Austin Independent School District students and teachers will soon be hearing a ring other than the bell to mark the end of a school day.
Tuesday morning all AISD principals received a new policy draft on cell phones and electronic devices for students.
"We had some concerns from some parents who wanted to be able to remain in contact with their students after school, to arrange pickups and whatnot," AISD's Christy Rome said.
Under the old policy, only high school students were allowed to carry phones to school.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
Cell phones
Other devices are also deemed acceptable.
 
| | |
| | | | | |
|
The Board of Trustees voted to extend that rule to elementary and middle school students under these conditions.
"When they are at school and are in possession of a cell phone they need to have that device turned off and that device needs to be kept out of sight whether it's in a backpack, inside a locker, inside a student's car," Rome said.
Principal Kamino Cartwright said phones are common items nowadays.
"This is not a frivolous item anymore," Cartwright said. "This is a necessary item."
Cartwright said she got an earful from parents.
"[Parents] used to say, 'This is ridiculous, my child must have his cell phone he needs to be able to contact me,'" Cartwright said.
But Monday night's vote was not unanimous.
It passed 6-3.
Some questioned whether kids have the discipline to keep it turned off.
The new rules also apply to electronics like mp3 players and digital cameras -- all reflecting the changing times.
