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Board hears update on state cell-phone proviso; district committee drafting policy
Summary
Dr. Giles told the board a state proviso (senate version) now in the budget would require districts to prohibit student access to personal electronic devices during the school day; the district committee is drafting definitions, enforcement options and possible storage systems such as Yonder pouches and will return with a recommendation.
The Georgetown County School District board received an update Tuesday on a district committee’s work to craft a cell-phone and personal-device policy after a state budget proviso moved through the legislature.
Dr. Giles, who presented the committee’s research, said the Senate version adopted into the spending plan would require districts to "prohibit access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day." The committee — made up of parents, students, support staff, teachers and administrators — has met to review other districts’ procedures and to identify policy language, consequences and storage options.
"We had a policy review committee that met... The goals of that committee are to review and research Georgetown County School District as well as other districts within our state," Dr. Giles said, adding the committee is considering storage solutions such as the Yonder pouch or wall-hanging systems and will present a recommended policy for board approval on July 16.
Board members pressed for clarifications about scope. One member asked whether the proviso applies across elementary, middle and high schools; Dr. Giles said the Senate language adopted "during the school day" and committee work has included examples across grade bands. Members also asked whether confiscation of devices remains legal; presenters stated that long-term confiscation (for example, holding a device for an extended period) is not legal and the district is revising its code of conduct accordingly.
Board members asked whether the policy must separately define personal vs. school-issued devices (Chromebooks, iPads) and whether smartwatches and earbuds will be included; presenters said the committee aims to provide explicit examples and precise definitions. The committee planned additional meetings on June 26 and July 10 to finalize language in time for a July 16 presentation.
Why it matters: The state proviso could require immediate changes in district discipline and classroom practice; districts must align local policies with new state expectations or risk funding consequences, the chair warned.
Next steps: The committee will continue meetings, draft precise definitions of "personal electronic communication device," and bring recommended policy language and an implementation plan to the board on July 16. The board did not take a final vote on the policy at Tuesday’s meeting.
Quote: "The proviso basically means if we don't implement this, we could lose state funding," the chair said during the discussion.
