Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

Buncombe County Schools allows students to possess and use cell phones before and after regular school hours. 1:1 devices are now being used to support educational activities and cell phones are not needed for educational purposes.  

  • Students who bring any electronic devices to school will follow these guidelines:

  • Students may not have any devices out from 7:50-3:05.  

  • Students may have devices before 7:50 and after 3:05. 

  • All devices must be turned off during the school day.

  • If a student needs to call home, the student must follow the school protocol.  They may use the classroom phone.

  • If an emergency or transportation change occurs, you will need to contact the front office. 

  • If a student fails to follow the electronics policy, the student device will be taken and a referral written.  The parent will have to pick up the device. 


Notes:

  • This does not include devices provided by the school.

  • Earbuds:  only in the classroom per teacher direction.

  • Students can access all academic related work from their school issued device.  They do not need phones.


  • Prohibited devices include:  cell phones, smartwatches, and any other device that is not school issued. 

  • Buncombe County Schools Board Policy 490 below (page 2)

School staff is not responsible for the safekeeping of cell phones/electronic devices. 
Students using cell phones during school hours will have the cell phone confiscated and held for parent/guardian pick up.  Continued violation of cell phone use will result in further disciplinary action.

Students are not to bring speakers or any other item that can disrupt the school or bus.  These items will be confiscated.

Students are discouraged from bringing any electronic devices to school.  The school administration and staff are not responsible for the safekeeping of these items.

The office phones are not for student use except in case of emergency.  Students should use the classroom phones to call home if they are sick. A teacher may allow students to use personal phones to communicate with parents.  Students will only be called out of class to receive messages if there is an emergency situation. Otherwise all messages will be announced during afternoon announcements or given to the student at the end of the school day.

Buncombe County School Board Policy

STUDENTS
Control of Personal Communications Devices on School Property

490

Control of Personal Communications Devices on School Property

A student in a public school shall not possess a personal communications device (PCD) during regular school hours except under specific limitations and circumstances.

Prohibited Use

  • Instructional Classroom Time: Students may not possess or use a PCD during any classroom

  • time or when teachers specifically prohibit their use.

  • Students may not possess or use a PCD when prohibited to do so by the school principal.

Allowed Use

  • Student may possess and use a PCD before and after school hours.

  • Students may possess and use a PCD while participating in extra-curricular activities, especially to keep parents informed about times to pick up students at school.

Storage

  • It will be the responsibility of the student to safeguard and store PCDs during school hours. Lockers or personal vehicles are preferred.

  • The school is not responsible for the safekeeping or security of PCDs. Students will use such devices at their own risk.

  • Improper use of PCDs will result in loss of privilege or disciplinary measures or both

Definition

  • A PCD is defined as any telecommunications device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, allows communications between individuals, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor.

Adopted – August 6, 1992 Page 1 of 1 Pages Revised – August 7, 2003