Nearly half of all high school disciplinary referrals in Conroe ISD during the 2024-25 school year were linked to violations of the district's new cell phone policy. District leaders say the data provides an early look at implementation but caution against drawing conclusions until they study campuses more closely.
Nearly half of all high school disciplinary referrals issued in Conroe ISD during the first year of its campuswide cell phone ban were for violations of the district's "away for the day" policy, according to data presented to school trustees.
Deputy Superintendent Ted Landry told the board during a June 16 meeting that the district recorded 12,880 high school disciplinary referrals during the 2024-25 school year. Of those, 46.6%—excluding tardiness cases—were for cell phone violations.
The district disciplined 6,587 unique high school students under the policy, with at least 27.5% of high school students receiving at least one phone-related referral.
Conroe High School reported the highest number of cell phone policy referrals with 3,161, followed by Caney Creek High School with 2,979. Washington High School recorded the fewest referrals at 216.
Despite disparities among campuses, district administrators said they are not yet drawing conclusions from the data.
Landry said officials plan to review enforcement practices at individual campuses to better understand why referral numbers varied.
"Obviously, our campuses are unique and have different demographics and mentalities to them," Landry said.
Trustees approved the district's "away for the day" policy on June 17, 2025, just days before Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas House Bill 1481. The state law requires school districts to prohibit students from accessing personal electronic devices—including cell phones, tablets, and laptops—during the school day, while allowing exceptions for medical needs, special education services, and safety accommodations.
Landry said the district observed a decline in referrals as the school year progressed, although administrators cautioned against interpreting the trend too early.
"No conclusions can be drawn there, but we hope that is a trend we will continue to see as the thought process and mentality that cell phones aren't allowed in school," Landry said.
According to Landry, most students who violate the policy do not receive repeated disciplinary action. However, a small number of students accounted for multiple referrals, with some receiving more than nine violations during the school year.
District leaders also expect referral numbers to decrease over time as students entering high school become more familiar with the no-phone policy established in junior high grades.
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