HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – New state legislation requires the Christian County Board of Education to prohibit students from accessing their cell phones during instruction, with more legislation eliminating all electronic communication between students and staff members.

Effective this fall, students at all Christian County Public Schools will be prohibited from having cell phones and any telecommunications devices during the school day. This is due to House Bill 208 that was passed by Kentucky lawmakers at the most recent legislative session, going into effect immediately.

The bill reads, “The policy shall, at a minimum, prohibit a student’s use of a personal telecommunications device during instructional time, except during an emergency, if directed to do so by a teacher for an instructional purpose, or if authorized by a teacher.”

Dr. Melanie Barrett, Director of Pupil Personnel relayed the details and impact that this bill will have. She explained to the board that this prohibits the use of cell phones, smart watches, air pods, and any device that could display a message or send and receive a message.

School board members are legally obligated to comply with the new regulations set out in the legislation.

Phones locked in bag, unavailable all day

High school students in the county will be required to place their devices inside a bag called a Yondr pouch. The bag will be locked when they enter the school and unlocked when they leave. Due to the bags, devices will not be accessible in the case of an emergency, and teachers will act as a line of communication if those situations arise, according to Barrett.

Superintendent Chris Bentzel shared that the pouches have already been used with summer school students in the past month, which has so far seemed successful.

Middle school students will have a slightly different procedure and will be expected to keep their phones in a locker at their advisory classroom. Elementary students that have any devices will be required to keep them in their backpack or cubby. Teachers and staff will be allowed to continue to have their cell phones and devices.

Disciplinary procedure for violating these rules would begin at parent teacher conferences and possibly escalate if the issue is recurrent.  Barrett explained that exceptions for phone use will be made for students with specific medical needs. For all other students, if issues arise during the day they are encouraged to reach out to a trusted staff member to facilitate communication with a guardian.

More legislation

Additional state legislation was discussed during the meeting that require mandatory implementation for schools throughout Kentucky, including Senate Bill 19 that mandates a full minute of silence/reflection by students after the Pledge of Allegiance each morning.

On a larger scale, Senate Bill 181 prohibits all electronic communication between students and school staff members, including volunteers. This would leave students unable to call, text, direct message, or contact a staff member, teacher, coach, volunteer, ect. from any school in the county unless it is through the existing Parent Square App. This allows all communications to be properly logged and remain traceable.

Previously established tools like Google Classroom may have to be reevaluated due to the untraceable communication that is permitted through the program.

Adjusting with Parent Square app

“The legislators really took a stand this year,” said Barrett to the board. While the present board members agreed with the intention of the new bill, they also agreed that implementation may be a difficult adjustment.

The goal of the bill is to enhance student safety and transparency in communication. Staff members or volunteers who are found to be in violation will face disciplinary action from a higher up, possibly facing legal ramifications. Volunteers who do not comply will not be permitted to volunteer in any capacity after the infraction. Parents and guardians are able to provide consent for specific communications with staff for an individual student.

“I understand the point of this, but it’s easier said than done,” said school board attorney Jack Lackey Jr. He went on to say that he believes this bill leaves many good faith ways that a person may violate the statute unintentionally.

Bentzel remained optimistic, saying that a large number of students and families have already adjusted to the Parent Square app that was implemented this past school year, which puts them ahead of other school systems.

“We will have trainings and revisions and will find ways to adapt after learning more about it,” Bentzel said.

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