Schools update cell phone policies ahead of next year

RUSSELLVILLE — Cell phone policies in Russellville city and Franklin County schools have been updated for the 2025-26 year.

The change meets the requirements of the Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, which was signed into law in May by Gov. Kay Ivey.

The law required local boards of education to adopt by July 1 a “wireless communication device policy” effectively banning the use of cell phones in schools.

Students are now banned from possessing “a wireless communication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during the instructional day unless the wireless communication device is turned off and stored off their person in a locker, car or similar storage location,” according to the act.

A cellular telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, pager, gaming device, and smart watches are considered wireless communication devices.

Some exceptions to the ban exist, including when the use and possession of a device is part of a student’s Individualized Education Program, Individualized Accommodation Plan, Section 504 Plan or Individualized Health Plan, or if the use relates to an emergency threatening life or safety.

Public Relations Coordinator Jonathan Willis said school officials updated the Russellville City Schools policy in May, immediately after the act became law.

The policy specifies that both smart watches and wireless headphones are included as wireless communication devices and are banned from use “during the instructional day.”

“Devices must be turned off and stored off the student’s person in a locker, car or similar storage location during the instructional day,” according to the new policy.

The instructional day includes lunch periods, time between classes, and any other non-instructional period in which staff instructs or requires students to turn off their phones.

Franklin County Schools updated its policy on June 26.

Superintendent Greg Hamilton noted that prior to the update, students in county schools were allowed to use their cell phones during their lunchroom time, during break time and during hallway time.

Now, cell phones must be turned off and stored throughout the school day.

“They can keep their phones in backpacks, lockers or cars, but not in their hands and pockets,” Hamilton said. “They can’t be turned on during instructional time, and lunch is considered instructional time, so that had to change for us.”