The Volusia County School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt new, prohibitive cellphone and smart device use policies for students in county schools.The new policies follow a new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year. The law bans cellphone use during the school day for elementary and middle school students. High school students will have permitted use, but never during instructional time except when specifically authorized by a teacher.Ruben Colón, Volusia County School Board Member for District 5, said, “The way the law reads, in elementary and middle school, there is no exception from first thing in the morning, anytime they’re on school campus.”The new policies follow House Bill 1105, which aims to cut down on distractions during class time.”I think this is going to help in many aspects. You know, one of the things we see a lot of is students videotaping fights,” Colón said.The school policy also says that students are prohibited from using any wireless communication device or other recording equipment to secretly record or transmit audio or video of any school meeting or activity.The following devices are prohibited by the new Volusia County Public Schools policy:Smartphones and mobile phonesSmartwatches and fitness trackersSmart glassesWireless earbuds and headphones with recording functions”Ultimately, we want our kids to reconnect with their classmates and the instruction being given,” said Colón.The changes to the school district’s policies can be read here and here.Students who violate the policy may face disciplinary action increasing in severity if the policy is violated multiple times.
The Volusia County School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt new, prohibitive cellphone and smart device use policies for students in county schools.
The new policies follow a new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year. The law bans cellphone use during the school day for elementary and middle school students. High school students will have permitted use, but never during instructional time except when specifically authorized by a teacher.
Ruben Colón, Volusia County School Board Member for District 5, said, “The way the law reads, in elementary and middle school, there is no exception from first thing in the morning, anytime they’re on school campus.”
The new policies follow House Bill 1105, which aims to cut down on distractions during class time.
“I think this is going to help in many aspects. You know, one of the things we see a lot of is students videotaping fights,” Colón said.
The school policy also says that students are prohibited from using any wireless communication device or other recording equipment to secretly record or transmit audio or video of any school meeting or activity.
The following devices are prohibited by the new Volusia County Public Schools policy:
- Smartphones and mobile phones
- Smartwatches and fitness trackers
- Smart glasses
- Wireless earbuds and headphones with recording functions
“Ultimately, we want our kids to reconnect with their classmates and the instruction being given,” said Colón.
The changes to the school district’s policies can be read here and here.
Students who violate the policy may face disciplinary action increasing in severity if the policy is violated multiple times.
