Wake County policy committee advances draft cellphone rules; sends key details to teachers for feedback

The Wake County Schools Policy Committee reviewed a full draft of a wireless communication-device policy that would limit when students may use personal cellphones, smartwatches and other accessories during the school day and authorize staff to temporarily confiscate devices in specified circumstances.

Committee chair Edmonds led the discussion and staff said the goal is to adopt the policy for the 2025'26 school year. Assistant Superintendent of Academics Drew Cook and Senior Director Allison Reed walked committee members through revisions that include a narrowed opening paragraph, an explicit statement that district-issued devices are excluded and new language on device accessories such as Bluetooth headphones and smartwatches.

The draft defines “put away” to mean a device is out of sight and not easily accessible, with examples such as stored in a locker, backpack, bag or pocket. The draft also says smartwatches may be worn as watches but must have features that require wireless connection disabled when device use is prohibited. It adds a clear exception: “No permission is required to call 911 when appropriate,” a point staff said they added so students would not need prior permission for emergency calls.

The policy sets different authorized-use parameters for elementary, middle and high schools and for school buses. For buses the language was broadened from bus drivers alone to "transportation or school staff" so that bus drivers, safety assistants, transportation supervisors, school administrators or supervising coaches on extracurricular trips can regulate device use if it interferes with safe operation or instruction.

On disciplinary procedures, the draft gives staff authority to temporarily confiscate a personal wireless communication device if a student does not follow staff direction, if there are repeated violations or if the device is causing a substantial disruption. In general, the device is to be returned at the end of the class period; an administrator may require return at the end of the day, and for a pattern of violations an administrator may require a parent or guardian to recover the device. The policy requires confiscated devices to be stored securely until returned.

Committee members spent substantial time debating wording around teacher direction and how to define noncompliance. Several members warned that terms such as “immediately” or “comply” could be interpreted in ways that lead to inconsistent enforcement or unnecessary escalation in classrooms. Board member Hershey recommended removing “immediately”; others suggested wording focused on whether a student “silences and puts away” a device “as directed by a school employee,” or whether a student “refuses” to follow a directive. Staff said they will take those three confiscation bullets back to teachers for further input.

Members also asked staff to ensure consistency between the new policy and related documents, including the student code of conduct and the Technology Responsible Use policy (policy 32-25). Staff confirmed they will present the draft for first reading at the second board meeting in May and can waive the second reading if timing requires. Chair Edmonds and staff emphasized the committee'level intent: keep students in class, reduce escalation and preserve teacher authority while building in processes so parents and students are notified if violations repeat.

"This policy does not apply to district-issued and managed devices," staff said when describing a sentence added after consultation with counsel. "We also recommend" the addition that "confiscated devices must be stored securely until the device is returned to the student or parent/guardian," staff said, citing concerns about liability when staff temporarily hold student devices.

Next steps: staff will take the three confiscation bullets to the superintendent's teacher advisory group for classroom-level feedback, revise the draft as warranted, and return to the full board for a formal first reading at the May board meeting. Staff said the aim remains to have an adopted policy before the 2025'26 school year begins.