Cleveland City School Board Meeting 08-04-25

Board members approved several policy updates on first and final reading, including a major revision to the district’s rules on student cell phone use. The updated policy, rewritten with guidece from the Tennessee School Boards Association to comply with new state law, prohibits students from using personal wireless devices during instructional time. While the law outlines minimum requirements, Cleveland City Schools is going further by banning use throughout the school day at Cleveland High School.

This stricter approach mirrors a similar policy already in place at Cleveland Middle School, where students store phones in their lockers until the end of the day.

Questions were raised about how phone violations are handled. Administrators said parents are notified the day a phone is confiscated, usually through a phone call. 

Board members discussed adding a measure of accountability to the policy. At their request, Director of Schools Dr. Russell Dyer will provide an annual report each June evaluating the policy’s effectiveness. That report will include data on academic engagement, attendance, and disciplinary referrals. Dr. Dyer also committed to giving periodic updates throughout the school year.

Other policy changes involved student wellness, internet use, safety drills, family leave, substitute teacher certification, and updates to bullying and discrimination policies, including a new definition to include antisemitism.

The board also approved several first readings, including updates to charter school oversight, surplus property sales, and the formal introduction of a student board representative policy.

During his update, Director of Schools Dr. Dyer announced Dr. Alicia Kahrs was named assistant principal at Arnold Elementary. 

If you missed yesterday’s meeting, you can watch it at mixtv.tv