Dorchester School District 2 board votes to align phone policy with state 'bell-to-bell' rule

The Dorchester School District 2 board voted Nov. 11 to update its student electronic-device policy to comply with a South Carolina regulation that requires banning student cell-phone use "from bell to bell." Chair Wimberly called for the change after the policy committee presented the required update.

Miss Bates, chair of the policy committee, told the board that the state’s regulation "requires we ban cell phones from bell to bell, which is defined as the start of the school day to the end of the school day," and that the district must update its policy to remain in compliance. She said the district intends to implement the change after the winter break and noted the state’s legal deadline for implementation.

Board member Mr. Farnsworth criticized the timing and scope of the state rule, saying the district had an alternative local model that had been working. "I'm gonna take a quick moment, and I am going to put, the state, that put this regulation into place, on blast," Farnsworth said, adding he felt the district was being forced into a midyear change.

Miss Bates explained the district's chosen approach for student handling of phones: after winter break the expectation will be that phones are off and remain stored in students' backpacks from arrival until dismissal, rather than being constantly moved into and out of pouches. Board members debated communications and logistics but agreed the district is required to comply with the state regulation.

The motion to adopt the policy update carried unanimously. Superintendent Dr. Robbins and policy staff said the district will distribute implementation guidance to families and principals ahead of the effective date.

The board’s action updates local policy language to match the state's regulation and sets an implementation timetable the district expects to communicate to schools and families in the coming weeks.