Jackson Public Schools debates stricter electronic-device policy; board asks for more parent outreach

Jackson Public Schools officials presented proposed amendments to policy JCBAAA, Scholar Use of Electronic Devices, during the boards June meeting, saying the changes are intended to reduce classroom disruptions and safety risks tied to student phone and device use.

District counsel Terry Harris told the board the draft policy expands restrictions on personal electronic-device use during the instructional day and establishes an escalating confiscation schedule intended to deter repeat violations. "The escalating consequences in the policy, the 5, 10, and 45 days are reasonably related to preventing repeated violations," Harris said.

Supporters at the meeting included school staff who described daily disruptions they say stem from phones in class. "During strict instructional time, social media, texting, and streaming videos don't just distract. They completely remove students from the learning experience," said Asia Floyd, identified in public comment as a professional school counselor in the district. Tamika Battle, a college and career readiness teacher at Callaway High School, described the policy as "timely and necessary" while stressing the core problem is inconsistent enforcement across schools: "A policy like this must work for all classrooms, not just some."

Administrators who spoke at the meeting described incidents they say began on phones or social media and escalated into physical altercations or coordinated gatherings. Board counsel cited 2024 district data presented to the board: 40 documented device-policy violations, 10 cyberbullying incidents tied to phones, 26 cases of electronic-device misuse (including cheating and classroom disruption), and 45 group fights involving 146 scholars that the administration linked to social-media conflicts.

Board members and the administration agreed the proposal represents a significant cultural shift. Superintendent Eric Green and other speakers emphasized exceptions for documented medical needs and noted the policy would not prevent students from carrying phones to and from school; the prohibition applies to use during the instructional day and on school transportation.

Rather than vote on the policy at the June meeting, the board asked the administration to expand outreach to parents and other stakeholders and return with revised language and additional engagement. Board members said they expect robust public input before a final vote and suggested additional sessions, policy-committee briefings, and explicit invitations for parents to comment.

The board did not adopt the policy at this meeting. Attorney Harris said principals and student advisory groups had reviewed the draft; principals generally asked for districtwide consistency and stronger consequences, while scholars asked for clarity and fairness. The board asked administrators to provide a clearer roll-out plan and communications strategy before bringing the policy back for deliberation.

Next steps: the administration will conduct further stakeholder engagement (parents, principals, scholars and staff), refine the draft as needed, and return it to the board for a future action item. No formal board vote on JCBAAA occurred on June 24.