School: Confiscated Cell Phones Stolen

Dozens of students' cell phones, some worth hundreds of dollars, were stolen from Jersey Village High School this week.

Like many schools, Jersey Village has a policy of confiscating phones if students use them during the school day. Students can get their phones back by paying a $15 administrative fee.

But about 50 confiscated phones were swiped from a closet in the school office, according to an email from a school official. The culprits were caught on surveillance video and police are working to identify them.

Some parents are angry that Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is refusing to replace the stolen phones.

Reginald White's 15-year old son, Rashard Martin, owned one of the stolen phones. He says the T-Mobile Dash cost over $250.

"He shouldn't have had the phone out at school," said White. "I do understand the school policy. But then again the phone was confiscated by the school so the schools are liable."

Not according to Cy-Fair ISD spokesperson Kelli Durham, who points to a section of the district's code of conduct.

It reads, "The district will not assume responsibility for these items if they are damaged, lost or stolen."

Attorney Sandy Dow said, that clause alone wouldn't necessarily protect Cy-Fair in court. But the "doctrine of sovereign immunity" would; it shields school districts and other governmental agencies from lawsuits.

-- Read Cy-Fair ISD's Code of Conduct Policies