News Summary
The College Station Independent School District Board of Trustees discussed significant issues such as a new cell phone policy in compliance with House Bill 1481, school zoning adjustments for the 2026-2027 year, and staff compensation during their recent meeting. The board aims to finalize the cell phone policy and zoning plans while considering community feedback to enhance student safety and staff support as the new school year approaches.
College Station – The College Station Independent School District (CSISD) Board of Trustees recently held a workshop and regular meeting on July 15, 2025, addressing crucial issues regarding student phone use, school zoning adjustments, and staff compensation.
One of the primary topics of discussion was the new cell phone policy, which the district plans to implement in compliance with House Bill 1481. This legislation prohibits students from using personal communication devices during school hours. The draft policy requires students to keep their phones off and stored away, specifically prohibiting storage in pockets. According to the new regulations, phone usage will be banned across all areas of the school, including classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias, “from bell to bell.” Superintendent Tim Harkrider clarified that teachers and staff members will not be responsible for checking students’ pockets for phones. The Board is expected to finalize the formal policy before the upcoming school year begins. Parents have been encouraged to discuss these changes with their children to ensure a smooth transition as the school year approaches.
In addition to the cell phone policy, the meeting also covered important updates regarding school zoning adjustments set to take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, responding to capacity issues that have arisen in the district. Following the release of initial zoning plans, over 1,000 community comments were received. Concerns were raised, particularly by parents regarding potential traffic and safety implications associated with the proposed changes. Among the options presented, Plan 5 garnered the most support for elementary zoning, while Plan 4 received preference for intermediate and middle school adjustments. The district has kept public comments on these zoning proposals open through July, aiming to finalize a plan by the fall.
The Board also approved the 2025-2026 staff compensation plan, which encompasses various financial adjustments for staff, including stipends, enhancements to health insurance, and increased teacher pay resulting from recent legislative changes. Additionally, multiple zoning boundary adjustment maps were presented for family feedback, and the deadline for survey submissions has been extended until the end of July. The district emphasized the importance of rezoning to maintain efficient resource allocation and ensure fairness in school administration.
The history of rezoning efforts in College Station ISD has been marked by controversy, with significant backlash from parents following the last round of changes in 2018. As a result, parents have expressed concerns regarding the clarity of the zoning maps and the absence of demographic data concerning economically disadvantaged students in the proposed elementary zoning plans. These concerns highlight the ongoing challenges the district faces as it attempts to balance effective school management with community satisfaction.
The discussions held during the July 15 meeting reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of students, staff, and families in the College Station community. As the school year approaches, stakeholders are encouraged to remain engaged and informed about the policies and adjustments that will affect their educational environment.
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Additional Resources
- WTAW: College Station ISD Phone Ban
- Wikipedia: House Bill 1481
- KBTX: CSISD Board Meeting
- Google Search: College Station ISD zoning
- KBTX: CSISD Rezoning Maps
- Google Scholar: student phone policies
- The Eagle: Local Education News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: school zoning
- KBTX: CSISD THC Vaping Tech
- Google News: CSISD staff compensation plan
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