Petition against Richmond County BOE cell phone policy obtains over 4,000 signatures

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – An online petition against the new Richmond County Board of Education cell phone policy has gathered over 4,000 signatures as of Aug. 12.

In June, a new cell phone policy for schools in Richmond County received the vote of approval and was implemented for the 2024-2025 school year.

The amended cell phone and electronic device policy states that, “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…”

Just days into the new school year, opinions have been voiced about the policy, so much so that a petition has been started on Change.org.

The petition calls for the Richmond County Schools “to review and reform their polices on mobile phone usage.”

School leaders have emphasized that the goal of the policy is to ensure students are learning without distraction . Per the policy, students needing to make emergency calls are able to do so in the main office of schools.

Violation of the policy results in consequences for first, second, third and fourth offenses.

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