Bradley County Schools board adopts state-required cellphone policy, removes fees but keeps 7- and 15-day hold periods

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Bradley County Schools board on Aug. 5 adopted policy 6.312 on the use of wireless communication devices, a move board members said was required by a new Tennessee law that took effect July 1, 2025.

Miss Lee, a member of the Bradley County Schools board, moved to adopt the policy and waive a second reading, saying the change was necessary to comply with "public chapter 103, House Bill 932." Dr. Cash, speaking for district staff, described an updated high-school device plan for 2025–26 that aligns with the policy and the state law.

The approved policy allows students to possess personal electronic communication devices on campus but requires they be silenced and stored out of sight during the instructional day (the district listed the school day as 08:15 to 03:30). The procedure includes exceptions for documented health needs, individualized education plans (IEP/504) and teacher-authorized instructional use; it also requires an emergency communication protocol so parents can be contacted when necessary. The board retained administrative procedures that permit a second violation…