JPS board approves tighter limits on student cellphones during instructional day; buses exempted with rules

The Jackson Public School District Board of Trustees approved amended language to Policy JCBAAA, curbing student use of personal electronic devices during the instructional day while allowing limited use on buses under specified conditions.

General Counsel Harris told the board the proposed changes were drafted after public engagement, principal and scholar advisory meetings and a July 10 community listening session. "The office of the general counsel and administration are recommending that the Jackson Public School District Board of Trustees approve the recommended amendments to policy JCBAAA, scholar use of electronic devices," Harris said.

Key provisions in the approved amendments include stricter restrictions on personal device use during class and more stringent consequences for violations, the administration said. The district also revised the draft after public comment to permit device use on buses with parameters intended to prevent driver distraction and protect other scholars. Harris described a process for bus drivers to document on-ride disturbances: drivers will complete a referral/report form after the bus is stopped and hand it to school administration for follow-up.

Superintendent Dr. Green framed the change as necessary to curb classroom distractions. "And it's become untenable," Dr. Green said of pervasive device use, adding that the district "still believe[s] this is the right way to go" to support learning and district achievement goals.

The administration addressed several operational concerns raised during public comment and the listening session:

- Customer service and phone access: staff received targeted customer-service training this summer, and school phone systems are operational except at the newly renovated Bailey APAC, which is awaiting cabling; calls to Bailey will be routed to mobile phones until permanent connections are complete. - Connectivity and devices: the district said scholars in grades 6–12 have been issued district-managed Chromebooks or equivalent; each school maintains loaner devices for students who do not have a device or experience device failure. The district reported recent infrastructure work with C Spire to replace an older hub-and-spoke network with high-speed fiber so individual schools do not bring down the wider system. - Classroom security: principals were directed to ensure classrooms are secured during unattended periods; facilities will address doors or locks that do not function.

Board members praised the district's engagement process and emphasized the implementation challenges. The policy change was presented as an information/action item and approved on a voice vote. The motion to approve was moved by Frank, seconded by Mitch; board members responded "Aye," and no nays were recorded.

The administration said rollout will include principal-level instructions, staff training, and time for schools to implement practical steps such as loaner-device procedures and building repairs where needed.