A special investigation report released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on Thursday recommends that the TEA commissioner appoint a conservator to oversee the North East Independent School District\u2019s implementation of its cell phone policy.<\/p>\n
The TEA opened an investigation into the district\u2019s implementation of a new state law that mandated districts in Texas implement a policy banning personal communication devices by students on campuses during the school day.<\/p>\n
In August<\/a>, the NEISD Board of Trustees revised its policy regarding communication devices. The policy requires<\/a> students to turn off and store their devices out of sight during class. However, students may use their devices during non-classroom periods, passing periods, lunch, as well as before or after school.<\/p>\n According to the special report, TEA officials asked then-Superintendent Dr. Sean Maika about how the information was used to develop the district\u2019s revised policy. <\/p>\n Maika told officials that after conferring with the district\u2019s legal counsel, it was \u201chis impression that because the TEA guidance encouraged districts to define \u2018school day\u2019 in their policy, the definition was up to local control.\u201d <\/p>\n Maika also told the TEA that the district had also heard from parents and students and factored that into the decision.<\/p>\n