Tough cell phone rules to greet students when they return to school this fall

Using a cell phone to text friends at lunch could land Martin County students in suspension this year.

It's part of a tighter code of conduct unanimously approved by the School Board, and similar to policy already in place in Indian River County schools, and mirrors concerns educators across the state have voiced about the use of cell phones in schools.

More than 75% of K-12 schools had some kind of policy about it as of the 2021-2022 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

More: States weigh school cell phone bans atop district policies

Florida last year became the first state to legally ban cell phone use in schools. The law, which also prohibits students from accessing TikTok and other social media platforms during the school day, went into effect July 1, 2023. Other states have since passed similar bans.

More: Should cellphones be banned from classrooms? What students, teachers say

Now, school districts throughout the state are cracking down on violators by tightening the student code of conduct.

The Martin County School Board agreed earlier this month to make cell phone use an upper-level violation. Now, cell phones that are seen by staff during the school day can be confiscated and released only to a parent. Subsequent violations will result in additional consequences, including suspension, district spokesperson Derek Lowe said.

The message against cell phones needs to be clear, and parents need to be involved, said Martin School Board member Marsha Powers during a meeting earlier this month.

"There has to be consequences," Powers said. The district needs to "draw a hard line,"

Indian River County cell phone policy

In Indian River County, students in grades K-8 must place their phones on silent mode and keep them out of sight for the entire school day. High school students must place phones on silent during school hours, and put devices away when they enter a classroom. The only exception is if devices are being used for a specific class purpose, but that requires advance written approval from the principal.

In Indian River County, violators might first receive a warning to put the phone away or be sent to the office. Parents will be called. A second violation could include a mandatory parent conference with the principal and possible detention. A third offense could result in the phone being confiscated, suspension and a temporary loss of extracurricular privileges. Anything after that third offense would result in a referral to the Suspension Expulsion Review Team.

St. Lucie prohibits cell phones in class

No changes were made this year to St. Lucie County Schools' cell phone policies, spokeswoman Lydia Martin said in a text. Students may have a cell phone or wireless device with them during the day, but cannot use it during instructional time.

Violation is considered a lower-level offense, according to the student code of conduct, and is in the same "disruptive conduct" category as horseplay an inappropriate displays of affection.

Disciplinary consequences can include a call to a parent, parent conference or detention.

Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers, covering Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie school districts.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Tough cell phone rules to greet students when they return to school this fall