Little Rock board adopts student cell-phone policy to take effect Aug. 15

The Little Rock School District Board voted on Aug. 14 to adopt an updated student personal electronic-device policy that the board set to take effect Aug. 15, 2025.

The motion passed by voice vote after discussion about implementation and parent notification. Director Bali and others asked how the district would ensure families and students were formally notified and whether consequences could be applied retroactively when the policy had not yet been in the handbook. Administration representatives said principals, teachers and staff had been communicating the policy and that the district could issue an addendum and receipts to document family awareness.

Board members noted the state statute requires districts to adopt policies aligned with the law and that the board needed to ensure consistent enforcement across schools. The board adopted the motion on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

District leaders said they would return with the formal notice process and any addendum language needed to ensure families receive and acknowledge the policy.