposes, the the parents or the students that already have those plans that have already provided documentation, there's no requirement to bring it forth again, right? So whatever is on file, correct? Okay. >> The language is written. >> Yes. And what we need from administratively from the board is that the the adoption of the local policy along with the student code of conduct, the consequences and then everything else that we're discussing here is the specifics that we would have to come as an administration and and put those procedures and guidelines um that we need to implement for 504 special education um and higher education. But those are would be administrative procedures. >> I know we've seen this part here. I don't know if we can move on to I would like

105to show the two policies that way that the public can see that as well. Uh so you do have the one policy there that does state uh a student shall not use a personal communication device on school property during the school day while on school property. The student shall store any personal communication device in accordance with administrative regulation and that's where you all help us decide on backpack you know only or >> Dr. Can I ask one question? the school day that means Monday through Friday. It does not incorporate a UIL competition like on a Saturday. >> To my knowledge, it's only Monday through Friday during the instru. >> I mean, is that do we need to further define that to clarify, you know, when that bell rings, you know, athletes can pull it out

106if they're at practice. assuming that coaches allow them. But, you know, I don't want students to be constantly getting in trouble because we're not clear as to when and when they can use their phone on campus. >> So, on this one here, it does say on school property. So, you know, if they're if they're often an event, uh it's not on our >> but I think we need to define a school day that is during the instructional day. Yes. >> And not is like they have basketball practice after school. That's not >> that's not applied. And on the previous slide, we did put the times uh you know that we do have that are slotted for elementary, middle school, and the high school. And that'll also be in the handbook. So that will be the

107>> have that posted front door schools just like no phones from this to this time. >> Just easy to read. >> Yes, the bell. >> We we would uh that's a good idea to post the times of when the phone ban is in is in effect, which is during those times. >> Yeah. So, write that on the note. >> Um, I've been trying to get on the app and I can't figure it out. >> It's a work in progress. >> It'll come in time. >> I don't know my password. >> They'll figure it out quickly. Right. So, it does this is the part here where it does kind of talk about, you know, student violates a policy. We go into the student code of conduct. We'll add that in there when the time takes place.

108An authorized district employee. It does say shall confiscate a student's personal communication device. Right? So, we have to do it. Uh that is used in violation of this policy or any applicable uh regulations. Right? And then going down further, it kind of talks about it says the district shall not dispose of the personal communication uh device. This was an option to dispose. Uh we chose I don't think anybody wants to dispose of that device. Um so, it does talk about it uh there. And then a student shall be authorized to use a personal conditioning device on school property during the school day only under the following circum after the students use necessary for implementation uh of the individualized education program a 54 plan or similar program or plan and the students use is required due

109to a documented need based on directive from a qualified physician. So that will qualify for those that maybe are not on the on a 504 IEP plan. >> I have a question on the SHA language. Um maybe John you can because it says the sha confiscated students phone um if it's used in violation of this policy. Now there are students that can use it with the exceptions but even if they violate the policy does this does this policy give us wiggle room to not confiscate the phone because they need it for medical purposes. >> That's a great point. >> You see what I'm saying? >> Sure. And so for instance, if you have so if you have a student that has uh blood sugar monitoring, something like that, would I would I advise taking their

110phone away from them completely? Nope. I I definitely would not because even if they wind up violating and they have to go to ISS, they're going to have to have that cell phone with them in ISS anyways to be able to monitor it. So that's just a whole another can of worms we're going to have to figure out as we go along which is and that's >> maybe we can clarify that the the consequences apply but confiscation may not apply. >> Correct. So that's something we can work out in the handbook portion of it. So policywise at y'all's level we can leave it like that but in the handbook we can talk about look if you have a 504 plan or you have some medical need >> you can still be punished. However, maybe that

