Board approves first reading of district policy limiting student use of personal wireless devices, debate centers on enforcement and consistency

The Wake County Board of Education approved first reading of a new policy (4.3.18) restricting student use of personal wireless communication devices after a multi-hour discussion that highlighted disagreements over enforcement details, districtwide consistency and accommodations.

Dr. Julie Crane presented the draft policy, noting it incorporates changes since the April 29 policy committee meeting and reflects feedback from a district survey with 21,655 participants (14,553 students, 5,607 family members and 1,595 staff), 473 focus-group participants and more than 150 board advisory council attendees. The draft addresses smartwatches (staff recommended smartwatches be in airplane mode), authorized use, and consequences for unauthorized use; school leaders requested flexibility on whether the restriction is enforced from the time students exit buses/carpools or from bell-to-bell.

Board members debated multiple points. Several members urged a districtwide baseline to avoid inconsistent rules across schools; others supported limited flexibility for high schools. A recurring concern was confiscation and how to enforce the policy without creating confrontations or liability for lost/damaged devices. Board members cited alternatives used in other districts, including desk pouches or wall-mounted containers to store devices during class time. Assistant Superintendent and Dr. Taylor estimated a district-wide rollout of classroom pouches could cost roughly $150,000 depending on scope, and noted the goal is implementation for the 2025-26 school year (year-round calendar schools begin July 7, 2025) with a second reading scheduled for the board's June meeting.

The board also discussed smartwatch connectivity and recommended clearer language rather than simply requiring airplane mode, because airplane mode may still allow some local connections; some board members asked that the policy specify disabling active cellular or internet connections during restricted times. Accommodations for students with Individualized Education Programs, Section 504 plans or individual health plans were raised by Vice Chair Swanson; staff said standard processes exist for recording accommodations and agreed to provide details to the board.

A motion from Board Member Mahaffey to approve first reading, with final edits to be incorporated by second reading, was seconded by Sam Hershey. The board voted to approve first reading; the board directed staff to continue refining the policy for second reading on June 3.

Why it matters: The policy is intended to reduce distraction and support classroom instruction across the district. Implementation choices (districtwide bell-to-bell baseline vs. school-level variation, confiscation procedures, medical accommodations and the hardware used to store devices) will affect teachers, students and families and were the main focus of the debate.

What remains unresolved: exact language on allowed use windows (bell-to-bell vs. school-defined), the final approach to confiscation (teacher-collected phones vs. storage pouches), whether the policy will require devices off the student's person, and standardized procedures for medical accommodations. Staff said revisions will be provided before second reading.