Board adopts stricter staff-and-student wireless-device limits; policy draws debate

The Johnston County Board of Education voted 5–2 on June 10 to adopt revised policy 43.18, which restricts student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time and ties violations to application of the student code of conduct.

The policy as adopted states students will not use cell phones during instructional periods; the policy includes limited allowances for emergency response and for staff use when staff are not instructing or supervising students. Board members debated whether the policy should also explicitly limit staff device use in classrooms; several teachers who spoke during public comment urged the board to remove staff restrictions, saying phones are used for classroom apps, translation, parent communication and authentication to access district systems.

Board members said the change responds to concerns about student distraction and the desire among some principals for a clear, enforceable rule. Opponents argued the policy risks undermining teacher professionalism and that existing evaluation and supervision tools are a better mechanism to address staff misuse. Public commenters, including classroom teachers and parent advocates, gave examples of instructional uses for phones and asked for implementation guidance.

Board members voted on a motion to adopt the policy as written. The board recorded five votes in favor and two opposed. The policy will return to staff for implementation guidance on permissible instructional uses and to address technical needs such as authentication apps and interpreter access.