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Greensville County School Board adopts stricter cell phone rule, introduces classroom lockers and Guard911 safety tool
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Summary
The Greensville County School Board on Jan. 28 approved a revision to its cell phone policy, changing the phrasing from "bell to bell" to "entire school day," and heard presentations on classroom cell-phone lockers and a security alert system called Guard911.
The Greensville County School Board on Jan. 28 voted to approve a revision to its division cell phone policy that clarifies students may not use personal phones during the entire school day.
The revision, presented to the board by Mr. Riddick, amends the Greensville County Public School Code of Conduct language from "bell to bell" to "entire school day" to remove ambiguity about permitted phone use in hallways, cafeterias and other noninstructional times. Mr. Riddick summarized the change, saying the code "has already established guidelines for cell phone free education throughout the entire school day."
The board also heard how Greensville County High School is installing cell-phone lockers in classrooms as a "safety net" for students who feel they need access to a phone during the day. Dr. Posey James described the classroom lockers and how teachers and administrators will handle requests, saying "we're not confiscating cell phones" and that administration will contact parents when a student needs to use a phone.
In addition, the board received a presentation on Guard911, a security tool that allows teachers to send either an administrative-assistance alert or a direct 911 alert. Dr. Carrie explained the two functions: the teacher-assistance alert routes to administrative staff, while the 911 alert routes to law enforcement. "When you push the 911 button, it goes to law enforcement," she said, adding that agencies within a 25-mile radius will respond to a triggered school alert.
Board chair Ruston Jesse called for public clarity during the policy rollout; the board said the revision followed a series of parent meetings in Greensville County and Emporia. After discussion, a motion to approve the revision was moved and seconded and the board voted in favor.
The approved change instructs staff and families to expect divisionwide enforcement of the no-phone rule for the entire school day and the addition of classroom lockers and Guard911 as complementary safety measures. The board did not provide a timetable for locker installation across all division schools beyond Greensville County High School, where lockers were demonstrated, nor did the board specify a start date beyond the implementation discussions described at the meeting.
