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School board waives first reading and adopts updated personal communication device policy to restrict phones during instruction
Summary
After a yearlong stakeholder review, the board adopted revised Policy 43‑18 to modernize device language, align with pending state law and clarify classroom expectations; the board waived first reading and adopted the policy immediately.
The Buncombe County Board of Education on June 30 waived first reading and adopted revised Policy 43‑18, updating rules on student use of personal communication devices during the school day.
Doctor Jamie Johnson summarized stakeholder work over the past year and presented recommendations to rename and modernize the policy to reference cellular phones and other modern devices, clarify expectations by age and school level, and strengthen consistent enforcement. "Our policy really as it stands is very thorough," Johnson said, but added that implementation had been inconsistent and that language needed updating to include smartwatches, earbuds, gaming devices and similar electronics.
Johnson noted recent and proposed state legislation that influenced the review: earlier draft proposals (mentioned in the meeting as House Bill 87 and Senate Bill 55) had pushed for stricter statewide limits; more recently the board's staff referenced House Bill 959, described in the meeting as ratified by the General Assembly and awaiting the governor's signature. The district said the adopted policy aligns with that legislation and added explicit exceptions for medically necessary devices and accommodations tied to a student's IEP or 504 plan.
Policy committee chair Mr. Cheatham said the committee recommended waiving first reading so principals can address implementation at the district administrative retreat and distribute expectations to families before school starts. The board and district leaders emphasized communications plans — updates to student handbooks, district app, website and short video explanations — so families receive clear advance notice of the new expectations.
Reverend Martin and other board members stressed that quick, unified communication from principals is important during emergencies and that enforcing consistent expectations supports classroom learning. District counsel Dean Shatley said the policy language was aligned with the newly ratified bill and that only minor future edits would likely be required if the governor signs the legislation.
The board voted to waive first reading and to adopt the updated Policy 43‑18 by voice vote; no members opposed the motion.
