CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Students are heading back to class in Clay County today, the last of our local counties to start the school year.
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And the more than 40,000 students in 43 schools are all under a new policy when it comes to cellphones and other wireless devices.
The Clay County School District’s updated policy doesn’t allow elementary or junior high students to use their cellphones or wireless devices during school hours.
High schoolers can only use their phones during lunch.
The revised policy complies with Florida House Bill 379 by restricting wireless communication devices from morning bell to dismissal bell, including class changes throughout the school day.
Along with using cellphones, tablets and gaming systems, students are banned from wearing AirPods earbuds or headphones on school grounds.
Students will still have access to their phones and can use them during class with a teacher’s permission -- for instructional use or the event of a school-wide emergency.
The district says if a student needs to contact a parent during the day, they can do so from the nearest office.
Superintendent David Broskie said the policy will be enforced.
“There’s a consistent plan across the district to make this happen. Sometimes students forget they have these devices. Students should really focus on learning so they’re productive citizens,” Broskie said.
Broskie said the district prepares ahead of time in case unexpected challenges pop up.
“The first day of school is always about getting routines and rituals down pat,” Broskie said. “Everybody on the road at the same time. Everybody’s excited about students going back to school. It just takes a little bit of time for everybody to adjust to being out there at one time.”