School board adopts bell‑to‑bell student cell‑phone policy, cites new state authority

The Hot Springs County School District No. 1 board voted to adopt policy JICJ on the second reading, creating a bell‑to‑bell ban on student cell‑phone and electronic device use at elementary and middle schools and outlining limited discretion for principals to address unique situations. The board approved the policy by voice vote after trustees thanked administrators for their work on the language.

Superintendent (Speaker 2) told trustees the policy reflects recent state action that gives districts authority to limit student screen time. He said the statute provides “backing and the leverage of state statute to help us enforce limiting that screen time,” and that elementary and middle school students will be expected to keep devices in lockers or backpacks during school hours.

The policy treats the high school differently: with an open campus at lunch, high‑school staff recommended enforcement bell‑to‑bell except during lunch so students who travel long distances may use phones off campus at noon. The superintendent said principals retain discretion to make adjustments at the building level.

The board discussed the policy as part of a packet of policy revisions; trustees moved and approved the second‑reading adoption of JICJ and related revisions during the meeting. No changes to the policy language were recorded during the vote.

The district will implement the policy next school year; administrators said implementation details and building‑level procedures will be handled by principals and district staff.