KATY, Texas (KTRK) — A Katy Independent School District parent reached out to ABC13, saying people are “outraged” over a new technology policy headed to the district.

The parent told Eyewitness News that the new program prohibits students from using their personal devices, such as cell phones, in the classroom beginning next year.

A spokesperson from the district told ABC13 this is part of the Class 1:1 program made possible by a 2023 bond.

Every student in third through 12th grade will receive a Chromebook from the district in August.

Students will no longer be able to use their phone or tablet in class as a result.

Katy ISD says it’s to make things more consistent when it comes to instruction, in addition to ensuring students who don’t have a personal device are able to have the same technology as their peers.

The district’s website said the policy on cell phone usage at school will change once the computers are issued, but no specifics were immediately provided.

Eyewitness News spoke to one parent who said she thinks this is a terrible idea because she likes being able to quickly communicate with her child in the event of something like a lockdown.

Another parent, Valentina Sepic, said she loves the new policy.

Katy ISD is enforcing a new policy forbidding students to use personal electronic devices, parking a debate between parents.

“I think the personal devices are a distraction,” Sepic said. “They’re in school to learn, so distractions should be removed.”

Nidhi Kundalia said she’s in favor of less technology in the classroom across the board.

“I appreciate what technology is doing, but I think kids need to concentrate on the traditional ways,” she said.

Kundalia added that she didn’t want technology to go away, just be used less frequently.

She also worries about the cost of maintaining the laptops once they’re in the hands of students.

The final plan for the new policy isn’t finalized, but Katy ISD said they’d keep Eyewitness News up-to-date once things become official.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

The anticipation surrounding the return of Houston Astros’ star pitcher Justin Verlander is finally coming to an end.

Verlander, who has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation since Spring Training, embarked on a rigorous journey to recovery. Over the past two weeks, he has undergone a minor league assignment, making appearances with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys and the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Though the statistical outcomes may not have reflected his illustrious career as a three-time Cy Young Award winner, Verlander managed to build up his pitch count to the mid-70s during his rehab stint, signaling a positive step forward in his recovery process.

“I feel like I’m ready to step on the mound again,” Verlander affirmed on Monday, leaving the decision of his return to the Astros’ management.

Verlander showcased his progress with a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park in the presence of Astros manager Joe Espada ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“That went really well, stuff looks good, see how he feels tomorrow and then let you guys know tomorrow which game, either game one or game two against the Nationals,” Espada commented. He emphasized the importance of assessing Verlander’s physical and mental readiness for his comeback.

The Astros’ rotation has been plagued by injuries, with five members, including Verlander, Framber Valdez, José Urquidy, Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers, sidelined. To address the gaps, Forrest Whitley was called up from the Space Cowboys to bolster the bullpen ahead of Tuesday’s clash with the Atlanta Braves.

Blair Henley was previously summoned when Valdez experienced discomfort in his elbow, while Spencer Arrighetti filled in for games against the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves before being reassigned to the minors.

Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking NCAA basketball star, was selected first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. However, her rookie salary with the professional league has sparked outrage over pay disparity in women’s basketball.

According to Spotrac, a website that tracks sports contracts, the 22-year-old athlete is expected to sign a contract with the Fever worth $338,056 over the course of four years. She will earn $76,535 in her rookie season this summer, and is projected to earn an annual salary of $97,582 by the end of her four-year contract.

Unsurprisingly, many fans were quick to point out that Clark’s rookie salary is far less than her male counterparts in the NBA. In fact, Victor Wembanyama – the first pick in last year’s NBA draft – signed a four-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs worth $55m, per Spotrac. He earned more than $12m in his first season alone.

“Greatest player in college basketball history just got an entry level project manager salary,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“This is bogus, they have made more headlines than any man that is currently playing,” another person pointed out. “Pay women what they deserve in sports.”

“The statistically greatest college basketball player in history is getting paid a five-digit salary in a professional sports league. Ridiculous,” said someone else.

Meanwhile, some people pointed out that Clark is likely to make an even bigger profit than her WNBA salary simply from her various endorsement deals. In October 2022, Clark inked a major deal with footwear brand Nike, as well as her sponsorships with State Farm, Gatorade, Buick, H&R Block, and Bose. From brand deals alone, Clark is estimated to make more than $3m per year, according to her NIL valuation.

“This is so bad. She’ll make probably make 50x this in endorsements,” said one fan, as another person wrote: “I know she is going to make a bag off endorsements but Caitlin Clark’s WNBA contract is straight up disrespectful.”

Even Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson called for Clark and her fellow WNBA players to make higher salaries, as he responded on X: “These ladies deserve so much more… Praying for the day.”

Throughout her time as point guard on the University of Iowa’s Hawkeyes, Clark has been lauded as one of the most successful players in the women’s NCAA. She holds the NCAA’s all-time scoring and assist records for both men and women, and is credited with helping increase viewership for NCAA women’s basketball. This year’s final championship game between Iowa and South Carolina attracted 24m viewers, topping the men’s D1 final audience by millions and attracting the most viewers of any college basketball game since 2019.

The WNBA currently makes an estimated $60m annually from selling its media rights and licensing deals with Amazon, CBS, and ION, Front Office Sports reports. In comparison, the average NBA team is worth approximately $3.85bn – with the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Lakers each worth more than $6bn, according to Forbes. The NBA is expected to strike a media rights deal this summer worth between $60bn and $72bn, Sports Business Journal reported in February, while the league’s previous TV deal with Disney and Turner in 2014 was worth a combined $24bn.