The School Board of Alachua County unanimously approved the second reading of several policy amendments on Tuesday, which included discussions on the use of personally owned wireless communication devices by students (WCDs).  

During Tuesday’s regular meeting, the policy that arguably drew the most discussion amongst the board was about student use of WCDs.  

“This amendment aligns with House Bill 1105, which amends Florida Statue 1006.07 and sets forth the prohibitions for student’s use of personally owned wireless communication devices – or WCDs – for elementary, middle and high school students,” Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Deborah Terry said.  

HB 1105 was among a variety of key education laws that went into effect in Florida in July. 

In accordance with the board’s policy, Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) students “may possess WCDs at school, on school property, during after-school activities (e.g., extra-curricular activities) and at school-sponsored activities.” 

Examples of WCDs, according to the policy, include cellular and wireless telephones, pagers/beepers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, “Smartwatches”, WIFI-enabled or broadband access devices, two-way radios or video broadcasting devices, laptops, electronic readers “e-readers” (e.g., Kindles or similar devices), “and other devices that allow a person to record and/or transmit, on either a real time or delayed basis, sound, video or still images, text, or other information.” 

Under the policy, elementary and middle school students are not permitted to use a WCD during the school day. High school students, meanwhile, can use WCDs only during classroom instructional time, if permitted by the classroom teacher and in accordance with Policy 7540.03 (Use of Technology by Students). At all other times, students should place their WCDs in the location designated by the teacher. 

The policy states that the superintendent, in consultation with the principal, may waive the prohibited uses of WCDs during the school day on a case-by-case basis for reasons like a student’s individual education plan (IEP), the student’s 504 plan or a doctor’s note from a licensed physical requiring the use of the WCD based upon valid clinical reasoning or evidence. 

Board member Thomas Vu said he liked the policy as it stood, but added he would like to see the prohibition extended to high schools. 

“I do understand that there is some varied interpretation of whether or not state statute would actually allow that,” he said. “But ultimately, that’s where I’d like to go. I don’t see a purpose now for cell phones in our classrooms at all, considering we have one-to-one devices.” 

Board member Leanetta McNealy disagreed with Vu on banning cell phones in high schools, noting the importance of students having the devices in times of emergencies. 

Vice Chair Tina Certain said she wanted to wait and see how the current policy played out before saying no phones at all. 

“I think we go with what we have, what’s in the Student Code of Conduct, in the current policy,” she said.  

Vu ultimately made a motion to adopt the three policy changes, which was seconded by McNealy and approved unanimously by the board. 

Board Chair Sarah Rockwell was absent from the meeting. 

Also, during the meeting: 

Board member addresses outcome of Newberry charter appeal hearing  

During Board Member and Superintendent Announcements, Certain addressed a few recent events involving the school board, including the board’s appeal for the Newberry charter conversion being denied by the Charter School Appeal Commission (CSAC).  

The hearing took place on Aug. 25, with the school board having brought 10 appeals before the CSAC, according to a social media post by Newberry Mayor Tim Marden. 

“The basis of the SBAC’s appeals were to contest the February Charter [School] Review Commission’s unanimous vote in favor of the Newberry charter conversion,” Marden posted. 

Marden wrote that all 10 appeals were denied by the CSAC. 

Jackie Johnson, a spokesperson for ACPS, told Mainstreet the hearing lasted approximately four hours, with commission members hearing arguments from both parties and asking their own questions. 

Ultimately, Johnson said the commission voted to recommend that the State Board of Education approve the conversion charter school application.  

Board member Janine Plavac asked Certain for clarification on what the board’s next steps are in the appeal process. 

“We have not decided as a board,” Certain said, adding she’ll likely end up putting something on a future agenda when she can have discussions with legal staff as to what they think the board’s next steps would or could be. 

In the meantime, the state board will consider the CSAC’s suggestion at its next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Fort Walton Beach. That meeting is slated for 9 a.m. at Northwest Florida State College (1170 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Bldg. 8). 

Superintendent search  

During Board Member and Superintendent Requests, McNealy asked that the superintendent search be added to the agenda for the board’s next meeting.  

Kamela Patton has served as the interim superintendent since November 2024, following the firing of former Superintendent Shane Andrew in October 2024. 

“We need to look at that. Our time is rolling fast,” McNealy said of a search for a permanent superintendent.  

There were a few seconds of dead silence after McNealy made her request before Vu spoke up. 

“We really need to have that discussion as a board to decide how we want to move forward with that,” he said. “And it’s definitely something we need to have sooner than later.” 

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.