RCBOE vote to amend cell phone, electronic device policy

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Board of Education members have voted to amend the cell phone and electronic device policy.

The RCBOE called a special meeting on Tuesday, July 9th in order to vote to accept the changes to the Student Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 school year.

According to the amended policy, if students choose to bring cell phones or electronic communication devices to school, students are expected at all times to adhere to the following rules relative to cell phones and electronic communication devices and/or accessories.

Here is what the amended cell phone and electronic device policy states:

1. Regardless of whether student is accessing the School System’s Technology Network while operating a cell phone or electronic communication device, all applicable provisions of the Internet Acceptable Use Policy and the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline must be followed.

2. Cell phones, electronic communication devices, and/or accessories must be turned completely off (not on silent or vibrate mode) and put away out of view (as directed by school administration) during the instructional day, as defined above.

3. No text messaging, application-based communication, or social media use is allowed during the instructional day.

Emergency calls may be made in the main office. Parents may contact their children by calling the school’s main office. School office staff are able to relay emergency messages from parents to students. Miscellaneous messages cannot be delivered during the school day; students should discuss their appointments and other activities with parents/guardians outside of school instructional time.

Students with serious medical conditions or other unusual circumstances may be given special permission by the school principal to use a cell phone if it is determined to be essential for the health of the student.

High School students may, at times, utilize electronic devices during lunch but only with the Principal’s discretion and permission. Students

DISCIPLINE: Due to the potential disruption a cell phone and electronic communication devices may cause to the instructional environment and safety of the school, the disciplinary actions and consequences for violation of this rule are as follows:

First Offense: The first offense will result in the electronic device being confiscated, to be picked up by the student or parent at the end of the same school day. The incident will be recorded in the student’s discipline record within the student database (e.g., Infinite Campus).

Second Offense: The second offense will result in the electronic device being confiscated, to be picked up by the parent on the Friday following confiscation, at the specific time designated by the school. The incident will be recorded in the student’s discipline record within the student database (e.g., Infinite Campus).

Third Offense: The third offense will result in the electronic device being confiscated, to be picked up by the parent on the Friday following confiscation, at the specific time designated by the school. The student will receive one day of in-school suspension (ISS). The incident will be recorded in the student’s discipline record within the student database (e.g., Infinite Campus).

Fourth Offense: The fourth offense and thereafter will result in the electronic device being confiscated for ten (10) school days, and the parent must schedule a conference with an administrator to retrieve the electronic device. The student will receive three days of in-school suspension (ISS). The incident will be recorded in the student’s discipline record within the student database (e.g., Infinite Campus).

Noncompliance: All administrators, teachers and/or staff members are authorized to confiscate cell phones, electronic communication devices and/or accessories any time a student is in violation of the Cell Phone/Electronic Communications Device policy. A student’s refusal to surrender his/her electronic device(s) to school personnel will be considered noncompliance and insubordination, resulting in two (2) days of out of school suspension, and any other forms of discipline deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

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