Port Arthur Schools Implement Cell Phone Ban Following New Law
The Port Arthur Independent School District (PAISD) has enacted a series of policies in response to new state legislation that prohibits the use of personal communication devices on school property. This decision follows the enactment of House Bill 1481, which takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies to cell phones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets during instructional hours.
The law empowers school districts to establish their own regulations regarding the possession and use of these electronic devices. Superintendent Mark Porterie emphasized the importance of collaboration with parents to ensure students understand the implications of this new rule. “We understand that parents want the ability to track and communicate with their children before and after school,” Porterie stated. “However, we ask for parental support in helping students recognize that phone usage is prohibited during the instructional day, from the time they enter the school until they leave.”
Porterie assured parents that the district plans to actively communicate the new policy, stating, “We’re going to work with our parents. We will call them, we will remind them. We want our students to focus on academics and not talking on the phone.”
Trustee Taylor Getwood, a member of the Generation Z community, acknowledged the challenges posed by the new policy. “I cannot live without my cell phone,” he noted, expressing empathy for students adjusting to the restrictions. He praised the policy for balancing community engagement with academic goals, emphasizing the need for unity in addressing the changes mandated by the state.
In addition to the new cell phone policy, the board approved other significant measures. PAISD will not permit private charter school students to partake in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the district approved a salary schedule for teachers starting at $55,500 with a 3% raise for other staff members.
These policy changes reflect PAISD’s commitment to fostering an educational environment that prioritizes student focus and academic performance while also addressing community and parental concerns. As the implementation date approaches, the district is poised to navigate the complexities of these new regulations with transparency and cooperation from families.
