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Board backs high-school cell-phone pilot contingent on full state funding
Summary
Clay County board members supported pursuing a state-funded pilot to restrict student cell-phone use at high schools; staff said the state budget includes an allocation and the pilot would be implemented only if fully funded for all high schools.
Board members at a Clay County District Schools workshop signaled support for a high-school cell-phone pilot, contingent on the program being fully funded by the state.
District staff told the board the state budget includes funding for a phone-restriction pilot and that the district would submit a vendor package and an agenda item for formal board action once the governor signs the budget. A district presenter said, "They did allocate, I believe, it was $356,000 in the state budget for the program." That figure was presented as the statewide or program allocation discussed at the workshop; staff said details about state disbursement to districts and whether the money would flow through the state or be passed to vendors were still to be determined.
Board members expressed general support but emphasized two conditions: the pilot should be funded so districts do not bear the cost, and funding should allow consistent implementation across all the district—s high schools. One board member asked to make the pilot "contingent on it being fully funded by the state," and other members said a uniform approach across high schools would be important.
Staff outlined that the pilot would include data and deliverables the state expects — for example, metrics on discipline and student achievement — so that the state can evaluate the program's effect. Several board members cited principal and teacher feedback suggesting phone restrictions help classroom management and academic focus.
District staff said they would prepare a formal agenda item, submit required vendor documentation and, if the budget is signed by the governor and funding confirmed, move ahead with the pilot and required reporting.
