Following the passage of House Bill 1481 that prohibits cell phones and other smart devices on Texas school grounds in 2025-26, Carroll ISD released a statement with a few clarifying details.
Yes, students may still bring devices to school, but they must be turned off and stored out of sight -- in a backpack, locker or purse -- during the entire instructional day, from the first bell to dismissal. This includes class time, lunch and passing periods, as well as while riding on CISD school buses before or after school.
However, CISD students in grades 5-12 are still permitted to bring their own district-allowed laptops, Chromebooks and MacBooks. While these are for instructional purposes only, students and parents may email each other during the school day from the student's district-issued email address. Parents can also call the front office in case of an emergency.
Students with medical needs may receive accommodations through their 504 or IEP plans, the district said.
Assistant Superintendent Brian Nickel and Carroll Senior High Principal Shatina Lewis appeared on The Dragon Podcast at the beginning of the month to speak about the new policy.
"We would encourage our parents to [remember] that the district has communications that we send out whenever there is an emergency," Nickel said. "We ask that they follow that, and we will keep them up to date and give them real-time information as we have it."