PROHIBITION OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Code JICJ Adopted 10/17/2024 The purpose of this policy is to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions. By prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day, this policy aims to provide an environment that enhances focus and engagement, allowing students to develop the college and career-ready skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Students will have more opportunities to engage in meaningful interactions, collaborate with peers, and cultivate the essential skills necessary for success in college, careers, and life.

This policy has been developed in compliance with the General Appropriations Bill, H. 5100 of 2024, Proviso 1.103 and is applicable to grades kindergarten through twelve for the 2024-2025 school year.

Proviso 1.103 (SDE: Anti-Bullying/School Safety) To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.

1. Definitions:
   1. “Personal electronic device,” hereinafter referred to as “device,” means any device utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, cellular telephone signals, or to capture images or video. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices.
   2. “Personal Electronic Device accessories,” hereinafter referred to as “device accessories,” include any wired or wireless accessory or wearable technology that connects to a device and any other accessory commonly used in conjunction with a personal electronic device.

    

   1. “School day” is defined as the period of time that a student is present on the school campus from their arrival (i.e., tardy bell) until afternoon dismissal at the end of the instructional day. This policy may also apply to school buses, field trips, and athletic events. The applicability of this regulation to these activities will be determined by the school district.

    

   1. “Access” is defined as viewing, holding, wearing, or otherwise using a device for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, or any other function commonly associated with devices. During the school day, devices should be powered off and stored as directed by the school district. Exceptions granted for medical necessity, authorized for classroom use, or other authorized reasons should be in writing and are not considered violations of this definition.

    

   1. “Authorized for Classroom Use” is defined as the use of a personal electronic device that is explicitly approved by the District Superintendent or his/her designee in writing. The approval must include alignment with a standards-aligned educational objective that cannot be reasonably achieved using district-owned devices. Students must be provided with clear instructions on the appropriate use of devices and ensure that their use aligns with the approved educational

objectives. The District Superintendent or his/her designee may revoke approval at any time if it is determined that their use does not meet the intended educational objectives or is causing disruptions.

1. Policy Implementation and Enforcement:
   1. During the school day, students are prohibited from accessing their personal electronic devices, unless authorized for classroom use. Students may not wear or access device accessories during the school day. Students must store their devices and device accessories in lockers, backpacks, or otherwise as directed by the school district during the school day. Districts may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.

    

   1. If explicitly required by a student’s IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 plan, the student shall be allowed to access their personal electronic device for medically or educationally necessary purposes described and required for administration of the IEP, Medical Plan or 504 plan.

    

   1. A student who is a member of a volunteer firefighting organization or emergency organization may be authorized to carry a device with written permission from the District Superintendent or his/her designee.

    

   1. If a student violates the preceding rules during the school day, the student will be subject to progressive consequences in the student code of conduct and disciplinary enforcement procedures.

   Cf. JICDA

   Adopted 10/17/24

    

    

    

    

    

   Legal References:

   1. S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as amended:
      1. Section 59-63-280 - Requires board to adopt a policy on student use of electronic devices.
   2. General Appropriations Bill, H. 5100 of 2024
      1. Proviso 1.103(SDE: Anti-Bullying/School Safety)

Administrative Rule For

Policy JICJ

PROHIBITION OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Consequences for violating JICJ are as follows:

• –First Offense – Student warning: parent conference with administrator; device will be confiscated and returned at conference in which parent and student signs a memorandum of understanding outlining cell phone policy.
• –Second Offense – Electronic device will be confiscated for a total of five days; parent conference with an administrator in which parent and student will sign a memorandum of understanding outlining cell phone policy.
• –Third Offense – Device will be confiscated for a total of 30 days; parent conference with an administrator in which the parent and student will sign a memorandum of understanding outlining policy.
• –Fourth Offense and beyond– Device will be confiscated for the remainder of the school year. NOTE: Although the district will take appropriate steps to safeguard all cellular telephones and electronic devices that are confiscated, the district will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices.

All students are prohibited from using electronic and cellular devices to capture, record or transmit the words/sounds (audio) and/or images (pictures/video) of any student, district employee, or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity without expressed, prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording or transmission of such words or images by the student’s principal, assistant principal, or district office administrator. Using a device to take or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted.

Students are prohibited from using devices to take pictures or record audio/pictures/video in locker rooms, bathrooms, hallways, or on school buses or other district vehicles. The use of devices to take pictures or record audio/video is also prohibited in classrooms.

Students are prohibited from using devices in any way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed, or intimidated pursuant to policy JIAB- Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation.

Students are also prohibited from using a device to capture and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty. Likewise, students are prohibited from using a device to receive such information.

Violations of the policy will result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the device. The building administrator and/or district office may also refer the matter to law enforcement if the violation involves illegal activity (e.g., child pornography). Discipline will be imposed in a progressive manner based on the number of previous violations and/or nature of or the circumstances surrounding a particular violation. Any device confiscated by district employees will be marked in a removable manner with the student’s name and held in a secure location at the student’s school until it is retrieved by the parent/legal guardian.

Devices in the custody of the administration will not be searched or otherwise tampered with unless school/district officials reasonably suspect that the search is required to discover evidence