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Board advances student and staff personal electronic device policies on first read
Summary
The Preston County Board approved first readings of updated employee and student personal electronic device policies July 29, aligning staff rules with recent state guidance and requiring student devices to be stored out of sight during instructional time; the board directed staff to begin communications and to provide school‑level implementation plans before the next meeting.
The Preston County Board of Education approved first readings July 29 of updated policies that restrict non‑instructional use of personal electronic devices by employees and require students to store devices out of sight during instructional time.
Why it matters: The changes reflect recent legislative and state board action and aim to standardize expectations for students and staff ahead of the school year. The district intends to communicate the draft policy to families and staff before the final board vote.
Key points: Superintendent Mister Martin described the staff policy update as an effort to align the employee personal electronic device policy (Policy 8‑42) with pending changes to the student device rules and new state guidance: “This policy was is really being refined in conjunction with our student's cell phone… being driven by recent legislative actions,” he said. The board approved Policy 8‑42 on first read by unanimous vote.
On student devices (Policy 11‑45), the board accepted revisions that require devices to be powered off and stored out of sight during instructional time; the policy allows device use at lunch or recess unless an individual school elects to prohibit it. Mister Martin said legal counsel confirmed schools may adopt more restrictive local rules and that the board expects each school to provide a written plan for how devices will be stored and monitored. The motion to approve the student policy on first read passed 5‑0.
Board members raised implementation concerns, particularly over medical or IEP/504 exemptions. One member asked, “How are they gonna be recognized in a school the size of Preston High that they're allowed to have their phone and not be reprimanded when they should be?” Staff answered that a master list of approved exemptions and, when appropriate, specifications on a doctor's order will be maintained at the school level and shared with staff.
The board and staff agreed to start communicating the first‑read policies to parents and employees next week, clearly noting that the policies are at first read and subject to final approval at the Aug. 11 meeting. Staff will return with school‑level device storage plans for board review at that meeting.
What’s next: The policies remain at first reading; the board scheduled a second reading and potential final vote on Aug. 11. Staff will produce school‑level implementation details and family communications before then.
