FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Fayette County Schools has proposed a sweeping new cell phone policy that would ban student use of personal electronic devices during the instructional day starting with the 2025–2026 school year.
The proposed policy comes in response to the recent signing of House Bill 2003 by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, which grants local boards of education the authority to prohibit the use of such devices in classrooms.
The Fayette County Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the policy at its upcoming meeting on June 10, 2025.
According to the draft policy, the use of personal electronic devices — including cell phones, Bluetooth earbuds, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and portable gaming systems — would be strictly prohibited during school hours for students in all grades.
The policy specifically states that no elementary student will be permitted to bring a cell phone to school, while students in grades 6–12 may possess devices only if they are secured in lockers during the instructional day.
The policy defines the instructional day as the entire school day — from arrival to dismissal — and includes time between classes and during field trips.
While generally prohibitive, the policy allows for a few exceptions:
- Medical or Special Education Needs: Students with documented medical needs or accommodations through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan may be permitted to carry electronic devices as necessary.
- Educational Programs: Students participating in approved work-based learning programs or dual credit college courses may use personal devices when required and authorized.
To allow for adjustment, the district plans a four-week grace period at the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year, during which students and parents will be educated on the new rules.
After the grace period, consequences for violations will escalate:
- First Offense: Office conference; device must be picked up by a parent.
- Second Offense: One-day suspension for violating school rules.
- Third Offense: Three-day suspension; repeated violations may lead to alternative school placement.
- Repeat Misuse: Students may be prohibited from possessing devices altogether, with a mandatory parent/guardian conference.
All incidents will be recorded in the West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS).
Schools will be required to inform students and families of the policy through various channels, including student handbooks, signage, websites, and social media.
Each school must also develop clear procedures to facilitate parent-student communication during the school day without disrupting instruction.
The Local School Improvement Councils (LSICs) will be tasked with annually reviewing discipline data related to the policy and offering recommendations for improvement.
Those wishing to comment on the new policy may do so here.
