Trussville board adopts ban on student cell phones, updates handbook to match

Trussville City Schools’ board approved a policy change to bar students from having cell phones on their person during the school day and amended the parent-student handbook to reflect the change.

The board approved the measure after a presentation explaining that the state legislation often referred to in discussion as the "Focus Act" calls for eliminating student access to personal communication devices during instructional time. The presenter said, “Students are not even to have those on their person,” and explained high school students should leave phones in lockers or vehicles while on campus, and middle school students should keep phones in lockers as in past practice.

Board members and administrators said principals and district staff will develop parameters for implementation at a July 15 retreat, including how the policy applies to lockers, vehicles and classroom procedures. Aaron Piper was cited as leading a book study referenced by trustees and staff that, according to the presenter, informed the district’s decision by showing academic differences when phones are distant from students.

The board moved and seconded the measure and approved it by voice vote. Immediately afterward, trustees voted to amend the district’s parent-student handbook to incorporate the new rule.

The policy change was presented as compliance with state-level legislative priorities; the transcript refers to that law as the "Focus Act." The district said more implementation details will be developed by the superintendent’s office and school principals prior to the coming school year.

The board scheduled additional administrative planning and did not take further formal action at the meeting on enforcement procedures or disciplinary steps beyond directing staff to update the handbook.