111punishment doesn't include the confiscation, but there's no reason you can't go to on campus if need be. >> Thanks. >> Just for to clarify that. >> Go ahead. >> And then the last one, bullet number three, the students use necessary to comply with the health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the district campus safety protocols. And then the implementation, the superintendent shall develop regulations to implement this policy. And annually the superintendent shall report to the board of the implementation and compliance of this policy. >> Yeah. And that's where it comes the the administrative procedures on the implementation and compliance. Correct. That's on us on the administration. >> All right. So just to be super clear, this is the language of the policy that allows possession but restricts use. >> Correct. Thank

112you. >> And then the next policy >> No, that was >> this is the one that just said the student cannot bring. So a student is prohibited from possessing or using a personal communication device on school property during the school day. A student who violates this policy in any regulation shall be subject to this in accordance with the board adopted student code of conduct. Uh an authority district employee shall confiscate uh the device a personal device uh in violation of applicable regulations. And then further down it kind of goes over the same thing we went over. The zuk shall dispose. We're not choosing to do that, but that's the poly hazard. Dispose of the person device shall provide appropriate notice and devices that are not retrieved shall be stored in accordance with administrative regulation. A

113student shall be authorized to possess uh and use personal computer device on school property during the school day only under the following circumstance. Number one, the student use is necessary for the students individualized education program. So, we chose for them not to bring it. they could bring it if they fall under these categories here. Uh number two, the students use is required due to documented need and number three, the students use is necessary to comply with the health or safety requirements. So that's the only way they could bring the device to school is under these three areas only. >> So in that policy then if the we decide to implement it to where they can bring it to school, then we'd remove the student is prohibited from possessing, right? And just keep it as using.

114>> Correct. We keep it with the first one that says uh students may bring it but shall be stored away uh and put away during the school day. >> And then I had a question for Mr. Ball regarding the uh when we're taking the phones away, is there something that we should put saying that the district's not responsible for any lost or stolen device? >> There is language in there. It is there's language in there that says basically if you violate this policy and we take your phone and it's lost, broken, stolen, misplaced, pick whatever word you want. >> Dr. the the policy that we're recommending uh is going to be where the device will be brought to school but put away in a backpack not to completely uh eliminate bringing cell phones. the the

115only policy that we're focusing on because I from what I gather from our discussion is to bring the recommendation for the second reading of the policy where the students are allowed to bring the phone have it but have it stored away out of sight in their backpack or or purse or >> that's the policy that we're bringing as a as a second reading. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, just to clarify that. And then the other part that we're going to bring is the the four levels on the student code of conduct on the consequences if >> they violate the the local policy with a cell phone. That's correct. >> We already covered those four, right? Those Okay, they're up there. >> You know, powered off or set to silent mode with no vibrations. And then

116we did put on there uh about us not being uh responsible as well. Uh the very bottom says the district is not responsible for any loss, stolen or damaged personal communication device, including that that have been confiscated in accordance with this policy. Yeah. >> Are we required to give uh an appeal like a an option to appeal a decision to confiscate a phone? >> It's it's certainly not in any of the legislation that came out uh that was signed by the governor. Now, I'm there's no doubt in my mind we're going to get a whole influx of FNGs and and parents that are going to be filing all kinds of grievances appeals and we and and they have an absolute right to do that. There's nothing we can do. We're just going to have to

117deal with that as they come along. >> Okay. And >> I think the way we have it set up is we're giving it back to them at the end of the day uh with the student picking it up and then the parent picking it up. So, we're not keeping it for I think in the past we used to give it for 10 days, 15 days. We're not keeping it at all. They just have to pick it up that next day. they don't come, they can get it the next day. Uh, >> and and this is something that has been done. My brother graduated from Memorial over 10 years ago, and cell phones were used then, and these procedures were being done then. I mean, don't want to call him out, but he got his cell

