Cell Phones And Other Wireless Communication Devices (Policy 5500.10)

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

On July 1, 2025, Florida House Bill 1105, including new provisions regarding student use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in schools, became law. As a result, Pinellas County Schools will implement the following new rules in the 2025-26 school year, and these rules will supersede the current policy.

Elementary & Middle Schools

• Students may not use of cell phones or other wireless communication devices during the school day (bell to bell).

• Teachers no longer have the discretion to allow usage during instructional time for educational purposes.

High Schools

• No changes to current policy because the new law did not impact high school students.

These updates do not change existing provisions allowing for use pursuant to a student’s IEP, 504 Plan, or Health Care/Medical Plan, or in case of emergency.

The Code of Student Conduct will be formally updated to reflect this and other new laws during the first semester of the 2025-26 school year.

Pinellas County Schools recognizes the ever-increasing importance of technology in students’ lives and the beneficial role it can play for student education and communication when used responsibly. The possession and use of such devices should not interfere with academic instruction, student safety or a positive school climate.

Advances in student technology, including wireless communication devices, smart glasses, and other wearable recording devices, present unique challenges involving distraction, unauthorized recording, privacy, classroom management, and test security. This policy establishes rules governing student possession, use and storage of such devices while at school, during school-sponsored transportation and during school-sponsored activities.

Parents are advised that the best way to get in touch with their child during the school day is by calling the child’s school office.

This policy addresses wireless communication devices and wearable recording devices separately. While wearable recording devices may also be wireless communication devices, wearable recording devices are governed by the rules in section II below. The rules in section III below apply to all other wireless communication devices.

I. Definitions

As used herein, the terms below are defined as follows:

“Wireless communication devices” means any non-district-issued electronic device capable of sending, receiving, accessing, storing, reproducing, or transmitting voice, text, images, video, data, or other communications without a cable connection, which may include, but are not limited to, cell phones, headphones, earbuds, tablets, and smartwatches.

“Wearable recording devices” means any non-district-issued device designed to be worn on the head, face, body, or clothing. This term includes any wearable or body-mounted technology capable of recording, transmitting, or storing audio, video, images, or communications, regardless of whether the device resembles traditional eyewear. This term includes, but is not limited to, smart glasses, augmented reality eyewear, camera-equipped eyewear, and similar emerging technologies.

Wearable recording devices may or may not be wireless communication devices.

“Off position” means powered completely off, and is not simply set on a vibrate, silent, standby, hibernation or airplane mode.

“Silent mode” means no audible alerts or vibrations.

“Instructional school day” is the time of day within the bell times approved by the School Board for that school.

II. Wearable Recording Devices

Wearable recording devices are prohibited from being used in any manner at school, during school-sponsored transportation and during school-sponsored activities and must be in the off position at all times and must be stored in a non-visible secure location, such as the student’s locker, backpack, purse or pocket.

III. Wireless Communication Devices

A.Authorized Possession and Use of Wireless Communication Devices

All students may possess a wireless communication device at school, during a school-sponsored activity, and during school-sponsored transportation subject to the restrictions set forth in this policy and applicable law. However, students may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time, in accordance with s. 1006.07, F.S. For purposes of this policy, the designated area is a non-visible secure location, such as the student’s locker, backpack, purse or pocket.

Student use of wireless communication devices is governed by the grade level restrictions set forth and may not be expanded by individual classroom discretion except where expressly permitted for high school instructional use.

Pursuant to Florida law, student use of wireless communication devices shall be governed as follows:

1. Elementary School Students

Elementary school students must keep wireless communication devices in the off position throughout the instructional school day (bell to bell), and while participating in a school-sponsored activity on or off campus, unless otherwise directed by a teacher. Students are permitted to use their wireless communication devices after the end of the instructional school day, if needed to communicate with parents regarding the coordination of transportation or other logistics.

Headphones and earbuds are not permitted during the instructional school day or while participating in a school-sponsored activity on or off campus, unless otherwise directed by a teacher. When permitted, after the end of the instructional school day, headphones and earbuds are restricted to minimal volume, only to be heard by its user. Due to school safety concerns, one ear must remain free of the accessory at all times during authorized use.

