School board directs staff to allow laptops, tablets with principal approval; keeps tighter limits on cellphones

The Brevard Public Schools board on Aug. 26 gave staff direction to allow student use of personal laptops, tablets and electronic readers for instruction when a teacher or administrator directs it and the principal has approved that use, while keeping a strict restriction on cellphone use during instructional time. Board members framed the move as a compromise between parents and educators. “Students in grades 9 through 12 may not use personal laptops, tablets or electronic readers except when expressly directed by teacher solely for educational purposes,” a staff member read aloud as an option for consideration. After discussion the board directed staff to operate with that approach and to publish guidance to principals and families. The board emphasized that the cellphone limit remains in place “bell to bell.” Several board members and administrators said removing phones from student possession during instructional time had reduced distraction and increased classroom engagement in schools that had already enforced the restriction. Staff will also tell schools to designate a campus location where, with administrative permission, students may use a wireless device for noninstructional but legitimate reasons such as contacting caregivers; the front office was proposed as the consistent designation. The board asked that permission processes list the principal (or principal’s designee) and that administrators be able to authorize use for short, supervised purposes. Superintendent Rendell and school staff told the board they would communicate the operational change to principals and families immediately and begin the formal policy revision process. The district will still need to update the student code of conduct and follow required public-rule procedures before the policy text is permanently changed. Board members said they want the district to permit teacher-directed use for credentialing or college work while keeping a single, enforceable rule to reduce phone distractions. Board members who spoke: Board member Susan Campbell supported the compromise option and asked for a principal-approval clause; another board member said the cellphone restriction produced noticeable classroom benefits. Policy staff flagged House Bill 1105 and existing state language that gives teachers authority to designate device rules in class; the board agreed to use that as part of implementation guidance. The board did not take a formal vote on amended policy language in the workshop; members instead gave staff direction to treat the option as the district’s temporary operating position and return revised language for formal approval through the statutory rule-making process.