JCDB-B Cell Phone Policy for Students and Staff

CELL PHONE AND PAGER POLICY FOR STUDENTS

Students may possess wireless communication devices (WCDs) during school hours, on school property, during after school activities (e.g. extra-curricular activities) and at school-related functions, provided that during school hours and on school vehicles the WCDs are powered completely off (i.e., not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight.

A “WCD” is a device that is capable of sending and/or receiving communication by electronic means, may be capable of emitting an audible tone or tones, vibrating, displaying a message, or otherwise summoning or delivering a communication to the possessor. The following devices are examples of WCDs: cellular and wireless telephones, pagers/beepers, personal digital assistants with communication functionality (PDAs), BlackBerries/Smartphones, WiFi-enabled or broadband access devices, two-way radios or video broadcasting devices with communication functionality, and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real time or delayed basis, sound, video or still images, text, or other information. At no time may students use WCDs on school property or at a school-sponsored activity for the purpose of accessing and/or viewing Internet web sites that are otherwise blocked to students at school. Students may use WCDs while riding to and from school on a school bus or other vehicle provided by the Clay County Board of Education or on a school bus or Clay County Board of Education-provided vehicle during school-sponsored activities, at the discretion of the bus driver, and/or sponsor/advisor/coach. Distracting behavior that creates an unsafe environment will not be tolerated.

However, during after-school activities when directed to do so, by a school employee, WCDs shall be powered completely off (not just placed into vibrate or silent mode) and stored out of sight.

The requirement that WCDs must be powered completely off will not apply in the following circumstances when the student obtains prior written approval from the building principal or his/her designee, as limited therein:

Except as otherwise permitted herein, students are prohibited from using WCDs to capture, record, or transmit the sounds (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member, or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity, without express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording, or transmission of such words or images. Using a WCD to take or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent may be an invasion of privacy and is not permitted, unless authorized by the building principal. Students who violate this provision and/or use a WCD to violate the privacy rights of another person may have their WCD confiscated. If a WCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned only to the student's parent/guardian.

Public Events Exception: Photography and video recordings shall be permitted at scheduled public events where the same have been traditionally allowed. This public events exception shall apply, for example, to sporting events. A notice shall be posted at all events which qualify for this exception.

Official School Photography and Videography: Photography and video records shall be permitted where students are acting in an official school-related capacity. This exception would include, for example, school yearbook photographs, school newspapers, sports team game filming, etc. The faculty sponsor for each official school-related activity that qualifies for this exception will be notified in writing by the building principal.

"Sexting" is prohibited at any time on school property or at school functions. Sexting is the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures, usually through cell phone text messaging. Such conduct not only is potentially dangerous for the involved students, but can lead to unwanted exposure of the messages and images to others, and could result in criminal violations related to the transmission or possession of child pornography. Such conduct will be subject to discipline and possible confiscation of the WCD.

WCDs, including but not limited to those with cameras, may not be possessed, activated or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These situations include but are not limited to locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms, classrooms where not authorized, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The building principal has authority to make determinations as to other specific locations and situations where possession of a WCD is prohibited and shall provide notice to the students of the same, in writing.

Students are prohibited from using a WCD in any way that might reasonably be interpreted by others as an attempt to threaten, humiliate, bully, harass, embarrass, or intimidate another person. See Policy 5517.01 –Aggressive Behavior Toward Students.

Students are also prohibited from using a WCD to capture, receive and/or transmit test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, cheating, or academic dishonesty.

Possession of a WCD on school property or during a school-sponsored event by a student is a privilege that may be forfeited by any student who fails to abide by the terms of this policy, or otherwise engages in misuse of this privilege.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of the WCD. The building principal may also refer the matter to law enforcement if the violation involves an illegal activity (e.g. child pornography). Discipline will be imposed on an escalating scale ranging from a warning to an expulsion based on the number of previous violations and/or the nature of or circumstances surrounding a particular violation. If the WCD is confiscated, it will be released/returned only to the student's parent/guardian. Any WCD confiscated by Clay County Board of Education staff will be marked in a manner with the student's name and held in a secure location in the building's central office until it is retrieved by the parents/guardians. WCDs in Clay County Board of Education custody will not be searched or otherwise tampered with unless reasonable suspicion exists that warrants the same. Any search will be conducted in accordance with Policy 5771 - Search and Seizure.

If a student violates the terms of this policy more than two (2) times in a single school year, s/he may lose his/her privilege to bring a WCD to school for a designated length of time or on a permanent basis, as the circumstances may warrant.

An employee who discovers a student in possession of or using a WCD in violation of this policy is required to report the violation to the building principal or his/her designee.

By bringing WCDs onto the property of the Board or to a school-sponsored event or activity, students assume sole responsibility for safety and care of the WCDs. The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to WCDs brought onto its property, or the unauthorized use of such devices.

Parents/Guardians are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the school office.

CELL PHONE AND PAGER POLICY FOR TEACHERS

Teachers are permitted to use cell phones and pagers during school hours; however, they are to be turned off during instructional time, supervision, and school related meetings.

Approved August 18, 2003

Revised February 6, 2012

Clay County Board of Education