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School board adopts stricter student cell-phone policy to comply with Act 313
Summary
The Caldwell Parish School Board voted to adopt a revised policy implementing Act No. 313: students must turn phones in each morning, fines increase to $50 for a first offense or phones held 20 days, and later offenses carry longer confiscation and disciplinary placement; medically necessary devices remain allowed under IEP/504 teams.
The Caldwell Parish School Board voted to adopt a revised student electronic-device policy to comply with Louisiana Act No. 313, which restricts telecommunication devices during instructional hours. The policy requires students to turn phones and similar devices in at the start of the school day, assigns storage and return procedures (phones stored by seventh-period teachers or in a secure office location), and establishes updated penalties to deter infractions.
Staff member Nicki, who led the policy committee presentation, said the revision responds to legislative requirements and classroom disruption. She described research the committee reviewed showing academic and behavioral improvements when phones are removed from instruction and explained that exceptions for medically necessary devices will be handled through individual IEP or 504 team processes.
Key changes the board adopted: first offense carries either a $50 fine or confiscation and a 20-day hold; second offense results in confiscation and a 30-day hold plus 10 days of mandatory virtual in-school suspension; third offense can trigger a recommendation for alternative placement for up to 45 days. The committee also proposed operational steps — labeling pouches for seventh-period teachers to store phones, using cameras or secure office storage, and procedures for returning devices at end of day.
Board members and school principals discussed logistics (how to log hundreds of devices, bus protocols and special-case handling). The board approved the policy by voice vote and directed staff to provide professional development for administrators and teachers ahead of the school year.
