BOE approves no cell phone use K-12
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By Pamela Permar-Shierling
The Glynn County Board of Education (BOE) has revised its no cell phone use during school hours to include grades nine through 12.
The board voted unanimously Tuesday, July 7 to amend the policy which they adopted for the 2025-2026 school year which prohibited use of cell phones on school property for grades K-8.
The state law prohibiting use of cell phones in school for grades K-12 goes into effect July 1, 2027. However, Glynn County Superintendent Mike Blackerby told the board that the high schools wanted to go ahead and implement the policy for the 2026-2027 school year for all students.
Access to cell phones or electronic devices is not permitted bell to bell during school hours inside the schools as well as outside on school property.
This includes trips, athletic events, and extracurricular activities.
The policy states “access” to electronic devices is prohibited. They may be carried in backpacks or on person but just not used. The device can be stored if a student feels tempted to use it.
Devices included “but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission.”
It is pretty much a no tolerance policy.
The first violation results in the device being confiscated by staff and returned at the end of the day.
If a second violation occurs, the device will be turned in to the front office and a parent / guardian will have to pick up the device..
The administration will decide if further consequences are necessary.
Students are allowed medical devices, such as a Dexcom, if it is included in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). However, a parent / guardian must request that it be placed there if it is not included.
In other business:
• CFO Avery Coty reported that through May local tax revenues were $2.4 million over budget. She attributed this to more than expected collections of ad valorem tax and an estimated $1.3 million in prior period property tax collections.
The school system’s estimated FY 2026 ending fund balance through May is $27.3 million.
May investment income totaled $516,251 with a total $142.6 million invested.
ESPLOST V revenues were $3.5 million which is the second highest collection amount to date. Total ESPLOST V collections are $45.8 million.
• The Goodyear Elementary school renovation is well underway and should be almost finished by July 30 according to Terrance Haywood, Executive Director of Facility Management and Construction.
Goodyear Elementary parking lot construction is underway Photo courtesy Glynn County School System
View of the inside of the new Glyndale Elementary School gym. Photo courtesy Glynn County School system
Glyndale Elementary replacement school is also on schedule with a target finish date by the beginning of the FY 2027 school year.
