Leon County School Board approves policy amendments — cellphone, visitor and safety rules take effect Oct. 29

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After public hearings and with no speakers on the record for the items, the Leon County School Board voted unanimously on Oct. 28 to adopt a slate of policy amendments set to take effect Oct. 29, 2025.

The superintendent recommended and the board approved changes across several policy areas, including Policy 5,136 (wireless communication devices), Policy 75-10 (use of district facilities), Policy 84-20 (Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response Agencies), Policy 9,150 (school visitors), and multiple background-screening and employment-history policies. Board members recorded “Aye” and each item passed by unanimous voice vote.

On the wireless-device rule, Chair Cox clarified the intent: elementary and middle-school students may not have cell phones out while on campus; high-school students may not have phones out during instructional time. “Just to be clear, teachers, administrators, students, you are not to have your cell phone out during the school day unless a teacher at the high school says otherwise,” the chair said during discussion.

Several background-screening policies and an update to the district’s school-safety compliance reporting were also approved. Item 19.12 (architectural contract for Griffin Middle School — professional architectural consulting services) was pulled earlier in the meeting and not voted on.

Why it matters: These administrative policy updates change day-to-day procedures for students, staff and outside users of district facilities, and several items affect safety and background checks for personnel and contractors.

The board adjourned after receiving superintendent and board reports; the approved policies were recorded with an effective date of Oct. 29, 2025.