Texas Education Agency threatens sanctions over NEISD cellphone policy

North East ISD school board stands firm on its cellphone policy despite state pressure

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is threatening to impose sanctions on the North East Independent School District (NEISD) in San Antonio over the district's cellphone policy. NEISD adjusted its policy after a new state law banned personal devices during the school day, but the TEA says the district is still not in compliance. The school board has voted unanimously to keep its current policy, which allows students to use phones during passing periods and lunch but requires them to be put away during class time. The TEA has given the board 30 days to respond to a report outlining its legal findings and is threatening actions like appointing a conservator or a board of managers to govern the district.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between local school districts and state education agencies over control of policies like cellphone use. The TEA's threat of sanctions raises questions about the balance of power and the ability of districts to set rules that they believe work best for their students and communities.

The details

After Governor Greg Abbott signed a statewide ban on personal devices in schools last summer, NEISD adjusted its cellphone policy. However, the TEA says the district's current policy, which allows limited use during the school day, is still not in compliance with the new state law. The TEA has accused NEISD of refusing to comply and is now threatening serious sanctions, including appointing a conservator or a board of managers to take over the district's operations.

  • In January 2026, the NEISD school board unanimously voted to keep its current cellphone policy.
  • On February 3, 2026, the TEA sent a letter to the NEISD board giving them 30 days to respond to a report outlining the agency's legal findings and threatening sanctions.

The players

North East Independent School District (NEISD)

A school district in San Antonio, Texas that is in a dispute with the state's education agency over its cellphone policy.

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The state education agency that is threatening to impose sanctions on NEISD over the district's cellphone policy, which the TEA says does not comply with a new state law.

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who signed a statewide ban on personal devices in schools last summer, leading to the current dispute between NEISD and the TEA.

Lisa Thompson

The secretary of the NEISD school board who stated during a January meeting that the district's cellphone policy "fits the law."

David Beyer

The president of the NEISD school board who said the district has a "reasonable policy that has been vetted through our families, our communities, our schools, our educators, our students."

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What they’re saying

“I think what we have written fits the law.”

— Lisa Thompson, NEISD School Board Secretary (foxsanantonio.com)

“We have a reasonable policy that has been vetted through our families, our communities, our schools, our educators, our students.”

— David Beyer, NEISD School Board President (foxsanantonio.com)

“I think they're doing the right thing by their students. I think that they're looking at it with a whole mind and not just one mindset..I think the TEA kind of needs to know their place.”

— Katie Courtney, NEISD Parent (foxsanantonio.com)

What’s next

The NEISD school board is waiting for the TEA's preliminary report before discussing its next steps in response to the agency's threat of sanctions.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between local school districts and state education agencies over control of policies like cellphone use. The TEA's threat of sanctions raises questions about the balance of power and the ability of districts to set rules they believe work best for their students and communities.