Clayton County Public Schools to collect student cell phones under new 'distraction-free' policy

Lonnie Farmer, assistant superintendent of middle schools for Clayton County Public Schools, said the district will fully implement Georgia's Distraction Free Education Act (House Bill 340) beginning with the 2026'27 school year and outlined how schools will limit student use of personal electronic devices.

Farmer said elementary school staff will "collect and securely store student cell phones each morning for anyone who brings one to school," and those devices will be returned at dismissal. In middle schools, students will place cell phones in assigned lockers on arrival and retrieve them at the end of the day. "Smartwatches may be worn but only used for keeping time," Farmer added, saying they may not be used for communication.

The assistant superintendent encouraged families to minimize bringing devices to campus and noted that "for students who require them for medical or safety reasons, accommodations will remain in place through existing IEP, 504, or medical plans." A presenter addressing colleagues framed the policy philosophically: "When we disconnect from our devices, we connect more to learning, to each other, and ultimately to our goals. So let's disconnect to reconnect." The district did not specify enforcement consequences, disciplinary procedures, or any changes to transportation or extracurricular device rules in the remarks.

The announcement is an administrative implementation of the state law and, according to Farmer, aims to create "a safe and respectful distraction free learning environment for all." He closed by thanking families for their partnership as the district prepares to roll out the policy for the 2026'27 school year.