Regulation JCDAF-R(1): Use of Electronic Devices by Students - Student Possession of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

Status: ADOPTEDOriginal Adopted Date: 12/04/2008 | Last Revised Date: 07/12/2016 | Last Reviewed Date: 07/12/2016see more

1. The possession of mobile telephones and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) is a privilege extended to students with the expressed, written consent of their parents/guardians. Due to the potential disruption a mobile telephone or PED may cause to the instructional environment the disciplinary actions outlined below will be strictly enforced.
2. Unless otherwise directed by school administration or school staff, the use of mobile telephones or other PEDs is forbidden for all students at all times during the instructional day. The instructional day includes, but is not limited to, lunch periods, class changes, study halls and any other structured or non-structured instructional activity that occurs during the normal school day. Devices must be out of sight and turned off. This prohibition includes all emergency situations unless the student is directed to use a mobile telephone or PED by an APS employee or other official or unless an extreme threat to the health or safety of a student arises and no APS employee or other official is present.
   
   Specifically:

• This policy is in effect from the time a student arrives at school until the completion of the instructional day. Students with permission to possess PEDs may use them during afterschool activities as allowed by the school principal or designee.
• Students are prohibited by law from using any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus, including but not limited to cell phones; tablets; iPads; iPods; pagers; audible radios, tape or compact disc players; or any other electronic device without headphones or ear buds; or any other electronic device in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communications equipment or the school bus driver's operation of the school bus.
• Students are never permitted to use mobile phones in the restrooms and locker rooms.
• All mobile phones must be turned off during the instructional day. Students are not allowed to have mobile phone ringers on silent alert or send text messages during the instructional day.
• Students are not allowed to use cell phones in the common areas, lunchrooms or hallways during the regular instructional day.

3. Photographing, audio recording or videotaping on Atlanta Public Schools property is not allowed at any time without the expressed, written consent of the students, staff members or other persons being photographed or recorded.
4. The parent or legal guardian must complete the Parent Permission Form for a Mobile Telephone/Personal Electronic Device each school year and deliver it to the school principal or designee before the student is allowed to possess a device on school property.

Student Searches and Confiscation

School officials may search a student if there is reasonable suspicion the student is in possession of an item that is illegal or against school rules. Student vehicles brought on any Atlanta Public Schools’ campus, student book bags, school lockers, desks and other school property are subject to inspection and search by school authorities at any time without further notice to students or parents. Students are required to cooperate if asked to open book bags, lockers or any vehicle brought on campus. A student’s refusal to cooperate with a search could result in a decision by the school administrator to involve the school resource officer or local law enforcement.  Students who disrupt or refuse to cooperate with general or reasonable suspicion searches may be referred for disciplinary action. Alternative schools may use specialized searching procedures and criteria as allowed by law and as designated by the alternative school.

All staff members have the right to confiscate mobile phones when used in violation of policy JCDAF and its implementing regulation. If a student refuses to relinquish a phone or other device to a school staff member, the staff member may refer the student with the device to the principal or designee.

The Atlanta Public Schools assumes no liability for the theft, loss or damage of mobile telephones and other PEDs possessed by students on school property or held by school officials during the confiscation period. APS employees will not be responsible for searching for lost or stolen mobile phone or other PEDs.

Disciplinary Consequences and Actions

1. Photographing, recording or videotaping of students or other persons in any state of undress may constitute a violation of federal law. Any violation will result in serious disciplinary consequences, up to and including expulsion or assignment to alternative school.
2. Photographing, audio recording or videotaping on Atlanta Public Schools property is not allowed at any time without the expressed, written consent of the students, staff members or other persons being photographed or recorded. Any violation will result in the device being confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year and a fine of $50.00.
3. Use of a mobile phone during a test or quiz shall be considered a violation of the academic integrity policy. Any violation will result in the device being confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year, a fine of $50.00, and the student will receive a grade of zero (0) on the test or quiz.
4. Disciplinary actions for students whose parent/legal guardians have completed the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form are as follows:
    
   • First violation: Verbal warning.
   • Second violation: The device will be confiscated and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item. 
   • Third violation: The device will be confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one (1) semester. Written notice will be mailed to the parent, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item. 

• Fourth (or more) violation: The phone will be confiscated and the student will lose the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year. Written notice will be mailed to the parent, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.

5. Disciplinary actions for students whose parent/legal guardians have not completed the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form are as follows:

• First violation: The device will be confiscated, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item. The parent/legal guardian will be given the opportunity to complete the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form at the first conference. Should a parent/guardian opt to not complete the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form, further disciplinary actions against the student may be warranted for subsequent violations.
• Second violation: The phone or device will be confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one (1) semester. Written notice will be mailed to the parent, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.
• Third violation: The phone will be confiscated, and the student will lose the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one (1) calendar year. Written notice will be mailed to the parent, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.

6. Violations are cumulative across the student’s school career in the Atlanta Public Schools. A transfer to another school does not entitle the student to a “fresh start.”

Board Policy