The Education Technology and Policy Committee of the Terrebonne Parish School Board approved a revision to policy file H-3.3 on electronic and telecommunication devices, the committee chair announced after a motion passed during the meeting.

School officials and board members said the change responds to recent state legislation and a state bulletin that clarified what counts as the instructional day. "They're considering the instructional day be when the kids get on the bus till the kids get off the bus in the afternoon," Superintendent Azurant said, describing the state-level guidance the committee reviewed. The revised policy also narrows permitted devices and use, targeting devices that can transmit social-media posts and similar content, such as some smartwatches.

Board members and administrators framed the change as a way to create consistency across campuses while retaining limited administrative discretion for specific activities. "If you when you read through the policy, it talks about activities and things that happen during the school day, that then administrators would have that latitude to say, hey," a board member explained, noting examples such as using phones for pictures on field days. Board member Ford said the policy includes an emergency exception: "Nothing shall prohibit the use and operation by any person, including including students of any electronic telecommunication device in the event of an emergency in which there is actual or imminent threat to public safety." That exception was described as intended to reduce legal risk and allow parents and students to communicate during incidents.

The revised policy specifies enforcement tiers described by administrators during the discussion: first offense — confiscation and parent notification with return of the device to the parent; second offense — a lengthened period during which possession/use may be suspended; third offense — loss of possession/possession ban for the remainder of the school year. Officials said habitual or more serious cases could lead to more severe disciplinary recommendations under existing discipline rules.

Board members voiced concern about consistent enforcement across schools and grades, particularly among high school students, and about logistical questions such as responsibility when expensive devices are confiscated. Administrators said their understanding is that when students bring a phone in violation of policy and it is confiscated, the responsibility for loss or damage rests with the student. Staff said they will review policy language for clarity and coordinate with principals on consistent enforcement and grace periods to avoid unnecessary suspensions.

Committee members said the district will notify families after the board-level approval through schools, HTV and social media; parents are already required annually to acknowledge compacts and related policies. Staff indicated the communication will begin once the updated policy is adopted by the full board and incorporated into the discipline handbook. The motion to accept the revised policy was moved by Board member Torvick and, after no recorded opposition, the committee chair announced the motion passed.

The committee distinguished the policy approval (formal action) from ongoing implementation steps (staff communication and possible future textual tweaks). The effective date and any final handbook edits were not specified during the committee discussion.