503.9R1 - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices Regulation

The WACO Community School District is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment for students and families. It is valuable for students' educational experience for families to engage in and support their students' educational experience. As part of this commitment, the district will take steps to create opportunities for students to engage in peer-to-peer activities, and ensure that student use of personal electronic devices does not occur during instructional time. 

Every district staff member is empowered to assist in the enforcement of this policy and regulation as appropriate. To avoid distraction during instructional time, personal electronic devices must be silenced or turned off, not visible, and not physically attached to the student's body. Students may store their electronic devices at the secondary in their locker, backpack or in a provided location in the classroom.  At the elementary, electronic devices may be stored in their lockers or the main office.  The elementary asks for students to not bring their electronic devices.  

Staff members may establish classroom rules or protocols for placement of personal electronic devices during instructional times consistent with this regulation. If a student is observed using a personal electronic device during instructional time, the employee who observed the student behavior will notify building administration, who will require the student to turn in the device for safekeeping until the end of the school day. The device will be secured in the building's front office. The district, however, is not responsible for the loss, theft, or destruction of personal electronic devices brought onto school, or district property, or while the student is attending district or school-sponsored events. 

Student violation(s) of this policy will need to check with the elementary or secondary handbook for the consequences.  The building administrator will work with the superintendent to develop regulations in accordance with this policy.  
 

Note: This regulation is optional, as is the language. All the language of this regulation should be amended to suit the unique needs of your district. Historically, cell phone bans in school buildings have been enforced unequally between classrooms. The language above is intended to create a more uniform enforcement approach by having building administration handle the enforcement of the students in violation of this policy, and minimize disruption within the learning environment. Some districts may choose to require turning in all students' personal electronic devices at the beginning of instructional time each day.  Districts who choose to do so, should proceed only after weighing their own risk of loss of personal electronic devices. 
Adopted:  7/21/2025