KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – In just the few weeks since school started, the number of Knox County students violating the district’s cell phone policy has almost doubled the previous counts from entire school years.
Knox County Schools’ Carly Harrington confirmed Friday that the district had logged 977 electronic device violations since school started on Aug. 7.
She said that annual counts from years past have ranged from 455 to 577, adding that the jump likely stems from the school system’s new, more strict, policy.
“This total includes violations of the new wireless communication device policy, as well as inappropriate use of the internet or other personal electronic devices,” Harrington said. “Incidents are typically addressed with progressive interventions such as a warning, a call home or a temporary confiscation of the device.”
That new policy prohibits cell phone use throughout the day, except during emergencies. Students are allowed to keep their phones, but must have them turned off. It’s a change from KCS’ previous policy, which allowed cell phone use during non-academic times, like class changes and lunch.
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