‘It just can’t be turned on’: Lake Travis ISD debuts phone ban on first week of school

Austin (KXAN) — While Lake Travis ISD students returned to the classroom this week, their cell phones did not. The district’s new policy went into effect on the first day of school and requires phones to be turned off and put away during class.

The district’s board of trustees adopted the new smart device policy at its meeting in June . Grades prekindergarten through eighth grade are now no longer allowed to use cellphones during the school day on campus.

Superintendent Paul Norton said response from parents has been largely positive, and students have been receptive.

Norton said the policy was needed to keep students, especially those in younger grades, stay on task during class, and is an issue many other districts are struggling with.

“It’s been a hot topic, not just here, but across the state and across the country,” said Norton.

He said parents and children will still able to reach each other during the school day when needed. Norton said in the event of an emergency, parents can call the school’s front office and a note will be given to their child.

Bond construction and back to school

Norton said he’s excited for this school year to begin as its ringing in more changes.

He said construction related to a bond passed by voters in 2023 has begun and will be visible during the school year.

The $143 million package is being used to build a football stadium and facilities, a second high school, and provide renovations to the existing high school and three middle schools.

Norton said some of those changes are already complete, an example of that being new updated ‘safe school’ entrances to several campuses. He said while there’s much left to be done from the 2023 bond, the outlook is sunny.

“A lot of movement from our bond elections and we’re very excited to have that,” Norton said.

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