Franklin County students will see a more liberal cellular phone policy when they return to school in August after the Franklin County Board of Education approved revisions to the Student Code of Conduct/Handbook last Monday night.
The new policy allows students to talk and text during class changes, lunchtime and while riding school buses. Cell phones are required to be off and not visible during class. The system's previous policy did not allow cell phone usage at all.
“We had requests from principals and teachers to change the policy because it was creating so many problems,” assistant superintendent Donald Borden said. “This new policy allows students to use their phones at certain times throughout the day, but no classroom use is allowed unless a teacher authorizes the phone to be used as a calculator, camera or notebook for school work."
The policy calls for disciplinary action for personal phone use during class time or at other inappropriate times. Pursuant to the policy, “all cell phones or electronic devices are subject to being searched if it is believed to contain evidence of a violation of board policy or school rules.”
Elementary students will be allowed phone use privileges on the bus and before and after school.
“We felt the policy change was needed, considering the age we are in," Borden said. "Students are so accustomed to using cell phones, so this policy allows some use but also provides guidelines for teachers and administrators to enforce."
Borden said he and board members reviewed cell phone policies of some neighboring systems that allow controlled usage of electronic devices.
In other action, the board:
•Awarded the 2016-17 paper bid to American Paper and Twine Company as the low bidder at a rate of $26.90/case of 8.5” X 11” paper and $37.20/case for 8.5” x 14” paper.
•Awarded the bid for LP gas to Bear Creek Propane, Inc., as low bidder at price of $.0789 per gallon.
•Approved an out-of-state trip for Belgreen High School basketball teams to travel to Mississippi for play dates on June 15 and 23.
•Approved resignations from: Jeff Madden, assistant principal, RBHS; Phillip Willingham, social science teacher/coach, Vina High School; and Derek Ergle, teacher/coach at Tharptown and Belgreen Schools.
•Approved resignation in supplement from Susan Crittenden, JV Cheerleader sponsor, BHS.
•Approved employment for: Katelin Barber, math teacher, BHS; Matthew Brasher, social studies teacher, BHS; Jessica Nichols, elementary teacher, BHS; Denise Hester, school secretary, PCHS; Danica Jackson, band instructor/music teacher, THS; Brooke Harris, elementary teacher, TES; Ginger Wright, elementary teacher, TES; Ginger Cole, elementary teacher, RBES; Jessica Williams, elementary teacher, RBES; Amy Strickland, child nutrition program assistant, Red Bay; Sarah Gillentine, child nutrition program assistant, Red Bay; Ladana Haley, child nutrition program assistant, Tharptown; Kathy Smith, child nutrition program seamless summer, Vina; Clint Isbell, physical education teacher/varsity basketball coach, BHS; Talon Thomas, physical education teacher/varsity basketball coach, VHS; Andrea Sorenberger, half-day health science instructor, Franklin County Career Tech Center; Cheryl Letson, special education teacher, THS and Tonya Wallace, special education aide, TES.
•Approved transfers including: Bethany King to elementary teacher, PCES; Amy Scott to elementary teacher, PCES; LeeAnn Moore to math teacher, PCHS; Hannah Hallmark to elementary teacher, TES; and Kevin Lacey to physical education teacher/head football coach, THS.
The next meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education is set for July 26 at 5:15 p.m., with work session at 5 p.m.
