The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is moving to install a conservator in San Antonio’s North East Independent School District (NEISD) after an investigation found the district has failed to enforce the state’s cellphone ban, the Express-News reports.
Once installed, the conservator will be tasked with seeing that NEISD enforces the cellphone ban as the state sees fit across campuses, according to the daily. The overseer also will direct district trustees to undergo mandatory training on “statutory interpretation, legal compliance, and board responsibilities.
Installing a conservator is among the most serious consequences the TEA can dole out to districts short initiating a full state takeover.
The dispute between the TEA and NEISD stems from House Bill 1481, which went into effect last year.
The law ordered Texas public school districts to adopt bans on mobile phones during the school day. In response, NEISD banned cellphone use during classroom instruction but still allows students to use mobile devices during lunch, passing periods and restroom breaks.
Despite the law’s vague wording, the TEA maintains that NEISD is failing to adhere to state law.
However, NEISD officials argue the bill’s wording is vague and that it’s in compliance.
“We’re not subordinates of the legislators in Austin, and we know what’s best for our communities,” Trustee Melinda Cox said last year during a NEISD board meeting. “If we’re given a bill that doesn’t define a term, and we’re not given that mandate from TEA, then why are we not in compliance? This is either a poorly written bill, or the legislator didn’t want to define those terms, and there must have been a purpose for that.”
The TEA’s intent to install a conservator at NEISD comes weeks after San Antonio ISD was forced to hand over three campuses to a charter school to stave off a takeover from the agency due to poor academic performance.
Meanwhile, South San ISD has been under TEA control since last year, resulting in conflict between teachers and that state-installed board of trustees and superintendent.
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