Superintendent Bill Griffin told the Alexander County Board of Education on Aug. 11 that a newly enacted state law requires all public-school units to adopt a wireless communication device policy by Jan. 1, 2026, and that Alexander County Schools will implement the rule.

Griffin said the session law is Session Law 2025-38 and cited North Carolina General Statute 115C-76 as the implementing statute. He said the law "requires that all public school units must adopt a policy by 01/01/2026 that, at minimum, prohibit students from using, displaying, or having a wireless communication device turned on during instructional time and establish consequences for violations, which may include confiscation and disciplinary measures." Griffin added that principals in each school will communicate the local policy to parents and students.

Griffin told the board the requirement applies differently by school level: elementary schools are expected to have minimal change; middle schools may see limited differences; and high schools should anticipate stricter classroom rules that prohibit visible or powered-on wireless devices during instructional time unless a teacher explicitly permits them.

In a separate announcement, Griffin said the McConnell Center for Safer Schools requires a series of videos be shown to students in grades 6 through 12 within the first five days of the school year. He said the district has sent letters and links to parents; families may contact schools to opt students out of the videos per the process outlined by each school.

Griffin emphasized these are state-level requirements, not district-originated initiatives, and said the district will comply. Board members encouraged parents to attend meetings and get first-hand information on new policies.

Sources: Remarks by Superintendent Bill Griffin during Aug. 11 Board of Education open session.