Jefferson County Board of Education members will go beyond state requirements in their decision to ban cellphones throughout the entire school day next year.
After postponing a decision during their previous meeting, six out of seven members voted Tuesday evening for an all-day ban, allowing students to only use their phones in emergency situations or if special exceptions are made by school leaders.
Linda Duncan was the only board member who voted against the full ban, indicating that enforcing such a rule would put unnecessary stress on administrators.
“Enforcement takes constant vigilance and consistency — all falling on the shoulders of (assistant principals) who are trying to keep suspensions down to please their principals,” Duncan previously wrote to The Courier Journal.
During the previous board meeting, members disagreed about whether or not each school should have the discretion to decide if students are allowed to have their phones during passing time in hallways or in the cafeteria.
Discussions regarding cellphones began back in February after board member James Craig initiated a discussion around limiting students’ use at school. Shortly after, state legislators passed a new law mandating all Kentucky public schools prohibit students from using their devices during instructional time.
While five board members showed interest in a full ban during an April meeting, Craig indicated his support of allowing school leaders to make the decision on whether or not the ban should go further than state law. During Tuesday’s meeting, he ultimately sided with taking it the next step further.
Krista Johnson covers education and children. Have story ideas or questions? Contact her at kjohnson3@gannett.com and subscribe to her newsletter.
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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS board approves total ban on cellphones in schools