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District preparing policy to comply with new law banning student devices in school day; staff recommends least‑restrictive start
Summary
After state law requiring restrictions on student personal devices during the school day, staff proposed a start-with-least-restrictive approach (phones must be put away and off during school) and will draft student-code changes and communications; board asked for a timely policy before school start.
Staff told the board that new state law requires districts to adopt policies restricting personal communication devices during the school day and that Castleberry will prepare policy and code-of-conduct language before students return.
Wes Jackson and district leaders reviewed two implementation approaches: (1) the more restrictive option — prohibit bringing phones to campus at all — and (2) a less restrictive approach recommended by staff: students may bring phones but must keep them put away and powered off throughout the school day, with limited exceptions for medical devices. Jackson said the recommended least‑restrictive starting approach allows families to retain contact options while complying with the law, and principals would apply progressive consequences for repeated violations.
Staff addressed logistics: several districts use phone-storage pouches or check-in systems, but the cost is significant (Holloman cited earlier that pouches previously cost roughly $15,000 per campus and vendor quotes have increased), and the district advised using existing backpacks/containers as compliant storage rather than purchasing large-scale pouches initially.
Jackson said the law covers a broad set of devices (phones, smartwatches, earbuds and any communication-capable device) and that the district will make exceptions for documented medical needs. He said administrators will provide a grace period of warnings before consequences take effect and will publish communications explaining how parents can contact students through the office or teacher email during the day.
Board members asked about enforcement, consequences and the evidence base for improved achievement; staff said other districts reported improvement but direct causation is difficult to prove. The board directed staff to prepare proposed policy language, student-code changes, and communications for an upcoming special meeting so the rules can be in place before school starts.