118phone taken away a time or two, and so there was times that you didn't have it for a couple days, and then parent would have to go and pick it up. So, it's something that's been done in our schools. >> Oh, yeah. Uh so yeah the this is will be the then the student code of conduct that will bring this fourth uh four consequences but there are lines. Um but going back to what trustee Karion said earlier is we're not going to be implementing a fine to the parents to pay a fine to get the phone back. We're not doing that. We feel that by having this uh four steps, you know, would be good enough for for everyone to understand and follow. >> Yeah. >> I think what I can see happening actually in

119having a kid that just graduated is the communication when you're driving to school is they're always on their phone and you're not really communicating. I think we're going to have the reverse when somebody say no, keep it for three days or keep it for a week is probably what they they might not want to pick it up the that day, you know, for some of them. I'm excited to hear about all the positive stories that come out of this. >> Positive on this. >> Take us a year. >> It was going to take us about a year to adapt. >> Well, I with to Dr. Kdman's point, I think the positive is we're going to see we should see improvement in social ability skills and our students um development being able to learn, pay attention.

120Um, you know, the more and more studies I've seen, um, and I encourage every parent, every teacher to look this, you know, just go on YouTube and see cell phones effect or screen times effect on children and it's profound, um, the negative effects that constant screen time has. Um, it's not just children, it's all of us, right? We're all addicted to our phones. Um, but, you know, when you go to lunch or dinner and you're sitting with friends or family and all of you on your phones, it's like, why are we sitting together? We could do this at home. Think think about also um we keep talking about in the case of an emergency, right? Communicating with the parents, things like that. Think about all the positive that's this is going to bring with how

121many kids have gotten in trouble for taking inappropriate photos, sharing them, thinking it's okay to send it forward and things like that. Like all of that's going to stop hopefully. And that's a big plus when kids are not getting in trouble and maybe, you know, a back a black mark on their record for things like that, you know, because if I'm a kid and somebody sends me something, I'm just part of that situation, not even having asked for it or whatever. So, that's a positive as well. You know, kids will not be getting in trouble that way. So, I think there's a lot of good that'll come from it. Is is there a process when they when and if phones get confiscated like it goes in a ziplo a student signs that they are aware

122that it was confiscated and that goes in the school safe or that goes in the teachers desk like that that's I think where we need to also be prepared >> u any principal what what do you do when you you've confiscated phones in the past how do we answer to that uh question anyone you you all are you all deal with this daily in the past. >> Hello Mr. Thomas from Nicero High School one of the assistant principles. So already brainstorming you know being on this uh committee you know knowing that we're going to have to utilize our DDF form and what have you. Uh I've already uh brainstormed with my secretary you know being the CBC handling discipline you know we my secretary is you know my right-hand woman. So we're already getting ready.

123>> She's going to be answering the phone >> all week all day. Uh so you know with that DDF form that we're going to be asked to utilize to track the amount of violations you know because it is true I think somebody said that maybe they could get all four violations in one day right uh so it's going to be difficult to kind of track you know one teacher you do the DDF and another teacher DDF so we're brainstorming me and her and I've talked to my boss you know about uh centralizing that form with uh with me and the secretary you know and already start utilizing this in uh in the students uh folder that way if we get the phone confiscated a teacher and they bring the phone to us, we'll start marking

124and keeping track of the amount of times the phone's been taken away. And then we're going to have a place that we will centrally store the phone. That way, you know, it'll be marked, it'll be safe, and it'll have their, you know, name and ID number and what have you, and they can come pick it up at the end of the day, whether it be the student for that first violation or the parent for the subsequent violations. >> What's the DF form? >> The discipline uh the the district discipline form. So, it's a lower level than a referral form. >> I'm just asking for the sake of the public. I I'm I'm big on acronyms and making sure that the public knows what we're talking about. >> So, it's a form that's lower uh than

