The Huntsville City School Board has approved a new district-wide cell phone policy in response to the recently passed Focus Act, which requires school districts across Alabama to enact regulations that prohibit phones in classrooms.
The new policy will take effect at the start of the upcoming school year. It prohibits students from using wireless communication devices during the school day unless directed by a teacher for a pre-approved assignment.
Wireless communication devices are defined as cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, a pager, gaming devices, smart watches, smart glasses, earphones, and headphones in the bill. The policy closely follows the guidelines established in the Focus Act, signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in May.
While the policy passed with majority support, board member Andrea Alvarez of District 3 cast the lone dissenting vote.
“As a protest, I had to vote no because I am fully against us losing local control to a state law,” Alvarez said. “Huntsville City Schools was doing an amazing job of already handling cellphones. My kids are in our schools. My kids also have cell phones — it has never been an issue. And so it’s frustrating that the state felt like they needed to pass a law and override our local power.”
In addition to limiting cell phone use, the policy mandates that students using the internet at school will have certain websites and content blocked to shield them from inappropriate material. However, Alvarez raised concerns about the policy’s broad language and its implications for teachers.
“We’re gonna have teachers who get stuck between a law and logic or parents on some kind of crusade to try to stick it to public education, which is what we’re seeing in every other facet,” she said. “I don’t believe that the state of Alabama cared about our kids. I think they cared about giving parents a way to get teachers in trouble when they wanted to, and that’s why they passed this law.”
School Board Attorney Christopher Pape said each local board of education will likely be responsible for determining what is considered inappropriate and deciding on appropriate disciplinary actions for violations.
“The State Department is trying to work with all the local boards of education to provide guidance on how to implement these things,” Pape said. “So I would just say, you know, teachers will have to adhere to policy and procedures that the system will put out and that everyone will have to feel out this new law together.”
The Huntsville City Schools district plans to finalize its updated code of conduct in July, which will include specific rules and procedures regarding policy enforcement.
Here are the specific guidelines the board gave at Tuesday night’s work session.
4.11.2 Restriction or Loss of Technology Privileges – Persons who violate any Board policy, rule, or regulation regarding technology use may be denied use of the Updates Board’s technology resources and may be subject to additional disciplinary action. The Superintendent will ensure that any imposed disciplinary action will be consistent for all students, employees, and individuals.
4.11.4 Adoption of Rules and Regulations – The Superintendent is authorized to develop additional or more specific rules and regulations regarding access to and use of its technology resources and to require adherence to such rules and regulations through such means as the “Acceptable Use Agreement” and application of appropriate disciplinary policies and procedures. Those rules and regulations should incorporate the requirements of all federal and state laws including the Child
Internet Protection Act and Alabama’s Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screen for Safety Act by
a. Blocking or filtering Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene, that constitute child pornography, or that are harmful to minors;
b. Restricting access by minors to inappropriate and harmful material on the Internet;
c. Limiting Internet access by students only to age-appropriate subject matters and materials;
d. Providing specific procedures and other protections that prioritize the safety and security of minors when they are using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
e. Preventing “hacking” and other forms of unauthorized use of or access to computer or Internet files, sites, databases or equipment;
f. Prohibiting access by students to unlawfully obtained data or information, including “hacking,” and other unlawful online activity by students;
g. Prohibiting access to websites, web applications, or software that exposes students to the disclosure, use, or dissemination of their personal information;
h. Prohibiting students from accessing social media platforms, unless expressly directed by a teacher for educational purposes;
i. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
j. Educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.
[Reference: 47 U.S.C. §254(h) and (l); Ala. Act 2025-386]
6.22.1 Definitions
A. Instructional Day –
● When school is open and in session;
● During class time, lunch, transitions between classes, and any non-instructional periods;
● Any time that students are required to store their Wireless Communication Devices by the Code of Conduct or other school rules; or
● Any time students are instructed to store their devices by school staff.
A. Wireless Communication Devices – A “Wireless Communication Device” shall be any portable electronic device that has the capability of exchanging voice, messaging, video, images, or other data communication with another electronic device including, without limitation:
● a cellular telephone;
● a tablet computer;
● a laptop computer;
● a pager;
● a gaming device;
● a smart watch;
● smart glasses;
● earphones; and
● headphones.
6.22.2 Possession of Wireless Communication Devices – Students are allowed to bring – but not use or operate – Wireless Communication Devices into school buildings and onto school grounds, subject to the limitations in sections 6.22.3 and 6.22.4, below. The school system is not responsible for the theft, loss, or damage to any wireless communication device brought onto campus.
6.22.3 Storage of Devices – During the Instructional Day, students who possess a Wireless Communication Device on any Board campus or in any Board school must turn the Wireless Communication Device off and store the Wireless Communication Device off their person in a locker, car, or other location as authorized by the Superintendent or designee. This possession is subject to the exceptions listed in 6.22.4.
6.22.4 Prohibition on Use and Exceptions – Students cannot use, operate, or possess a Wireless Communication Device during the Instructional Day except under the following limited circumstances:
● The use, operation, and/or possession of the device is specifically included in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, or an Individualized Health Plan;
● The use, operation, and/or possession of the device is for educational or learning purposes under the supervision of school personnel; and
● The use, operation, and/or possession occurs during an emergency threatening the life or safety of the student or another person. The Superintendent or designee is authorized to develop additional guidelines for implementation of these exceptions. All such guidelines will be communicated to students, parents/guardians, and teachers through typical mechanisms such as the Code of Conduct or Student Parent Information Guide.
6.22.5 Searches – School officials may read, examine, or inspect the contents of any Wireless Communication Device upon reasonable suspicion that the device contains evidence of a violation of law, Board policy, the Code of Conduct, or other school rules, provided that the nature and extent of such reading, examination, or inspection shall be reasonably related and limited to the suspected violation.
6.22.6 Disciplinary Action – Any violations of this policy can result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
6.22.7 Additional Procedures Authorized – The Superintendent or designee is authorized to develop any additional rules necessary to carry out this policy including the procedures that would require students to store Wireless Communication Devices in specific locations within a given school.
[Reference: Ala. Act 2025-386]
