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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lubbock ISD updates code of conduct, working toward compliance with school safety law
Before the 2025-2026 school year began, the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted several resolutions informing the community of changes that would be taking place. During a regular meeting, the trustees named a new principal for Centennial Elementary and updated the public on the district's safety compliance and changes to the district's Student Code of Conduct. Others are reading: Lubbock ISD sees a $230 million 2026 budget with a $7.6 million deficit, new principal Here's what you need to know from the most recent LISD Board of Trustees meeting. Lubbock ISD not in compliance with the Texas school safety law "It is our intention to have an armed police officer as required in law at every single campus," said LISD Superintendent Kathy Rollo. "We have budgeted that; however, we have not been able to find one for every single campus." For context, during the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, House Bill 3 was passed and requires school districts to ensure that at least one armed security officer is present during regular school hours at each campus. However, schools can file for exemptions. Rollo stated that LISD is making a good effort to comply with the law, but is citing the lack of qualified personnel available for hire as the reason for the exemption. However, LISD is using alternative means to help ensure schools are still safe, in addition to growing its district police personnel. "We are grateful to our law enforcement agencies in our community because many of them, on their days off, are helping — and we are paying them — to help cover this," Rollo said. The trustees unanimously accepted the good cause exemption in a formal resolution. Lubbock ISD updates its 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct After the Texas Legislature convened for its regular session in Austin earlier in the year, several sweeping pieces of legislation were signed into law. This has prompted school districts around the state to adopt the new state-mandated policies, including LISD. One of those changes was to the district's cellphone policy, which stems from the House Bill 1481, which bans cellphones in public schools. The district's original policy used to state that "students shall not use a telecommunications device, including a cell phone, or other electronic device in violation of district and campus rules." It now reads "students shall not use a personal communication device, including a cell phone, or other electronic device on school property during the school day and shall store the device in accordance with the method of storage established by the district." The new policy further stipulates exemptions to the phone ban, such as for implementing an individualized education program, a 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. Others are reading: Lubbock ISD 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct. The district had to make further changes to the Code of Conduct that stem from the recently passed "School Discipline Bill" — House Bill 6 — during the session. According to the bill and the LISD Student Code of Conduct, it changes how schools can handle in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, and alternative education settings. In a procedural vote, the trustees unanimously adopted the necessary updates to the Student Code of Conduct for this year to comply with state law. Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: LISD says it's working toward compliance with Texas school safety law Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Armstrong signs bill banning public school student cellphone use in North Dakota
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong gives a student the pen he used to sign a bill establishing cellphone-free public schools during a signing ceremony April 25, 2025, at Bismarck's Centennial Elementary. He was joined by first lady Kjersti Armstrong. (Photo provided by governor's office) North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong went to a Bismarck elementary school Friday to sign a bill banning public school student cellphone use from 'bell to bell.' 'This is a game changer for our public schools, giving students the freedom to focus on learning and to interact with teachers and friends without the constant tug of their cell phones and addictive social media,' Armstrong said in a statement. House Bill 1160 would require public school districts to have policies requiring student cellphones be silenced and locked away during the entire school day on school grounds. The devices, including bluetooth-enabled devices, tablets, smartwatches or other wearable devices and gaming devices, must be stored in a lockable pouch, phone locker or other inaccessible locations. The law allows students to use their phones while privately traveling to an off-site educational location, such as a career and technology center. It also allows school districts to craft their own cellphone-use policy during school-related noninstructional time, such as bus rides, field trips, sporting events and school dances. Student cellphone bills pass North Dakota Legislature; bell-to-bell ban comes back Students with medical needs that require an electronic monitoring device and students participating in individual education programs may be exempted from the law. School districts will also be required to collect data and compile a report on the impact of its cellphone policies on student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, school attendance and academic performance during the interim. State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said teachers have told her that student mental health challenges have become more 'overwhelming.' 'This law gives students the gift of attention, connection, and presence. We are removing the constant pull of comparison and distraction and replacing it with space to learn and grow,' Baesler said in a statement. The new law will go into effect Aug. 1. Lawmakers also are considering Senate Bill 2354, which would also restrict student cellphone use in private schools. The bill is being debated in a conference committee between the House and Senate. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday morning. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