125a formal referral form, you know, that would be documented in Skyward, you know. So, this form would be locally housed at the at the campus level uh that we can keep track of that uh these lower level infractions, you know, >> just so the viewing public knows because they're going to be like, I didn't know what a DDF was and you took my kid's phone. >> Yeah. So we'll uh we're brainstorming at the campus, but that's one thing that we're trying to brainstorm to centralize that. >> Hopefully that's I'm sorry. Hopefully that's uniform across the district so that it's not different at one campus versus another because >> that >> no that's part of the our committee uh and administrative responsibilities to be consistent across the district >> and thank you the committee for that

126because like take for instance when we were talking about start times for school and stuff I got a lot of calls about well this school starts at this time and that school starts at that time and so the more uniform we are the less of that that can happen. >> May I ask your personal opinion on having a grace period or going for it? >> Uh, as an administrator already going on five years, it's uh if we're going to implement a rule, you know, we need to implement the rule. And if it's now the law, we're going to implement the law. >> It's a law. Just curious. >> It's not just a policy, it's a law. >> I'm nice. >> Just a nice guy. >> Can't do it. I'm a nice guy. I'm just trying

127to be >> texting and driving is a lot, right? The day that it went into effect, you couldn't say, "Well, you know what? I won't do it. You're going to get it today." >> Sorry, Doc. >> To all the students, I'm trying. >> Well, I think the part you get is is the kid is the fourth one in one day and you're in the next day. Then you're in there for three. So, I think >> that's the part But we definitely want to start and the reason to back to you Miss Bon the reason we want to start at the document format you too Mr. Dear is that we don't want to go into the system with the automatic referral because you know that goes into the skyward and that goes into data so you

128know they have a warning they have a warning and then we and then we go with the with the most restrictive at that time so that we give kids that opportunity to correct behavior or habit which is you know it takes how many days to break a habit? 21 >> 21 days that'll be the goal of our 21 days and you'll be fine. >> It's 21 days, right? To to break that habit there. Uh the next part we do have for you all is the sample of the uh student code of conduct. This is brought to the board every single year for for approval. Uh, we know we do have to wait until the 12th to get this out because of the second reading. So, we can make a determination on whether we're going to

129allow or not allow, but I think we're leaning towards allowing students to to bring it the device to school. >> That's going to be the recommendation. >> So, right here, when you look at this part here, uh, I can kind of just scroll through it. And I do have Jesse Martinez here who who can also speak to this as well. Just uh, who helped us with the committee to put this here. But here it just gives us two different two different options that we can only choose from uh in our student code of conduct is one it says bring or use a personal communication device including a cell phone or other electronic device on school property during the school day. And then once you click on that thing there it'll get a glossery of what

130the school day is and we'll add the times and that part there or it says here use a personal communication device including a cell phone other electronic device on school property during the school day. So, we got to make sure that we just put on there which one we're going to follow. We already know which one we're kind of leaning towards. We can start writing that uh for the next time. And then everything in blue is is basically the law that we have to put that into our policy that has changed. Uh you know, so that's what we're recommending. There is approval on this on the 12 when we get back. So we >> So being that there's a on here it's recommending action. Can I entertain a motion? This is number three. Are you

131in the are you on the last one on the adoption of this >> of the student? Yeah, this is we we put on there to to approve or not. We don't >> I'm recommending to if we could table it and just bring it all together for the >> I was going to say can I entertain a motion to table? >> Uh so move move to table. >> I'll second. >> Okay. A motion by trustee, second by trustee. >> All in paid. >> Is that on item number five? >> Yes. >> Because we want to bring it all together, right? Sorry, >> because we were on item three up there, but it's >> it looks like a three for me. >> Maybe I need glasses. Okay. So, all those in favor? >> I motion pass 70

132table. >> That's it. >> Okay. And item number six, adjournment. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh motion by trusty, second by trustee Dr. Kdman. >> All in favor? >> I I'll go. What about the message passes 70? Thank you all and thank you to the committee for all your hard work. >> Thank you all. Thank you everyone in the committee and principles everyone here. Thank you so much.