2. Middle School Students

Middle school students must keep wireless communication devices in the off position throughout the instructional school day (bell to bell), and while participating in a school-sponsored activity on or off campus. Students are permitted to use their wireless communication devices before and after the instructional school day.

Headphones and earbuds are not permitted during the instructional school day or while participating in a school-sponsored activity on or off campus, unless otherwise directed by a teacher. When permitted, before and after the instructional school day, all headphones and earbuds are restricted to minimal volume, only to be heard by its user. Due to school safety concerns, one ear must remain free of the accessory at all times during authorized use.

3. High School Students

High school students must keep wireless communication devices in the silent mode or off position during instructional time within all class periods.

Students may only use a wireless communication devices:

a. before school,

b. after school,

c. during lunch, and

d. while transitioning between classes.

Use during instructional time is prohibited unless expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.

A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time, in accordance with s. 1006.07, F.S. For purposes of this policy, the designated area is a non-visible secure location, such as the student’s locker, backpack, purse or pocket.

All headphones and earbuds are restricted to use before and after the instructional school day and during lunch. When permitted, all headphones and earbuds are restricted to minimal volume, only to be heard by its user. Due to school safety concerns, one ear must remain free of the accessory at all times during authorized use.

IV. Exceptions

Wireless communication devices are permissible in the following circumstances:

A. Smartwatches: The district recognizes that some parents will provide their student with smartwatches for a variety of reasons.. All of the rules applicable to wireless communication devices apply to smartwatches; however, students are permitted to wear smartwatches for the purposes of telling time and location tracking only.

Smartwatches may not be worn during district and state assessments.

The Unauthorized Use of Cell Phones and Other Wireless Communication Devices section applies to the misuse of smartwatches.

B. A student may possess, wear, or use a device otherwise regulated by this policy when such use is:

1. expressly authorized by an Individual Education Plan (IEP);

2. expressly authorized by a Section 504 plan;

3. supported by a written physician certification or Health Care/Medical Plan consistent with applicable law; or

4. expressly approved by the district for assistive technology, health monitoring, safety, or another documented educational or medical purpose.

Any approved use must be limited to the documented purpose and implemented in a manner that protects the privacy and safety of other students and staff to the greatest extent practicable. Nothing in this policy prohibits device use required by an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, Health Care/Medical Plan, or in the event of an emergency, as required by law.

District-issued technology approved and supervised by school personnel is not prohibited by this policy.

V. Unauthorized Use of Wireless Communication Devices and Wearable Recording Devices

A student’s possession, display or use of wireless communication devices and wearable recording devices on school property contrary to the provisions of this policy shall be viewed as the unauthorized use of such devices when such possession, display or use of such devices results in conduct that includes, but is not limited to:

1. Interference with or disruption of the instructional or educational environment within the classrooms or the school.

2. Use which violates academic integrity, as the reproduction of images of tests, communication of test or examination contents or answers, to provide access to unauthorized school information, or assistance to students in any aspect of their instructional program in a manner that violates school board policy or the Student Code of Conduct.

3. During district and state assessments, students may not wear, possess in a reachable location, activate, use, or access any wireless communication device, smart glasses, or wearable recording device except as expressly permitted for an approved accommodation or as otherwise authorized under state testing rules.

Any violation may be treated as a testing irregularity and may result in confiscation of the device, invalidation of the student’s assessment, and disciplinary consequences under the Code of Student Conduct. Florida’s test-security statute prohibits knowingly and willfully violating test-security rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

4. Use in locker rooms, restrooms, swimming areas, and any other location where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

5. Such devices may not be utilized to take photographs, videos or audio recordings while at school, during a school-sponsored activity, or during school-sponsored transportation without prior consent..

6. Use to commit a crime, under federal or state law including but not limited to cyberbullying, sexual harassment or threats.

7. Use in a manner that is profane, indecent, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, bullying or harassing language, pictures or gestures.

C. Responsibility/Liability for Wireless Communications Devices and Wearable Recording Devices

Any student who chooses to bring a wireless communication device or wearable recording device to school shall do so at their own risk and shall be personally responsible for the security of their device(s). School Board staff are not responsible for preventing theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to wireless devices brought onto school property, or left on school-sponsored transportation, including any device(s) confiscated due to inappropriate use

View the PCS Student Code of Conduct