Bradley County School Board meeting recap

The Bradley County School Board met yesterday to consider a new policy on student cell phone use.

The policy update is required by a new state law that went into effect on July 1st. Local State Representatives Dan Howell and Kevin Raper were both sponsors of the bill. The new state law bans the use of personal technological devices, including cell phones during instructional time. All school systems in Tennessee are required to implement policy and procedures that support the law.
 
Bradley County’s new policy allows cell phones on school campuses—so long as phones are silenced and out of sight during the school day. Exceptions are made for children with medical conditions or disabilities that use personal  technology devices. The school board unanimously passed the new policy. 

Cleveland City Schools also unanimously passed a similar policy on Monday afternoon. 
The procedures on how to deal with students who do not comply with the new policy and law was created by the school system’s administration. 

In Bradley County, District officials clarified during the meeting that the updated procedures will not include any fees.  Schools will still be able to confiscate phones for seven or fifteen days after repeat violations, but principals have flexibility to work with families.

Cleveland City Schools is leaving the procedures up to the individual schools, but consequences can include fees and confiscation of student cell phones for repeat offenders. 

Some parents have voiced concerns about the polices saying they disproportionately impacted low-income families and disrupt communication between parents and students.

Parents should check with their child’s school administration on their cell phone policies.