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District

Use of Personal Electronic Devices

District Guidelines and Policies

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, a new state law, Texas House Bill 1481, requires all school districts to prohibit students from using personal electronic devices inside school buildings during instructional hours. This includes cell phones, tablets, earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, and other communication devices.

At Troy ISD, we’re committed to creating a learning environment where every student can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. In alignment with this law, Troy ISD has established clear expectations and procedures to ensure a focused and distraction-free learning environment for all students.

What the law includes:
The prohibition applies to all personal electronic devices capable of telecommunication or digital communication, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, Bluetooth devices (including headphones), and fitness trackers with messaging capabilities. 

Troy ISD Personal Communication Device Guidelines

Effective immediately, the following procedures will be in place for all students:

High School Students (9th - 12th Grades):
Cell phones, Apple Watches, and smart watches, Airpods, earbuds, and any other personal communications device must be turned off and secured in a school-issued pouch upon entering the building each day. Troy High School will distribute Yondr pouches for device storage to each high school student. 
All other personal communication devices, such as tablets or headphones, must be left at home. 
Students are expected to keep their devices stored in their pouches and turned off for the entirety of the school day, including passing periods and lunch.

Middle School Students (6th - 8th Grades):

Personal communications devices, such as cell phones, must be stored in backpacks or left at home. Upon entering the building, students must turn off and store their devices. Students are expected to keep their devices stored and turned off for the entirety of the school day, including passing periods and lunch. 

Elementary Students (PreK - 5th Grades):

Personal communications devices, such as cell phones, must be stored in backpacks or left at home. Upon entering the building, students must turn off and store their devices. Students are expected to keep their devices stored and turned off for the entirety of the school day, including passing periods and lunch. 

Personal Communication Devices covered under the law include, but are not limited to:

  • Cell Phones (smartphones or flip phones)

  • Apple Watches/Smartwatches

  • Airpods/Earbuds

  • Tablets

  • Radios

  • Pagers

  • Personal Laptops

  • AI Glasses

  • Any other device capable of telecommunication or digital communication

This law does not apply to school-issued devices.

Discipline Consequences

Students found to be using a personal communications device during the school day will in all cases have the device taken by campus personnel. The device will be stored in a secure location in the office and can only be released to the parent/guardian. In addition, the following consequences will apply:

1st Offense – Parent Conference and Only Parent/Guardian/Approved Contacts in Ascender can pick up the personal communication device(s) between 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM on a regular school day

2nd Offense – Same as 1st Offense plus 1 Day ISS

3rd Offense – Same as 1st Offense plus 3 Days ISS

Subsequent Offenses - will be considered serious/persistent misbehavior, a serious violation of the student code of conduct. Additional consequences will apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Policy Violations and Consequences

    1st Offense – Parent Conference and Only Parent/Guardian/Approved Contacts in

    Ascender can pick up the personal communication device(s) between 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on a regular school day

    2nd Offense – Same as 1st Offense 1 Day ISS

    3rd Offense – Same as 1st Offense 3 Days ISS

    Subsequent Offenses - will be considered serious/persistent misbehavior and more severe disciplinary consequences will be applied

  • Yes. Under House Bill 1481, schools may enforce policies that include collecting personal communication devices when they are used during the instructional day.

  • The end of the day is the final bell for dismissal.

    MES – 3:40 PM

    TES – 3:25 PM 

    RMMS – 3:25 PM 

    THS – 3:45 PM

     

    THS students who leave school early, such as for an appointment, will be allowed to unlock their pouches as they leave the building.

  • Yes, Troy ISD will comply with all exceptions outlined in House Bill 1481, including: 

    • Disability-Related Accommodations (IEP/504):
      Students with an individualized education program (IEP), a 504 plan, or equivalent plan must be allowed to use personal devices as specified in their accommodation plan.

    • Medical Directive:
      Students with a documented, physician-directed medical need may use personal devices for health-related purposes.

    • Health or Safety Requirement:
      Students may use personal devices when necessary to comply with health or safety laws or as part of the school’s safety protocols (e.g., during emergencies).

  • We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact their campus office to leave a message for their child.

    Troy High School – 254-938-2561

    Raymond Mays Middle School – 254-938-2543

    Troy Elementary School – 254-938-2503

    Mays Elementary School 254-938-0304

  • Students in grades PK-8 must power down and store their personal communications devices before entering the school building. 

     

    THS Students, upon entering school, will turn their phone off, place the phone and any Bluetooth-connected devices inside the Yondr pouch, and lock it. THS staff members will be present to verify that the pouch is locked. The pouch will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

  • Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Staff members can communicate emergencies to the entire building and law enforcement from their cell phones. Troy ISD has a Student Resource Officer (SRO) on duty during the school day. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools.