Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved an updated cell phone policy during its Dec. 10 meeting.
The new policy prohibits high school students from using personal electronic devices like cell phones during the school day which runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
An exception to the rule allows high schools to designate time outside the classroom when students can use devices for instructional and school activities only. Parents, guardians and students will be notified by the high schools of the specific parameters for personal electronic device use.
Elementary and middle school students are also prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school day. This rule was in place prior to the new policy revision.
Superintendent Burke Royster said during the board’s committee of the whole meeting earlier on Dec. 10 that the district’s updated cell phone policy was required by the South Carolina Legislature. A proviso was included in the South Carolina Department of Education’s fiscal year 2024-25 operations budget requiring all school districts in the state to enact a policy prohibiting students from accessing electronic communication devices while at school in order to receive state funding.
The state Board of Education was instructed to create a model policy for school districts to use as a baseline for banning cellphone use in schools. School boards across the state were responsible for implementing a similar policy by January 2025.
Read more about the statewide cellphone ban
GCS’s new policy for personal electronic devices goes into effect starting January 7, 2025. Students will be required to turn off or silence their personal electronic devices during the school day. The devices must also be stored out of the sight of others. Electronic devices such as smartwatches and accessories like headphones cannot be worn during the school day.
Individual students with health needs can be exempt from these rules if authorized by an individual education plan, health plan or 504 plan. Principals can also grant exceptions for students with unique circumstances such as if a family member is in the hospital.
For more information, visit greenville.k12.sc.us/News/main.asp?titleid=2412cellphone.
