Caldwell County Schools board adopts ban on powered-on student devices during class time

The Caldwell County Schools Board of Education on an affirmative voice vote adopted a new policy requiring students to keep wireless communication devices turned off during instructional time and allowing limited use during noninstructional periods such as class changes and in the cafeteria.

The policy, numbered 43-18 and presented by Dr. Don Phipps, superintendent, is intended to reduce classroom disruptions and align the district with changes coming from the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina School Boards Association. "Our policy will state that students must have their devices turned off, not on vibrate. They have to be turned off, which also follows a state law that's gonna come down," Phipps said.

Board members said the district considered practices used by other North Carolina districts and aimed to protect instructional time while permitting students limited access when class is not in session. The approved measure also includes edits to policy 43-09, the student code of conduct, to reflect the device rules. Phipps said the board elected to adopt the policy now in anticipation of a state-mandated rule effective "by January 1" (year not specified in the meeting).

During the discussion no specific disciplinary matrix or enforcement protocol was detailed in the board meeting record; the superintendent said teachers and administrators may authorize exceptions when necessary. There was no recorded roll-call tally in the public minutes provided; the board approved the policy by voice vote with no opposed members recorded.

The board voted to approve the policy revisions that were posted for public comment and then to adopt board policy 43-18. The policy will be incorporated into district handbooks and administrative procedures; the board and staff indicated they would provide additional implementation guidance to schools following adoption.