New lunch times, cell phone ban among AHS changes
Albany High School students will follow a major lunch schedule change this year as the boys’ and girls’ athletic periods move to different times.
AHS male students will have athletics during fifth period and eat lunch at 12:35 p.m., while female athletes will have athletics sixth period and eat lunch at 1:20 p.m. after their athletic period. Traditionally, the boys and girls have had lunch at the same time and athletics last period.
“Our junior high athletics period is being moved to eighth (last) period,” said high school principal Ezra Chambers. “We think these changes will have multiple benefits for all of our students.”
Cell Phone Policy
Another major change for the 2025-2026 school year comes from a new state law banning cell phone use during the school day.
House Bill 1481 now prohibits the use of cell phones, smart watches, Bluetooth earbuds and other personal devices on campus, requiring students to store them in lockers or other designated areas.
“Devices must remain out of sight during the school day,” Chambers said.
Confiscated devices must be picked up by a parent or guardian, with a $15 fee per incident, and repeated violations could lead to detention, in-school suspension or other disciplinary action.
Cell Phone Rules at a Glance
(House Bill 1481 – Effective This Year)
High School: Store devices in lockers with personal combination locks. Licensed student drivers may leave them in locked vehicles.
Junior High: Store devices in dressing room lockers with personal combination locks.
Elementary: Advised not to bring devices to school.
All Students: Devices must be out of sight during the school day.
Violations: Parent pickup required; $15 fee each time; repeated violations may lead to detention, ISS, or other discipline.
Meal Changes
The district will no longer be able to offer free meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision because Albany ISD isn’t eligible based on the percentage of identified students that qualify for the program.
Albany ISD will continue to provide free and reduced-price meals under current income eligibility guidelines. Copies of the policy and applications are available at each school and at the central office.
Start Times
Start and release times remain the same as last year.
The elementary tardy bell rings at 7:55 a.m., with drop-off beginning at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.
High school doors open at 7:35 a.m., with breakfast starting at the same time.
Elementary students who arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. will either go to library, cafeteria, or walking club, according to Nancy Smith Elementary principal Jenci Chambers.
NSES dismissal times are the same as last year – 2:30 p.m. for 3 year olds, 3:00 p.m. for PK4-2nd grade, and 3:30 p.m. for 3rd-6th grades.
Campus Security
Visitors on both campuses will again be required to sign in at the front office before being allowed to enter.
Parents or visitors just dropping off items in either school office or meeting with school personnel in the principal’s office will not notice a change.
The only entry point at both campuses will be the front main entrance, which have a camera system to see who is attempting to enter.
Any visitors seeking to enter a classroom, the cafeteria, or the auditorium areas will need to present a driver’s license at the school office in order for a visitor’s pass to be printed.
The license will be held in the office while the visitor is on the campus. It will be returned as visitors exit the main entrance.
