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PCSSD adopts 2025‑26 student handbook with ‘bell‑to‑bell’ cellphone restriction and other changes
Summary
The PCSSD board approved the 2025‑26 student handbook May 13. The handbook formalizes a bell‑to‑bell cellphone restriction (middle‑school pilot of magnetic pouches), expands AI guidance, requires clear or mesh backpacks K‑12 for safety, and implements state changes to SmartCore and school nutrition.
The Pulaski County Special School District board voted May 13 to adopt the 2025–26 student handbook, a package that includes several substantive policy changes administrators said were required by new state law and district safety priorities.
Major changes included: - A bell‑to‑bell cellphone restriction (state law): Middle schools will pilot magnetized pouches that store students’ phones during the school day; students keep the pouch and return it each day. Piloting schools will place unlocking stations near exits so students retrieve devices as they leave. The handbook includes specified exceptions for IEP or 504 accommodations, concurrent‑enrollment courses, after‑school extracurricular activities and emergencies. - Clear or mesh backpacks for k–12: As a security measure, planners added a requirement that district backpacks be mesh or clear. Administrators said the requirement will be communicated in supply lists so families may plan. - Artificial intelligence (AI): The district’s AI committee and administration drafted guidance aligned with state law; the handbook includes initial AI use rules and directs staff to training and approved processes for student and staff use of generative tools. - Student nutrition and transportation procedures: The handbook documents changes that result from state policy (preK–12 free breakfasts) and shifts bus‑discipline responsibility to transportation supervisors per the administration’s plan.
Presenters and rationale Handbook committee representatives said the revisions reflect recent state legislative changes and safety priorities. Dr. Lutcher, who addressed AI committee work, said the district aims to “protect our students, protect their privacy, but then also educate our students and our staff” as it implements new tools and controls. Committee members emphasized that the handbook marks procedures and expectations; individual schools will add details about consequences and local rollout.
Cellphone implementation detail The district described the middle‑school cellphone approach as a practical, low‑disruption measure tested elsewhere in Arkansas: students place phones in pouches when they arrive, pouches stay with students, and magnetized unlocking stations let students retrieve phones as they exit. Administration said targeted pilot testing at the middle‑school level will precede any wider rollout.
Board action After discussion, the board approved the 2025–26 handbook as presented, including the cellphone policy and related procedures. The motion passed on a voice vote.
