Regulations for Use of Technology and Communication Devices

Administrative Regulations for Personal Communication Devices

[See Policy FNCE (Legal), FNCE (Local), FNCE (Exhibit) at www.aisd.net  and Texas Education Code §37.082] 

The district prohibits the use of Personal Communication devices such as cellular phones, as well as cameras (digital, video, etc.), smart Glasses and Smart Watch technologies, or any other device that has the potential to be considered a distraction to the educational environment at all schools and at all school-related activities, both on and off campus, during the school day.  Students may possess such devices; however these devices shall not be visible and must remain off during the school day. 

The district may authorize the use of a personal communication device for the following reasons:

• To implement an individualized education program (IEP) or for a plan created under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C Section 794) or a similar program or plan;
• With documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician; or
• To comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the district’s safety protocols.
• If the student has been granted permission to use their personally owned technology/device by an individual campus administrator.
• Inappropriate use of a personal communication device during the school day will result in disciplinary action in accordance with this Code of Conduct.

For students on school campuses, the school day is defined as from the time a student first enters the school building for the day until the last dismissal bell of the day.  For students participating in school-related activities off-campus and/or school-related activities that begin before the first school bell of the day or after the last dismissal bell of the day, school personnel supervising such activities have discretion to determine when the school day begins and ends.  Students on campus who need to make calls for emergency purposes may ask permission to use the office phone or classroom phone.  Parents who need to contact a student on campus during the school day must call the school office.  Parents who need to contact a student participating in an off-campus school-related activity should do so according to the expectations determined by school personnel supervising the activity, which expectations may vary.

Students who use a device in any way that violates the law, Board Policy, or the Student Code of Conduct shall be subject to corrective action.  Furthermore, a student’s failure and/or refusal to promptly and peacefully relinquish a device will result in more serious corrective action.  Defiant behavior such as attempting to dismantle a device before relinquishing it (for example, removing the SIM card, battery, etc.) will result in more serious corrective action.

The failure to comply with these regulations may result in the following corrective actions: The school administrators shall have the right to consider the appropriate corrective action.

WEEK ONE

• Constant verbal redirection and reminding 
• No Device Confiscation or device usage
• Campuswide communication daily
• Parent communication 

AFTER WEEK ONE INITIAL WARNING PERIOD:

All steps listed under each offense will be taken.

First Offense

• Confiscation of device
• Teacher/Admin contacts parent and review consequences for additional infraction 
• Student may retrieve from office at end of day

Second Offense 

• Confiscation of device
• Teacher/Admin contacts parent and review consequences for additional infraction
• Parent retrieves device at end of school day 

Third Offense 

• In-school suspension (ISS)
• Confiscation of device
• Parent/Admin conference to review consequences for additional infraction
• Parent retrieves device at end of school day 

Fourth Offense 

• Assignment to Choices
• Confiscation of device
• Parent/Admin conference to review consequences for additional infraction
• Parent retrieves device at end of school day 
• Loss of privilege to have possession of any personal device on campus

Depending upon the severity and frequency of the violation, students may be subject to the full range of corrective actions set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and Texas Education Code, including DAEP. This handbook serves as notification to parents and students that the District will dispose of confiscated telecommunication devices at the end of the school year if no claim is made. The District assumes no responsibility for damaged, lost, or stolen devices once they are confiscated.