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Cannon County board adopts student cell-phone restriction; administrators tasked with implementing procedures
Summary
The board adopted policy 6.312(b) limiting student possession/use of wireless communication devices during the school day and directed administrators to develop standards and procedures for exceptions and emergency communication; the vote was 3–1.
The Cannon County Board of Education on June 9 voted 3–1 to adopt cell-phone policy 6.312(b), which limits student possession and use of wireless communication devices during instructional time or for the entirety of the school day, and directed district administrators and supervisors to develop implementing standards and procedures.
The policy text read into the record described allowed exceptions, including use in documented health-care plans, Individualized Education Programs or 504 plans, assistive-technology needs for students with disabilities, and emergency situations. The policy also states unauthorized use or improper storage may result in confiscation and disciplinary action.
Board members debated how emergency parent communications would be handled if student devices were restricted. One board member said the district's BroadArrow notification system would be the method to alert parents in the event of an emergency; other members noted BroadArrow not always reaching every household and said specific procedures would need to be developed so staff could permit device use in emergencies.
After discussion, the board approved a motion by Mr. McMackins, seconded by Miss Thomas, to adopt policy 6.312(b) "with the standards and policies to be developed by administrators and supervisors." The roll call recorded Miss Curtis, Mr. McMackins and Miss Thomas as voting "aye" and Mr. Mayo as voting "nay." The motion passed 3–1.
Speakers during debate raised classroom-management and student-safety concerns. One parent-board member said restricting phones could reduce chaotic parent calls and resulting misinformation during incidents. Another board member said staff policies regarding employee phone use should be revisited to ensure consistency with the new student rule.
The board did not adopt a detailed administrative procedure at the meeting; it specifically directed principals and safety supervisors to develop procedures for how emergency exceptions will be handled across buildings. Board members said the policy is grounded in state law but implementation details will be set locally by administrators.
The vote followed months of public questions and prior discussion at workshops and was recorded as motioned and carried in the meeting minutes.
