The Texas Education Agency has given the North East Independent School District until Jan. 31 to alter its cell phone policy or face intervention.

In June, a new law was enforced in Texas school districts, which “prohibits students from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time.”

In August, the NEISD Board of Trustees enacted a policy that prohibits students from using personal communication devices on school property during the school day. The policy required students to power off and store electronic devices during instructional time, but permitted their use during lunch and passing periods.

The TEA began to investigate after receiving a complaint about the policy, and sent a letter notifying the district that its policy did not comply with the new law, stating that the district is “not entitled to disregard legislative directives or to perform legislatively requiring actions in part.”

The agency has given NEISD until the end of December to approve a new board policy. The board must submit this policy, along with its implementation plan, by January 30, 2026.

The Board of Trustees will discuss the policy at a school board meeting also in January, during which parents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter.

In an interview with KSAT, NEISD Board of Trustees President David Byer said, “I see that our policy meets the spirit of the law and is in alignment with what they specifically told us we can and cannot do.”

He also added, “I feel like we have a good policy that people respect it. It’s reasonable and folks have really coalesced and gotten behind it.”