Tuscaloosa City Schools approves cellphone restriction for 2025-26 school year
Tuscaloosa City Schools will implement a district-wide cellphone-free policy beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education on May 6 approved the new policy restricting the use of wireless devices, including cellphones, during school hours. The vote was unanimous.
The move by TCS comes in anticipation of a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. The Alabama Legislature is poised to pass the Alabama FOCUS (Freeing Our Schools of Unnecessary Screens for Safety) Act in the final days of the 2025 legislative session.
More: A tale of two teens: Learning to cope with life's challenges
"Cellphones are a distraction in our schools,' said Superintendent Mike Daria in a news release. 'While we are adopting this policy to comply with state law, we believe it's a move in the right direction to provide a better learning environment for our students.'
According to the TCS policy, wireless devices must be turned off and stored during instructional time. Devices may also not be kept in the student's pockets.
Mags Garrison works on her assignment in a fifth grade class at Rock Quarry Elementary on the first day of class for Tuscaloosa City Schools Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.
TCS officials say the new policy will enhance school safety, in addition to limiting distractions in the classroom.
Restricted devices include, but are not limited to, cellphones, laptops, iPads, smart watches, tablets and other devices with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular capabilities.
Exceptions:
Documented medical need
Students who must be accommodated under Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans
Emergency situations, as determined by staff
District instructional use authorized by certified staff
As part of the new policy, TCS will implement the use of Yondr Pouches, which are secure lockable bags. The Yondr pouches will be kept in students' backpacks until the dismissal of classes each day. All secondary schools will implement Yondr Pouches during the 2025-26 academic year.
James Pope, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning at TCS, said only cellphones and smartwatches will be kept in the secure pouches.
Mike Daria is superintendent of Education for Tuscaloosa City Schools.
"We're only doing the pouch for the cellphone and possibly their watches. Everything else, (students should) put away, keep out, don't bring to school," Pope said during the May 6 meeting.
Chris Jenks, director of technology for TCS, assured board members and attendees that devices will remain in the students' possession while in the secure pouches.
"The purpose of the pouch is to allow the student to maintain physical possession of the device while not being able to use it," Jenks said.
School officials say parents and guardians who need to reach their child during the school day should contact the school's main office.
Pope said some schools have already implemented similar wireless device restrictions and have reported positive results. These schools include: Westlawn Middle School, the Alberta School of Performing Arts, Eastwood Middle School and Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy.
"They told us about how much disruption has been lessoned because of it," Pope said
In preparation for the 2025-65 school year, TCS will launch a phone-free campaign to inform students, parents and faculty about the new policy.
More information about the new wireless device-free policy will be released in the upcoming months.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa City Schools to restrict use of wireless devices next year
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