Cherokee Public Schools board adopts personal electronic device policy restricting phones, smartwatches and earbuds during school day

The Cherokee Public Schools Board of Education voted to adopt a personal electronic device policy that bars student use of personal cell phones, smartwatches and earbuds during the school day, the board said during its regular meeting.

The policy defines “bell to bell” as 08:05 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. and says devices may be used only when a student’s individualized education program (IEP), 504 plan or medical plan documents a device for assistive, medical or educational purposes. Disciplinary consequences for violations will be referenced in the student handbook, the board was told.

Board members and district staff said the policy is based on a draft from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA) that the district adapted for local use. The presenter said other districts that adopted similar policies reported fewer distractions, improved time on task and, in some cases, measurable improvements in eligibility and behavior metrics.

District staff described safety and emergency-management reasons for the policy as well. The board heard an account from another district where widespread student phone use during an active-threat response complicated reunification and law-enforcement operations; the presenter said that example supported having rules that limit student phone use during incidents.

There are explicit exceptions for assistive technology required by an IEP or 504 plan, and the district will provide school-issued devices for classroom activities the policy would otherwise restrict. Discipline for violations will be implemented via the handbook; the district’s current handbook lists progressively more severe steps for misuse of electronic communications, including conferences, in-school suspension and possible out-of-school suspension.

The board moved to adopt the OSSBA-drafted policy as edited for Cherokee Schools and approved it by roll-call vote.

The board meeting packet included the proposed policy text and a summary of examples from other districts, which staff used to explain expected application and enforcement. Board members asked how lunch and hallways are treated; staff clarified that the restriction applies while inside school buildings and during school hours as defined in the policy.

The board’s adoption does not itself change handbook language; the presenter recommended a cross-reference noting that handbook discipline will implement violations. The board did not specify any new budgetary cost tied to the policy.

The policy will take effect according to the board’s normal procedure for newly adopted policies and will be implemented through handbook language and staff training before the school year begins.