Personal Communication Device Policy

1st Offense
● Device is confiscated and is returned to the student at the end of the school day.
● Guardian is notified of the Personal Communication Device being confiscated and the possibility of subsequent consequences.
● The confiscation will be documented.

2nd Offense
● Device is confiscated and returned to a parent or guardian during the school day.
● Parent/Guardian is notified in writing of the Personal Communication Device being confiscated.
● Any future confiscations will pay $15 to pick-up the device.

3rd Offense
● Device is confiscated
● Guardian is notified of Personal Communication Device confiscation.
● The parent/guardian may only pick-up the device during school hours for $15 a confiscation fee.

4th Offense
● Device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian
● The parent is notified of the $15 confiscation fee assessed; to pick-up the phone during the school day.
● Student is prohibited from bringing any Personal Communication Device to campus for 30 school days
● Campus has the discretion to provide AMC (non-exclusionary consequences such as detention, loss of privileges, Saturday School etc.)

5th Offense and Beyond
● Device is confiscated and only returned to a parent or guardian for a $15 fee
● Parent/Guardian is notified.
● Student is prohibited from bringing any Personal Communication Device to campus through the end of the school year.
Progressive Consequence Steps Beyond 5th Offense:
● Student is placed in Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or assigned additional days of ISS, based on grade level:
● Elementary: Kindergarten-5th Grade: 5 days ISS
● Secondary: 6th Grade-12th Grade: 15 days DAEP

Under Education Code § 37.082(b), districts may charge up to $15 as an administrative fee to return a confiscated device.

HB 1481 is a Texas law signed by Governor Abbott on June 20, 2025. Effective for the 2025–26 school year (around late August), it requires school districts across Texas—including Crowley ISD—to prohibit student use of personal communication devices (like cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets) during the full school day.  

Any device capable of telecommunication or digital communication not issued by the district, including:

• Cell phones (smartphones, flip phones)

• Smartwatches

• Tablets

• Radios, pagers, two-way devices

• Any Wi-Fi-enabled or messaging-capable electronics.

Devices provided by Crowley ISD for educational use—like district Chromebooks—are not included. 

Students will have to power off and store them securely (e.g., in backpacks or classroom “phone lots”) all day—during class, passing periods, lunch, and other school hours.

Schools remain fully available for parent contact. In emergencies, parents can call the campus office to have messages relayed. Students may access district landlines or administrative phones when needed .

Yes—students may use personal devices if: 

• Required by an IEP or 504 plan

• Required under physician orders for medical reasons

• Needed for health or safety protocols (e.g., emergency situations) 

Crowley ISD will identify these exceptions in its written policy and communicate them clearly.

If a device isn’t picked up within 90 days, the district is legally permitted to dispose of it in a “reasonable manner” after notifying the parent .

• Discuss the law with your child before start of school.

• Reinforce procedures: off, stored, no access during school hours.

• Rely on school communication channels for emergencies.

• Review any Crowley ISD-issued policy materials or handbooks together.

The intent behind HB 1481 is to: 

• Reduce classroom distractions & boost student engagement

• Lessen cyberbullying, off-task behavior & social pressures

• Encourage better focus, face-to-face interaction & mental wellbeing