Board Approves New Personal Electronic Device Policy After Lengthy Debate

The Coffee County Board of Education approved a new policy restricting student use and possession of personal electronic devices during school hours after a lengthy and sometimes heated debate on June 9.

First sentence/nut graf: The board voted to adopt Policy 6.312, which generally requires students to keep wireless communication devices powered off and out of sight during instructional time and restricts use during non-instructional periods in order to reduce safety and disciplinary problems the district associates with in-school device use.

Why it matters: Trustees, principals and staff spent multiple committee sessions and more than three hours at the June meeting discussing safety, enforcement and student access to devices for legitimate purposes. Supporters said stricter limits reduce incidents linked to device use between classes and at lunch; critics said the policy could be overly broad and requested clarifying language about teacher discretion, student health needs and noninstructional periods.

Policy highlights and exceptions: The adopted policy permits device possession so long as devices are turned off and stored (backpacks, purses or personal carry-ons) during instructional time. The policy allows device use for health emergencies and to manage documented health needs (IEPs/504 plans), and it instructs that teachers may authorize device use for specific instructional activities in the classroom. Enforcement is structured as escalating offenses with penalties for unauthorized use. The policy text and a related memorandum of understanding (MOU) also reference legal limits on searches and seizures and emphasize the need for coordinated implementation.

Board discussion and committee work: The policy committee reported multiple meetings on the issue, including participation from legal counsel who advised on limits tied to searches and safety. Principals told trustees that some schools already restrict devices during lunch and between classes; others said lockers or other local measures vary by campus. Several trustees said consistent, district-wide enforcement is essential if the new policy is to be effective.

Vote: Following limited debate (the board moved to close further deliberation under procedure), the board approved the policy. The recorded votes during the final motion were reported as 7 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstentions.

Implementation notes: Board members said the policy is a starting point and can be amended after implementation. Principals and staff will apply the policy to student handbooks and day-to-day discipline, and the district will incorporate the policy text into the responsible use policy and student handbooks as needed. The board asked administration to monitor implementation and to return with any recommended adjustments.