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Board adopts suite of policy updates, imposes stricter cell‑phone restrictions for younger students
Summary
The Martin County School Board unanimously adopted multiple policy updates at the July 15 meeting, including a new wireless communication devices policy that the board said is stricter than recent state legislation for elementary and middle school students.
The Martin County School Board on July 15 adopted a series of student, staff and safety policy updates, including a new wireless communication devices policy that board members said goes beyond recent state restrictions on cell‑phone use in schools.
During review of the new wireless policy, a board member noted the state legislature had expanded restrictions and asked whether the district policy matched that law. "Our policy is stricter," replied a board member during the discussion. The board then voted to adopt the new wireless communications policy and a set of related policies on technology resources, harassment, bullying, dating violence, school publications and weather‑related emergency response.
The meeting record shows unanimous votes on the listed policy items. Board members stated the new rules are intended to keep elementary and middle school students from using cell phones during the school day and to update procedures for technology and harassment prevention.
Why this matters
Policy changes affect day‑to‑day conduct in classrooms and on campus. A district policy that is stricter than state law for younger students sets local expectations for teachers, families and students about acceptable use of personal devices and disciplinary procedures.
