News Summary
The College Station ISD Board of Trustees met to discuss new phone policies for students, upcoming school zoning changes, and adjustments to staff compensation. A proposed policy would require students to keep personal phones off and stored away during school hours. Additionally, the board is considering boundary changes due to capacity issues and has received significant community feedback. They also approved a staff compensation plan aimed at supporting teachers with salary increases and benefits. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input as the district navigates these developments.
College Station, Texas – The College Station ISD Board of Trustees convened on Tuesday evening for a workshop followed by a regular meeting, focusing on critical district priorities, including new student phone policies, upcoming school zoning changes, and staff compensation adjustments.
One of the primary topics was the exploration of compliance with House Bill 1481, which prohibits student use of personal communication devices, such as cell phones, during the school day. Trustees outlined a draft policy mandating that students keep their phones powered off and stored away from their person, explicitly stating that pockets will not be considered acceptable storage. This proposed policy would apply in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and all other areas from “bell to bell,” effectively banning phone use throughout the school day.
Superintendent Tim Harkrider emphasized that district staff will not be required to conduct searches for phones among students, but discussions surrounding potential consequences for violations of the phone policy were raised. The need for clear rules and consistent consequences was highlighted, with an expectation that a formal policy will be finalized ahead of the upcoming school year. Parents are encouraged to discuss these new regulations with their children prior to the school year start.
In addition to the phone policy, the board also reviewed boundary adjustments slated for implementation in the 2026–2027 school year, which are being considered due to capacity issues at several schools. The district received significant community feedback, totaling over 1,000 comments, regarding the rezoning plans initially released in June. Feedback from parents revealed concerns about the potential impact of boundary changes on traffic patterns and safety within their neighborhoods.
According to district staff, Plan 5 emerged as the most favored option among elementary school zoning alternatives, while Plan 4 garnered slight preference among proposed options for intermediate and middle schools. The board stated that public comments will remain open until the end of July, with intentions to finalize a plan by fall.
Furthermore, the trustees approved a staff compensation plan for the 2025-2026 academic year. This plan includes multiple provisions, such as stipends, adjustments to health insurance, and salary increases for teachers, aligning with the outcomes of the 89th legislative session.
The outcomes from this meeting highlight the district’s commitment to improving student discipline through updated policies on cell phone usage, managing capacity issues through potential school zoning changes, and supporting staff with competitive compensation plans. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged and provide their input as the College Station ISD continues to navigate these significant matters.
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Additional Resources
- KBTX: Discussions & Decisions at CSISD Board Meeting
- Wikipedia: Cell Phone Ban
- WTAW: CSISD Cell Phone Ban Preparation
- Google Search: College Station ISD
- KBTX: Bryan & College Station ISDs Preparing Cell Phone Ban
- Google Scholar: School Policy Cell Phone
- KBTX: CSISD Seeks Input on Rezoning Maps
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Zoning
- WTAW: CSISD Approves Administrator Contracts
- Google News: CSISD Teacher Pay
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
