Texas Education Agency appoints conservator to oversee North East ISD cellphone policy

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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has appointed a conservator to oversee the creation of a new cellphone policy at North East Independent School District (NEISD) in San Antonio. The move comes after NEISD trustees refused to modify their existing policy, which the TEA claims contradicts state law by narrowly defining the 'school day' when students must comply with the cellphone ban.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between local school districts and state education authorities over the extent of their respective powers. The TEA's decision to appoint a conservator suggests it views NEISD's stance as an unacceptable challenge to its regulatory authority, while NEISD argues the state is overstepping its bounds in dictating the specifics of its cellphone policy.

The details

In the wake of a new state law requiring all Texas districts to restrict student use of personal electronic devices during the school day, NEISD issued a policy last fall allowing cellphone use during passing periods, lunch breaks, and before/after school. However, the TEA alleges this definition of the 'school day' contradicts state guidelines. After the district refused to modify its policy by a January deadline, the TEA launched an investigation and has now appointed a conservator to oversee the creation of an acceptable cellphone ban.

• In September 2025, the TEA initiated a review of NEISD's cellphone policy.
• By the end of January 2026, the TEA had given NEISD a deadline to modify its policy.
• On January 26, 2026, NEISD trustees unanimously voted to keep their existing policy in place.

What’s next

The appointed conservator will work with NEISD to create a new cellphone policy that aligns with the state's interpretation of the 'school day', while also providing training for the district's trustees on statutory interpretation and legal compliance.