What's New Cell Phone Policy in Shreveport Bossier Schools?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Parents and students in schools across Louisiana are on notice today about new rules for cell phone use in schools.

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State lawmakers passed a measure tightening the rules. Senator Beth Mizell of Franklinton pushed for passage of Senate Bill 207 which won approval unanimously in the Senate and passed 84 to 13 on the House floor

What Does the New Louisiana Law Say?

No student shall possess, on his person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day. If a student brings an electronic telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.

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The Caddo School Board has now passed a new policy that will require all digital devices to be turned off and stowed away during the entire school day. Students will not be allowed to use the phones during lunch or between classes.

The policy also does not require teachers to take up the phones each day. Local leaders don't want teachers to spend valuable classroom time monitoring collecting and handing out phones. Teachers will be responsible for sending students to the office if they are caught using a cell phone during the school day.

This is the new Caddo policy:

"No student shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device including but not limited to any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, cellular phone (smartphone, smart watches, smart glasses, Ipads, or tablets, etc) intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system in any public elementary or secondary school building during the academic school day unless authorized by teacher or the principal. for academic purposes."

The policy continues:

"Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the use or operation of any electronic telecommunication device by any person, including students, in the event of an emergency. An emergency means an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage."

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If a student is caught using a cell phone in Caddo school, that device will be taken up and a parent or guardian will have to show up to pick up the phone. If a student repeatedly violates the policy, the student can face suspension.

How Will Bossier Schools Deal with New State Law?

“It is our intention to follow the new law to the greatest extent possible, but also utilize the Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) policy already in place at Bossier Schools. During instructional time, students will be encouraged to have their cell phone turned off and stowed unless the lesson calls for the BYOT policy to be implemented. It is our district’s intention to manage the cell phone law in a positive manner by using it to the advantage of our teachers and students to encourage a productive learning environment, which is how we hope the law was intended.”