FILE:  JCDAE

Cf:  JD

ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

No student, unless authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device, including but not limited to any cell phone, camera, video tape recorder, digital recorder, any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system in any elementary or secondary school building, or on the grounds thereof during the instructional day,  or in any school bus used to transport public school students.  Use or operation of an electronic telecommunication device shall mean the device is either visible, turned on or is in a mode capable of receiving or transmitting signals. The instructional day shall begin at the time students arrive on campus prior to the take-in bell and conclude upon the dismissal bell at the end of the day. 

No student, unless authorized by the school principal or his/her designee, shall possess, on his/her person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day, including wearable technology capable of sending or receiving text messages and other similar notifications.

If a student brings an electronic telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.  Electronic telecommunication devices, shall include, but not be limited to, cellular telephones, personal computers, laptops, electronic instruments, iPads, iPods, wearable technology such as smartwatches, tablet devices, e-readers, or similar devices.

These provisions shall also apply to any school-sponsored event, including athletic competitions and field trips, which take place during an instructional day.

These provisions shall not be applicable to a student whose Individualized Education Program, Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 plan, or Individualized Health Plan requires the student's use of an electronic telecommunication device.

During the instructional day, parents or guardians may contact students through the school’s office.

Students shall not utilize school-issued devices to access personal messaging features and social media accounts not used for educational purposes.

A violation of these provisions may be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension from school, as detailed in the Student Code of Conduct.

Should students choose to use an electronic device to video fights, text message test items, text message for unauthorized persons to check them out, post incidents that happened on school campus on the internet or similar practices that create a “substantial disruption” to the learning environment on a campus, they may be suspended and possibly recommended for expulsion depending on the circumstances.  Law enforcement shall be asked to assist with any investigation involving a cell phone or other electronic device that “substantially disrupts” the learning environment on a campus.

Nothing shall prohibit the use and operation by any person, including students, of any electronic telecommunication device in the event of an emergency.   Emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life, injury, or property damage.

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADES PRE K-8

No electronic telecommunications device may be brought to school by an elementary or middle school student in grades Pre K – 8.

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:239, 17:416, 17:416.1

Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators , Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 10-23-03, 6-8-06, 7-23-09, 6-27-13, 11-9-21, 7-16-24, 4-1-25

Zachary Community School Board