Cell Phone

Personal Electronic and Communication Devices Guidelines

To promote the best possible learning and social environment in schools of Beaufort County School District,
students will adhere to the guidelines listed below during the school day. The intent of these guideline is to provide
specific guidance to expectations outlined in Administrative Regulation SS-27.

If a student brings a personal electronic device or personal communication device onto BCSD property, they are
personally and solely responsible for the care and security of their devices

a. Personal electronic devices shall be defined as any device, that is not district-issued, that has the capability of
electronically sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing, and/or displaying information and data. Examples of
electronic devices include, but are not limited to, computers, tablets, e-readers, portable media players, drones,
video gaming systems, GPS instruments, digital cameras, and camcorders.
b. Personal communication devices shall be defined as any devices, that is not district-issued, that has the
capability of communicating by means of sending, receiving, storing, recording, reproducing, and/or displaying
information and data, any device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, live streams, or otherwise
summons or delivers a communication to the possessor. Examples of personal communication devices include, but
are not limited to, cellular phones, smart watches, and any type of headphone or other accessory used to
electronically communicate.

Guideline of Use
High Schools (Grades 9-12):
a. All personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored in a locker, pocket, purse, backpack, or other
non-visible secure location from the school start time to the school end time.
b. Personal communication devices must be turned off and stored in a locker, pocket, purse, backpack, or
other non-visible secure location from the school start time to the school end time except for their lunch
block. Personal communication devices may be used during the student’s lunch block and only in lunch
locations designated by the school principal.

Time of Day	Personal Electronic Device	Personal Communication Device
Before / After School	Yes	Yes
During Class	No	No
During Lunch Block	No	Yes

Consequences
Students who violate this Administrative Regulation shall be subject to discipline in accordance with
Administrative Regulation SS-18, Student Code of Conduct, Progressive Discipline Plan.
Enforcement Quick Reference Guide: Personal Communication Devices
Infraction Level Code Code Title Action
1 1 330 Phone Violation
Contact the parent, confiscate the device, and administrator
returns to the student at the end of the day
2 1 330 Phone Violation
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, refer to MTSS
3 1 330 Phone Violation
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, review MTSS plan, 1 Day ISS
4 2 270 Refusal to obey
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, place student on behavior contract, 1 Day ISS
5 2 270 Refusal to obey
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, review MTSS plan/Behavior contract, 2 Days ISS
6 2 270 Refusal to obey
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, Up to 5 Days OSS
7 3 20 Major Disruption
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, 3 to 5 Days OSS
8 3 20 Major Disruption
Confiscate the device, return to parent during a parent
conference, 10 OSS and refer to hearing
Additional Guidance
o If a student refuses to give the device to an administrator, the infraction moves to the next level.
o At no time should a teacher/sta􀆯 member attempt to physically take an electronic device from a student.
o At no time should a teacher/sta􀆯 member take possession of and/or store a student's electronic device
from a student.
o A school administrator shall not forcibly take an electronic device from a student.
o An electronic device in a student’s pocket is considered stored.
o The policy applies to smartwatches when the student is using the device to communicate.
o Phone violation is derived personal communication device definition found SS-27.
o Cell phones are allowed in High Schools during lunches ONLY in designated areas. Please be explicit about
where your designated cell phone area will be located.