By hitting the pocketbooks of secondary school students and parents, Hays CISD leaders Monday approved a policy change they believe could curb cell phone distractions in the classroom.

The change, approved by a 5-2 vote from the HCISD Board of Trustees, would require a $10 fee to be paid by a student or parent if an electronic device is confiscated for violation of the district’s telecommunication rules. Money collected to that fee would go to charitable causes such as the food bank or dist...