503.9 - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

STUDENTS

503.09 - STUDENT USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The WACO Community School District is committed to providing students with a safe, engaging, and distraction-free learning environment. Meaningful learning experiences and healthy social development are strengthened through direct interaction among students, staff, and the school community. While technology can be a valuable educational tool, personal electronic devices may interfere with learning, student engagement, and school safety when used during the school day.To support an effective and focused learning environment, student use of personal electronic devices during the school day is prohibited. Students are expected to keep personal electronic devices turned off and stored away during the school day. Personal electronic devices should be left at home, in a vehicle, in a locker, or secured in a backpack and may not be carried on a student's person during the school day.

Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, any device capable of electronically communicating, sending or receiving messages or data, storing, recording, reproducing, or displaying information. Examples include cellular phones, smartphones, personal tablets, personal laptops, gaming devices, wireless earbuds, and similar devices not issued by the district. Students may wear smart or electronic watches; however, communication applications, messaging features, internet access, and other functions prohibited on personal electronic devices may not be used during the school day. All notifications must be disabled during the school day.

Students shall have access to district-owned technology devices when authorized by school personnel and when appropriate for instructional purposes. The school day begins at the official start of the school day and ends at the conclusion of the scheduled school day. This includes instructional periods, passing periods, lunch periods, study halls, assemblies, and school-sponsored activities occurring during the school day, whether on or off campus. Personal electronic devices specifically authorized through a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or Individual Health Plan (IHP) are exempt from this policy.

Parents or guardians who need to communicate with students during the school day should contact the school office. Students who need to communicate with parents or guardians during the school day may do so through the school office. Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with administrative regulations and applicable student handbooks. The Superintendent shall develop administrative regulations necessary to implement this policy.

Note:  This policy is mandatory language should be adapted to suit the needs of individual districts. While districts can make policy language that is more restrictive than the language in this policy and regulation, districts cannot include language that is less restrictive than the language offered in this sample policy. Districts should determine what definition of instructional time is appropriate and include it in this policy. The definition of personal electronic devices includes cell phones, headphones and other Bluetooth devices. Smartwatches have been specifically exempted if the settings are appropriately configured. However, individual districts should decide whether to exempt smartwatches. Instructional time is defined to include lunch, recess, and passing periods in this policy. However, districts should adapt this language to suit the needs of their individual communities.
Adopted:  7/21/2025

Revised: 7/20/26

Legal References:
16 C.F.R. 312  34 C.F.R. pt. 99 47 C.F.R. 54.520 Iowa Code 279.8

Cross References