(TNS) — Katy ISD students are no longer allowed to wear smartwatches to class as part of a new school district policy.

At its session on Monday, the Board of Directors approved a measure that completely prohibits the use of smart watches for primary and secondary school students, and high school students may only use them outside of school hours.

The measure passed 6-0 with Commissioner Dawn Champagne abstaining from the vote.

Champagne said she is concerned about the policy because she believes parents should have the right to decide whether their child has a smartwatch at school.

“I think it’s a parent’s choice to give their child an Apple watch,” she said.

She also stated that it was an unfair burden on teachers to expect them to control the use of expensive devices.

“What worries me is how we’re going to monitor these smartwatches,” Champagne said. “Each one costs $400. That’s a big burden for me as a teacher.”

Board President Victor Perez said the smartwatches could be used to exchange messages, which could be used to cheat or communicate without the teacher’s knowledge.

Commissioner Mary Ellen Cuzela argued that children do not need clocks at all because every classroom and hallway has a visible clock.

“The goal of this is to remove all distractions from the classroom,” she said.

The revised telecommunications policy comes as a result of Katy ISD’s latest bond, which will see all students receive Chromebooks, said Christopher Morgan, assistant superintendent for secondary leadership and support.

Because of these Chromebooks, he said, cell phones and smart devices will no longer be necessary.

At a June 20 meeting, the district board called for cellphones to be “put away and out of sight” during classes for elementary and middle school students. High school students can use their phones outside of class time.

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