Board Hears Plan for Clearer Cell Phone Expectations in Midway Schools
At the May 20 Midway ISD Board of Trustees meeting, district leaders presented revised cell phone expectations developed through a yearlong review by the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and the Midway Administrative Support Team (MAST). While no formal action was taken, trustees received a detailed overview of the recommended guidelines and discussed potential next steps pending state legislation.
“We were charged by the board to have the conversation—and the conversation began with whether to ban phones entirely,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen said. “What we’ve landed on is a recommendation that limits cell phone use in a way that supports instruction, protects learning time, and reflects the feedback of our families and staff.”
The review process, led by Director of Support Services AnneMarie Zellers, included four SHAC meetings throughout the school year, where members analyzed sample policies from other districts, reviewed upcoming state legislation like HB 1258, and considered survey results from parents, students, and teachers. They also heard from Dawn Wible of Talk More, Tech Less, whose national advocacy on youth phone use helped frame the issue in both educational and legislative contexts.
Under the proposed expectations:
- Elementary (PK-5) students would not use phones during school hours, including arrival, transitions, and lunch.
- Middle school (6–8) students would be allowed limited access—only before and after school and on the bus.
- High school (9–12) students would retain broader access during lunch and transitions but would still be prohibited from using phones in the classroom, restrooms, or locker rooms.
A major topic of discussion was logistics at the high school level. While younger grades would follow a stricter “if we see it, we take it” policy, high school classrooms may require bins or caddies for phone storage during class. Midway High School Principal Alison Smith shared that some Midway High School teachers already use calculator-style wall organizers, rolling carts, or assigned bins—some even offer phone charging while stored.
“Our goal is not to take phones away from students altogether,” Dr. Allen said. “It’s about ensuring the school environment supports learning, safety, and wellness—without allowing personal devices to become a barrier.”
Board members voiced concerns about time management, student privacy, and theft. While trustees acknowledged classroom caddies may work at the high school level, there was openness to a “phones in backpacks” approach for middle schools, where devices are not allowed at any point during the day.
If the board affirms these expectations, the district may also need to invest in classroom storage solutions for high school phones during instructional time.
Because cell phone expectations are currently housed in the Student Handbook, no board vote was required at this time. However, the board recognized pending legislation could require policy-level action.
“We’re proud of the process—SHAC and MAST worked through multiple perspectives and gave us a roadmap that reflects community values,” said Board President Pete Rusek. “We’re also being careful not to lock into policy until we see what the Legislature does.”
For now, Midway ISD will continue preparing for a consistent and community-backed rollout of cell phone expectations, ensuring clarity and support for students, staff, and families heading into the 2025–26 school year.
