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Board debates restricting student cell phone use amid possible state pilot; no policy change made
Summary
Hillsborough school board members discussed a proposed amendment to prohibit cell phone use at lunch in high schools, reacted to a state Senate bill proposing a pilot program, and raised enforcement and equity concerns; board did not adopt a change but asked staff for additional principal feedback and a survey.
The Hillsborough County School Board spent an extended portion of its policy workshop debating whether to ban student cell phone use at lunch in high schools and how the district should respond if the Florida Legislature authorizes pilot programs.
Member Gray proposed amending Policy 5136 to remove a provision that currently allows high school students to use phones at lunch, citing student safety, bullying and mental-health concerns. "We know the human trafficking do[es] grooming through phones," Gray said, urging preparation if state bills move forward. Staff and several board members responded that enforcement would be the key challenge.
District Chief of Schools Dr. Graves told the board enforcement is the primary…
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