The Overton County School Board will begin the school year with a new mobile device policy, staying in alignment with new Tennessee law.
Director of Schools Kim Dillon said under the new policy, students will not be allowed to have cell phones on or out during the day. Dillon said headphones and smart watches will also be prohibited. Although she is unsure of parent response, Dillon said she thinks the changes will be positive.
“I feel like this is going to make everybody more focused,” Dillon said. “Teachers won’t be focused on having to tell students to get off their phones, and students will be more focused on what teachers are saying. Maybe there will be more interaction between teachers and students, maybe even students and students.”
Dillon said the policy in place for next year will be the same as last year’s elementary and middle school policies. Dillon said the freshman class and lower grades should already be used to the policy since they have already been following it.
Dillon said historically, there have not been many issues with cell phone usage during instructional time, although high school students had more access last year. The old policy permitted student phone use during the school day outside of instructional time.
Under the new policy, students who are caught using phones during instructional time will have them confiscated, and parents will be required to pick them up from the school office.
Dillon said the policy was decided on during a staff meeting. She said multiple options were discussed, but the district decided against using a locking pouch or case.
“We decided that we were going to try this method first before going and spending a bunch of money,” Dillon said. “It has worked successfully in our elementary schools, so they’re coming into high school used to not having them, not being able to use them.”
In addition to promoting socialization and focus, Dillon said the policy was meant to be equitable.
“Not all students have smartphones or have the latest devices,” Dillon said. “We want to make sure that if we’re going to allow the use of technology in the classroom, that everyone has the same technology.”
Dillon said the technology used at the school has filters in place to ensure appropriate use from students. She said the policy will help protect students by limiting the sites they can access.