The Craven County Board of Education is poised to revert to a total ban on cell phone use during the school day following a trial period that allowed limited access. The decision comes after a work session on December 17, 2024, where board members discussed the challenges and inconsistencies arising from the current policy.

Last year, the board implemented a policy prohibiting cell phone use from bell to bell. However, feedback from teachers and administrators indicated that the ban led to unintended consequences, such as students leaving classrooms to use their phones in hallways. In response, the board approved a pilot program for the first semester of the current school year, permitting high school students to use their phones in non-instructional areas like hallways and cafeterias, while still prohibiting them during class time.

Despite the pilot, survey results showed inconclusive data regarding its effectiveness, with many teachers expressing concerns about inconsistent enforcement of the policy. Board members emphasized the need for a clear direction moving forward, especially with potential state legislation on cell phone use looming.

Several board members voiced their support for reinstating the total ban, citing the lack of improvement in classroom engagement and the need for consistency across all schools. They highlighted that distractions from cell phones hinder learning and that teachers require support in enforcing any policy.

The board ultimately agreed to maintain the existing policy, which prohibits cell phone use during instructional time, effectively ending the trial period. The discussion underscored the ongoing struggle to balance technology use with educational integrity, as board members acknowledged the necessity of finding effective solutions to manage cell phone distractions in schools.