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We're glad to see the county Board of Education has passed a new cell phone policy that limits the devices' use during school hours.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade would not be permitted to have cell phones out or accessible during the school day. High school students in grades nine through 12 would have more flexibility, with limited exceptions for legitimate educational or other approved needs.
Board member Misty Moore questioned how the district would ensure teachers consistently enforce the policy.
“I still feel that there is a lot of gray area,” Moore said, noting that some teachers currently enforce phone restrictions while others do not.
Moore raises a good question, though it's also a self-answered question. The district won't have complete compliance with the new cell phone limits immediately just as the district hasn't had complete compliance with rules banning the use of vape devices on school grounds. Students are always going to test limits. It will be up to school staff to enforce them.
There's going to be a feeling-out period for students, parents and school staff as the cell phone use policy is implemented. In our opinion, the policy is really enforcing common sense. Students in kindergarten through eighth grades won't have access to cell phones or electronic devices. They shouldn't need access to those devices during the school day in the first place. High school students may need access to their phones for some school-related purposes, but otherwise shouldn't be on them during the school day. The purpose of the policy is to keep students' focus on education during the school day, not push alerts, text chains, social media or cute cat videos. What we're really enforcing should be common sense.
Approving a cell phone and electronic device policy was necessary, but what was passed last week can be changed if new issues arise. Technology changes, and we shouldn't expect that a policy approved in September 2026 will be the only policy the district needs to approve when it comes to limiting the effects of outside technology on the inside of a school building.