New Phone Policy: Here’s What’s Happening

A meeting held by the Board of Education of Macon County schools on Monday, September 22, lead to a 3-2 vote on a new cell phone policy that eliminates the use of personal technology for the entire school day.

The policy before this revision stated, “Cell phones are prohibited during instructional time. Students may use personal technology during passing periods and lunchtime.”

The new policy defines the school day as running “from the beginning of the first class period of the day to the end of the last class period of the day.” After this, it states that any device capable of messaging or other communication is prohibited throughout the school day.

“Except when students are authorized to use and possess wireless communication devices…, students will store their wireless communication devices during the school day in accordance with a storage plan developed by the principal.”

The policy took effect on Wednesday the same week it was passed, and Franklin High School has had a mixture of responses to this policy.

Last Thursday,  Student Leadership sent out a survey via email about the new policy to both teachers and students. The survey asked students which policy they preferred, as well as any other comments and additional thoughts.

Alongside the students, a group of local parents has also started sharing their thoughts on the policy on Facebook.

But What Do Adults at FHS Have To Say?

Daniel Gibson, Vice Principal, shared his thoughts on the new policy. Gibson made a multitude of valid points and reasons as to why he found that the old policy made a perfect balance between the students and the school district of FHS.

“There were fewer behavioral reports and noticeably better grades from the students,” said Gibson. He also added that “allowing the use of phones during passing periods and break time can serve as a break for students between extended learning periods.”

Gibson said that the old policy “met a willing compromise and equal balance between phone use and education,” and “provided students the freedom to grow responsibly and manage their time.”

Students were challenged to “be more responsible and step up with their own personal control in regards to using phones during instructional time,” which is something that has always been a struggle and most likely caused a change in policy.

Gibson stated in regards to the benefits of the new policy, saying that it has “given students a chance at better communication, connection, and interaction”.

In front of Gibson was a table full of boys, laughing and talking. After observing student behavior in the cafeteria on the daily, Gibson explained that before the new policy, the group would have been sitting there staring at their phones silently.

Nathaniel Smith, a new civics teacher at the high school, had a few of the same thoughts as Gibson.

“Students are more present in the moment and connecting with their environment, and [that] can build up our school spirit,” Smith said.

Smith also commented, however, that he found the new policy to be “over-exaggerated and difficult to enforce on students, especially during lunchtime.”

As far as teachers being affected by the new policy, Smith stated that, “Teachers should be role models and examples for students when it comes to cell phone use.” Many students and Facebook comments seem to complain about teachers always using their phones during instructional time, while the students can’t.