Board approves first reading of ban on personal electronic devices during school day

The Bamberg County School District Board of Trustees approved a first reading Oct. 7 of a policy (aligned with State Proviso 1.13) that would prohibit students from using personal electronic devices during the school day. The policy applies from the morning tardy bell to final dismissal and may be applied case by case for buses, field trips and athletic events.

Superintendent Dr. Brown presented the model policy provided by the state and the South Carolina School Boards Association and reviewed the proposed student code of conduct. Under the draft code, a first offense results in a warning with the device confiscated and returned at the end of the day; a second offense requires a parent or guardian to retrieve the device and a conference with school administration; a third offense carries one day of out-of-school suspension, with further consequences at the discretion of school-level administration.

A trustee asked about the severity of beginning progressive discipline at the third offense and compared the district’s approach to other districts’ practices. Dr. Brown and others noted that principals have discretion and that the district has historically been lenient in enforcement; the code of conduct language will appear in student handbooks.

The vote at the meeting approved the policy on first reading by voice assent with no opposition. Because this was a first reading, the policy is not yet final; the board will return for subsequent readings or final adoption in accordance with board rules.

What it means: If adopted in future action, students could face escalating consequences for device violations and schools will have an explicit, state-aligned code of conduct for personal devices.