Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles took a firm stance on Thursday evening, asserting that students at James Madison High School would face suspension if they persisted in protesting the newly implemented cell phone ban by walking out of school premises. The announcement came in response to a series of demonstrations at the South Houston campus following the enforcement of the policy, which requires students to surrender their phones upon entry and leave them in designated bins throughout the day.

Principal Edgar Contreras initially announced the ban last Friday, citing its aim to address issues of fighting on campus. However, students expressed discontentment with the policy, viewing it as indicative of deeper cultural issues within the school. Thursday’s protest marked the latest in a string of student-led demonstrations, including two walkouts earlier in the week, amidst what they described as “prison-like conditions” at the school.

Miles addressed concerns over the protests, affirming that the campus administration had already taken disciplinary action against some students and would continue to do so if the protests persisted. “Walking out is dangerous for kids, and adults outside the system should not be encouraging that,” he remarked. “It’s not good for kids to be outside the school; it’s not safe, and encouraging that kind of behavior is irresponsible for adults, especially adults who are not inside the school.”

Currently, James Madison High School operates under a distinct cell phone policy compared to other schools within the HISD, which permit students to have cell phones on campus but require them to remain stored in backpacks throughout the day. Despite criticisms, Miles underscored his support for the principal’s decision, aligning it with a broader national movement to restrict cell phone use in educational settings.

“We’re going to stand by this policy,” Miles emphasized. “There’s a national movement to pull cellphones back from kids during school. There’s a reason for that: there are states considering legislation to do it. Do we have to wait for legislation to do what’s right for kids?”

While acknowledging students’ right to voice concerns, Miles asserted that the administration was not obliged to fulfill all demands, emphasizing the role of administrators and teachers in decision-making processes. Additionally, he addressed a video depicting an altercation between Principal Contreras and students, stating that no inappropriate actions were taken by Contreras.

As tensions continue to simmer at James Madison High School, the district administration remains steadfast in its support of the cell phone ban, prioritizing what it perceives to be in the best interest of students’ safety and educational environment.

School boards across Texas are grappling with a significant decision following the passage of Senate Bill 763 in 2023, which grants them the authority to determine whether to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers within public school districts. This move has sparked debate over the role of religious representatives in nonreligious settings, such as schools.

Effective September 1, SB 763 mandates that school boards vote on chaplain policies by March 1, providing a deadline for districts to establish their stance on this matter.

The legislation, authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton and co-authored by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, outlines several key provisions:

Chaplains are permitted to offer mental health support, behavioral health services, and suicide prevention and intervention. Chaplains are exempt from the State Board for Educator Certification requirements applicable to traditional school counselors. Chaplains with a history of registration as sex offenders are ineligible for employment or volunteering. The current landscape within school districts, such as Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD), underscores the importance of mental health resources and school safety. However, despite these priorities, CFISD currently lists only four school counselor vacancies on its website.

Applicants for school counselor positions must meet specific qualifications, including a master’s degree, relevant experience, and certification. CFISD also maintains partnerships with local churches and conducts criminal background checks on all adult volunteers working with students, adhering to district policies.

While the prospect of chaplains providing services to students has garnered support from some quarters, others, like the Cypress Families for Public Schools, have expressed opposition. This nonpartisan parent group argues that allowing chaplains to work with students could violate the principle of separation of church and state, asserting that chaplains are held to a lower standard of qualifications compared to school counselors.

The decision on whether to implement chaplain policies within CFISD is slated for discussion and voting at the upcoming board meeting on February 12. The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Mark Henry Administration Building in Cypress, will provide a platform for stakeholders to weigh in on this contentious issue that intersects education, religion, and public policy.