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Chester County school board adopts device policy allowing phones at breaks for grades 6–12; K–5 off all day
Summary
The Chester County Board of Education voted 4–2 to adopt TSBA policy 6.312(b), requiring K–5 students to keep personal electronic devices turned off and stored for the school day and allowing grades 6–12 to use devices only during non‑instructional breaks.
The Chester County Board of Education voted 4–2 to adopt a revised student electronic device policy (TSBA policy 6.312(b)) after a lengthy discussion about enforcement, exceptions and communication with families.
The adopted policy requires students in kindergarten through fifth grade to keep personal electronic devices turned off and stored for the entire school day unless an exception applies. Students in grades 6–12 must keep devices turned off during instructional time but may use them during non‑instructional periods such as between classes and, where permitted, at lunch.
The board’s debate centered on enforcement practicality and student safety. Board member Kim moved to follow the TSBA draft labeled “6.312 b” as written but with the K–5 language extended to K–12; that stricter motion failed. A later motion to adopt 6.312(b) as drafted — which distinguishes elementary grades from secondary…
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