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Jefferson County board adopts all‑day student cell‑phone ban, with limited exceptions
Summary
After internal surveys and staff comment, the board adopted a district policy banning student cell‑phone use for the entirety of the school day, allowing exceptions for emergencies and documented needs; vote was 6–1.
The Jefferson County Board of Education on May 13 adopted a district policy that prohibits student cell‑phone use during the entirety of the school day, with exceptions for emergencies and individualized education plan (IEP/504) accommodations.
Miss Listister moved the policy and Mr. Bass seconded. Board members voting in favor were Mr. Everett, Mr. Bass, Miss Listister, Miss Strange, Mr. Craig and Mr. Schaw; Miss Duncan voted no.
Administrators presented three policy options and survey results from principals, staff, parents and students. Principals and staff tended to support a full‑day ban (roughly 60% support reported); parents split, with many favoring limits during instructional time; students mostly favored restricting phones only during instruction. Jonathan Low summarized the surveys and district leaders recommended the stricter, all‑day policy to provide consistent expectations across schools.
Miss Listister, speaking for the motion, said the policy will give school leaders a clear framework and help reduce classroom disruptions. Miss Duncan expressed concerns about enforcement and emergency access; administrators said the policy includes emergency exceptions and that schools will designate staff to manage communications between parents and students during incidents.
The motion carried 6–1. The board directed schools to implement procedures for exceptions and emergency communications as part of their site plans.
