CLAY COUNTY — The next school year begins on Aug. 13, and students throughout Clay County District Schools will be greeted with new rules regulating cellphone use.

Students may continue to bring their cellphones or other wireless communication devices to school property but with a few added restrictions. Wireless communication devices include cellphones, smartphones, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, Bluetooth devices, earbuds and AirPods. 

According to the newest edition of the Student Family Handbook 2024-2025,  students can't use a wireless communication device during instructional time except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.

Elementary and junior high students cannot use cellphones during school hours or lunch. They are allowed to have them in a backpack or purse but not in use unless otherwise directed by a teacher or administrator. 

High school students are permitted to use their cellphones during lunch or in class when permitted for instructional use. Phones should be in their backpack or purse throughout the day.  During class, a teacher may designate a space for wireless devices in the classroom and allow use if for an instructional purpose. 

High school students also can't use a cellphone while changing classes. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Teachers' Bill of Rights" bill in May 2023, which banned cellphone use statewide during class time. The bill went into effect on July 1. Districts could modify it to include between classes and during lunch.

What happens if students are caught using their phones or other wireless devices for unauthorized use?

If a student has a cell phone in the hallway, they will receive an initial warning to put it away.

But suppose a student becomes combative and argumentative with a teacher because of the warning. In that case, the disciplinary action may escalate based on the Student Code of Conduct Discipline Matrix. 

This new policy was approved on June 6, when the Clay County School Board voted 5-0 to update its cellphone policy to follow a Florida law (HB 379), which allows teachers and other instructional personnel to designate an area for wireless communications during instructional time. 

The Juvenile Justice meeting on July 9 discussed the merits of the new cellphone policy, saying cellphones can often be a harmful distraction in the hallways. 

"I think taking these (cellphones) out of kids’ hands while they’re supposed to be sitting in school can help because they’re watching these Fight Club videos while they’re between classes and then fighting each other, videotaping it," Sheriff Michelle Cook said during a recent meeting with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. 

"They’re learning on TikTok how to hotwire a car, and they’re going to commit crimes. That’s driving our property crime numbers right now, and there’s really no way around it," said Tylor Rapport, Government Relations Coordinator of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

"Some of the school districts have taken a bold approach and said, ‘Look, from bell to bell, you are not going to have the phone when you’re in school.’ And they’ve had it in place now for a certain period of time. They’re starting to see the results of their number of discipline and priorities, and they are plummeting," Florida Sen. Jennifer Bradley said.