Premont Independent School District teachers are preparing for the new school year with Texas' new law banning cell phones in classrooms, though the rural district is finding ways to balance safety concerns with the educational benefits of fewer distractions.

Martin Gonzalez, who has been teaching at Premont ISD for 9 years, says keeping cell phones out of the classroom isn't a new concept for his students.

"They're trying to limit the distractions. And, of course, that is a big part of education," Gonzalez said.

Last year, his students already placed their phones in a cell phone organizer on the back of a door until class was over, making the transition to the new state law relatively smooth.

"If the students are very focused in the classroom, they don't have anything to distract them

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