Mineral Wells Area News

A new Texas law banning the use of all electronic communication devices during the school day has gone into effect, and local school districts like Mineral Wells ISD are now scrambling to figure out how to implement it before students return on August 13.

The law, which passed with a legislative supermajority over the weekend, applies to all public schools in the state and prohibits student use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal communication devices during instructional hours. It allows exceptions only for emergencies or teacher-directed instructional use. The law took effect immediately upon passage.

“It’s going to take effect immediately because of the majority that it had,” said Mineral Wells ISD Superintendent David Tarver. “Now no communication devices are allowed in school during the school day.”

Tarver said the law leaves districts with two basic options: ban all devices from school property entirely or allow them on campus and secure them during school hours. Both approaches come with complications.

“If you ban them from campus completely, what about all your kids that are engaged in extracurricular activities before and after school?” he said. “That brings its own problems.”

The alternative — allowing devices but locking them up during school — comes at a cost. One possible solution being considered is a magnetically sealed pouch system that students carry throughout the day, which keeps phones locked until dismissal. But the price tag is steep.

“Junior high and high school only, I mean, just alone would be $45,000 for the pouches,” Tarver said. “That’s almost a staff member — that’s a first-year teacher for us.”

Other options, like small keyed lockboxes similar to those found at amusement parks, have also been discussed. But Tarver expressed concern about lost keys, damaged equipment, or even students using burner phones to bypass the rules.

“Kids bringing burner phones and putting them in the pouch and hiding their real phone — how are you going to teach?” he said.

The district has not yet made a final decision. Tarver said any approach will need to be carefully weighed, particularly with no state funding allocated to support the mandate.

“No funding comes with it,” he said. “This is on the spur of the moment. But we are currently working on next year’s budget.”

Ultimately, the school board will decide which direction to take. The matter was discussed at the district’s last meeting, and further updates are expected during the next board meeting scheduled for July 21.

Tarver emphasized that the district will take time to communicate clearly with parents before the policy goes into effect.

“We have plenty of time between now and August 13th — the first day of school,” he said. “We want to ensure that our approach is both effective and considerate of our students’ needs.”

For now, the district is focused on striking a balance between compliance, student safety, and classroom efficiency — all while managing tight budgets and preparing for a new school year.