STUDENT USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
No student shall possess, on his/her person, an electronic telecommunication device (smartphone, smart watches, smart glasses, iPads, tablets, etc.) throughout the entire instructional day. If a student brings an electronic telecommunication device into any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an entire instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the entire instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the entire instructional day.
During exceptional circumstances, a school principal can authorize the use of an electronic telecommunication device on a case-by-case basis.
No student shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device including any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, cellular phone, intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system on any school bus unless the device is maintained in the silent mode; if a student’s use of a cellphone is disruptive, the bus operator may require that the student(s) refrain from using the cellphone.
Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the use or operation of any electronic telecommunication device by any person, including students, in the event of an emergency. An emergency means an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.
Nothing in this policy is applicable to a student who Individualized Education Program, Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan requires the student’s use of an electronic telecommunication device.
A student who violates this policy may be disciplined in accordance with policy JCDA, Student Discipline, and the Student Code of Conduct or any other applicable policy. School administrators shall, however, be allowed to hold a device when the administrator deems it appropriate for violations of policy(ies).
Revised: June 16, 2015
Revised: July 16, 2024
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 17:239, 17:416, 17:416.1
Board minutes, 9-16-03, 8-17-04, 12-18-07, 8-18-09, 6-16-15
Caddo Parish School Board